Inland Valleys

Inland valleys are the upper reaches of river systems, in which alluvial sedimentation processes are completely or almost absent. Inland valleys comprise the whole valley cross-section, i.e. valley bottoms, which may be submerged for part of the year, their hydromorphic fringes, and the contiguous upland slopes and crests extending over the area that contributes runoff and seepage to the valley bottom.

Inland valleys constitute an important agricultural and hydrological asset at local and national level, and can  make a major contribution to food security and poverty alleviation. They cover approximately 190 million hectares in Sub-Saharan Africa, which is about 8% of the land area. Only a small fraction of the inland valleys, probably less than 15%, is currently utilized, mostly in the sub-humid and humid zones. Crop yields are often low and cultivation is limited by constraints.  

Lack of appropriate water management Weed problems Lack of labor Human diseases associated with lowland environments Land-tenure arrangements Limited access to input and output markets