in annual rainfall in West Africa Sahel, noting that it was uncertain as to whether or not rainfall had recovered in recent years. More recently, Laux et al.
(2008) have identified high uncertainties in the onset of the rainy season. Climate change/variability may aggravate this situation (Jung and Kunstmann 2007).
In order to minimize these effects and enhance food security, additional sources of water for crop cultivation must be considered. Adoption of small-scale groundwater interventions for crop cultivation can greatly boost agricultural production and food security
in SSA (Taylor et al. 2009). Unlike rainfall and surface water, groundwater is better buffered against droughts and climate change/variability (Carter and Parker 2009, MacDonald et al. 2009)