Irrigated gardens reduce poverty and build empowerment. Validated RNRRS Output.
Abstract
This is one of 280 summaries describing key outputs from the projects run by DFID's 10-year Renewable Natural Resources Research Strategy (RNRRS) programmes.
Summary for Project title: R7304: Zimbabwe: Micro-catchment management and common property resources.
Scaling up of the productive use of water, especially through use of irrigated gardens, is cutting poverty in southern Africa. High livestock densities, damage to the environment and small, uneconomic holdings lead to widespread poverty. Developing strategies for sustainable livelihoods and managing common property resources is the best way to fight poverty. In particular, water points (wells, boreholes, dams) act as incubators for economic and institutional development and empowerment. They can therefore help to alleviate poverty while building capacity and self-respect. Various NGOs are using these approaches in the semi-arid zones of southern Zimbabwe and South Africa's Limpopo province. These include CARE (in small dam construction and rehabilitation), Plan (in water development and enhancing communities' livelihoods and empowerment), the Lutheran World Federation and GTZ (structured learning).
The CD has the following information for this output: Description, Validation, Current Situation, Current Promotion, Impacts On Poverty, Environmental Impact. Attached PDF (14 pp.) taken from the CD.
Citation
NRSP18, New technologies, new processes, new policies: tried-and-tested and ready-to-use results from DFID-funded research, Research Into Use Programme, Aylesford, Kent, UK, ISBN 978-0-9552595-6-2, p 115.