Displaying 621 publications
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel; Taguta, C.; Sikka, Alok; Lautze, Jonathan. 2023.
Mapping Decision Support Tools (DSTs) on agricultural water productivity: a global systematic scoping review. Agricultural Water Management, 290:108590.
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While there is a proliferation of Decision Support Tools (DSTs) to enhance agricultural water productivity (AWP) and related objectives such as food security, an assessment of their adoption and performance is not known to be undertaken. To develop new or improved DSTs for bespoke applications in optimizing AWP, there needs to be a stock-take of the existing tools, their functionality, user-friendliness and uptake. We compiled and assessed existing DSTs for AWP as a starting point for present and future developers who intend to improve existing or develop new DSTs for optimizing AWP. Secondarily, this review identifies DSTs’ key characteristics, availability, and applicability for different typologies and spatio-temporal scales. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach was applied to search for literature from Scopus and WoS databases. The study revealed the existence of 81 documented AWP DSTs whose development started from around the 1970 s, peaked in the 1990 s, and declined after that although the improvement and upgrading of existing DSTs continued. Over half (51%) of the DSTs are not readily available in the public domain. The prevalent spatial and temporal application scales are field and day, respectively. There is limited reporting on the application at scale, partly due to the wide unavailability of DSTs. A gap exists in AWP DSTs with geospatial capabilities (one in 10 or 10% had geographic information systems (GIS) integration capabilities). Most DSTs focus on water and food (yield) components but omit energy and other dimensions of AWP. Regarding format, most tools were available as desktop (35%) and web-based (48%) applications, and codes (27%). Developers should strive to deliver AWP tools in convenient, compatible, and user-friendly for a wide range of users, from novices to experts.
Nexus approaches / Food security / Energy balance / Irrigation scheduling / Remote sensing / Geographical information systems / Systematic reviews / Spatial analysis / Algorithms / Models / Integrated development / Water productivity / Agricultural water management / Mapping / Decision support systems
Record No:H052407
Mndzebele, B.; Ncube, B.; Fessehazion, M.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Modi, A. T. 2023.
Assessment of the effects of NPK fertilizer on edible yield and agro-biological parameters in a cowpea–amaranth intercrop. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7:1210984.
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Introduction: Estimates indicate that food and nutritional demand in sub-Saharan African nutrient-poor soils will exceed the high population demand. Vegetables such as amaranth and cowpea are key in contributing to food and nutritional security. Fertilizers are used to mitigate low nutrient levels in soils. This study aimed to investigate the yield parameters of cowpea and amaranth vegetables.
Methods: The experiment was designed with a 2 × 4 factorial treatment structure in a completely randomized design, with intercropping and fertilizer level as treatment factors and with four replications.
Results and discussion: The biomass of amaranth and cowpea increased with increased fertilizer application up to the level of 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer. A measure of land utilization showed values greater than one. Crop comparison showed that cowpea was more aggressive, had higher actual yield loss, and was highly competitive compared to amaranth. More income could be obtained from intercropping. The research shows the benefits of fertilizer application in improving the biomass of amaranth and cowpea. Overall, the application of NPK fertilizer at levels up to 100%, based on the results of this study, resulted in higher biomass accumulation and improved intercropping indices.
Land use / Potassium / Phosphate fertilizers / Nitrogen fertilizers / Biomass / Nutrition security / Food security / Parameters / Yield losses / Cropping systems / Crop yield / Intercropping / Amaranthus / Cowpeas / NPK fertilizers
Record No:H052404
Holmatov, Bunyod; Lautze, Jonathan; Uhlenbrook, Stefan. 2023.
The nexus across water, energy and food (WEF): learning from research, building on evidence, strengthening practice. Natural Resources Forum, 47(4):817-841. (Special issue: Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions)
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While water-energy-food (WEF) Nexus is one of the most important, and widely investigated, environmental topics of our time, previous stock taking efforts possess notable limitations, namely (i) their focus is restricted to research articles, and (ii) there is less focus on nexus permutations that begin with energy and food. This paper assembled more than 900 documents and systematically categorized them according to more than 10 key parameters (e.g. scale, methods, limitations), to characterize approaches, achieved outcomes and presence of variables likely to support on-the-ground change. Our results reveal that WEF Nexus activities are often driven by the water sector, undertaken at global and national scale and authored by experts from diverse backgrounds. Among the utilized methods, modelling and review (i.e. systematic) are the most common. While climate change and governance are routinely considered in WEF Nexus documents, gender, stakeholders and capacity are not. These findings highlight areas for improvement in the design of WEF Nexus initiatives.
Gender / Stakeholders / Governance / Frameworks / Nexus approaches / Food Security / Energy / Water Security
Record No:H052337
Devenish, A. J. M.; Schmitter, Petra; Jellason, N. P.; Esmail, N.; Abdi, N. M.; Adanu, S. K.; Adolph, B.; Al-Zu’bi, Maha; Amali, A. A.; Barron, J.; Chapman, A. S. A.; Chausson, A. M.; Chibesa, M.; Davies, J.; Dugan, E.; Edwards, G. I.; Egeru, A.; Gebrehiwot, T.; Griffiths, G. H.; Haile, A.; Hunga, H. G.; Igbine, L.; Jarju, O. M.; Keya, F.; Khalifa, M.; Ledoux, W. A.; Lejissa, L. T.; Loupa, P.; Lwanga, J.; Mapedza, Everisto D.; Marchant, R.; McLoud, T.; Mukuyu, Patience; Musah, L. M.; Mwanza, M.; Mwitwa, J.; Neina, D.; Newbold, T.; Njogo, S.; Robinson, E. J. Z.; Singini, W.; Umar, B. B.; Wesonga, F.; Willcock, S.; Yang, J.; Tobias, J. A. 2023.
One hundred priority questions for the development of sustainable food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Land, 12(10):1879. (Special issue: Social and Environmental Trade-Offs in African Agriculture: Achieving Sustainable Development Goals)
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Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa.
knowledge / Indigenous Peoplesapos / Natural resources management / Climate change / Urbanization / Investment / Policies / Land-use planning / Postharvest technology / Technology adoption / Food production / Women / Gender equality / Social inclusion / Food security / Environmental impact / Agroecosystems / Agricultural development / Sustainable Development Goals / Food systems
Record No:H052331
Al-Zu’bi, Maha; Daher, B.; Brouziyne, Youssef; Laamrani, H.; Melhem, D.; Greatrix, Emma; Ruckstuhl, Sandra; McCartney, Matthew; Anarbekov, Oyture; Sanchez Ramirez, Juan Carlos; Nicol, Alan. 2023.
Building resilience in fragile and conflict-affected agrifood systems through a water-energy-food nexus approach. Cairo, Egypt: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Fragility to Resilience in Central and West Asia and North Africa 8p.
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Conflicts / Sustainable development / Risk / Political aspects / Capacity development / Data analysis / Innovation / Decision making / Investment / Financing / Governance / Stakeholders / Policies / Climate change / Nexus approaches / Food security / Energy / Water resources / Resilience / Agrifood systems
Record No:H052309
Bodach, Susanne; Athukorala, Aruni Narmada; Wickramaarachchi, Hasintha. 2023.
From waste to relief: unlocking the potential for food rescue in low- and middle-income countries. Paper presented at the Annual International Conference on Research in Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development (Tropentag) on Competing Pathways for Equitable Food Systems Transformation: Trade-Offs and Synergies, Berlin, Germany, 20-22 September 2023. 4p.
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Food rescue has emerged as a promising approach to address the interrelated issues of food insecurity and food waste. According to the food waste hierarchy, the next best strategy after food waste prevention is to donate surplus food for human consumption. However, while some countries have well-established networks of charities and government support to promote surplus food donation and food rescue in most developing countries is often less structured and smaller in scale. To gain insights into the current landscape of food rescue, this study thoroughly examined existing food rescue operations and systems, mainly from the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and the Philippines. The study also analysed several countriesapos; food rescue policy environments to understand how an enabling environment can be created. A particular focus was set on food safety being a critical consideration when rescuing and donating surplus food. Simplified food safety guidelines, staff training, and adequate storage and transportation facilities are crucial to food safety. Effective partnerships between food rescue organizations, food businesses, government agencies, and other stakeholders are also critical to the success of food rescue efforts. The study found a need to develop such partnerships in developing countries, where they may be less established than in the Global North. To facilitate the development of an enabling environment for food rescue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the study developed a set of templates, including relevant food safety guidelines, partnership contracts, and policy templates. These resources can serve as valuable tools for stakeholders in LMICs to promote and enhance food rescue efforts that can help address food insecurity and reduce food waste.
Developing countries / Stakeholders / Transport / Regulations / Guidelines / Food safety / Policies / Food insecurity / Partnerships / Food security / Circular economy / Waste reduction / Food waste / Food surplus
Record No:H052325
Simpson, G. B.; Jewitt, G. P. W.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Taguta, C.; Badenhorst, J. 2023.
An African perspective on the water-energy-food nexus. Scientific Reports, 13:16842.
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There is a need to address resource security and distributional justice in developing countries. People need water, energy, and food to sustain their livelihoods, grow economies, and achieve sustainable development. The interactions between these resource sectors form the crux of water-energy-food (WEF) nexus assessments. In this study, we have utilised the WEF Nexus Index to analyse the WEF nexus of 54 African nations. The results from the analysis were used to illustrate the opportunities and constraints for future development. Generally, African countries are performing sub-optimally in the WEF Nexus Index due to the insecurity of water, energy and/or food. The performance of countries varies with context, highlighting the need for contextual analysis in identifying challenges and potential solutions. Implementation of interventions for achieving WEF security needs to be planned from an integrated perspective to optimise synergies and minimize trade-offs. Implementation of the WEF nexus approach towards simultaneous security of WEF resources has potential to improve the WEF nexus. For example and for many African countries, policies that undergird investments in energy supply projects are needed to unlock available freshwater resources and meet food requirements—energy is shown to be a critical enabler of development. Such projects can be utilised to enhance the ability of farmers to manage water through drought-proofing rainfed agriculture, an increase in irrigation development, or both. WEF nexus-based studies, policies, and projects must be focused on the direct and indirect achievement of SDGs 1, 2, 6, 7, and 13, both in terms of access and availability, to ensure distributional justice, especially in the African context. Such actions, combined with broad public participation, can have a ripple effect on other SDGs such as SDGs 5, 10, and 17, thereby reducing inequalities and building partnerships to attain these aspirational goals. The assessment of Africa’s relatively low scores in terms of the WEF Nexus Index does not represent a negative narrative. Instead, it provides an entry point to identifying hotspots and understanding the underlying challenges, through which more detailed analyses can lead to identified solutions and policies. Many African countries are trapped in an environment that could be termed a ‘poverty-unemployment-inequality nexus’ (due to the interlinkages that exist between these ‘wicked’ problems). The WEF Nexus Index provides high-level insights into these opportunities.
