Research Background and Study Area

The SASE in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are characterized by low erratic rainfall which result to high risk of droughts, intra-seasonal dry spells and frequent food insecurity. Water is one of the limiting factors to food production and socioeconomic development in general. The main occupation is subsistence small-scale rainfed agriculture and livestock production, which normally compete for the limited water resources. The main challenges to improving the livelihoods of the small-scale farmers are how to upgrade rainfed agriculture to improve rural livelihoods and conserve nature, and upgrade upstream land use in balance with water needs for human and ecosystems downstream. There is an increased interest in opportunities of improving rainfed agriculture through adoption of RHM systems. However, there is inadequate knowledge on hydrological impacts and limits of up-scaling RHM at a river basin scale.