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Integrated land management / Knowledge sharing / Communication / Accountability / Monitoring and evaluation / Financing / Learning / Capacity development / Marginalization / Social inclusion / Women / Gender / Local communities / Policies / Decision making / Partnerships / Collaboration / Sustainability / River basin management / Governance / Guidelines / Multi-stakeholder processes / Integrated water resources management
Record No:H052584
Guidelines for the establishment and management of multi-stakeholder platforms to coordinate integrated water resources management in river basins with a focus on the Central Rift Valley Lakes Basin of Ethiopia
Water resources policy in Ethiopia emphasizes the significance of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in river basins. The Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) with its different directorates is vested with the responsibility of coordinating water resource management across basins. As part of executing this mandate, MoWE initiated the preparation of guidelines for establishment and management of multi-stakeholder platforms (MSPs) to coordinate IWRM in various basins.; The guidelines presented in this publication focus on coordinating and managing water resources in the Central Rift Valley Lakes Basin within the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Basin. This basin faces numerous water-related challenges such as increasing water demand, pollution, ecosystem degradation, climate change impacts, and conflicting water-use practices. These guidelines are aimed at defining a framework outlining the purpose, scope, and scale of MSPs as well as the key roles to be played by the governance bodies involved.; While facilitating collaboration and partnership among the stakeholders involved in basin water resources management, these guidelines explicitly emphasize inclusion of women and marginalized groups. They highlight the essential elements required for effective management and governance of MSPs and underline the need for facilitation, trust-building, planning, goal-setting, effective communication, and a commitment to participatory decision-making. Ultimately, MoWE bears the responsibility of making the final decisions.; Collaborative dialogue and inclusive decision-making processes are vital for sustainable water management. Integrated planning, data collection, monitoring, and evaluation are important for taking well-informed decisions. Therefore, our guidelines recommend capacity-building initiatives and knowledge-exchange platforms to enhance the effectiveness of MSPs. Additionally, strategies and mechanisms for securing the financial resources needed to implement IWRM plans and activities are emphasized.; As effective communication plays a vital role in MSP processes, there is a need to define objectives, identify stakeholders, select communication channels, establish communication protocols, build relationships and trust, and develop outreach materials.; Gender issues in water resources management, particularly access to water and control and ownership, are highlighted in these guidelines. Capacity-building activities are recommended to enhance the knowledge and skills of the stakeholders involved in the MSPs.; Lastly, the guidelines stress the importance of monitoring and evaluating the MSPs involved in basin management. Such evaluations involve measuring stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, knowledge sharing, and collaboration and partnerships.; These guidelines can be used by basin and sub-basin coordination experts and officials to establish and manage MSPs in the Central Rift Valley as well as beyond.
Integrated land management / Knowledge sharing / Communication / Accountability / Monitoring and evaluation / Financing / Learning / Capacity development / Marginalization / Social inclusion / Women / Gender / Local communities / Policies / Decision making / Partnerships / Collaboration / Sustainability / River basin management / Governance / Guidelines / Multi-stakeholder processes / Integrated water resources management
Record No:H052584
Report
Public-private partnerships / Sustainability / Agricultural policies / Stakeholders / Indicators / Strategies / Diversification / Agricultural sector / Seed production / Agricultural development
Record No:H052583
Stakeholders Inception Meeting: Tanzania Seed Sector Development Strategy (TSSDS)
On November 14, 2023, the Ministry of Agricultureapos;s Department of Crops Development (DCD) convened an Inception Meeting on the Seed Sector Development Strategy (SSDS) at the Gran Melia Hotel in Arusha, Tanzania supported by USAID through the SERA BORA project and CGIARapos;s Ukama Ustawi initiative. Attended by a diverse array of stakeholders, the meeting aimed to initiate discussions on the SSDS, marking a crucial step towards shaping a comprehensive and impactful strategy for Tanzaniaapos;s seed sector.; The meeting commenced with Professor David Nyange from the Agricultural Sector Policy and Institutional Reforms Strengthening Tanzania (ASPIRES TZ) welcoming participants and underscoring its significance as a benchmark for initiating the seed policy in Tanzania. Gratitude was extended to the Ministry of Agriculture, USAID, and CGIAR for their invaluable support and contributions. Mr. Samson Poneja, Assistant Director for DCD, emphasized the substantial role of agriculture in Tanzania and outlined challenges, stressing the need for improved seeds and a comprehensive seed strategy.; Dr. Inga Jacobs-Mata from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) highlighted the Ukama Ustawi initiativeapos;s goal to address food and nutrition security risks, emphasizing the collaborationapos;s importance in ensuring the availability, accessibility, and sustainability of quality seeds. Mr. Poneja, in his official opening statement, acknowledged the challenges in the agriculture sector and proposed a seed strategy focusing on availability, accessibility, utilization, and sustainability.; Professor Nyange provided insights into the seed sectorapos;s current state, emphasizing the need for strategic planning. He outlined lower crop yields in Tanzania and proposed three key factors for improvement: enhanced genetic potential through improved seeds, soil health management, and improved agronomic practices.; Dr. Idil Ires presented the Ukama Ustawi Initiative, driven by the imperative to address maize cultivation vulnerability to climate change, which is structured into six work packages. The initiative supports over 1000 farmers and 50 agro-businesses with a substantial investment of US$100 million.; A compelling case was made for the development of the Tanzania Seed Sector Development Strategy, aligning with national policies. During group sessions, participants analyzed proposed strategies in thematic areas, including Seed Availability, Accessibility, Adoption, and Utilization. The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude from a USAID representative and Professor Nyange, marking the official closure of the workshop.; The Inception Meeting served as a collaborative platform, bringing together key stakeholders to lay the groundwork for a strategic and sustainable transformation in Tanzaniaapos;s seed sector. The shared commitment and insights provided a robust foundation for the ongoing development of the SSDS.
