Increasing the productivity of agriculture through better water control clearly makes a significant impact. Farmers can use a variety of simple and affordable water management techniques to increase their yields and reduce their vulnerability to erratic rainfall or drought.

For example, they can build earth barriers or furrows that channel rainwater runoff to plants or rows of plants (in situ conservation). Or they can capture water from a catchment area and direct it to the field (flood irrigation). To prepare for dry periods, they can collect rainwater in reservoirs, ponds and other basins (storage for supplementary irrigation).

Studies throughout Africa have shown that rainwater harvesting can increase yields up to three times. Not only does it provide more water for crops, but it also helps to recharge groundwater and to reduce soil erosion.