Traditional In Situ Water Harvesting Practices and Agricultural Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa—A Meta-Analysis

Meron Lakew Tefera (), Giovanna Seddaiu and Alberto Carletti
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Meron Lakew Tefera: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Giovanna Seddaiu: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale Italia 39A, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Alberto Carletti: Department of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: Climate change severely impacts sub-Saharan Africa, which relies heavily on rainfed agriculture for food production. Variable and insufficient rainfall exacerbates food insecurity across the region. Traditional in situ water harvesting (IS_WH) practices enhance soil water-holding capacity, improve infiltration, and promote soil conservation. This meta-analysis of the peer-reviewed literature examines IS_WH practices’ effects on crop yield, soil moisture, runoff, and soil loss reduction across various rainfall conditions in sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis reveals that IS_WH practices significantly boost agricultural productivity, with a combined effect size showing a 71% increase in total crop yield. IS_WH practices also improve soil moisture retention by 59% and effectively reduce runoff by 53% and soil loss by 58.66%, demonstrating their robust water and soil conservation benefits. Despite their proven benefits, the adoption of IS_WH practices in sub-Saharan Africa is hindered by socioeconomic and institutional barriers, including limited technical knowledge, resource constraints, and inadequate extension services. By addressing these barriers, there is significant potential to scale up IS_WH practices, enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability across the region. Such efforts are crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keywords: crop productivity; in situ water harvesting; runoff; soil moisture; sub-Saharan Africa; sustainability; rainfed agriculture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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