Exploring the factors causing the poor performance of most irrigation schemes in post-independence sub-Saharan Africa

This article explores the factors causing the current poor performance most government irrigation schemes in sub-Saharan. The literature review finds that the poor performance is not caused by socioeconomic and biophysical conditions to sub-Saharan Africa. African farmers have adapted to biophysical conditions and expanded or contracted their under agricultural water management in response to market. Rather, this poor performance is predominantly linked to production systems introduced during colonialism and developments independence, such as agricultural policies restraining economic development, unsuitable irrigation technologies agricultural practices, and international lending practices and arrangements.