Freshwater / Food production / Sustainable Development Goals / Policies / Development indicators / Assessment / Nexus approaches / Food security / Energy security / Water resources
Record No:H052321
De Keyser, J.; Hayes, D. S.; Marti, B.; Siegfried, T.; Seliger, C.; Schwedhelm, H.; Anarbekov, Oyture; Gafurov, Zafar; Lopez Fernandez, R. M.; Ramos Diez, I.; Alapfy, B.; Carey, J.; Karimov, B.; Karimov, E.; Wagner, B.; Habersack, H. 2023.
Integrating open-source datasets to analyze the transboundary water–food–energy–climate nexus in Central Asia. Water, 15(19):3482. (Special issue: Water Management in Central Asia)
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In today’s intrinsically connected world, the Water–Food–Energy–Climate Nexus (WFEC Nexus) concept provides a starting point for informed and transparent decision-making based on the trade-offs and synergies between different sectors, including aquatic ecosystems, food security, energy production, and climate neutrality. The WFEC Nexus approach is particularly applicable in regions requiring transboundary water management, such as Central Asia. Unfortunately, this region with unevenly distributed water resources—consisting of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—is characterized by data scarcity, which limits informed decision-making. However, open-source geodata is becoming increasingly available. This paper aims to fill Central Asia’s WFEC Nexus data gap by providing an overview of key data. We collected geodata through an integrated survey of stakeholders and researchers, stakeholder consultation, and literature screening. Sixty unique datasets were identified, belonging to one of six thematic categories: (1) climate, (2) hydrology, (3) geography and topography, (4) geomorphology, (5) ecology, and (6) anthropogenic uses. For each dataset, a succinct description, including a link to the online source, is provided. We also provide possible applications of using the presented datasets, demonstrating how they can assist in conducting various studies linked to the WFEC Nexus in Central Asia and worldwide.
Anthropogenic factors / Ecology / Geomorphology / Biodiversity / Hydropower / Geographical information systems / Spatial data / Datasets / Open data / Nexus approaches / Climate change / Energy generation / Food security / Transboundary waters
Record No:H052318
Assefa, T. T.; Taye, Meron Teferi; Ebrahim, Girma Yimer; Lautze, Jonathan; Seid, Abdulkarim Hussein. 2023.
Water storages in Tana-Beles Sub-basin of Ethiopia: what do we know, and where should we go? SN Applied Sciences, 5:275.
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The Tana-Beles sub-basin, a strategic economic growth corridor in Ethiopia, relies on water storage to provide a suite of key services to agriculture, drinking water supply, energy, and ecosystems. While there are a range of storage options (e.g., from large dams to subsurface aquifers) that can be utilized to provide these services, a systematic stock-take of literature on water storage in the Tana-Beles has not been undertaken. This knowledge gap constrains the identification of the relative contribution of different storage types in the Tana-Beles. Accordingly, in this study, we conducted a systematic review of literature on the surface and sub-surface storages to examine key issues of the different storage types and their linkages in the Tana-Beles sub-basin. Peer-reviewed and grey publications from various databases were considered for the systematic review. The results indicate that literature in the Tana-Beles sub-basin is more focused on natural storage like wetlands and Lake Tana than built storage types like human-made reservoirs. Overall, the analysis revealed three key points. First, storage volume and water quality in those storages are declining. Second, the causal factors for storage loss and water quality deterioration are agricultural expansion, land degradation, sedimentation, and increasing water withdrawals. Third, the storage gap will increase because of climate change, population, and economic growth while current management options are fragmented. Therefore, the need for more integrated nexus approaches is paramount to optimize storage resources in water, food, energy, and ecosystems in light of population-driven growth in demand and the ongoing global climate crisis.
Systematic reviews / Economic growth / Population growth / Climate change / Sedimentation / Land degradation / Agricultural development / Ponds / Groundwater / Reservoirs / Wetlands / Biodiversity / Nexus approaches / Ecosystems / Food security / Energy / Water quality / Water storage
Record No:H052315
Jain, S. K.; Sikka, Alok K.; Alam, Mohammad Faiz. 2023.
Water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus in India—A review of relevant studies, policies, and programmes. Frontiers in Water, 5:1128198.
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Current approaches for utilization of resources in water-energy-food-ecosystem (WEFE) sectors appear to be unsustainable and sub-optimal because of silo-based approaches that ignore interconnectedness across these interdependent sectors. A nexus approach that considers the interactions and interdependence among the sectors helps overcome weaknesses of silo-based approaches to better address synergies and trade-offs. This paper discusses the concept of the WEFE nexus-based approach for achieving water, energy, food, and environment security in India and presents a review of recent relevant literature. The paper critically reviews the key Indian government policies and programmes in the WEFE sector to assess the synergies and trade-offs among them. More than ˜ 40 programmes across WEFE sectors were studied to understand the efforts underway in these sectors to attain the respective policy goals. Although the implementation of the nexus concept will depend upon the enabling government policies and programmes, we find that discussions on these aspects are missing in the literature. Our review shows that the policies of different sectors give inadequate consideration to the impacts of decisions on the other related sectors. Although the various programmes are appreciably contributing to the policy goals and security for respective sectors, there are significant overlaps among the programmes which could positively or negatively impact other sector(s). There is a need to quantify the trade-offs by using an integrated approach including modeling with the WEFE nexus lens. The study also discusses the key challenges and barriers in implementing the nexus concept in India and how to overcome them.
Sustainable Development Goals / Water security / Government / Programmes / Policies / Nexus approaches / Ecosystems / Food security / Energy security / Water resources
Record No:H052238
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Chibarabada, T. P.; Sikka, Alok. 2023.
Status of integrated crop-livestock research in the mixed farming systems of the Global South: a scoping study. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7:1241675.
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Mixed farming systems (MFS) are the main food source and exist across almost all agroecological regions in the Global South. A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify the status of integrated crop-livestock research in MFS of the Global South. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol was used to identify 210 studies (excluding reviews) addressing productivity, resilience, challenges, opportunities, and perceptions of integrating crops and livestock in the Global South from the Scopus and Web of Science database. Publication details, problem statement, experimental details and research outcomes of each study were extracted into an MS. Excel sheet. Descriptive methods such as frequency counting and the word frequency cloud were used to analyze the data and identify emerging themes. Integrated crop-livestock research was mostly conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and not much from North Africa and the Caribbean. The integrated research has been focused on farm production of human food and animal feed by smallholder farmers and soil productivity. Maize was the most dominant crop, while for livestock, it was sheep and cattle. The integrated crop-livestock research seeked to address various challenges, including the growing demand for food and fodder, water scarcity, land scarcity and degradation, climate change, disease outbreaks and social changes. The review summarized proposed strategies and approaches to improve the efficiency of MFS in the Global South. Under the current challenges, feed quality and supply can be improved through adoption of high biomass, climate smart and improved drought-tolerant fodder crops. Using crop residues incorporated in crop fields for improved soil organic matter and controlled grazing were some strategies suggested for land rehabilitation. Building the resilience of smallholder farmers in MFS can be done through diversification and ensuring access to information, markets and finance. Policies that promote the business component, i.e., markets, training, gender equality, private investments, tenure systems and technology adoption were identified for the sustainability of MFS. There is need for research that integrates crop-livestock systems and natural resource management innovations and that evaluates sustainable intensification strategies to meet productivity goals without compromising social and ecological outcomes in MFS.
Systematic reviews / Strategies / Farmers / Smallholders / Food security / Climate change / Soil fertility / Maize / Fodder / Sheep / Cattle / Farming systems research / Integrated crop-livestock systems / Mixed farming
Record No:H052235
Abrahams, M.; Sibanda, M.; Dube, T.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023.
A systematic review of UAV applications for mapping neglected and underutilised crop species’ spatial distribution and health. Remote Sensing, 15(19):4672. (Special issue: Crops and Vegetation Monitoring with Remote/Proximal Sensing II)
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Timely, accurate spatial information on the health of neglected and underutilised crop species (NUS) is critical for optimising their production and food and nutrition in developing countries. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral sensors have significantly advanced remote sensing, enabling the provision of near-real-time data for crop analysis at the plot level in small, fragmented croplands where NUS are often grown. The objective of this study was to systematically review the literature on the remote sensing (RS) of the spatial distribution and health of NUS, evaluating the progress, opportunities, challenges, and associated research gaps. This study systematically reviewed 171 peer-reviewed articles from Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science using the PRISMA approach. The findings of this study showed that the United States (n = 18) and China (n = 17) were the primary study locations, with some contributions from the Global South, including southern Africa. The observed NUS crop attributes included crop yield, growth, leaf area index (LAI), above-ground biomass (AGB), and chlorophyll content. Only 29% of studies explored stomatal conductance and the spatial distribution of NUS. Twenty-one studies employed satellite-borne sensors, while only eighteen utilised UAV-borne sensors in conjunction with machine learning (ML), multivariate, and generic GIS classification techniques for mapping the spatial extent and health of NUS. The use of UAVs in mapping NUS is progressing slowly, particularly in the Global South, due to exorbitant purchasing and operational costs, as well as restrictive regulations. Subsequently, research efforts must be directed toward combining ML techniques and UAV-acquired data to monitor NUS’ spatial distribution and health to provide necessary information for optimising food production in smallholder croplands in the Global South.
Systematic reviews / Vegetation index / Farmland / Smallholders / Stomatal conductance / Spatial distribution / Precision agriculture / Food security / Machine learning / Remote sensing / Crop production / Plant health / Unmanned aerial vehicles / Mapping / Underutilized species
Record No:H052234
Laborde, D.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Traore, F. 2023.
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on African agriculture, trade, poverty, and food systems. In Odjo, S. P.; Traore, F.; Zaki, C. (Eds.). Africa agriculture trade monitor 2023. Kigali, Rwanda: AKADEMIYA2063; Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). pp.130-158.
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Policies / Subsidies / Healthy diets / Food security / Commodities / Fertilizers / Food prices / Conflicts / World markets / Export controls / Market disruptions / Supply chains / Agrifood systems / Poverty / Agricultural trade
Record No:H052225
Shah, Muhammad Azeem Ali; Lautze, Jonathan; Meelad, A. 2023.
Afghanistan–Pakistan shared waters: state of the basins. Wallingford, UK: CABI 184p.
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There is currently no water cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Of the nine rivers that flow across the border, none possess a formal agreement or mechanism to manage shared water resources. Further, there is very little information available about the status of environment, hydrology and water resources management for these river basins that could be used as a starting point for dialogues on transboundary water coordination. This State of the Basins book co-develops an overview of the three most important river basins, in collaboration with international experts and water professionals from Afghanistan and Pakistan. It covers water resources, land resources, ecological health, environment, climate change, and the social and economic conditions for sustainable management of these precious resources. It will inform decision making within the two countries, and begin to establish benefits that can accrue from more active collaboration on these shared waters.; This book: Focuses on portions of the Indus shared by Afghanistan and Pakistan.; Features extensive engagement and co-development with Afghan and Pakistani professionals.; Is the first book on the shared waters in the Indus, developed in the context of regional realities associated with post-August 2021 Taliban takeover.; The book is aimed at students and researchers in water rights and resources, and government decision makers, private sector investors, donors, intermediary organizations that work directly with farmers, researchers and students. It is a reference book for graduate students and researchers working on these basins, and on transboundary river basin management in Asia and beyond.
