PREFACE

In October 2002, the Director General of FAO proposed a long-term regional programme on the improved use of water for agriculture to the governments of Angola, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Following favourable responses, including that of Botswana, FAO commissioned a diagnostic study to examine the root causes of crop and livestock productivity decline in the face of recurrent droughts, resultant water shortages and the failure to harness the potential for effective water use.

The diagnostic considered current water use and the potential for improvement to increase production and reduce the vulnerability of farmers to drought in ten countries: Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The diagnostic was carried out at FAO’s Subregional Office for Southern and East Africa (SAFR) in Harare according to the issued terms of reference (TOR), by three consultants: a socioeconomist (who was also the team leader), a specialist in soil fertility and land management, and a specialist in water resources management. The studies were conducted almost exclusively from the desk, with support from FAO staff in Harare and Rome.

The study forms part of FAO’s support to the NEPAD CAADP. It elaborates a perspective for the land and water management ‘Pillar 1^[1]’ of the CAADP at sub-regional level and provides a framework for national initiatives in order to assist the formulation of bankable projects. The perspective also attempts to provide a background diagnostic for the proposed SADC Irrigation Development and Water Management Project submitted under Pillar 1 of the NEPAD CAADP Flagship Programme.