Palatable Proposal to Pending Potables Problem

Here is a post borrowed from a friend about water use, effeciency, and the pending water crisis. Pay particluar attention to Mr. Zurayk's second paragraph.

"There is no doubt that we need to rethink how we use water, especially with the human population growing rapidly, and global warming likely to produce unpredictable patterns of rainfall and drought. Nevertheless, my own research suggests that the situation may not be as dire as many are suggesting. Nations can thrive on surprisingly meagre quantities of fresh water - provided they adopt water-efficient technologies and encourage economic activity that doesn't guzzle water. I believe the looming water crisis is primarily a problem of distribution and management rather than supply. And we can solve it with existing technologies, increased investment and political will."

Certainly true: Agriculture consumes more than 80% of water resources in dry countries. The efficiency of irrigation averages at around 50%. Increasing the efficiency to 75% (very possible) will be akin to providing 50% more water.

Here's a link to a Sweedish studen'ts master thesis on a field study of the acceptability of drip irrigation as a suitable avenu eto water management. The author, Lisa Andersson, states in her abstract:

This project was conducted in Enable village, situated in Sekororo, a poor area in northern South Africa. Small-scale rural farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and preferences of low-cost drip irrigation systems were investigated through a series of interviews conducted before, during and following their use of such systems. Responses were analysed to determine the technological, socioeconomic, and cultural suitability of the systems.

The farmers demonstrated an interest in and capacity to install and manage the drip systems. They also recognised a noticeable savings in water, time spent irrigating, and associated labour. Constraints of introducing drip irrigation systems to local markets include insufficient knowledge of the full advantages the technology offers, and long distances to markets that inhibit incentive to raise crop production. Successful introduction of drip irrigation systems in rural sub-Saharan Africa will require comprehensive training of farmers and support staff and appropriate timing of the introduction that coincides with the winter season when irrigation is crucial.

The piece is a great balance between the promises and difficulties inherent in trying promote drip irragation in SSA. The text ellucidates that nothing in this 'buisness' is easy; it is a realistic starting point to understanding what contextual factors have to be taken into account. I'm for it.