Public-private partnerships / Sustainability / Agricultural policies / Stakeholders / Indicators / Strategies / Diversification / Agricultural sector / Seed production / Agricultural development
Record No:H052583
Report
Indicators / Climate change / Food policies / Fisheries / Livestock / Oilseed plants / Cash crops / Strategies / Diversification / Agricultural production / Agricultural development / Agricultural sector / Agricultural policies
Record No:H052582
Tanzania agricultural policy profile
Tanzania places a significant emphasis on the importance of its agricultural sector, acknowledging its pivotal role in both the economy and the livelihoods of its citizens. The governmentapos;s commitment to the advancement of agriculture is evident through the execution of diverse policies and programs. The central pillar of Tanzaniaapos;s agricultural policies is the Agricultural Policy of 2013, which delineates strategies to boost productivity, ensure food security, and enhance the socio-economic conditions of farmers. The policy underscores the importance of sustainable practices and the adoption of technology.; Several key programs contribute to the realization of the regions agricultural policy objectives such as the Agricultural Sector Development Program (ASDP) II which focuses on modernizing agriculture, improving infrastructure, and enhancing market access. The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) seeks to attract investments and boost agricultural productivity in the southern regions and the quot;Kilimo Kwanzaquot; initiative, meaning quot;Agriculture First,quot; emphasizes the prioritization of agriculture in national development. It encourages private sector involvement, technology adoption, and increased agricultural productivity.; Tanzania has made significant progress in agricultural development, marked by increased production and improved livelihoods. However, challenges persist, encompassing the impacts of climate change, issues related to market access, and the imperative for sustained policy implementation tailored to fortify the agricultural sectorapos;s resilience. The Tanzanian government remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the agricultural sector. Future efforts are anticipated to emphasise the need for sustainable practices, technological innovations, and inclusive policies to address challenges and promote long-term growth.; In conclusion, Tanzaniaapos;s agricultural policy framework reflects a comprehensive approach to sector development. The implementation of key programs and initiatives demonstrates the governmentapos;s unwavering dedication to nurturing a robust, sustainable, and economically vibrant agricultural sector for the holistic benefit of its nation.
Indicators / Climate change / Food policies / Fisheries / Livestock / Oilseed plants / Cash crops / Strategies / Diversification / Agricultural production / Agricultural development / Agricultural sector / Agricultural policies
Record No:H052582
Journal Article
Women / Social inclusion / Intersectionality / Information and Communication Technologies / Digital divide / Digital agriculture / Digital innovation
Record No:H052692
Fostering social inclusion in development-oriented digital food system interventions
CONTEXT: Digital innovations can enhance the participation of often-marginalized social groups – including women and resource-poor farmers in low- and middle-income countries – in sustainable, profitable food systems. But digital interventions can also reinforce existing inequities by further increasing the competitive advantage of user groups privileged with literacy, access to smartphones, or high investment capacity. To ensure that the digital transformation in the Global South leaves no one behind, therefore, deliberate efforts are needed to promote the inclusivity of emerging digital innovations. To date, however, there is a lack of practical guidelines and tools to critically assess, demonstrate, and enhance the inclusivity of digital food systems interventions. Too often, inclusivity remains a blurry concept and distant objective. In result, digital development researchers and practitioners have limited incentives for investing time and effort into safeguarding inclusivity.; OBJECTIVE: With this short communication, we intend to contribute to future, practice-oriented discussions about social inclusivity in development-oriented digital interventions for sustainable food systems. We provide a critical reflection on the current discourse around digital inclusion in development context and outline challenges and opportunities for considering inclusivity in the design and deployment of digital food system innovations.; METHODS: Drawing on literature as well as the authors’ own experiences with the design and implementation of digital innovations within research-for-development, we highlight ‘blind spots’ in the current discourse around digital inclusion in low- and middle-income country context. We then develop practical suggestions for overcoming these limitations.; RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We propose a concrete agenda for enabling researchers and other innovation stakeholders, including donors, to contribute to more inclusive digital food system innovation in low- and middle-income countries. First, a standard concept and procedure is required for transparently assessing the inclusivity of digital services. Second, as many digital development stakeholders work under resource constraints, simple design tools can help them effectively consider social inclusion criteria during the design of digital solutions. Lastly, a stronger emphasis on inclusivity is required throughout the research-for-development system, ensuring that design processes themselves are inclusive, rather than considering only the final digital products.; SIGNIFICANCE: As the importance of digital innovation keeps growing within the wider agricultural development discourse, this article helps researchers and practitioners gain conceptual clarity on the goal of digital inclusion. Through concrete suggestions on how inclusivity could be considered in practice, the article promotes a more equitable, inclusive digital transformation of food systems.
Women / Social inclusion / Intersectionality / Information and Communication Technologies / Digital divide / Digital agriculture / Digital innovation
Record No:H052692
Journal Article
Agriculture / Risk assessment / Disaster risk management / Flooding / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H052693
Flood risk assessment and adaptation under changing climate for the agricultural system in the Ghanaian White Volta Basin
In the context of river basins, the threat of climate change has been extensively studied. However, many of these studies centred on hazard analysis while neglecting the need for comprehensive risk assessments that account for exposure and vulnerability. Hazard analysis alone is not adequate for making adaptive decisions. Thus, to effectively manage flood risk, it is essential to understand the elements that contribute to vulnerability and exposure in addition to hazard analysis. This study aims to assess flood risk (in space and time until the year 2100) for the agricultural system, in the White Volta Basin in northern Ghana. Employing the impact chain methodology, a mix of quantitative and qualitative data and techniques were used to assess hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Multi-model climate change data (RCP 8.5) from CORDEX and observation data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency were used for hazard analysis. Data on exposure, vulnerability, and adaptation were collected through structured interviews. Results indicate that flood hazard will increase by 79.1% with high spatial variability of wet periods but the flood risk of the catchment will increase by 19.3% by the end of the twenty-first century. The highest flood risk is found in the Upper East region, followed by North East, Northern, Savannah, and Upper West for all four analysed periods. Adaptive capacity, sensitivity, and exposure factors are driven by poverty, ineffective institutional governance, and a lack of livelihood alternatives. We conclude that the region is highly susceptible and vulnerable to floods, and that shifting from isolated hazard analysis to a comprehensive assessment that considers exposure and vulnerability reveals the underlying root causes of the risk. Also, the impact chain is useful in generating insight into flood risk for policymakers and researchers. We recommend the need to enhance local capacity and foster social transformation in the region.
