For millions of smallholder farmers, fishers and
herders in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), water is
one of the most important production assets.
Water is key to enhancing rural people livelihoods, because insecure access to water for consumption and productive uses is a major constraint on poverty reduction in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. FAO and IFAD are working together to explore ways to better the livelihoods of many, through targeted interventions.

One of the most important reforms within the irrigation sub-sector has been irrigation management transfer (IMT). It is the process of devolvement of authority and responsibility from government agencies managing irrigation systems to farmers’ organizations and has been utilized as a tool for irrigation sector reform in more than 60 countries. FAO, IWMI and others partners have made an effort to document and understand the implications of this reform process.

This report, prepared by FAO on behalf of UN-Water, put the accent on Water Monitoring. International coordination in monitoring the state of the world's water resources is needed, in order to guide future investments and efforts in achieving these goa ls. Crucial in this process is mobilizing the required financial resources of donors and lenders, by showing them that the impact of water-related initiatives in poor countries can be reliably assessed and that their impact on human development and environment sustainability is notable.