Title: Drought, desertification, and water management in sub-Saharan Africa.

POPLINE Document Number: 128803

Author(s):

Bonkoungou EG

Source citation:

In: Sustaining the future: economic, social, and environmental change in sub-Saharan Africa, edited by George Benneh, William B. Morgan, and Juha I. Uitto. Tokyo, Japan, United Nations University Press, 1996. :165-80.

Abstract:

Sustainability and sustainable development have become the key terms in addressing the world's general concern over environment and development issues. The development process seems to have reached an impasse in sub-Saharan Africa, food production per person has declined steadily over the past 3 decades, and people in many countries of the region are poorer now than they were 30 years ago. Sub-Saharan Africa's environment remains troubled by desertification and recurrent droughts in the semi-arid lands and high rates of deforestation in the humid eco-zones. The major environmental constraints in sub-Saharan Africa are described, with consideration of their implications for sustainable development strategies in the region and a focus upon semi-arid lands. Sections cover droughts in sub-Saharan Africa and their implications for planning and development, desertification, and land degradation and management of soil and water. The potential roles of agroforestry and a small-scale water-harvesting technique to combat desertification and promote sustainable agricultural production are noted as important to sustainable agricultural development in the region.

Keywords:

Africa, Sub Saharan
Sustainable Development
Water Supply
Desertification
Drought
Africa
Developing Countries
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Natural Resources
Environment
Environmental Degradation