Farmers can now tap more groundwater without depleting the source

Groundwater use in Africa is becoming easier for farmers to expand. This means more land can be irrigated, potentially boosting food production without running out of water.

For decades, the assumption has been that expanding irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa means depleting precious groundwater. This paper argues that farmer-led development, coupled with better management, can increase water use without exhausting the resource. This could unlock significant agricultural potential in regions struggling with food security.