Transforming Irrigation Systems in Southern Africa (TISA): Lessons from a Decade-Long Intervention

Transforming Irrigation Systems in Southern Africa (TISA): Lessons from a Decade-Long Intervention

By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru , 12 , May 2025 in Africa News Slider

0 0

Please follow and like us:

By Correspondent

The decade-long Transforming Irrigation Systems in Africa (TISA) project, which ran from 2013 to 2023, has reshaped irrigation practices, turning small-scale farming into sustainable, climate-resilient enterprises.

Funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and spearheaded by the Australian National University (ANU) in collaboration with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the University of South Australia (UniSA), TISA spanned three African nations—Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Winner of the 2022 EFMD Excellence in Practice Gold Award in the Ecosystem Development category, the project adopted a two-pronged strategy to strengthen smallholder irrigation systems:

Utilizing soil moisture and nutrient monitoring tools to enhance irrigation management; and establishing Agricultural Innovation Platforms (AIPs) to address productivity challenges in the region.

“This project is unique in driving systemic change, empowering farmers to solve problems on the ground. The published special edition offers trailblazing insights into the scientific literature on theories of change, socio-technical interventions, and capacity development,” stated Dr Stanford Blade, Deputy Director General – Research and Innovation, ICRISAT.

“The impact of TISA’s interventions in promoting more resilient and sustainable farming practices is evident across all three project countries. Our learnings show that farmers experienced improved water productivity, higher yields, increased gross margins, and enhanced household incomes—benefits that persisted even after the intervention,” said Dr André VanRooyen, Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa (ESA), ICRISAT.

Please follow and like us:

Comments

comments

HRH Princess Eugene Majuru

Princess Eugene Majuru is a distinguished author, historian, and media entrepreneur, and a direct descendant of the royal Mbari clan of Harare. As the sovereign custodian of Harare’s heritage, she has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting Zimbabwean culture, history, and traditions. Princess Eugene is the author of acclaimed works including Chosen, A Concise History of Harare, and Reclaiming Heritage. As the founder of News of The South, she leads one of Zimbabwe’s premier media platforms, hosting press conferences and providing insightful commentary on social, cultural, and heritage issues. Passionate about education, heritage, and civic engagement, Princess Eugene blends her royal lineage with modern thought leadership to inspire and inform audiences locally and internationally.