This report presents field evidence from three major public financing schemes for large-scale rice irrigation in West Africa. The report assesses the cost-effectiveness of the schemes, the quality of their management, and the persistence of poverty and food insecurity. It shows that answering questions including, “what type of farmers get the best results?”, “how big should plot sizes be and with what tenure conditions?” and “what credit and marketing systems would support farmers effectively?” are needed if production is to be sustainably improved.
The report aims to help decision makers understand project outcomes and optimize the returns on State investment, both for the taxpayer and for individual farmers. It makes recommendations for action and for the better alignment of public policy objectives with the interests of a diverse set of smallholder farmers, from making better use of existing systems to improving the design of future projects.
