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Problems Plague Ambitious Irrigation Plan in Africa
Tanzanian rice farmer Zwena Mvena, 20, says a new irrigation scheme has helped very little.
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Tanzania hopes to jump-start its agricultural production by dramatically increasing the use of irrigation. The government of the East African nation plans to quadruple the amount of irrigated land to almost 2.5 million acres over the next four years.
Existing irrigation schemes have had significant, but unintended, consequences. Tanzania has suffered crippling electricity blackouts for months, as water once used to power hydroelectric plants is diverted to grow rice.
Meanwhile, rivers that formerly filled their banks year-round have begun to dry up. Worse yet, rice yields are up only slightly, if at all.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
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