Existing practices on water resources
Cape Verde has a wide experience in managing the scarce water resources available. This includes soil and water conservation techniques and a watershed approach.
In irrigated agriculture, a more efficient irrigation system that saves water, drip irrigation, was introduced in the 1990's and has been promoted since then. Also, more efficient ways of water distribution were implemented with construction of reservoirs and substitution of traditional channels by polyethylene pipes.
In rainfed agriculture, large reservoirs have been built to collect and stock rainfall water to be used in irrigation, human and animal consumption.
The Cape Verde population has developed strategies to save water in their domestic activities, and water is seldom used for irrigation, with the exception of valleys bottoms wherever some water is available. It is a traditional practice for many people to collect rain water from the roofs of their houses and stock in ground reservoirs for use during the dry period.
