AfDB commits $1.5b to water resources in Africa

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has promised $1.5 billion to harness water resources for agricultural development on the African continent.

The fund would be for the development of technical details of water projects in Africa in the next five years, AfDB Director Ally Abou Sabaa told Xinhua on the sidelines of an African Green Revolution Forum last week.

The water development initiative needed at least $5 billion, he said, calling on other players to make contribution for the projects, which were designed to make 8.5 billion cubic metres of water available for crop production as part of the food security program of the continent.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day African Green Revolution Forum, Ghanaian Vice President John Mahama said the abundant water resources together with arable lands and sunshine were some of the critical ingredients needed for the success of the green revolution in Africa.

The African Green Revolution began in 2006, focusing on small - scale holders to achieve food self-sufficient and security in African with the support and assistance from the African Union and partners from other continent.

About 90 per cent of food crops consumed in Africa are produced by small-scale farmers, constituting an average of about 60 per cent of the African work force, who depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture for crop production and work with primitive tools such as hoes.