Agriculture / Risk assessment / Disaster risk management / Flooding / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H052693
Journal Article
Escherichia coli / Nutrients / Heavy metals / Pathogens / Temperature / Storage / Fertilizers / Faecal sludge
Record No:H052687
Storage duration and temperature affect pathogen load, heavy metals, and nutrient levels in faecal derived fertiliser
There are debates regarding the safety of faecal derived fertiliser (FDF) due to notions that harmful substances may persist at undetectable levels. A major concern is the recolonisation of indigenous pathogens and nutrient changes while undergoing storage. Abiotic factors such as duration and temperature on indigenous pathogen re-growth and nutrient during FDF storage have received little research attention. In this study, we assess the effect of varying storage temperature conditions and duration on indigenous E. coli re-growth and NPK changes of different FDF (enriched co-compost, NECo and co-compost, Co) during storage. A 2 × 3 × 6 factorial design was used with factors: fertiliser, temperature, and duration. The factorial had 36 experimental conditions in a completely randomised design with three replications. FDF samples were collected monthly for 6 months and analysed for pH, EC, organic carbon, N, NH4-N, NO3-N, P, K, E. coli, and total coliform. Findings show storage temperature and duration did not affect indigenous E. coli re-growth and total N in stored NECo and Co. However, NH4-N concentrations of NECo decreased between 27% and 55% with increasing duration of storage at lower temperatures (5C and 25C). The significance of this study for the FDF industry is that it is safe after storage and longer storage do not necessarily influence nutrient losses in stored FDF. Future studies are recommended to investigate the effect of moisture on stored FDF.
Escherichia coli / Nutrients / Heavy metals / Pathogens / Temperature / Storage / Fertilizers / Faecal sludge
Record No:H052687
Journal Article
Food security / Resilience / Agrobiodiversity / Climate change / Climate-smart agriculture / Underutilized species / Crop modelling
Record No:H052691
Crop modelling - underutilized crops for climate-smart agrifood systems. Editorial
Food security / Resilience / Agrobiodiversity / Climate change / Climate-smart agriculture / Underutilized species / Crop modelling
Record No:H052691
Journal Article
Income / Livelihoods / Indigenous peoples
Record No:H052690
High life satisfaction reported among small-scale societies with low incomes
Global polls have shown that people in high-income countries generally report being more satisfied with their lives than people in low-income countries. The persistence of this correlation, and its similarity to correlations between income and life satisfaction within countries, could lead to the impression that high levels of life satisfaction can only be achieved in wealthy societies. However, global polls have typically overlooked small-scale, nonindustrialized societies, which can provide an alternative test of the consistency of this relationship. Here, we present results from a survey of 2,966 members of Indigenous Peoples and local communities among 19 globally distributed sites. We find that high average levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those of wealthy countries, are reported for numerous populations that have very low monetary incomes. Our results are consistent with the notion that human societies can support very satisfying lives for their members without necessarily requiring high degrees of monetary wealth.
Income / Livelihoods / Indigenous peoples
Record No:H052690
Journal Article
Constructed wetlands / Disinfection / Nature-based solutions / Resistance to antibiotics / Wastewater treatment plants
Record No:H052689
An evaluation of conventional and nature-based technologies for controlling antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes in wastewater treatment plants
Antibiotic resistance is a globally recognized health concern which leads to longer hospital stays, increased morbidity, increased mortality, and higher medical costs. Understanding how antibiotic resistance persists and exchanges in environmental systems like soil, water, and wastewater are critically important for understanding the emergence of pathogens with new resistance profiles and the subsequent exposure of people who indirectly/ directly come in contact with these pathogens. There are concerns about the widespread application of prophylactic antibiotics in the clinical and agriculture sectors, as well as chemicals/detergents used in food and manufacturing industries, especially the quaternary ammonium compounds which have been found responsible for the generation of resistant genes in water and soil. The rates of horizontal gene transfer increase where there is a lack of proper water/wastewater infrastructure, high antibiotic manufacturing industries, or endpoint users – such as hospitals and intensive agriculture. Conventional wastewater treatment technologies are often inefficient in the reduction of ARB/ARGs and provide the perfect combination of conditions for the development of antibiotic resistance. The wastewater discharged from municipal facilities may therefore be enriched with bacterial communities/pathogens and provide a suitable environment (due to the presence of nutrients and other pollutants) to enhance the transfer of antibiotic resistance. However, facilities with tertiary treatment (either traditional/emerging technologies) provide higher rates of reduction. This review provides a synthesis of the current understanding of wastewater treatment and antibiotic resistance, examining the drivers that may accelerate their possible transmission to a different environment, and highlighting the need for tertiary technologies used in treatment plants for the reduction of resistant bacteria/genes.
Constructed wetlands / Disinfection / Nature-based solutions / Resistance to antibiotics / Wastewater treatment plants
Record No:H052689
Journal Article
Institutions / Training / Stakeholders / Reuse / Resource recovery / Waste management / Innovation / Bioeconomy / Circular economy
Record No:H052654
United for progress: Ghana’s multi-institutional circular bioeconomy Innovation Hub
After years of fragmented efforts to create circular approaches to waste management in Ghana, the new circular bio-economy (CBE) Innovation Hub in Ghana is bringing together diverse stakeholders to jointly promote existing CBE approaches through training, advice, demonstrations, and research, while fostering the development of new, accessible innovations.