Hydropower / Reservoirs / Institutions / Legislation / Water law / Water policies / Water governance / Hydrology / Trends / Climate prediction / Temperature / Precipitation / Climate change / Sustainable Development Goals / Energy security / Economic growth / Employment / Livelihoods / Food security / Human health / Poverty / Demography / Socioeconomic development / Land use / Irrigation / Water quality / Water management / Agricultural water use / Groundwater / Surface water / Sustainability / Water security / International cooperation / Water resources / River basin management / Water sharing / Transboundary waters
Record No:H052166
Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Wardak, A.; Jan, I. 2023.
Demography, human development and economic conditions. In Shah, Muhammad Azeem Ali; Lautze, Jonathan; Meelad, A. (Eds.). Afghanistan–Pakistan shared waters: state of the basins. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.20-42.
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The Kabul, Kurram, and Gomal river basins are home to approximately 43 million (authors’ own calculation) people who experience a diverse set of human and economic development realities. This chapter draws profiles of the basins in terms of demography and human and economic development. In doing so, the authors illustrate the human realities that overlie the hydrological units. This chapter presents basin-level data by combining and rescaling data for specific administrative units in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The authors find disparities between and within the two countries in terms of population size, migration dynamics, economic indicators and production of power. Despite these differences, people share similar challenges in achieving food security, poverty alleviation, and mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Improved, co-ordinated strategies and policies have the potential to strengthen the governance of these transboundary river basins and deliver better outcomes for people and resource sustainability.
Industry / Agriculture / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Energy / Education / Income / Population density / Migration / Employment / Food security / Health / Poverty / River basins / Transboundary waters / Economic growth / Socioeconomic development / Demography
Record No:H052169
Hlahla, S.; Ngidi, M.; Duma, S. E.; Sobratee-Fajurally, N.; Modi, A. T.; Slotow, R.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023.
Policy gaps and food systems optimization: a review of agriculture, environment, and health policies in South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7:867481.
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South Africa faces the triple burden of malnutrition, high poverty levels, unemployment, and inequality. “Wicked problems” such as these require innovative and transdisciplinary responses, multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration, managing complex synergies and trade-os, and achieving sustainable outcomes. Through qualitative content analysis of national and provincial sector-based policies, we explored the interlinkages between the agriculture, environment, and health sectors in South Africa in the context of sustainable food and nutrition security and the extent to which these interlinkages are integrated into policy and planning. A systemic analysis of the review outcomes was performed to identify its main learning outcome, the status quo in the policy process. The nature of feedback loops was identified, and a leverage point was suggested. The review highlighted that policymakers in the agriculture, environment and health sectors are aware of, and have understood, the relationships among the three sectors. They have also made attempts to address these interlinkages through collaboration and coordination. Unfortunately, this has been met with several challenges due to fragmented sector-specific mandates and targets and a lack of resources for integrated solutions. This creates implementation gaps and unintended duplication of activities, leading to poor service delivery. Transitioning to sustainable and healthy food systems will only be possible after these gaps have been closed and implementation optimization has been achieved. Focusing on meta-level problem-framing, functional collaboration through transdisciplinary approaches, and integrated targets are critical to successful policy implementation and progressive realization of national goals related to sustainable food and nutrition security, unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
Legislation / Government / Poverty / Unemployment / Vulnerability / Coordination / Collaboration / Food systems / Health policies / Environmental policies / Agricultural policies / Nutrition security / Food security
Record No:H052160
Shah, Tushaar. 2023.
Water-energy-food-environment nexus in action: global review of precepts and practice. Cambridge Prisms: Water, 1:e5.
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Using water-energy-food-environment (WEFE) nexus as the prism, this review explores evolution of groundwater governance in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, China, Bangladesh and India – which together account for two-thirds of the global groundwater-irrigated area. Global discourse has blamed widespread water scarcity squarely on supply-side policymaking and advocated a broader template of water governance instruments. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) presented just such a template – with pricing, participation, rights and entitlements, laws, regulations, and river basin organizations – as additional water governance tools. However, the IWRM template faced disillusionment and pushback in many emerging economies. WEFE nexus, the new paradigm, prioritizes system-level optima over sectoral maxima by harnessing synergies and optimizing trade-offs between food, water, energy, soil, and eco-system sustainability within planetary boundaries. Realizing this vision presents a complex challenge in groundwater governance. Global groundwater economy comprises three sub-economies: (a) diesel-powered unregulated, as in Nepal terai, eastern India, Bangladesh, Pakistan Punjab and Sind, and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, where use-specific energy subsidies are impractical; (b) electricity-powered regulated, as in North America and Europe, where tubewells are authorized, metered and subject to consumption-linked energy charges; and (c) electricity-powered unregulated, as in geographies covered by our review – barring China, Bengal and Bangladesh – where unmeasured electricity subsidies have created a bloated groundwater economy. This last sub-economy represents the heartland of global groundwater malgovernance, least equipped to meet the sustainability challenge. It has an estimated 300 million horsepower of grid-connected electric pumps that are either unauthorized and/or unmetered and/or use free or heavily subsidized or pilfered power for irrigating 50–52 million hectares, nearly half of global groundwater-irrigated area. In (a) and (b), groundwater scarcity inspires water-energy saving behavior via increased energy cost of pumping. In sub-economy (c), users are immune to energy costs and impervious to groundwater depletion. Here, the WEFE nexus has remained blind to the irrigation realpolitik that catalyzes or constrains policy action. We explore why the political costs of rationalizing subsidies are prohibitive and exemplify how a smart transition from fossil to solar energy for pumping may offer an opportunity to turn the perverse WEFE nexus into a virtuous one.
Farmers / Water use / Groundwater depletion / Climate change / Policies / Electricity / Subsidies / Pumps / Tube wells / Solar powered irrigation systems / Integrated water resources management / Water scarcity / Water governance / Nexus approaches / Environmental factors / Food security / Energy consumption / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H052151
Dickens, Chris; Whitney, C.; Luedeling, E.; Dlamini, V.; Oapos;Brien, G.; Greffiths, Ikhothatseng Jacob. 2023.
Environmental flows in support of sustainable intensification of agriculture in the Letaba River Basin, South Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 51p.
(IWMI Working Paper 205) [DOI] More... |
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This study evaluates the socioecological consequences of the potential trade-offs between maintaining environmental flows (e-flows) and providing water for sustainable subsistence agriculture and livelihoods to the vulnerable human communities living along the lower Great Letaba River in South Africa. Implementation of e-flows is now generally recognized as an essential part of water resources management as they are designed to ensure that sufficient water is retained in a river to protect river ecosystems and all the beneficiaries of services that arise from those ecosystems. Understanding the relationship between e-flows and the use of water for small-scale agriculture is important for the management of trade-offs.
The Letaba River Basin and itapos;s tributary, the Great/Groot Letaba, are located in the eastern part of the Limpopo province in South Africa. This is one of the most important river basins in the region supporting both large-scale commercial and small-scale farmers. The river sustains many vulnerable human communities who depend on the ecosystem services provided by the river. Yet, the water resources of the Letaba River are heavily overutilized due to expanding developments, including upstream dams with associated offtakes mostly for irrigation.
The findings of the study indicate that irrigation water demand from subsistence agriculture in the Great Letaba Basin amounted to around 2 million cubic meters annually with median demand not exceeding 300,000 cubic meters per month. This means that irrigation water demand from smallholder agriculture only amounts to about one-tenth of the estimated e-flow requirement. However, small-scale farmers contend with an increasing crop water gap which limits irrigated agriculture, especially during the dry season. Given the need to sustainably maintain e-flows for ecological purposes, crop water gaps are only likely to increase and compromise the sustainability of irrigated agriculture. With active upstream supplementation of river flows from dams to maintain both environmental and livelihoods-oriented river flows, the crop water gap can be fully eliminated. This supplementation is not assured due to competing uses.
Modelling / Land rights / Water rights / Sustainable Development Goals / Food security / Policies / Rural communities / Risk / Women / Gender / Farmers / Smallholders / Livestock / Fishing / Catchment areas / River flow / Ecosystem services / Crop yield / Water requirements / Crop water use / Subsistence farming / Irrigated farming / Irrigation water / Water demand / Water availability / Water management / Water resources / River basins / Livelihoods / Small-scale farming / Sustainable intensification / Sustainable agriculture / Environmental flows
Record No:H052105
Mutondo, J.; Fakudze, Bhekiwe; Matchaya, Greenwell; Wilson, D.; Manussa, S.; Greffiths, Jacob Ikhothatseng. 2023.
Africa Agriculture Transformation Scorecard: performance and lessons. Mozambique. : Pretoria, South Africa: Regional Strategic Analysis and Knowledge Support System for Eastern and Southern Africa (ReSAKSS-ESA); Kigali, Rwanda: AKADEMIYA2063 10p.
(2021 Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Biennial Review Brief) [DOI] More... |
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The Malabo Declaration on accelerated agricultural growth and transformation for shared prosperity and improved livelihoods is a set of goals that were adopted by Heads of State and Government of the African Union in 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (AUC 2014). To translate the seven Malabo commitments into results, a call for action was made by the Heads of State and Governments, by calling upon the AU Commission and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, in collaboration with partners, to initiate a review process to be conducted on a biennial basis starting 2017, with an objective of tracking, measuring, and reporting progress towards achieving the Malabo Declaration commitments by 2025.
Three Biennial Reviews (BR) have been conducted—the inaugural BR in 2017, the second BR in 2019, and the third and most recent BR in 2021. Mozambique has participated in all three BRs, submitting a country report to the African Union in each BR cycle. This brief draws on the third BR report to summarize the performance of Mozambique in pursuit of the seven Malabo Declaration commitments, assessing the challenges faced and the lessons learned by the country, with policy and programmatic measures required for Mozambique to meet the Malabo Declaration commitment targets by 2025.
The third BR indicates that Mozambique underperformed and is not on track to meet all the Malabo Declaration commitments by 2025. Despite exceeding the overall performance benchmark in the first BR, the country remained off-track with very little improvement between the second and the third BRs.
One of the key recommendations of the analysis is for Mozambique should strengthen the resilience of its farmers, as the countryapos;s agricultural sector is particularly exposed to extreme weather events, which can wipe out anticipated harvests very quickly; appropriate mechanisms, such as agricultural insurance, should be made available to farmers.
Food security / Stakeholders / SADC countries / Resilience / Accountability / Poverty / Hunger / Investment / Finance / Policies / Indicators / Declarations / Agricultural development
Record No:H052075
Shiferaw, B. A.; Reddy, V. R.; Sharma, Bharat. 2023.
Groundwater governance under climate change in India: lessons based on evaluation of World Bank interventions. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 25p. (Online first)
[DOI] More... Groundwater is the single largest source of water for irrigation and domestic use in India. Climate change further exacerbates the threat of depletion, reducing food security and increasing the vulnerabilities of resource users. Governance is complicated by externalities associated with its attributes as an invisible and fluid resource which create problems of rivalry and exclusion. Based on theory-based case studies for evaluation of selected World Bank projects, we analyse challenges for groundwater governance and identify factors that contribute to depletion. It highlights the need for integrating and balancing demand and supply-side approaches, including water-efficient irrigation and climate-smart practices.
