One theory of what is holding back the first steps of Malawi's development (again, with all the caveats associated with pro-development arguments) is its lack of industrial level irrigation. Millions of Malawians--the vast majority of the population--are subsistence farmers without irrigation, relying on one harvest following the rainy season. As a result, there is little room for cash crops or additional yields that would bring in income for school fees, health care, electricity, clean water, environmental protection, improved diet, etc etc etc.
Take the photo above, snapped from the top of our hike in Dedza. If there is water, crops will come. In the photograph, people have harvested what is a very small stream for the growth of thousands of pounds (perhaps millions along the length of the creek) of food. The stark contrast of browns and green is incredible. Of course, there are also the myriad consequences of pumps, dams, piping, water reallocation, etc. Large scale irrigation is not all roses and chocolate.
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