Rainfed farming is the main source of income for 64% of the Sahelian people, who reside in rural regions. Only 3% of farmland has irrigation systems installed, even though up to two million hectares of land might be irrigated. Access to water for irrigation is essential for small farmers to maintain their means of subsistence as well as to promote wealth and harmony in their local communities. The first regional project created after heads of state adopted the Sahel Irrigation Initiative (2IS) in 2013 is PARIIS. It focuses on irrigating farmlands and maximizing their potential by combining local knowledge with low-tech, straightforward technology. Around 390,000 farmers, 49% of whom are women, profit from the project’s more than 20,000 hectares of irrigated land spread across more than 2,000 locations throughout the participating nations. Reduced irrigation costs, more climate change resistance, higher farmer incomes, and improved food security are some advantages.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2024/03/20/afw-bringing-forth-water-to-combat-food-insecurity-and-climate-change-in-the-sahel?cid=dfi_tt_wbgida_en_ext