During good years, agriculture in these areas produces satisfactory yields. However reduced rainfall or prolonged dry spells are leading immediately to crop failure. Irrigation would be the logic solution but water scarcity and the high cost of irrigation infrastructure are major handicaps. Alternative solutions should be found to increase the quantity of water on farmers fields.
Water harvesting is a proven technology to increase food security in drought prone areas.
Erosion control and recharge of ground water are additional advantages of water harvesting techniques. It has been observed that in most countries, extension and irrigation staff have often very limited knowledge about the various water harvesting techniques and the associated socio-economic implications. The dissemination and adoption of the technology on a larger scale by farmers is hampered by this lack of trained field staff. To train staff of national water resources, irrigation and agricultural services in the planning, design and implementation of water harvesting structures for improved rain fed production, supplementary irrigation and livestock watering. To make participants familiar with the associated socio-economic problems which go along with the implementation of Water Harvesting.