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The impact of investment in irrigation on poverty and therefore on food security continues to be a controversial issue. There is empirical evidence that irrigation development can have substantial impact on poverty reduction through direct product gains, lower food prices, and indirect effects through forward and backward linkages, in particular through increased employment opportunities. Other writers say that irrigation development mainly benefits the rich segments of the rural population and thus increases social differences. A comparative analysis of the performance of irrigated agriculture with respect to poverty does not exist, yet the investments in irrigation infrastructure continue to be significant and interest of donors in poverty alleviation is increasing. Two main issues would be the impact of irrigation on growth and distribution. A third related issue is the impact (positive or negative) on heath and the environment that directly affects nutritional security. In all cases, the impact of the type of irrigated agriculture (in terms of scheme size, management and maintenance mechanisms, source of watere, etc) needs to be analysed. Of particular importance will be the impact of management mechanisms on equity, efficiency, poverty reduction and sustainabilily.
We starts with two facts: the sharp (alleged) decline of investment in irrigated infrastructures, due in part to diminishing returns, falling agricultural prices and increased environmental concerns; and the deteriorating performances of many irrigation schemes due to management problems, misincentives inducing over-use of water, waterlogging, salinisation and depletion of groundwater.
The study will contribute to the UN World Water Development Report.
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