The Limpopo River Basin is home to 14,000,000 people, at least half of whom live in rural areas. Over ten million South Africans live in the basin - nearly 25% of the national population. The remaining population live in Botswana - one million people, nearly 60% of the national population - Mozambique and Zimbabwe. While there are no major cities located on the river, several major urban areas in or adjacent to the basin impact water availability including quality.

Rainfall over much of the Limpopo is highly variable within and between years, so that farmers who rely on rain fed agriculture are vulnerable. Those with resources to invest in storage and water-saving technology are better able to withstand the chronic weather-related shocks. Yet few small-scale, resource-poor farmers have the resources to make the necessary investments, which many see as a risky venture.

The policy environment for management of natural resources in the four Basin countries has developed over the last 15 years, but further attention is needed in the following areas:

• strengthen Limpopo River Basin Commission (LIMCOM’s) capacity to plan and monitor water use and quality
• develop a secure framework of land tenure and water rights for rural populations to encourage investment and sustainability
• price and prioritise the use of water by small-holders to ensure their economic viability; and
• plan for water resources development with an eye toward the variation from the historical record of current and future precipitation scenarios