Cameroonian Farmers Building Irrigation Channels
Farmers in the region of northwest Cameroon used to watch their vegetable patches dry up and die in drought periods, even though nearby rivers and streams offered a steady flow of water. Getting the water to the fields was nearly impossible because the area's steep, rocky terrain made carrying it hugely difficult.
Now a channel irrigation system is allowing farmers to access water for their fields, helping them grow vegetables throughout the year and better manage worsening drought associated with climate change. The system uses a network of farmer-built canals that rely on gravity to bring stream water to fields in Cameroon’s Akum and Santa districts. The two districts sit in a semi-arid area of the country, but streams from the lush highlands flow through it, making irrigation a good option.
Max Boschini