In order to fill gaps in the Nile Basin Initiative and member country information bases on agricultural water use the irrigation potential of seven Nile countries was assessed. This project consisted of several consecutive steps, in which hydrological modelling, the use of remote sensed data, ArcGIS analyses, consultation workshops and meetings formed the core.

The countries included in the Nile Equatorial Lake sub-basins face an ever increasing pressure on land and water resources, together with rapid population growth. As a result, food production is one of the main concerns and priorities of policymakers in the area. Irrigation and improved water resources management have the potential to boost agricultural productivity in the area, currently almost entirely rainfed. Irrigated crop yields are much higher than rainfed yields, which means that there is a high potential to increase food production in the area.

FutureWater, in collaboration with WaterWatch, will assess the irrigation potential of seven Nile countries in order to fill gaps in the NBI and member country information based on agricultural use. This study consists of several consecutive steps, in which hydrological modelling, the use of remote sensed data, ArcGIS analyses, consultation workshops and meetings form the core of the project.

The specific objectives of this project are:

  • Determine the irrigation potential of the proposed countries considering the physical resources of ‘soil’ and ‘water’, combined with the irrigation water requirements as determined by the cropping patterns and climate
  • Provide a preliminary assessment of probable environmental and socio-economic constraints to be considered to ensure sustainable use of physical resources within the Nile basin
  • Indicate the required resources for the preparation and investment phase

NEL countries

Maps

The assessment of the Irrigation Potential study resulted in a irrigation suitability map. This map can be downloaded as jpeg or as GeoTIFF. Click on the links below to download the suitable format:

Related publications

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 114Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. FutureWater Report 114X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix Burundi. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix Burundi

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix DR Congo. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix DR Congo

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix Kenya. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix Kenya

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix Rwanda. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix Rwanda

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix South Sudan. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix South Sudan

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix Tanzania. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix Tanzania

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel

  • 2012 - FutureWater Report 113Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel. 2012. Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda - Appendix Uganda. Phase 2 country reports. FutureWater Report 113X

    Assessment of the Irrigation Potential in Burundi, Eastern DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda – Appendix Uganda

    Droogers, P., W. Terink, J.E. Brandsma, W.W. Immerzeel