ABSTRACT

Water shortage is the most critical issue facing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region and is likely to be exacerbated in the future because of high population growth and continuing decline in the renewable resources resulting from climate change, pollution and overdraft of groundwater. Despite this alarming situation, water management still faces major drawbacks as the largest share is used for agricultural production under traditional farming practices and low on-farm water use efficiency, resulting in very low output per unit of water use and consequently low economic returns from investments. However, because of the scarcity and unreliability of precipitation in the region, the improvement of irrigated farming systems still presents a high potential in the region and will undoubtedly continue to attract investment in the future, in comparison with rainfed systems. The present study is based on the outputs of several projects and sectoral studies, particularly a World Bank financed project aimed at introducing modern irrigation technological packages, in a participatory manner, under all major existing farming systems, as a measure to enhance water savings and improve farm income. The study proves the technical and financial practicability as well as the social acceptance of introducing water saving measures into the present farming systems to enhance crop production and quality and reduce or even stabilize decline in groundwater on a wide scale. Evident as it may seem, this was not possible five years earlier, because of the overall context (traditional practices, social reluctance to modern technology, very low technical capacity and social structure of the production systems.) Nevertheless, the generalization of this solution - although possible - is still faced with several constraints of different natures, particularly institutional, social, legal and policy related. Existing policies and regulations related to water development and management are often not well adapted and not adequately implemented, whereas socio-economic and institutional set-ups still need further strengthening. Tremendous efforts have been made during the past five years to elaborate new strategies and policies; but this is only the first step in the right direction of a tedious and long process, as implementation of these tools will not be easy. Crop produce is faced with serious marketing problems, both internally and for export. In addition, low quality standards and post harvest treatment make the produce lack competition. The private sector plays only a minor role, in comparison with its potential. As it is based on Yemen, the case study presents an extreme situation; however, the issues and problems raised illustrate the global trends for the entire MENA Region. While technological improvements are essential, they should be accompanied in an integral manner with the reform of macro-policies, alleviation of rural poverty geared towards community development, strengthening of institutions particularly the private sector and enhancing marketing and export conditions.

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