Water, the most important resource on earth, has become scarce due to climate change. Desertification has continued to expand in Africa with most countries receiving little rainfall.
In the past three years, rainfall has not been consistent especially in east Africa. Rivers have dried with water volumes in dams reducing significantly. The water demand for domestic consumption has tripled leading to water rationing.
This has left the agricultural industry very vulnerable with insufficient water for irrigation. Crops and pastures have weathered and died leading to deaths of thousands of cattle and losses. Conserved Volumes in water reservoirs are running dry reducing agricultural productivity.
Most farms have reduced their production in the hopes of rain as the cost of outsourcing water continue rising.
But how can the government and farmers conserve this resource in rainy seasons?
Creation of mega dams
The majority of farmers in the arable area need only water for them to carry out their farming. The government should intensify the creation of mega-dams early in dry seasons to conserve water that ends up in seas during rainy seasons.
The dams should be many in number per region to ensure enough water for both irrigation and domestic use.
Drilling of boreholes
County/regional governments should invest in drilling deep boreholes per ward and facilitate its distribution to specific homes. This will release pressure on rivers and ensure consistency in farm production. The water should also be affordable.
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Creating water reservoirs (water pans)
Every farmer on a small basis should try to conserve as much water as possible. Water harvesting through the use of gutters to collection tanks, creating water pans and small dams should be sensitized countrywide in every home.
Non-governmental organizations should also fund such projects.
The above measures should be put in place early enough before the rains. Water harvesting is the only solution that will save farmers from an unprecedented drought.
Irrigation mechanisms such as drip irrigation combined with mulching will help farmers produce more with the harvested water.
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