Institutions / Training / Stakeholders / Reuse / Resource recovery / Waste management / Innovation / Bioeconomy / Circular economy
Record No:H052654
Report
Indexes / Indicators / Heterogeneity / Time series analysis / Tools / Hydrological modelling / Drainage area / Land cover / Catchment areas / Ecological factors / Habitats / Aquatic ecosystems / Runoff / Stream flow / Rivers / Water stress / Water resources / Freshwater / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Assessment / Comparisons / Databases / Hydrological data / Information systems / Estimation / Environmental flows
Record No:H052596
Towards the harmonization of global environmental flow estimates: comparing the Global Environmental Flow Information System (GEFIS) with country data
The source of data used to estimate the e-flow requirement in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 6.4.2 (level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources) is the Global Environmental Flow Information System (GEFIS), an online tool produced and managed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). In addition to the GEFIS estimate, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as the custodians of the SDG indicator, encourages countries to put forward their locally determined e-flow estimates, especially if it differs from the GEFIS estimate. To date, however, only a few countries have taken up this opportunity. The aim of this report is to compare e-flows estimated by GEFIS with independent e-flow assessments performed at the local level to gauge the level of agreement between the two sets of estimates. We compared e-flow estimates from GEFIS to local e-flow estimates at 533 river sites.
Indexes / Indicators / Heterogeneity / Time series analysis / Tools / Hydrological modelling / Drainage area / Land cover / Catchment areas / Ecological factors / Habitats / Aquatic ecosystems / Runoff / Stream flow / Rivers / Water stress / Water resources / Freshwater / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Assessment / Comparisons / Databases / Hydrological data / Information systems / Estimation / Environmental flows
Record No:H052596
Journal Article
Pumps / Groundwater / Farmer-led irrigation / Smallholders / Barriers / Poverty alleviation / Energy security / Irrigation development / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H052554
Barriers to the uptake of solar-powered irrigation by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review
Irrigation expansion is critical for agricultural and rural development, food and nutrition security, and climate change adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Lack of accessible energy for irrigation development due to limited off- and on-grid infrastructure and the resulting dependence on costly fuel-based irrigation have been key inhibiting factors for irrigation expansion in the region. Off-grid solar-powered irrigation pumps (SIPs) can overcome many of the energy access and other challenges in the region, but their uptake has been slow. Given the nascent development of the solar irrigation sector in SSA, this paper combines a review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature with key informant interviews to identify systemic barriers to the adoption and growth of solar-powered irrigation. We identify uncovered risks, lack of incentives, and lack of capacity as the key factors limiting the adoption of solar-powered irrigation. Moreover, despite significant global cost reductions, solar-powered irrigation systems remain costly in SSA due to limited market development and geographical constraints. Lack of regulation and low investment in building local institutions and value chains further affect uptake and inhibit leveraging the energy transition for ensuring food security and agriculture-led poverty alleviation in SSA. We propose a move away from thinking of SIPs as “silver bullets” and towards a systems approach and the design of context-specific solutions to address risks, incentives and capacity challenges.
Pumps / Groundwater / Farmer-led irrigation / Smallholders / Barriers / Poverty alleviation / Energy security / Irrigation development / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H052554
Journal Article
Integration / Trade / Vulnerability / Models / Social sanctions
Record No:H052559
Do sanctions affect the environment? The role of trade integration
Environmental degradation is one of the potentially unforeseen consequences of sanctions, yet few studies have investigated how sanctions affect the environment. For instance, by restricting the acquisition of more efficient technologies, sanctions can strain natural resources and erode environmental performance. Therefore, this study investigates the moderating effects of trade integration on the underlying links between several types of sanctions (i.e., military, arms, trade, financial, and travel) and the environmental quality of the target country. A rich dyadic dataset consisting of 214 sender countries/states, 135 target countries/states, and 28,532 country pairs is used for the empirical analysis. A multi-way panel fixed effects model is employed for the empirical analysis. This approach allows us to control for the unobserved sender and target country-specific as well as time-specific characteristics that might affect environmental performance. The results show that most sanctions result in the deterioration of the environmental quality. In contrast, trade sanctions promote the environmental quality of the target country. We also find that sanctions adversely impact the ecological aspect of the environment while positively influencing the climate change aspect of environmental quality. The results also show that greater bilateral trade interdependence between the sender and the target country helps to mitigate the adverse impacts of most sanctions. The findings of this study suggest that the real effects of sanctions on environmental quality cannot be empirically disentangled if several types of sanctions are clubbed under the umbrella of ‘sanctions’ and captured using a single dummy variable, as is often done in the extant literature. Policies that encourage greater economic integration, such as trade liberalization with multiple countries, can be used strategically by a country to reduce threats of being sanctioned or vulnerabilities to the negative effects of sanctions on the environment.
Integration / Trade / Vulnerability / Models / Social sanctions
Record No:H052559
Journal Article
Water policies / Solar powered irrigation systems / Gender
Record No:H052566
Can water, energy, and food policies in support of solar irrigation enable gender transformative changes? Evidence from policy analysis in Bangladesh and Nepal
Solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) are emerging as a popular technology to address water, energy, and climate change challenges in South Asia while enhancing livelihoods and food security. SIPs are deemed to be a women-friendly renewable energy technology (RET) due to their design, operating system, and safety. While the gender dimensions of natural resources are well documented, the extent to which the water, energy, and food (WEF) policies—including policies to promote SIP technologies in the countries of South Asia—conceptualize and operationalize gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is not well understood. Therefore, in this study, we reviewed 39 WEF sectoral policies of Bangladesh and Nepal by adopting a gender-transformative analysis approach to rank the policies on a continuum ranging from a scale of 0–3 (denoting gender-unaware, gender-aware, gender-responsive, and gendertransformative). We found that the governments in both countries commit to gender equality and women’s advancement in their WEF sector policies, institutions, and decision-making by ensuring gender and justice principles in their constitutions and national development frameworks. However, these higher-level aspirational principles are not always operationalized in the WEF sector policies. We found that the WEF policies are aware of the need to include GESI and social equity in sectoral programming, yet operational rules for their implementation often fail to challenge structural barriers. Such barriers hinder women and marginalized groups from participating in and benefiting from WEF policies, including the deployment of SIP technologies. This calls for a transformation not only in project implementation but also in the policymaking processes of WEF sectors in the South Asian region.
