Social-ecological traps and transformations in dryland agro-ecosystems: Using water system innovations to change the trajectory of development

► Resilience thinking offer new insights about social-ecological dynamics in dryland farming. ► This paper examines development trajectories in Makanya agroecosystem, Tanzania. ► External drivers and key variables have interacted to create a social-ecological trap. ► Water system innovations can destabilize the feedback, opening up for transformation. ► Current agricultural investment approaches need to change to realize this potential.