Case studies / Farmers / Villages / World Bank / Institutions / State intervention / Land productivity / Cropping systems / Agricultural productivity / Wells / Microirrigation / Water use / Regulations / Water policies / Food security / Vulnerability / Climate change / Groundwater depletion / Water governance / Groundwater management
Record No:H052036
Torou, Bio Mohamadou; Favreau, G.; Barbier, B.; Pavelic, Paul; Illou, M.; Sidibe, F. 2023.
Constraints and opportunities for groundwater irrigation arising from hydrologic shifts in the Iullemmeden Basin, South-western Niger. In Pavelic, Paul; Villholth, K. G.; Verma, Shilp. (Eds.). Sustainable groundwater development for improved livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.201-215.
(Routledge Special Issues on Water Policy and Governance) More... Land-use-change-induced increases in shallow groundwater levels across parts of the Sahel in recent years have coincided with expanded use of groundwater for irrigation. This study was conducted to assess the potential linkages and livelihood implications based on a field survey of nine villages building on previous hydrological studies. The results show that irrigators lack effective means of production and mostly rely on manual methods. Borehole usage is more profitable and reliable than shallower wells. Overall incomes from irrigation are relatively small and severely constrained by the limited field scale due to high establishment and operating costs.
Villages / Income / Food security / Ponds / Wells / Boreholes / Livelihoods / Water management / Infrastructure / Groundwater table / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H052029
Pavelic, Paul; Villholth, K. G.; Verma, Shilp. 2023.
Sustainable groundwater development for improved livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge 222p.
(Routledge Special Issues on Water Policy and Governance) More...
Livestock / Dry season / River basins / Evapotranspiration / Subsidies / Financing / Credit / Cost benefit analysis / Supply chains / Investment / Markets / Land tenure / Food security / Income / Poverty / Socioeconomic aspects / Households / Women / Gender / Water governance / Water policies / Institutions / Energy / Technology adoption / Hydrogeology / Water quality / Groundwater extraction / Water table / Prediction / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / Water use / Water balance / Water availability / Boreholes / Wells / Pumps / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Small-scale irrigation / Farmers / Smallholders / Water management / Water resources / Livelihoods / Sustainability / Groundwater potential / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H052019
Karg, H.; Akoto-Danso, E. K.; Amprako, L.; Drechsel, Pay; Nyarko, G.; Lompo, D. J.-P.; Ndzerem, S.; Sidibe, S.; Hoschek, M.; Buerkert, A. 2023.
A spatio-temporal dataset on food flows for four West African cities. Scientific Data, 10:263.
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Gaining insight into the food sourcing practices of cities is important to understand their resilience to climate change, economic crisis, as well as pandemics affecting food supply and security. To fill existing knowledge gaps in this area food flow data were collected in four West African cities - Bamako (Mali), Bamenda (Cameroon), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), and Tamale (Ghana). The data cover, depending on the city, road, rail, boat, and air traffic. Surveys were conducted for one week on average during the peak harvest, lean, and rainy seasons, resulting in a dataset of over 100,000 entries for 46 unprocessed food commodities. The data collected includes information on the key types of transportation used, quantity, source, and destination of the food flows. The data were used to delineate urban foodsheds and to identify city-specific factors constraining rural-urban linkages. The data can also be employed to inform academic and policy discussions on urban food system sustainability, to validate other datasets, and to plan humanitarian aid and food security interventions.
Modes of transport / Virtual water / Food products / Food security / Datasets / Cities / Markets / Commodities / Food systems / Rural-urban food supply chains
Record No:H051896
Adam-Bradford, A.; Drechsel, Pay. 2023.
Urban agriculture during economic crisis: lessons from Cuba, Sri Lanka and Ukraine. Policy brief. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p.
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Economic crises take different forms and occur for various reasons, such as political conflicts and pandemics. What all these crises have in common is that they cause disruption to rural-urban food supply chains, resulting in food shortages for the urban poor, with the most direct impact being an increase in food prices. It is within this challenging context that we present empirical examples of the role of urban agriculture.
Pandemics / War / Conflicts / Resilience / Food security / Rural-urban food supply chains / Cities / Economic crises / Urban agriculture
Record No:H051894
Kurdi, S.; Ruckstuhl, Sandra. 2023.
Crisis resilience: humanitarian response and anticipatory action. In International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Global food policy report 2023: rethinking food crisis responses. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). pp.36-43.
(Global Food Policy Report) [DOI] More... |
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In human, economic, and environmental terms, the total cost of disaster and crisis response is extremely high, and the disastrous combination of the food price crises coming on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic and natural calamities is straining public budgets and squeezing financial options. In 2020, private and public losses from weather-related disasters alone exceeded a total of US$258 billion globally — 29 percent above the 2001–2020 average — making it the fifth costliest year on record, and rising temperatures are expected to bring even more frequent and severe extreme weather events. At the same time, conflict has become a leading contributor to humanitarian crisis situations — as seen most recently with the food and energy crises precipitated by the Russia-Ukraine war and refugee flows driven by the Syrian civil war.
Monitoring / Financing / Aid programmes / Humanitarian organizations / Resilience / Policies / Food security
Record No:H051883
Pandey, V. P.; Shrestha, Nirman; Urfels, A.; Ray, A.; Khadka, Manohara; Pavelic, Paul; McDonald, A. J.; Krupnik, T. J. 2023.
Implementing conjunctive management of water resources for irrigation development: a framework applied to the Southern Plain of western Nepal. Agricultural Water Management, 283:108287.
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Climate variability and insufficient irrigation are primary constraints to stable and higher agricultural productivity and food security in Nepal. Agriculture is the largest global freshwater user, and integration of surface- and ground-water use is frequently presented as an strategy for increasing efficiency as well as climate change adaptation. However, conjunctive management (CM) planning often ignores demand-side requirements and a broader set of sustainable development considerations, including ecosystem health and economics of different development strategies. While there is generic understanding of conjunctive use, detailed technical knowhow to realize the CM is lacking in Nepal. This article presents a holistic framework through literature reviews, stakeholders consultations and expert interviews for assessing CM and implementation prospects from a systems-level perspective. We demonstrate the framework through a case study in Western Nepal, where climatic variability and a lack of irrigation are key impediments to increased agricultural productivity and sustainable development. Results show that knowledge of water resources availability is good and that of water demand low in the Western Terai. Additional and coordinated investments are required to improve knowledge gaps as well as access to irrigation. There is therefore a need to assess water resources availability, water access, use and productivity, to fill the knowledge gaps in order to pave pathways for CM. This paper also discusses some strategies to translate prospects of conjunctive management into implementation.
Case studies / Capacity development / Awareness / Social inclusion / Gender equity / Stakeholders / Water governance / Energy sources / Monitoring / Strategies / Planning / Sustainable Development Goals / Agricultural productivity / Food security / Water policies / Water productivity / Water demand / Water availability / Surface water / Groundwater / Climate change / Irrigation systems / Conjunctive use / Water use / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H051837
Kjellen, M.; Wong, C.; van Koppen, Barbara; Uprety, Labisha; Mukuyu, Patience; Avidar, O.; Willaarts, B.; Tang, T.; Witmer, L.; Nagabhatla, N.; De Lombaerde, P.; Lindelien, M. C.; Dhot, N.; Saleh, A. 2023.
Governance: a ‘whole-of-society’ approach. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP). The United Nations World Water Development Report 2023: partnerships and cooperation for water. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.172-182.
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Women / Strategies / Stakeholders / Policies / Climate change / Food security / Water security / Integrated water resources management / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Cooperation / Public-private partnerships / Civil society / Water governance
Record No:H051827
Neik, T. X.; Siddique, K. H. M.; Mayes, S.; Edwards, D.; Batley, J.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Song, B. K.; Massawe, F. 2023.
Diversifying agrifood systems to ensure global food security following the Russia–Ukraine crisis. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7:1124640.
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The recent Russia–Ukraine conflict has raised significant concerns about global food security, leaving many countries with restricted access to imported staple food crops, particularly wheat and sunflower oil, sending food prices soaring with other adverse consequences in the food supply chain. This detrimental effect is particularly prominent for low-income countries relying on grain imports, with record-high food prices and inflation affecting their livelihoods. This review discusses the role of Russia and Ukraine in the global food system and the impact of the Russia–Ukraine conflict on food security. It also highlights how diversifying four areas of agrifood systems—markets, production, crops, and technology can contribute to achieving food supply chain resilience for future food security and sustainability.
Conflicts / Technology / Exports / Markets / Food prices / Resilience / Food supply chains / Food production / Food crops / Sustainable intensification / Diversification / Agrifood systems / Food security
Record No:H051821
Bhebhe, Q. N.; Ngidi, M. S. C.; Siwela, M.; Ojo, T. O.; Hlatshwayo, S. I.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023.
The contribution of trees and green spaces to household food security in eThekwini Metro, KwaZulu-Natal. Sustainability, 15(6):4855.
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One of the most significant issues faced by many low- and middle-income nations, including South Africa, is ensuring access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food. South Africa is renowned worldwide for its rich biodiversity and a vast body of traditional knowledge among those who consume forest foods. However, despite ecological diversity, frequent barriers remain to getting diversified household diets. This study sought to investigate the contribution of trees and green spaces to household food security in eThekwini. A total of 280 households met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in this study by responding to questionnaires. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the computation of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Instrumental Variable Poisson model. The study’s results revealed that only 29% of the respondents were food secure, 36% were mildly food insecure, 27% were moderately food insecure, and 8% were severely food insecure. The Instrumental Variable Poisson model results revealed that cultivated green spaces, wealth index, gender, education level of the head of households, and grants had a negative correlation with household food insecurity. On the other hand, non-cultivated green spaces, local trees, age, marital status, number of dependents, and monthly income positively correlated with food insecurity. Given the existence of trees and green spaces in eThekwini, there is potential for food security solutions to be formed around both cultivated and uncultivated green spaces to promote sustainable access to food and nutritious diets in low-income households. Policy interventions should adopt an approach that encourages the incorporation of foods from both cultivated and uncultivated trees and green spaces in people’s diets.
Socioeconomic aspects / Poverty / Income / Communities / Food access / Sustainability / Nutrition security / Food insecurity / Trees / Greenspace / Household food security
Record No:H051817
Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Mitra, Archisman; Osmani, Z.; Habib, A.; Mukherji, Aditi. 2023.
Impact assessment of Solar Irrigation Pumps (SIPs) in Bangladesh: a baseline technical report. New Delhi, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 75p.
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Diesel oil / Greenhouse gas emissions / Socioeconomic environment / Household surveys / Villages / Public-private partnerships / Food security / Plot size / Cultivated land / Seasonal cropping / Training / Tenant farmers / Costs / Tariffs / Business models / Climate-smart agriculture / Tube wells / Water extraction / Irrigation practices / Cropping patterns / Social inclusion / Gender equity / Energy generation / Solar energy / Impact assessment / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H051815
Gokool, S.; Mahomed, M.; Kunz, R.; Clulow, A.; Sibanda, M.; Naiken, V.; Chetty, K.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2023.
