different from Blue water which refers to water in rivers, lakes and shallow aquifers and in the past has received most of the attention from planners, engineers and policy makers because of its association with established forms of irrigation. However, the availability of green water dwarfs that of blue water and, therefore, has vast potential to improve crop production. For maximum benefit to communities, other inputs and assistance (particularly with the marketing of cash crops) should be provided in comprehensive agrarian reform programmes. 4.3.5. Policy: Member States will promote affordable and sustainable techniques for small-scale irrigation as a measure to increase production of food and cash crops in rural areas for sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction. This has two aspects. The first is to give protection from the devastating effects of failed rainy seasons, which in the absence of alternative sources of water lead to hunger, loss of livestock and exacerbates poverty. The second is to provide opportunities for households to diversify their cropping patterns, improving household nutrition and also producing commodities for sale, generating higher incomes and thereby attacking poverty directly. Properly targeted support should be provided to rural communities to plan, implement and manage small scale irrigation schemes. These may also be designed to provide water for livestock and opportunities for aquaculture. Where possible the provision of productive water should be integrated into domestic water and sanitation programmes. Too often in the past the potential of providing sufficient water for productive as well as domestic use has not been exploited, due to the narrow health focus of the traditional rural water supply and sanitation approach. 4.3.6. Policy: Member States will promote measures to increase water use efficiency in agriculture. Pricing of irrigation water shall be consistent with the need to provide economic incentives for efficient use Many irrigation systems in SADC are inefficient, resulting in very high water losses, averaging 40-60%. Such high water losses are unsustainable, potentially depriving other users of scarce water resources. Irrigation schemes should aim for higher water use efficiencies, so as enhance conservation and to free water resources for other productive sectors. It is encouraging to note that efforts are already being made in some parts of the region to move towards water use based on efficient technologies in irrigation. 4.3.7 Policy: Water requirements for livestock - including both livestock watering and maintenance of grazing land - shall receive adequate consideration in water resources allocation and management at regional as well as national and local levels. Livestock requires sustainable access to water supplies and grazing areas all year round. Consequently, livestock water requirements need to be integrated - 27 -