Concepts and methods of SAERP/DARDIS as a sustainable rural development strategy in Africa

Abstract

Africa being the second driest continent next to Australia, moisture stress is the major limiting factor for crop and livestock production particularly in the arid and semiarid areas. Over 65% of the rural and 25% of the urban population in Africa are without adequate water. At present some 14 countries are facing serious water scarcity and by the year 2,025 about 26 African countries are expected to face serious problem of water scarcity. The dryland ecologies of Africa facing the problem of insufficient and erratic rainfall distribution are also characterized by highly fragile natural resource base. Soil erosion rates are very high in the semi-arid areas. UNEP has estimated that some 6.9 million square kilometer (23%) of all land prone to degradation in the world is found in sub-Saharan Africa.