JOHANNESBURG, Jun 12 (IPS) - Despite the significant role groundwater could play in alleviating poverty, improving food security and contributing to overall development in Southern Africa, a lack of skills, finances and awareness of the resource means only a small percentage of the region's supplies are tapped into.

"Although Southern Africa boasts groundwater supplies, only a small amount is extracted - despite the high demand for water," said Karen Villholth, a groundwater expert at the Danish department of Hydrology. Read more...