Water policies / Solar powered irrigation systems / Gender
Record No:H052566
Journal Article
Groundwater / Water scarcity / Water shortages / Salinity / Farmers / Environmental factors
Record No:H052571
Farmers on the front line: perceptions, practices and discrepancies from the Aral Sea's Karakalpakstan and Khorezm regions
Undesirable changes in surface water and groundwater resources and land quality for biophysical and institutional reasons will further endanger the livelihoods of people in Central Asia. The farmersapos; understanding of these problems and the adaptation and solution strategies they opt for are the critical variables in devising relevant policies. Our findings captured significant disparities between farmer-perceived water shortages and officially documented water availability, as well as soil salinity discrepancies. Farmersapos; coping strategies, including crop alterations and water-saving measures, often lead to tradeoffs, such as reduced crop yields. The study highlights the need to consider farmer perceptions and practices along with official data when designing policies. Effective policymaking must consider this dynamic interplay and the multifaceted challenges faced by farmers in these vulnerable Aral Sea regions.
Groundwater / Water scarcity / Water shortages / Salinity / Farmers / Environmental factors
Record No:H052571
Journal Article
Efficiency / Crop production / Water storage / Agricultural water management
Record No:H052572
Technical and allocative efficiency of crop production using different storage and water-lifting technologies in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia
Assessing the efficiency gains, in terms of crop production and productivity, of using agricultural water management is critical to understanding the comparative advantage of using different storage and water-lifting technologies in irrigation development. This study aims to compare the efficiency differences among irrigation farmers using various water-lifting technologies and among users of various technology suites in the Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Cross-sectional data collected from 320 randomly selected smallholder farmers, considering the 2019/2020 production season, were used to analyse a one-step Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier function. The results of the study revealed the existence of technical and allocative efficiency differences between gravity and fuel pump users. Factors that positively determine the level of technical efficiency scores are gender, age, education status, technology type and extension contact. Irrigation experience, access to credit, training and technology type positively affected allocative efficiency, while the distance to the irrigation water source had a negative effect. The findings have important implications for agricultural policy and practice as improving efficiency through the adoption of fuel-powered water-lifting technology could further improve overall agricultural productivity. Designing small-scale friendly business models and promoting irrigation extension services, among others, is critical for scaling successful water management technologies.
Efficiency / Crop production / Water storage / Agricultural water management
Record No:H052572
Journal Article
Water scarcity / Sustainable Development Goals / Freshwater ecosystems / Hydrological modelling / Water management / Water resources / Environmental flows
Record No:H052567
Limited comparability of global and local estimates of environmental flow requirements to sustain river ecosystems
Environmental flows (e-flows) are a central element of sustainable water resource management to mitigate the detrimental impacts of hydrological alteration on freshwater ecosystems and their benefits to people. Many nations strive to protect e-flows through policy, and thousands of local-scale e-flows assessments have been conducted globally, leveraging data and knowledge to quantify how much water must be provided to river ecosystems, and when, to keep them healthy. However, e-flows assessments and implementation are geographically uneven and cover a small fraction of rivers worldwide. This hinders globally consistent target-setting, monitoring and evaluation for international agreements to curb water scarcity and biodiversity loss. Therefore, dozens of models have been developed over the past two decades to estimate the e-flows requirements of rivers seamlessly across basins and administrative boundaries at a global scale. There has been little effort, however, to benchmark these models against locally derived e-flows estimates, which may limit confidence in the relevance of global estimates. The aim of this study was to assess whether current global methods reflect e-flows estimates used on the ground, by comparing global and local estimates for 1194 sites across 25 countries. We found that while global approaches broadly approximate the bulk volume of water that should be precautionarily provided to sustain aquatic ecosystems at the scale of large basins or countries, they explain a remarkably negligible 0%–1% of the global variability in locally derived estimates of the percentage of river flow that must be protected at a given site. Even when comparing assessments for individual countries, thus controlling for differences in local assessment methods among jurisdictions, global e-flows estimates only marginally compared (R 2 0.31) to local estimates. Such a disconnect between global and local assessments of e-flows requirements limits the credibility of global estimates and associated targets for water use. To accelerate the global implementation of e-flows requires further concerted effort to compile and draw from the thousands of existing local e-flows assessments worldwide for developing a new generation of global models and bridging the gap from local to global scales.