Crop monitoring in smallholder farms using unmanned aerial vehicles to facilitate precision agriculture practices: a scoping review and bibliometric analysis. Sustainability, 15(4):3557. (Special issue: Advanced Technologies, Techniques and Process for the Sustainable Precision Agriculture)
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In this study, we conducted a scoping review and bibliometric analysis to evaluate the state-of-the-art regarding actual applications of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies to guide precision agriculture (PA) practices within smallholder farms. UAVs have emerged as one of the most promising tools to monitor crops and guide PA practices to improve agricultural productivity and promote the sustainable and optimal use of critical resources. However, there is a need to understand how and for what purposes these technologies are being applied within smallholder farms. Using Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, 23 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Web of Science were analyzed to acquire a greater perspective on this emerging topical research focus area. The results of these investigations revealed that UAVs have largely been used for monitoring crop growth and development, guiding fertilizer management, and crop mapping but also have the potential to facilitate other PA practices. Several factors may moderate the potential of these technologies. However, due to continuous technological advancements and reductions in ownership and operational costs, there remains much cause for optimism regarding future applications of UAVs and associated technologies to inform policy, planning, and operational decision-making.
Technology / Remote sensing / Machine learning / Food security / Bibliometric analysis / Unmanned aerial vehicles / Farming systems / Smallholders / Crop monitoring / Precision agriculture
Record No:H051762
Dessalegn, Mengistu; Debevec, L.; Nicol, Alan; Ludi, E. 2023.
A critical examination of rural out-migration studies in Ethiopia: considering impacts on agriculture in the sending communities. Land, 12(1):176. (Special issue: The Impact of Rural Out-Migration on Land Use Transition)
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Labor migration is a complex phenomenon, yet while much attention has been paid to understanding the drivers of migration, there is a huge knowledge and policy gap regarding the effects of migration on people and communities left behind. We sought to explore the impacts of rural outmigration on migrant-sending communities in Ethiopia. This remains an understudied topic when it comes to research on migration in Ethiopia. Our investigation is based on a critical review of the migration literature pertaining to Ethiopia and, more broadly. We pursued a holistic analysis of the multidimensional aspects of migration. There are indications that rural outmigration impacts involve issues related to remittances, household food security, agricultural labor use, farmland management, and rural infrastructure development. Our analysis revealed that there had been few systematic studies and limited analyses regarding the impacts of outmigration on agriculture and the livelihoods of rural people and households left behind. Instead, Ethiopia’s migration literature largely deals with migration’s causes, including environmental factors, climate variability, agricultural pressures, livelihood stresses, and changing aspirations.
Investment / Remittances / Women / Social networks / Climate variability / Environmental factors / Livelihoods / Land management / Farmland / Household food security / Communities / Agriculture / Labour / Rural areas / Migration
Record No:H051664
DeClerck, F. A. J.; Koziell, I.; Benton, T.; Garibaldi, L. A.; Kremen, C.; Maron, M.; Del Rio, C. R.; Sidhu, A.; Wirths, J.; Clark, M.; Dickens, Chris; Carmona, N. E.; Fremier, A. K.; Jones, S. K.; Khoury, C. K.; Lal, R.; Obersteiner, M.; Remans, R.; Rusch, A.; Schulte, L. A.; Simmonds, J.; Stringer, L. C.; Weber, C.; Winowiecki, L. 2023.
A whole earth approach to nature-positive food: biodiversity and agriculture. In von Braun, J.; Afsana, K.; Fresco, L. O.; Hassan, M. H. A. (Eds.). Science and innovations for food systems transformation. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp.469-496.
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Agriculture is the largest single source of environmental degradation, responsible for over 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 70% of freshwater use and 80% of land conversion: it is the single largest driver of biodiversity loss (Foley JA, Science 309:570–574, 2005, Nature 478:337–342, 2011; IPBES. Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. IPBES Secretariat, Bonn, 2019; Willett W et al. The Lancet 393:447–492, 2019). Agriculture also underpins poor human health, contributing to 11 million premature deaths annually. While too many still struggle from acute hunger, a growing number of individuals, including in low to middle-income countries (LMICs), struggle to access healthy foods. Greater consideration for, and integration of, biodiversity in agriculture is a key solution space for improving health, eliminating hunger and achieving nature-positive development objectives.
This rapid evidence review documents the best available evidence of agriculture’s relationships with biodiversity, drawing on the contributions of leading biodiversity experts, and recommends actions that can be taken to move towards more biodiversity/nature-positive production through the delivery of integrated agricultural solutions for climate, biodiversity, nutrition and livelihoods. The analysis, which takes a whole-of-food-system approach, brings together a large body of evidence. It accounts for aspects not typically captured in a stand-alone primary piece of research and indicates where there are critical gaps.
Environmental factors / Climate change / Ecosystem services / Food security / Dietary diversity / Healthy diets / Nutrition / Nature-based solutions / Agriculture / Biodiversity / Food systems
Record No:H051666
Akpoti, K.; Higginbottom, T. P.; Foster, T.; Adhikari, R.; Zwart, Sander J. 2022.
Mapping land suitability for informal, small-scale irrigation development using spatial modelling and machine learning in the Upper East Region, Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 803:149959.
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation has gained momentum in recent years as one of the development priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, farmer-led irrigation is often informal with little support from extension services and a paucity of data on land suitability for irrigation. To map the spatial explicit suitability for dry season small-scale irrigation, we developed a method using an ensemble of boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy machine learning models for the Upper East Region of Ghana. Both biophysical predictors including surface and groundwater availability, climate, topography and soil properties, and socio-economic predictors which represent demography and infrastructure development such as accessibility to cities and proximity to roads were considered. We assessed that 179,584 49,853 ha is suitable for dry-season small-scale irrigation development when only biophysical variables are considered, and 158,470 27,222 ha when socio-economic variables are included alongside the biophysical predictors, representing 77-89% of the current rainfed-croplands. Travel time to cities, accessibility to small reservoirs, exchangeable sodium percentage, surface runoff that can be potentially stored in reservoirs, population density, proximity to roads, and elevation percentile were the top predictors of small-scale irrigation suitability. These results suggested that the availability of water alone is not a sufficient indicator for area suitability for small-scale irrigation. This calls for strategic road infrastructure development and an improvement in the support to farmers for market accessibility. The suitability for small-scale irrigation should be put in the local context of market availability, demographic indicators, and infrastructure development.
Socioeconomic aspects / Population density / Reservoirs / Forecasting / Dry season / Soil properties / Land cover / Land use / Water availability / Groundwater / Semiarid zones / Food security / Machine learning / Modelling / Land suitability / Small scale systems / Farmer-led irrigation
Record No:H050670
Urfels, A.; Khadka, Manohara; Shrestha, Nirman; Pavelic, Paul; Risal, A.; Uprety, Labisha; Shrestha, Gitta; Dile, Y.; McDonald, A. J.; Pandey, V. P.; Srinivasan, R.; Krupnik, T. J. 2022.
A framework for sustainable and inclusive irrigation development in western Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal: Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) 78p.
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Case studies / Modelling / Capacity development / Governance / Policies / Resilience / Food security / Climate change / Technology / Socioeconomic environment / Gender equality / Multi-stakeholder processes / Investment / Crop yield / Agricultural value chains / Farmer-led irrigation / Irrigation water / Surface water / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater management / Watersheds / Water resources / Frameworks / Social inclusion / Sustainability / Irrigation management
Record No:H051550
Bergaoui, Karim; Belhaj Fraj, Makram; Fragaszy, Stephen; Ghanim, A.; Hamadin, O.; Al-Karablieh, E.; Fakih, M.; Salama, S.; Fayad, A.; Yessef, M.; Belghrissi, H.; Hassels, T.; Ali, Marwa; Badr, H.; Hazra, A.; Nie, W.; Arsenault, K.; Hayes, M.; Svoboda, M.; McDonnell, Rachael. 2022.
MENAdrought synthesis of drought monitoring, early warning, and seasonal forecasting tools and capability development: final report. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the Bureau for the Middle East of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). : Washington, DC, USA: USAID; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 74p.
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Training / Stakeholders / Technology transfer / Research for development / Collaboration / Modelling / Stream flow / Precipitation / Disaster preparedness / Water scarcity / Food security / Water security / Policies / Indicators / Impact assessment / Vulnerability / Decision support / Forecasting / Early warning systems / Monitoring / Drought
Record No:H052340
Farajalla, N.; Abi Ammar, R.; Nassar, L.; Abou Dagher, M.; Kharma, E.; Machmouchi, F.; Hachem Majdalani, C.; Yazbek, C.; Zaarour, N.; Maadat, A.; Belhaj Fraj, Makram; Fragaszy, Stephen; Ruckstuhl, Sandra. 2022.
Drought, fragility and human migration analysis: synthesis report of case studies in Lebanon and Jordan. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the Bureau for the Middle East of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). : Washington, DC, USA: USAID; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
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Pastoralists / Farmers / Communities / Socioeconomic aspects / Government / Food security / Water management / Water supply / Water scarcity / Decision making / Investment / Policies / Strategies / Resilience / Climate change / Agricultural development / Sustainable agriculture / Case studies / Migration / Fragility / Drought
Record No:H052339
Haileslassie, Amare; Mekuria, Wolde; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Ludi, Eva; Schmitter, Petra. 2022.
Gap analysis and methodological framework to assess and develop water centric sustainable agricultural intensification pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa. Frontiers in Water, 4:747610.
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The sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) debate, partly rooted in discussions over the Green Revolution, was developed in the 1990s in the context of smallholder agriculture in Africa. In many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, production is still largely rainfed, with the prevalence of significant yield gaps and rapid environmental degradation. Projections indicate that climate and demographic changes will further intensify the competition for freshwater resources. Currently, SAI is centered around predominantly rain-fed agricultural systems, often at a farm and plot scales. There has been increased attention to the improved role of agricultural water management (AWM) to address the daunting challenges of climate change, land degradation and food and nutritional insecurity in SSA. Nonetheless, the supporting frameworks and tools remain limited and do not connect the sustainability assessment and the development of intensification pathways (SIP) along multiple scales of the rainfed irrigation continuum. This paper reviews the gaps in concepts and practices of SAI and suggests a methodological framework to design context-specific and water-centered SIP for the SSA region. Accordingly, the proposed methodological framework demonstrates: (a) how to couple sustainability assessment methods to participatory SIPs design and adaptive management approach; (b) how contextualized sustainability domains and indicators can help in AWM centered SIP development; (c) the approaches to handle multiple scales and water-related indicators, the heterogeneity of biophysical and social settings when tailoring technology options to local contexts; and (d) the principles which enable the SIP designs to enable synergies and complementarities of SAI measures to reinforce the rainfed-irrigation continuum. This methodological framework allows researchers to integrate the sustainability assessment and SIP design, and guides policymakers and practitioners in planning, implementing and monitoring SAI initiatives (e.g., Framework for Irrigation Development and Agricultural Water Management in Africa) across multiple scales.
