Xueliang Cai,David Molden,Bharat R. Sharma, International Water Management Institute, Southern Africa, x.cai@cgiar.org
This paper summarizes the results and findings of water productivity assessment in ten river basins across Asia, Africa and South America based on the Basin Focal Project of the Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF). The Asian basins, with intensive farming activities, have much greater agricultural outputs and higher water productivity. A large proportion of African farmers, however, live solely on little agriculture with significantly lower WP. High intra-basin variability was observed, which was attributed to many factors but mainly lack of inputs, poor water and crop management. Global assessment revealed that localized interventions are more suitable for closing up the gaps between “bright spots” and the large poorly performing areas. Priorities are different in different regions. While improving crop yields is a gradual process, achieving water saving help to reduce the pressure on basin water allocation. Basin water development also has to be balanced with environmental sustainability.
Key words: Agriculture, Basin, Water productivity