Water scarcity / Sustainable Development Goals / Freshwater ecosystems / Hydrological modelling / Water management / Water resources / Environmental flows
Record No:H052567
Journal Article
Common lands / Grazing lands / Semiarid zones / Exclosures
Record No:H052560
Evaluation of exclosures in restoring degraded landscapes in the semi-arid highlands of northwestern Ethiopia
Land degradation is a severe environmental problem in the northern and northwestern Ethiopian highlands. As a response to increasing land degradation, rehabilitation of degraded grazing lands through exclosures (exclusion of farmers and domestic animals) has been undertaken. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of 11 and 8-year exclosures in improving degraded landscapes in the Karita-Wuha and Dengora watersheds. It was assumed that the conditions on communal grazing lands at the time of the investigation corresponded to those at the establishment of exclosures. Vegetation was inventoried, and soil samples were collected and analyzed in 14 and 21 sampling sites selected from exclosures and communal grazing lands in Dengora and Karita-Wuha watersheds, respectively. Sampling plots (20 × 20 m) were established for soil sampling. In the two land uses, 10x10 m and 5x5 m sub-plots were used to survey trees and bushes/shrubs, respectively. Richness, diversity, evenness, and aboveground biomass (AGB) were evaluated using measurements from the vegetation inventory. Organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) and their stocks were used as soil nutrient indicators. The result showed that exclosures aided in restoring vegetation in both watersheds and soil nutrient parameters in the Dengora watershed compared with communal grazing lands. In the Karita-Wuha watershed, there was significantly higher OC, TN, and their stocks in communal grazing land than exclosures (t-test, p lt; 0.05). These results are generally attributed to the fact that communal grazing lands were significantly degraded before exclosure and have yet to recover. As a result, exclosures of Dengora and Karita-Wuha watersheds were limited in restoring degraded landscapes. There have been differences in the effectiveness of lt; 11- and gt; 11-year exclosures in restoring degraded landscapes in the literature. The effectiveness of various aged exclosures in restoring degraded landscapes is likely variable and dependent on local biophysical parameters and land use systems.
Common lands / Grazing lands / Semiarid zones / Exclosures
Record No:H052560
Journal Article
Household surveys / Communities / Vulnerability / Flooding / Strategies / attitudes / Farmersapos / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H052555
Assessing adaptive capacity of climate-vulnerable farming communities in flood-prone areas: insights from a household survey in South Punjab, Pakistan
Climate change poses a significant threat to agricultural systems worldwide. In Pakistan, an agrarian country where the majority of the population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods, the impacts of climate change can be particularly devastating. Understanding the adaptive capacity of farmers is crucial in order to identify effective strategies for coping with the impacts of climate change. This study aimed to assess the adaptive capacity of farmers in Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan, two flood-prone districts of South Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected in October 2022 from 448 farmers through multistage stratified random sampling, and multivariate regression and bivariate probit models were used to analyze the likelihood of farmers adopting certain joint strategies and the impact of socioeconomic factors on their decision-making. Results indicated that concern for climate change and knowledge of market value of crops were significant determinants for farmers adopting joint strategies, while farmers with more experience and alternate sources of income were less likely to do so. Increased irrigation was a top strategy used despite its potential negative environmental impacts. Findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to climate adaptation that considers complex social, economic, and environmental factors and appreciates the complex decision-making process that farmers undergo. Understanding the local context is key to developing effective interventions to support climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods in agricultural communities.
Household surveys / Communities / Vulnerability / Flooding / Strategies / attitudes / Farmersapos / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H052555
Journal Article
Carbon / Water use / Emission reduction / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H052565
Risks from solar-powered groundwater irrigation
Carbon / Water use / Emission reduction / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H052565
Books / Monograph
Case studies / COVID-19 / Production systems / Agriculture / Women / Gender norms / Policies / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Awareness / Infectious diseases / Sanitation / Human health / Environmental health / Composting / Organic wastes / Faecal sludge / Sewage sludge / Wastewater treatment plants / Technology / Waste management / Innovation / Nexus approaches / Food systems / Energy / Water management / Business models / Reuse / Resource recovery / Water supply / Environmental engineering / Sustainable Development Goals / Sustainability / Transformation / Socioeconomic aspects / Circular economy
Record No:H052573
Circular and transformative economy: advances towards sustainable socio-economic transformation
The main aim of this book is to illustrate circular models for sustainable resource management. It highlights the benefits of transformative approaches in integrating, simplifying, and facilitating understanding of complex systems and transforming systems towards greater sustainability while achieving multiple social, economic, and environmental outcomes. It provides pathways towards strategic policy decisions on socio-economic transformation supported by case studies.; Features:; Discusses exploration of a transitional path to the circular economy, explored from the point of view of waste and technology.; Explains transformational change towards sustainable-socio ecological interactions.; Reviews provision of pathways towards sustainability through scenario development.; Provides assessment of progress towards Sustainable Development Goals.; Presents cross-sectoral and multicentric approaches towards circularity.; This book is aimed at researchers and professionals in water and environmental engineering, circular economy, sustainability, and environmental studies.
Case studies / COVID-19 / Production systems / Agriculture / Women / Gender norms / Policies / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Awareness / Infectious diseases / Sanitation / Human health / Environmental health / Composting / Organic wastes / Faecal sludge / Sewage sludge / Wastewater treatment plants / Technology / Waste management / Innovation / Nexus approaches / Food systems / Energy / Water management / Business models / Reuse / Resource recovery / Water supply / Environmental engineering / Sustainable Development Goals / Sustainability / Transformation / Socioeconomic aspects / Circular economy
Record No:H052573
Journal Article
Forecasting / Rainfall / Drought / Flooding / Extreme weather events / Climate change
Record No:H052557
Hydrologic extremes in a changing climate: a review of extremes in East Africa
Purpose: Eastern Africa has a complex hydroclimate and socio-economic context, making it vulnerable to climate change-induced hydrological extremes. This review presents recent research on drivers and typologies of extremes across different geographies and highlights challenges and improvements in forecasting hydrological extremes at various timescales.; Recent Findings: Droughts and floods remain the major challenges of the region. Recently, frequent alterations between droughts and floods have been a common occurrence and concern. Research underlines the heterogeneity of extremes and the impact of climate change as increased intensity and duration of extremes. Moreover, the importance of local and antecedent conditions in changing the characteristics of extremes is emphasized.; Summary: A better understanding of these drivers and how they interact is required. Observational and modeling tools must capture these relationships and extremes on short timescales. Although there are improvements in forecasting these extremes, providing relevant information beyond meteorological variables requires further research.