Social aspects / Environmental sustainability / Economic aspects / Farmers / Food security / Climate change / Water use efficiency / Water resources / Ecosystem services / Food systems / Indicators / Assessment / Water management / Sustainable intensification / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H051488
Mugiyo, H.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Kunz, R.; Sibanda, M.; Nhamo, L.; Masemola, C. R.; Modi, A. T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Mapping the spatial distribution of underutilised crop species under climate change using the MaxEnt model: a case of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Climate Services, 28:100330.
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Knowing the spatial and temporal suitability of neglected and underutilised crop species (NUS) is important for fitting them into marginal production areas and cropping systems under climate change. The current study used climate change scenarios to map the future distribution of selected NUS, namely, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), amaranth (Amaranthus) and taro (Colocasia esculenta) in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. The future distribution of NUS was simulated using a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model using regional circulation models (RCMs) from the CORDEX archive, each driven by a different global circulation model (GCM), for the years 2030 to 2070. The study showed an increase of 0.1–11.8% under highly suitable (S1), moderately suitable (S2), and marginally suitable (S3) for sorghum, cowpea, and amaranth growing areas from 2030 to 2070 across all RCPs. In contrast, the total highly suitable area for taro production is projected to decrease by 0.3–9.78% across all RCPs. The jack-knife tests of the MaxEnt model performed efficiently, with areas under the curve being more significant than 0.8. The study identified annual precipitation, length of the growing period, and minimum and maximum temperature as variables contributing significantly to model predictions. The developed maps indicate possible changes in the future suitability of NUS within the KZN province. Understanding the future distribution of NUS is useful for developing transformative climate change adaptation strategies that consider future crop distribution. It is recommended to develop regionally differentiated climate-smart agriculture production guidelines matched to spatial and temporal variability in crop suitability.
Forecasting / Models / Machine learning / Taro / Amaranthus / Cowpeas / Sorghum / Nutrition security / Food security / Climate change adaptation / Spatial distribution / Underutilized species / Crop production
Record No:H051487
Nhamo, L.; Paterson, G.; van der Walt, M.; Moeletsi, M.; Modi, A.; Kunz, R.; Chimonyo, V.; Masupha, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Liphadzi, S.; Molwantwa, J.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Optimal production areas of underutilized indigenous crops and their role under climate change: focus on Bambara groundnut. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6:990213.
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Food demand in Africa continues to outstrip local supply, and the continent currently spends over US$35 billion annually on food imports to supplement local deficits. With the advances in agronomy and breeding, commercial crops like maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) in the region are under threat from climate change, decreasing rainfall and degraded lands. Unlike commercial crops that are generally adapted from other regions, underutilized indigenous crops are uniquely suited to local environments and are more resilient to climatic variations and tolerant to local pests and diseases. This study, done in Limpopo Province, South Africa, identifies optimal areas for cultivating Bambara groundnuts (Vigna subterannea), an indigenous crop suitable for arid and semi-arid regions. The aim is to promote the production of underutilized indigenous crops at a large scale with fewer resources, while still meeting local demand and reducing the food import budget. Suitability maps are delineated using a multicriteria decision method in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The procedure is important for diversifying farming systems, making them more resilient (to biotic and abiotic stresses and climate change) and more successful at enhancing water, food and nutritional security. With the province’s limited water and land resources for agriculture expansion, promoting indigenous underutilized crops is a pathway to reduce water allocated to agriculture, thereby enhancing drought resilience and ensuring water, food and nutritional security. Large tracts of degraded agricultural land deemed unsuitable for adapted crops, and which may require costly land reclamation practices, can be used to cultivate underutilized crops that are adapted to extreme local conditions.
Geographical information systems / Rain / Water security / Food security / Land suitability / Dryland farming / Resilience / Strategies / Climate change adaptation / Indigenous organisms / Underutilized species / Vigna subterranea / Bambara groundnut / Crop production
Record No:H051486
Arulingam, Indika; Brady, G.; Chaya, M.; Conti, M.; Kgomotso, P. K.; Korzenszky, A.; Njie, D.; Schroth, G.; Suhardiman, Diana. 2022.
Small-scale producers in sustainable agrifood systems transformation. Rome, Italy: FAO 34p.
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Food security / Sustainable livelihoods / Information exchange / Governance / Participation / Smallholders / Agricultural production
Record No:H051435
Troell, J.; Keene, S. 2022.
Legal recognition of customary water tenure in Sub-Saharan Africa: unpacking the land-water nexus. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 33p.
(IWMI Research Report 182) [DOI] More... |
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Despite the progress made in conceptualizing and advocating for secure community-based land and forest tenure rights, there is a critical lacuna in advocacy and policymaking processes pertaining to community-based freshwater tenure rights. Moreover, water tenure as a concept has only recently gained significant traction in global policy circles. This report analyzes national and international legal pathways for recognizing customary forms of community-based freshwater tenure rights held by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in sub-Saharan Africa. It employs a methodological framework and builds on an analysis of community-based water tenure systems that was developed and applied by the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) in the publication Whose Water? A Comparative Analysis of National Laws and Regulations Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’, Afro-Descendants’, and Local Communities’ Water Tenure. Based on the key findings of this analysis, in particular the frequent dependence of IPLCs’ legally recognized customary water tenure rights on their legally recognized land and/or forest rights, this report further analyzes national constitutions, national legislation governing water, land, forests, environmental protection and other related matters, international and national case law, and international and regional human rights laws, to explore how legal frameworks are recognizing and protecting customary water tenure rights across sub-Saharan Africa. The findings and recommendations provide a basis for analyzing the comparative effectiveness and potential drawbacks of these legal pathways for the recognition and protection of customary water tenure and ultimately for future work refining and improving legislation and assessing progress in its implementation and enforcement.
International law / Transboundary waters / Participation / Water user associations / Policies / Constitution / Regional organizations / Government / Sustainable development / Food security / Livelihoods / Women / Gender / Human rights / Water governance / Legal frameworks / Forests / Land rights / Water rights / Rural areas / Local communities / tenure rights / Indigenous peoplesapos / Freshwater / Nexus approaches / Water resources / Land tenure / Customary law / Water law / Legislation / Customary tenure / Water tenure
Record No:H051374
Simon, D.; Fauzi, D.; Drechsel, Pay; Melati, K.; Prain, G.; Jintarith, P.; Cavalleri, S. A. E.; Kangogo, D.; Osborne, M. 2022.
Food waste minimization and circularity for optimizing urban food system resilience. Indonesia: Think20 (T20). Task Force 4 - Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture 18p.
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As urbanization increases, meeting the challenges of urban food supply and food security requires coherent and holistic strategies. Attention too often focuses solely on best practices without addressing the required behavior change. This policy brief highlights the importance of minimizing food loss and waste, which accounts for some 30% of current global production, in order to link and achieve SDGs 2, 11 and 12. The strategy comprises four interrelated elements, namely adopting holistic and circular planning perspectives; facilitating urban and peri-urban farming; integrating innovative behavioral interventions; and providing enabling environments. The G20 has the capacity to act rapidly, without the need for major capital investment, thereby also providing leadership to the entire international community.
Policies / Partnerships / Sustainable Development Goals / Strategies / Behavioural changes / Reuse / Waste management / Food supply / Food security / Circular economy / Resilience / Food systems / Peri-urban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Waste reduction / Food losses / Food wastes
Record No:H051373
Bonetti, S.; Sutanudjaja, E. H.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Slotow, R.; Dalin, C. 2022.
Climate change impacts on water sustainability of South African crop production. Environmental Research Letters, 17(8):084017.
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Agricultural production in arid and semi-arid regions is particularly vulnerable to climate change, which, combined with projected food requirements, makes the sustainable management of water resources critical to ensure national and global food security. Using South Africa as an example, we map the spatial distribution of water use by seventeen major crops under current and future climate scenarios, and assess their sustainability in terms of water resources, using the water debt repayment time indicator. We find high water debts, indicating unsustainable production, for potatoes, pulses, grapes, cotton, rice, and wheat due to irrigation in arid areas. Climate change scenarios suggest an intensification of such pressure on water resources, especially in regions already vulnerable, with a country-scale increase in irrigation demand of between 6.5% and 32% by 2090. Future land use planning and management should carefully consider the spatial distribution and local sustainability of crop water requirements to reduce water consumption in water risk hotspots and guarantee long-term food security.
Evapotranspiration / Forecasting / Spatial distribution / Groundwater / Water use / Water requirements / Water availability / Virtual water / Water footprint / Food security / Climate change / Sustainability / Water resources / Crop production
Record No:H051305
Hlatshwayo, S. I.; Ojo, T. O.; Modi, A. T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Slotow, R.; Ngidi, M. S. C. 2022.
The determinants of market participation and its effect on food security of the rural smallholder farmers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. Agriculture, 12(7):1072.
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Addressing the disproportionate burden of food insecurity in South Africa requires targeted efforts to help smallholder farmers to access markets. The purpose of this study was to assess determinants of market participation and its contribution to household food security. The secondary data used in this study were collected from 1520 respondents; however, 389 smallholder farmers participated in the market. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale revealed that out of the total sample size, 85% of the households were food insecure while 15% were food secure. Gender of household head, receiving social grants and higher wealth index positively impacted market participation. Having a family member with HIV had a negative impact on market participation among smallholder farmers. The results from the extended ordered probit regression model showed that household size, having a family member with HIV and agricultural assistance had a positive and significant contribution to the household food insecurity situation of the smallholder farmers. On the other hand, the educational level of household head, ownership of livestock, age of household head, gender of household head, and having access to social grants had a negative and significant effect on the food insecurity status. Access to education and the market can improve household food security. Linking smallholder farmers, particularly women and aged farmers, to markets should form an intrinsic part of the government’s efforts to improve farming and food security and increase access to diversified food.
Probit analysis / Socioeconomic environment / Gender / Agriculture / Food insecurity / Access to information / Rural areas / Farmers / Smallholders / Household food security / Participation / Markets
Record No:H051304
Queenan, K.; Cuevas, S.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Chimonyo, M.; Shankar, B.; Slotow, R.; Hasler, B. 2022.
A food systems approach and qualitative system dynamics model to reveal policy issues within the commercial broiler chicken system in South Africa. PLoS ONE, 17(6):e0270756.
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Global broiler production and consumption levels continue to rise. South Africa’s broiler system is dominated by commercial production and formal retail trade, with competition from cheap imports. Local broiler policies have narrow, production-driven, short-term aims for industry growth and national food security. However, these have unintended consequences that undermine the system’s future sustainability. Using a food systems approach, this study developed a qualitative system dynamics model of the South African commercial broiler system and used it to engage stakeholders in policy discussions within the boundaries of health, nutrition, and environmental sustainability. A problem statement and key system elements were drawn from a previously published qualitative study and were validated by 15 stakeholders via an online questionnaire. From this, a seed model was developed, expanded into a larger model, and shared in a modular format with stakeholders in virtual meetings, on an individual or institutional basis, for feedback and validation, and for discussion of areas for policy consideration. Refinements were incorporated into the modules, policy considerations were summarised, and crosscutting issues were identified. The model demonstrated the system’s complexity, interlinkages, feedbacks, reinforcing and balancing loops, and behaviour archetypes. The modular presentation format created a suitable platform for stakeholder engagement. Current policies focus on local commercial production, formal markets, and affordability without cognisance of the broader system represented by the model. Inequality pervades throughout the system. Commercial producers, linked to large supermarkets and fast-food chains, dominate the system, presenting barriers to entry. Affordability is unintentionally traded off against non-communicable disease risks through brining of most frozen products, and ultra-processing of fast-food items. Foodborne disease control is critical, given the proportion of vulnerable individuals, and greater coherence of food safety policy is urgently needed. The environmental footprint of broilers, whilst less than that of ruminants, deserves closer scrutiny based on its dependence on intensive cereal production for feed. This study’s food systems approach provides a system-wide perspective and a foundation for policymakers to develop more integrated and transformative policies.
