ODI Global
Poorly-coordinated water resource development leads to conflict
Focusing on big dams and irrigation projects without a proper management framework can lead to conflicts over water allocation between regions, sectors, and upstream and downstream users.
This picture shows two farmers in the Lower Awash Basin who experience water scarcity, especially during the dry season when river flow is low. The Awash Basin is growing economically, with new irrigation (both government-planned and farmer-funded) and four urban-industrial centres increasingly taking water from the Awash River.
As a consequence of poor coordination and planning, there is already competition over scarce water resources. For example, the expansion of the Wonji sugar cane plantation from 6,000 to 22,000 hectares occurred without consulting downstream irrigators, who are now worried of the negative impacts on their crops.
Photo: Beatrice Mosello/ODI
Poorly-coordinated water resource development leads to conflict
Focusing on big dams and irrigation projects without a proper management framework can lead to conflicts over water allocation between regions, sectors, and upstream and downstream users.
This picture shows two farmers in the Lower Awash Basin who experience water scarcity, especially during the dry season when river flow is low. The Awash Basin is growing economically, with new irrigation (both government-planned and farmer-funded) and four urban-industrial centres increasingly taking water from the Awash River.
As a consequence of poor coordination and planning, there is already competition over scarce water resources. For example, the expansion of the Wonji sugar cane plantation from 6,000 to 22,000 hectares occurred without consulting downstream irrigators, who are now worried of the negative impacts on their crops.
Photo: Beatrice Mosello/ODI