Being heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture is making Mali ever more vulnerable to climate shock. But Mali’s most abundant resource – sunlight – may prove to be its ultimate savior in accessing the ever-scarce water resource.
To prevent flooding and improve irrigation, a new practice utilizes systems of weirs -- small dams -- to distribute water to crops in the Ethiopian drylands.
Published in the Daily Maverick: About half of municipal wastewater and water treatment works across South Africa are in a poor or critical condition. Many need urgent rehabilitation, and 11% are dysfunctional. Over three million people still do not have access to a basic water supply service. Self-supply in partnership with government could be the answer.
Mali on the front-line of climate change, and expected to experience worsened food insecurity and even food shortages. Researchers have mapped areas in the country where there is a high potential for solar powered irrigation in increase climate resilience, showing that up to 69% of agricultural lands could be suitable.
The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance (MoF) has signed a tax reform bill that is slated to remove almost all duty tax on irrigation, mechanization and animal feed equipment and technologies. This decision was brought about, in part, based on recommendations made by IWMI and WLE.
Countries would do well to consider this: our ability to preserve species hinges to a great extent on the actions we take to protect freshwater ecosystems. Safeguarding water for the environment is critical for biodiversity and for people.
Written by Petra Schmitter for the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. Africa’s groundwater reserves are about 100 times greater than its annual supply of renewable surface freshwater. Yet, this resource remains underused. Under the pioneering Agwater Solutions Project, researchers estimated that investments in motorized pumps could significantly boost agricultural production and reduce climate change risks for smallholder farms.
The Early Carrier Hydrogeologists’ Network has developed a video on the global issues of water scarcity, specifically calling for protecting groundwater and promoting proper exploitation in order to provide a safe living space for our children and the most vulnerable people.
IWMI/WLE contributed to and ran sessions at the 13th International Conference on Dryland Development, brought together national and international stakeholders to discuss sustainable dryland development under the theme “Converting Dryland Areas from Grey into Green.”
IWMI director general Claudia Sadoff was a guest of honor, addressing the inaugural session and also making a plenary presentation titled ”Water security and sustainable growth in the drylands.”
IWMI and ICAR organized a mini symposium during the conference to foster knowledge exchange among researchers on the present status and future prospects of water productivity in the drylands. The symposium aimed at framing a strategy to boost water productivity and mainstream it in drylands at scale through appropriate institutional frameworks and policies
Alok Sikka co-chaired a technical session on “Soil Health Management, Carbon Sequestration and Conservation Agriculture.”
Tushaar Shah presented on groundwater governance challenges in arid areas. Alok and Tushaar also presented at sessions related to water harvesting and water productivity.
Colombo is one of the first 18 cities that has been accredited as a Ramsar Wetland City at the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP13) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on October 25, 2018.