Forecasting / Rainfall / Drought / Flooding / Extreme weather events / Climate change
Record No:H052557
Journal Article
Water reuse / Irrigation water / Drainage water / Wastewater / Water availability / Reclamation / Deserts
Record No:H052556
‘Squeezing Out’ the Nile Delta’s drainage water to irrigate Egypt’s desert land
Egypt’s quota of Nile River water has been constant since the 1950s, despite the continual agricultural land expansion. To facilitate land reclamation, Egypt has reallocated Nile water from downstream users, mostly smallholders in the ‘old lands’ of the Delta. As water demands have grown, more attention has gone to the reuse of waste/drainage water as a reliable source for irrigated agriculture in the “old lands”. Recently, new mega plants for drainage water treatment have been built to promote reclamation of ‘new lands’ in desert-front governorates located outside the Nile Delta. Through these plants and the related water conveyance infrastructure, drainage water from the ‘old lands’ is now being collected, treated, and reallocated to these newly reclaimed areas. This article scrutinizes this transformation of access to drainage water, examining who benefits and what implications it holds for smallholder farmers in the old lands. The analysis suggests that waste/drainage water reclamation schemes do not tap into unused water but actually risk depriving smallholders in the Nile Delta of water access. It argues that more attention should be given to existing informal reuse arrangements and that smallholders’ access to water is guaranteed in light of new drainage water reuse projects.
Water reuse / Irrigation water / Drainage water / Wastewater / Water availability / Reclamation / Deserts
Record No:H052556
Journal Article
Datasets / Models / Land cover / Land use / Agricultural water management / Frameworks / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Remote sensing / Farmland
Record No:H052552
A framework for disaggregating remote-sensing cropland into rainfed and irrigated classes at continental scale
Agriculture consumes the largest share of freshwater globally; therefore, distinguishing between rainfed and irrigated croplands is essential for agricultural water management and food security. In this study, a framework incorporating the Budyko model was used to differentiate between rainfed and irrigated cropland areas in Africa for eight remote sensing landcover products and a high-confidence cropland map (HCCM). The HCCM was generated for calibration and validation of the crop partitioning framework as an alternative to individual cropland masks which exhibit high disagreement. The accuracy of the framework in partitioning the HCCM was evaluated using an independent validation dataset, yielding an overall accuracy rate of 73 %. The findings of this study indicate that out of the total area covered by the HCCM (2.36 million km2 ), about 461,000 km2 (19 %) is irrigated cropland. The partitioning framework was applied on eight landcover products, and the extent of irrigated areas varied between 19 % and 30 % of the total cropland area. The framework demonstrated high precision and specificity scores, indicating its effectiveness in correctly identifying irrigated areas while minimizing the misclassification of rainfed areas as irrigated. This study provides an enhanced understanding of rainfed and irrigation patterns across Africa, supporting efforts towards achieving sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. Consequently, the approach outlined expands on the suite of remote sensing landcover products that can be used for agricultural water studies in Africa by enabling the extraction of irrigated and rainfed cropland data from landcover products that do not have disaggregated cropland classes.
Datasets / Models / Land cover / Land use / Agricultural water management / Frameworks / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Remote sensing / Farmland
Record No:H052552
Journal Article
Climatic zones / Livelihoods / Indicators / Climate change / Local communities / Indigenous peoples
Record No:H052568
Indigenous peoples and local communities report ongoing and widespread climate change impacts on local social-ecological systems
The effects of climate change depend on specific local circumstances, posing a challenge for worldwide research to comprehensively encompass the diverse impacts on various local social-ecological systems. Here we use a place-specific but cross-culturally comparable protocol to document climate change indicators and impacts as locally experienced and analyze their distribution. We collected first-hand data in 48 sites inhabited by Indigenous Peoples and local communities and covering all climate zones and nature-dependent livelihoods. We documented 1,661 site-agreed reports of change corresponding to 369 indicators. Reports of change vary according to climate zone and livelihood activity. We provide compelling evidence that climate change impacts on Indigenous Peoples and local communities are ongoing, tangible, widespread, and affect multiple elements of their social-ecological systems. Beyond potentially informing contextualized adaptation plans, our results show that local reports could help identify economic and non-economic loss and damage related to climate change impacts suffered by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Climatic zones / Livelihoods / Indicators / Climate change / Local communities / Indigenous peoples
Record No:H052568
Journal Article
Sociocultural environment / Local knowledge / Livelihoods / Local communities / Indigenous peoples / Climate change impacts
Record No:H052569
Local studies provide a global perspective of the impacts of climate change on indigenous peoples and local communities
Indigenous Peoples and local communities with nature-dependent livelihoods are disproportionately affected by climate change impacts, but their experience, knowledge and needs receive inadequate attention in climate research and policy. Here, we discuss three key findings of a collaborative research consortium arising from the Local Indicators of Climate Change Impacts project. First, reports of environmental change by Indigenous Peoples and local communities provide holistic, relational, placed-based, culturally-grounded and multi-causal understandings of change, largely focused on processes and elements that are relevant to local livelihoods and cultures. These reports demonstrate that the impacts of climate change intersect with and exacerbate historical effects of socioeconomic and political marginalization. Second, drawing on rich bodies of inter-generational knowledge, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have developed context-specific responses to environmental change grounded in local resources and strategies that often absorb the impacts of multiple drivers of change. Indigenous Peoples and local communities adjust in diverse ways to impacts on their livelihoods, but the adoption of responses often comes at a significant cost due to economic, political, and socio-cultural barriers operating at societal, community, household, and individual levels. Finally, divergent understandings of change challenge generalizations in research examining the human dimensions of climate change. Evidence from Indigenous and local knowledge systems is context-dependent and not always aligned with scientific evidence. Exploring divergent understandings of the concept of change derived from different knowledge systems can yield new insights which may help prioritize research and policy actions to address local needs and priorities.
