Africa Water Balance For Irrigation Suitability 1987

Water balance data estimates irrigation suitability and water requirements for lowland and upland crops across Africa. The dataset covers 55 countries, 25 major basins, and 335 watersheds. It was prepared by FAO and UNEP based on a 1982-1984 project and published in 1987.

Use Cases

• Classify soil suitability for lowland crops (flooded rice) and upland crops using the water balance methodology.
• Compare surface water and groundwater availability to potential irrigation use within 335 African watersheds.
• Estimate irrigable area reductions where water use exceeds available resources using the water surplus/deficit analysis.
• Route water surplus to downstream basins based on the basin-level water balance calculations.

Strengths

• Covers 55 African countries and 25 major basins for broad continental analysis.
• Derived from foundational maps including the UNESCO Geological Map of Africa and FAO/UNESCO Soil Map.

Limitations

• Data is from 1987 and may not reflect current hydrological or land-use conditions.
• Original methodology and classification are specific to the 1980s project context.

Provenance

Source

FAO Land and Water Development Division, UNEP, and UNESCO.

Collection Method

Digitized map data analysis using a water balance approach on geological, soil, rainfall, watershed, and administrative unit maps.

Time Range

1987 (based on project from 1982-1984).

Freshness

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Geography

Africa (55 countries, 25 major basins, 335 watersheds).