Sociocultural environment / Local knowledge / Livelihoods / Local communities / Indigenous peoples / Climate change impacts
Record No:H052569
Journal Article
Customary tenure / Water tenure / Water law / Equity / Water allocation / Water resources
Record No:H052564
Principles and legal tools for equitable water resource allocation: prioritization in South Africa
South Africa’s legally binding National Water Resource Strategy specifies a people-oriented prioritization for the equitable allocation of the nation’s public trust of surface and groundwater resources. This article analyses how the Inkomati–Usuthu Catchment Management Agency seeks to operationalize the three highest priorities in the Sabie Sub Catchment: the Basic Human Needs Reserve for domestic and constitutionally based productive water uses; customary water tenure in former homelands prioritized over the upstream commercial forestry and large-scale farming and the downstream Kruger National Park; and priority General Authorizations overcoming administrative injustices of current licensing. These highest priorities imply curtailment of the lowest priority, high-impact economic uses.
Customary tenure / Water tenure / Water law / Equity / Water allocation / Water resources
Record No:H052564
Journal Article
Deltas / Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer / Landsat / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Goal 13 Climate action / Goal 15 Life on land / Goal 2 Zero hunger / Sustainable Development Goals / Food security / Remote sensing / Bibliometric analysis / Earth observation satellites / Mapping / Rice
Record No:H052473
Earth observation-based rice mapping studies in Vietnamese Mekong Delta compared to global context: a bibliometric analysis
A bibliometric study on mapping the rice cropping systems in VMD is crucial for understanding the trend of EO-based rice mapping and how remote sensing technologies are essential to address the food security issue in the region. This article presents an overview of Earth observation (EO)-based rice mapping strategies since 1979, prioritizing the scope of data, approaches, and techniques derived from 3700 research articles worldwide and contrasting them with the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). Various quantitative analyses were conducted through bibliometric analysis using the VOS viewer and Scopus database. Optical images, particularly the Landsat (~16%) and MODIS (~12%) time series datasets, were the most commonly utilized globally. MODIS data (~31%) had the highest share in the VMD context, followed by Landsat data (~19%), while Sentinel series (~13% for global and ~16% for VMD) data became more popular in recent years. Research on rice mapping using UAVs has been gradually creeping into rice mapping research globally, but a gap is yet to be filled in the VMD. The most widely used approaches for rice mapping globally were Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Principal Component Analysis. Spectral indices like EVI, NDVI, and RVI were commonly used for rice mapping and monitoring. The findings underscore the critical role of EO-based rice mapping studies in the VMD in addressing sustainability and food security challenges.
Deltas / Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer / Landsat / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Goal 13 Climate action / Goal 15 Life on land / Goal 2 Zero hunger / Sustainable Development Goals / Food security / Remote sensing / Bibliometric analysis / Earth observation satellites / Mapping / Rice
Record No:H052473
Journal Article
Equity / Financing / Sustainability / Groundwater / Nexus approaches / Energy / Business models / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H052476
Unleashing the potential of solar irrigation in Bangladesh: key lessons from different implementation models
The transition to solar-powered irrigation in South Asia offers an opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependency on expensive diesel. However, appropriate institutional and financial models are required to scale up this technology. Three different solar irrigation pump (SIP) implementation modalities coexist in Bangladesh, providing a good opportunity to evaluate and gain insightful knowledge on the solarization process. These conclusions are also applicable to neighboring countries dealing with comparable problems. The three models are (i) community-managed SIP model, (ii) individual ownership model, and (iii) fee-for-service model. In this article, we argue that the fee-for-service model involving a market-based approach and public-private partnership is the most promising in terms of addressing two main challenges in solarization, i.e. high capex financing requirement and generation of sufficient demand. In terms of achieving equity in SIP access and groundwater sustainability, all three models have their respective pros and cons. However, the financial sustainability of SIPs is under threat due to the significant project costs. It is imperative to expedite the integration of SIPs with the national power grid while implementing supportive government policies. This includes enhancing buy-back tariffs and introducing net-metering options to ensure long-term sustainability.
Equity / Financing / Sustainability / Groundwater / Nexus approaches / Energy / Business models / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H052476
Journal Article
Bibliometric analysis / SADC countries / Weather hazards / Extreme weather events / Community involvement / Climate change adaptation / Early warning systems / Disaster risk reduction / Climate resilience
Record No:H052487
Climate risks resilience development: a bibliometric analysis of climate-related early warning systems in Southern Africa
Early warning systems (EWS) facilitate societies’ preparedness and effective response capabilities to climate risks. Climate risks embody hazards, exposure, and vulnerability associated with a particular geographical area. Building an effective EWS requires consideration of the factors above to help people with coping mechanisms. The objective of this paper is to propose an approach that can enhance EWSs and ensure an effective climate risk resilience development. The paper focuses on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and highlights the issues with EWS, identifying weaknesses and characteristics of EWS to help in climate risk adaptation strategies. The SADC region was chosen as the context because it is a climate variability and change hotspot with many vulnerable populations residing in rural communities. Trending themes on building climate risk resilience were uncovered through scientific mapping and network analysis of published articles from 2008 to 2022. This paper contributes to on-going research on building climate risks resilience through early warning systems to identify hidden trends and emerging technologies from articles in order to enhance the operationalization and design of EWS. This review provides insight into technological interventions for assessing climate risks to build preparedness and resilience. From the review analysis, it is determined that there exists a plethora of evidence to support the argument that involving communities in the co-designing of EWS would improve risk knowledge, anticipation, and preparedness. Additionally, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies provide effective tools to address existing EWS’ weaknesses, such as lack of real-time data collection and automation. However, 4IR technology is still at a nascent stage in EWS applications in Africa. Furthermore, policy across societies, institutions, and technology industries ought to be coordinated and integrated to develop a strategy toward implementing climate resilient-based EWS to facilitate the operations of disaster risk managers. The Social, Institutional, and Technology model can potentially increase communities’ resilience; therefore, it is recommended to develop EWS.
Bibliometric analysis / SADC countries / Weather hazards / Extreme weather events / Community involvement / Climate change adaptation / Early warning systems / Disaster risk reduction / Climate resilience
Record No:H052487
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