Food security / Imports / Stakeholders / Feeds / Food-borne diseases / Food safety / Affordability / Value chains / Markets / Food consumption / Distribution systems / Livestock production / Environmental sustainability / Nutrition / Human health / Models / Food policies / Commercial farming / Broiler chickens / Poultry / Food systems
Record No:H051296
Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Liphadzi, S.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Securing land and water for food production through sustainable land reform: a nexus planning perspective. Land, 11(7):974.
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Land and water are vital resources for sustaining rural livelihoods and are critical for rural development as they form the basis of agriculture, the main economic activity for rural communities. Nevertheless, in most developing countries, land and water resources are unevenly distributed due to historical and socio-economic imbalances, hence the need for land reform policies to address these disparities. However, redistributing land without considering the interconnectedness of land and socio-ecological systems can compound existing food and water insecurity challenges. This study used a mixed research method, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, to develop a framework to guide policy and decision-makers to formulate coherent strategies towards sustainable land redistribution programmes and achieve the desired outcomes. The approach was vital for integrating the broad and intricate interlinkages between water, land, and environmental resources. Therefore, the framework is based on transformative and circular models for informing strategic policy decisions towards sustainable land redistribution. The focus was on South Africa’s land redistribution plans and the implications on water and food security and rural development. The developed framework is designed to ensure the sustainability of agrarian reform and rural economic development. It is framed to address land and water accessibility inequalities, promote water and food security, and enhance rural development. A sustainable land redistribution increases the adaptive capacity of rural communities to climate change, enhances their resilience, and provides pathways towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Socioeconomic development / Climate change / Agriculture / Food production / Indicators / Agrarian reform / Constitution / Rural development / Livelihoods / Sustainable Development Goals / Planning / Nexus / Frameworks / Land distribution / Food security / Water security / Land reform / Sustainable land management
Record No:H051229
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2022.
Water and climate security: the human impact of disrupted systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p.
(IWMI Water Issue Brief 19) [DOI] More... |
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Rapid climate change is causing weather extremes in every region of the world. The global water cycle is now experiencing a structural change not seen since the last Ice Age, leaving human systems struggling to adapt and respond. Some events will have noticeable consequences in the short term, such as increased flooding from changing precipitation patterns. Others will be more long term, such as the desertification of cropland. All will have major implications for future human security.
We can view climate security as climatic stressors that amplify existing risks in society and influence the security of humans, ecosystems, economies, infrastructure and societies. In that sense, climate security is directly connected to water security defined as the ability of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water.
Sea level / Transboundary waters / Investment policies / Infrastructure / Social systems / Women / Poverty / Communities / Vulnerability / Migration / Livelihoods / Food security / Energy / Water availability / Nature-based solutions / Early warning systems / Resilience / Risk / Drought / Flooding / Extreme weather events / Natural disasters / Technology / Water management / Disruptions / Anthropogenic factors / Climate change adaptation / Water security
Record No:H051228
Ayyad, S.; Karimi, P.; Langensiepen, M.; Ribbe, L.; Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; Becker, M. 2022.
Remote sensing assessment of available green water to increase crop production in seasonal floodplain wetlands of Sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural Water Management, 269:107712.
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Producing more food for a growing population requires sustainable crop intensification and diversification, particularly in high-potential areas such as the seasonal floodplain wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). With emerging water shortages and concerns for conserving these multi-functional wetlands, a further expansion of the cropland area must be avoided as it would entail increased use of blue water for irrigation and infringe on valuable protected areas. We advocate an efficient use of the prevailing green water on the existing cropland areas, where small-scale farmers grow a single crop of rainfed lowland rice during the wet season. However, soil moisture at the onset of the rains (pre-rice niche) and residual soil moisture after rice harvest (post-rice niche) may suffice to cultivate short-cycled crops. We developed a methodological approach to analyze the potential for green water cultivation in the pre- and post-rice niches in the Kilombero Valley Floodplain in Tanzania, as a representative case for seasonal floodplain wetlands in SSA. The three-step approach used open-access remote sensing datasets to: (i) extract cropland areas; (ii) analyze soil moisture conditions using evaporative stress indices to identify the pre- and post-rice niches; and (iii) quantify the green water availability in the identified niches through actual evapotranspiration (AET).
We identified distinct patterns of green water being available both before and after the rice-growing period. Based on the analyses of evaporative stress indices, the pre-rice niche tends to be longer (~70 days with average AET of 20–40 mm/10-day) but also more variable (inter-annual variability gt;30%) than the post-rice niche (~65 days with average AET of 10–30 mm/10-day, inter-annual variability lt;15%). These findings show the large potential for cultivating short-cycled crops beyond the rice-growing period, such as green manure, vegetables, maize, and forage legumes, by shifting a portion of the nonproductive AET flows (i.e., soil evaporation) to productive flows in form of crop transpiration. A cropland area of 1452 to 1637 km2 (53–60% of the total cropland area identified of 2730 km2) could be cultivated using available green water in the dry season, which shows the significance of such change for food security, livelihoods, and resilience of the agricultural community in Kilombero. A wider application of the developed approach in this study can help identifying opportunities and guiding interventions and investments towards establishing sustainable intensification and diversification practices in floodplain wetlands in SSA.
Spatial distribution / Datasets / Livelihoods / Land cover / Farmland / Dry farming / Soil moisture / Rice / Rainfed farming / Diversification / Sustainable intensification / Food security / Evapotranspiration / Wetlands / Floodplains / Assessment / Remote sensing / Crop production / Water availability
Record No:H051176
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. 2022.
Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier 332p.
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Case studies / Modelling / Spatial data / SADC countries / Capacity development / Farmers / Smallholders / Financing / Ecosystems / Environmental health / Public health / Catchment areas / Transboundary waters / Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Goal 2 Zero hunger / Sustainable Development Goals / Nexus / Food security / Energy resources / Water resources
Record No:H051168
Walker, S.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Fakudze, Bhekiwe; Phahlane, M. O.; Masekwana, N. 2022.
Applying the WEF nexus at a local level: a focus on catchment level. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.111-144.
[DOI] More... The currently used water–energy–food (WEF) nexus philosophy and frameworks integrate the interconnections across the water, energy, food-agricultural sectors using a systems perspective. There are many challenges to model the interdependencies and trade-offs using a WEF nexus approach. Many tools and indices have been developed and used at the regional and national levels. However, there are few attempts to apply tools at a local and/or catchment level as described in this chapter for the Inkomati-Usuthu catchment in South Africa. The available tools were described according to inputs required and outputs produced together with both spatial and temporal scales and potential users. The data requirements for each sector were unpacked, and potential sources for local information are listed despite the wide set of data necessary. The way forward to applying these tools in the Crocodile and lower Komati river basins was considered in light of the facilitated stakeholder engagement to promote understanding of the scope of the WEF nexus and economic and policy implications.
Assessment / Climate change / Land use / Livelihoods / Frameworks / Models / Catchment areas / Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water resources
Record No:H051174
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. 2022.
WEF nexus narratives: toward sustainable resource security. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.321-326.
[DOI] More... The water–food–energy (WEF) nexus narratives is a collection of expert inputs on the concepts, analytical tools and case studies, and key developments on the importance and applicability of the WEF nexus as a transformative and circular approach. This chapter provides a detailed summary of each chapter, providing the reader with what has been achieved through the WEF nexus application. The chapters provide practical applications of integrated resource management and the pathways toward sustainable development. The main subjects of discussion include data availability, modeling tools, indices development, and metrics and their application across multiple spatiotemporal scales.
Sustainable Development Goals / Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water resources
Record No:H051173
Masia, S.; Susnik, J.; Jewitt, G.; Kiala, Z.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Transboundary WEF nexus analysis: a case study of the Songwe River Basin. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.91-109.
[DOI] More... Over the past decade, the water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus approach has evolved to become a focus of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) development strategies. However, a lack of empirical evidence, appropriate methods, and qualitative and quantitative tools to implement the WEF nexus approach has been highlighted. This chapter describes the application of the WEF nexus approach in the Songwe River Basin (SRB) located on the border between Malawi and Tanzania as a demonstration of how this lack of evidence and tools is starting to be addressed. The basin is currently facing rapid population growth, which is leading to a considerable increase in resource demand and environmental issues and has been identified as a priority basin for SADC. The SRB Development Programme (SRBDP) includes several projects that collectively aim to improve the environmental and socioeconomic status of the basin. The integrated approach proposed to assess the SRBDPapos;s expected outcomes through a WEF nexus lens is based on the development and application of qualitative and quantitative tools that support decision-makers to assess feasible sustainable development pathways in the basin, and more broadly in the SADC region. This chapter focuses on the qualitative analysis of the WEF nexus system and explains the process of identifying the major sectors and subsectors involved in the SRBDP, the main interlinkages between them, and potential synergies and trade-offs assessing how decisions made in a sector may influence others. The qualitative analysis of the SRB shows that although the projects included in the SRBDP are expected to have positive impacts on the environment and the socioeconomic system of the basin, downsides that may have an impact on human and ecosystem health are also possible. Early identification of such issues can help to limit detrimental impacts in the future. In the analysis, potential Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), objectives, and indicators that may be addressed in the SRB are identified, highlighting the importance of applying the holistic approach to enhance and boost the achievement of SDGs in the basin.
Case studies / River basins / Nexus / Energy / Food security / Transboundary waters
Record No:H051171
Kiala, Z.; Jewitt, G.; Senzanje, A.; Mutanga, O.; Dube, T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
EO-WEF: a earth observations for water, energy, and food nexus geotool for spatial data visualization and generation. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.33-48.
[DOI] More... WEF (water–energy–food) nexus analyses have become a rapidly growing field since the Conference on Water, Energy and Food Security Nexus–Solutions for the Green Economy in Bonn in 2011. They have the potential to help stakeholders and policymakers to better understand the interlinkages between the different components of a nexus system and lead to solutions that are socially and environmentally beneficial. However, assembling wide-scope nexus has been challenged by issues such as proprietary considerations and data evolution over time, among others. Earth observations (EOs) have a huge offering of data sets that can provide data for most of the components of a nexus at a relatively low cost and various temporal and spatial resolutions. Furthermore, the advent of cloud computing has made possible the processing of massive information. This chapter introduces the Earth Observation for WEF nexus (EO-WEF), a multisectorial information system to visualize customizable data and generate time series data at any location. Google Earth Engine, a cloud computing platform that includes data archives of regularly updated EO and scientific data sets for a period of more than 40 years, powers this application. The capability of EO-WEF in generating spatial data was tested in the Songwe River Basin case study. Overall, the EO-WEF application provides data for key variables of a nexus that can be supplemented by other kinds of data that cannot be captured by EOs.
Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water resources
Record No:H051170
Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, L.; Senzanje, A.; Jewitt, G.; Modi, A.; Massawe, F.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
The water-energy-food nexus: its transition into a transformative approach. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.1-13.
[DOI] More... Water, energy, and food are vital resources for human wellbeing. Yet, they are under increased pressure to meet demand from a growing population at a time of worsening insecurity due to depletion and degradation of reserves. These challenges prompted the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. All the 17 SDGs are connected. They recognize that developments in one sector will impact other sectors and that any proposed development must balance socioeconomic and environmental sustainability. Also, as the three resources are the most impacted by climate change, they provide a close link between adaptation, climate system, human society, and the environment. The intricate interlinkages between water, energy, and food resources with the related relationships with socioeconomic development, healthy ecosystems, human development, and sustainable development caused the rapid growth of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus concept since the United Nations General Assembly of September 2015. Although the concept existed before 2015, its progression increased after the World Economic Forum of 2011 after a presentation by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in anticipation of the SDGs. This chapter discusses the evolution of the WEF nexus before and after 2015. The emphasis is on the importance of the concept in establishing the interconnectedness of resources and as a guide for coherent policy decisions that lead to sustainable development.
Resource management / Planning / Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water resources
Record No:H051169
Ringler, C.; Belete, A. A.; Mathetsa, S. M.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan. 2022.
Rural clean energy access: accelerating climate resilience. In International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2022 Global food policy report: climate change and food systems. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). pp.82-89.
(Global Food Policy Report) [DOI] More... |
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Globally, the energy sector accounts for almost three-quarters of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is thus responsible for the majority of adverse climate change impacts on rural livelihoods, including growing water, energy, and food insecurity and environmental degradation. According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, annual investments of US$2.4 trillion (2010 dollars) in energy systems are needed to limit global warming to 1.5C. Such investments would support decarbonizing the largest polluters and improving energy efficiency. More and cheaper clean energy technologies and greater energy efficiency are equally critical for accelerating access to energy in underserved rural areas in ways that promote ecosystem health and inclusivity.
Incentives / Women / Livelihoods / Ecosystems / Environmental impact / Water resources / Investment / Innovation / Solar energy / Food security / Resilience / Climate change / Rural areas / Energy technology
Record No:H051148
Ringler, C.; Agbonlahor, M.; Barron, J.; Baye, K.; Meenakshi, J. V.; Mekonnen, D. K.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan. 2022.
The role of water in transforming food systems. Global Food Security, 33:100639.
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The United Nations Food Systems Summit aimed to chart a path toward transforming food systems toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite the essentiality of water for food systems, however, the Summit has not sufficiently considered the role of water for food systems transformation. This focus is even more important due to rapidly worsening climate change and its pervasive impacts on food systems that are mediated through water. To avoid that water “breaks” food systems, key food systems actors should 1) Strengthen efforts to retain water-dependent ecosystems, their functions and services; 2) Improve agricultural water management; 3) Reduce water and food losses beyond the farmgate; 4) Coordinate water with nutrition and health interventions; 5) Increase the environmental sustainability of food systems; 6) Explicitly address social inequities; and 7) Improve data quality and monitoring for water-food system linkages.
Social aspects / Data quality / Monitoring / Diets / Public health / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Goal 2 Zero hunger / Sustainable Development Goals / Climate change / Environmental sustainability / Ecosystems / Nutrition security / Food security / Water management / Water systems / Water security / Transformation / Food systems
Record No:H051147
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Hlahla, S.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Henriksson, R.; Chibarabada, T. P.; Murugani, V. G.; Groner, V. P.; Tadele, Z.; Sobratee, N.; Slotow, R.; Modi, A. T.; Baudron, F.; Chivenge, P. 2022.
Diversity and diversification: ecosystem services derived from underutilized crops and their co-benefits for sustainable agricultural landscapes and resilient food systems in Africa. Frontiers in Agronomy, 4:859223.
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There are growing calls to adopt more sustainable forms of agriculture that balance the need to increase production with environmental, human health, and wellbeing concerns. Part of this conversation has included a debate on promoting and mainstreaming neglected and underutilized crop species (NUS) because they represent a more ecologically friendly type of agriculture. We conducted a systematic review to determine the ecosystem services derived from NUS and assess their potential to promote functional ecological diversity, food and nutritional security, and transition to more equitable, inclusive, sustainable and resilient agricultural landscapes and food systems in Africa. Our literature search yielded 35 articles for further analysis. The review showed that NUS provide various provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting ecosystem services and several environmental and health co-benefits, dietary diversity, income, sustainable livelihood outcomes, and economic empowerment, especially for women. Importantly, NUS address the three pillars of sustainable development- ecological, social, and economic. Thus, NUS may provide a sustainable, fit-for-purpose transformative ecosystem-based adaptation solution for Africa to transition to more sustainable, healthy, equitable, and resilient agricultural landscapes and food systems.
Systematic reviews / Policies / Cultural services / Habitats / Ecological factors / Climate change / Sustainable Development Goals / Socioeconomic development / Income / Role of women / Gender equality / Resilience / Food systems / Agricultural landscape / Sustainable livelihoods / Poverty alleviation / Nutrition security / Food security / Sustainable agriculture / Diversification / Crops / Underutilized species / Ecosystem services / Biodiversity
Record No:H051093
Badawy, Adham; Elmahdi, Amgad; El-Hafez, S. A.; Ibrahim, A. 2022.
Water profitability analysis to improve food security and climate resilience: a case study in the Egyptian Nile Delta. Climate, 10(2):17. (Special issue: Climate Change and Food Insecurity)
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The food self-sufficiency policy has always featured as an unquestionable policy objective for Egypt. This is understandable when one considers both the high population growth and the social and political vulnerability associated with a dependence on food imports and world market food prices such as wheat. Intensive agriculture has led to a growing subsidy burden for the Egyptian government. In addition, the agricultural fields in Egypt are commonly distributed with relatively small sizes parcels that usually reduce the reliability of the agricultural sector, particularly in the delta region, to meet the national food policy. On top of that, climate change, through changing weather patterns and increased temperatures, is affecting agricultural yields and thus farmers’ livelihoods. A water profitability analysis was conducted for three governorates in the Nile Delta in Egypt to establish a baseline and assess the net return per unit of water of the main crops in each of these governorates; this can act as a reference of the water profitability of different crops before they are affected by climate change and other internal and external factors. The analysis was based on extensive in-person surveys in each governorate in addition to workshop discussions with farmers. The study has highlighted the impact of a lack of extension services, which limits farmers’ ability to increase their land and water productivity. Farmers with more access to subsidized production inputs managed to achieve higher levels of water profitability even on smaller lands. Finally, we drew from our findings key policy actions to improve water profitability and land productivity for farmers in the Nile Delta to achieve higher levels of food security. This will help build resilient food production systems that are reliable in the face of climate change and other drivers. In addition, an integrated nexus strategy and plan for the inter- and intra-country is recommended to address the challenges related to food and climate security.
Farmers / Crops / Water security / Case studies / Resilience / Climate change / Food security / Profitability / Water productivity
Record No:H051090
Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Drechsel, Pay. 2022.
Food waste to livestock feed: prospects and challenges for swine farming in peri-urban Sri Lanka. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2(4):1301-1315.
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Using farm animals for their natural capability of “recycling” food waste (FW) that is unfit for direct human consumption can support a circular economy as shown in the case of Sri Lanka’s Western Province. The reuse of organic residues including FW as animal feed is a traditional agricultural practice in Sri Lanka but is less studied within an urban FW context. A survey of piggeries using FW in and around the rapidly urbanizing city of Colombo showed that FW is a major feed source in the farms accounting for on average 82% of total feed. About 40% of the farms collected the FW mainly from hotels, restaurants, and institutional canteens. Urban FW is supplied to farmers free of charge when collected directly from the sources, although 26% of the farmers collected FW via intermediaries against a fee. As FW is collected daily, the restaurants appreciate the reliable service, the farmers the low-cost feed, and the municipality the reduced FW volumes to be collected. However, this triple-win situation encounters challenges such as (tourist related) seasonal low supply, which was exacerbated under the Covid-19 lockdown of food services. Another area of concern refers to biosafety. Although the large majority of interviewed farmers boil FW which contains raw meat or fish, there is a paucity of related guidelines and control. Given the benefits of FW use, it is worthwhile to explore how far these informal partnerships could be scaled without increasing transport costs for farmers, while introducing biosafety monitoring. For now, the regulatory environment is highly siloed and does not support material transitions across sector boundaries towards a circular economy.
Farmers / Food security / Business models / Biosafety / Regulations / Reuse / Recycling / Circular economy / Periurban areas / Piggeries / Swine feeding / Livestock feed / Food wastes
Record No:H051036
Fragaszy, S.; Belhaj Fraj, M.; McKee, M.; Jobbins, G.; Fayad, A.; Fakih, M.; Lawrenson, L.; McDonnell, Rachael. 2022.
MENAdrought synthesis of drought vulnerability in Lebanon: final report. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the Bureau for the Middle East of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). : Washington, DC, USA: USAID; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 67p.
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Case studies / Labour / Women / Refugees / Food security / Rural communities / Livelihoods / Socioeconomic impact / Political aspects / Debt / Finance / Market access / Farmers / Smallholders / State intervention / Stakeholders / Water scarcity / Groundwater / Infrastructure / Irrigation / Water use / Water supply / Agricultural sector / Water availability / Water management / Water resources / Climate change / Weather hazards / Monitoring / Risk reduction / Coping strategies / Planning / Policies / Impact assessment / Risk management / Vulnerability / Drought
Record No:H051018
Fragaszy, S.; Belhaj Fraj, M.; McKee, M.; Jobbins, G.; Al-Karablieh, E.; Bergaoui, K.; Ghanim, A.; Lawrenson, L.; McDonnell, Rachael. 2022.
MENAdrought synthesis of drought vulnerability in Jordan: final report. Project report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) for the Bureau for the Middle East of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). : Washington, DC, USA: USAID; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 93p.
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Case studies / Debt / Finance / Governmental organizations / Stakeholders / Employment / Migration / Refugees / Livelihoods / Poverty / Households / Labour / Women / Food security / Smallholders / Farmers / Communities / Policies / Climate change / Water scarcity / Water extraction / Resilience / Water stress / Water management / Groundwater / Surface water / Water supply / Water resources / Coping strategies / Weather hazards / Irrigated farming / Livestock / Agricultural sector / Action plans / Impact assessment / Risk management / Vulnerability / Drought
Record No:H051017
Leakey, R. R. B.; Tientcheu Avana, M.-L.; Awazi, N. P.; Assogbadjo, A. E.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Hendre, P. S.; Degrande, A.; Hlahla, S.; Manda, L. 2022.
The future of food: domestication and commercialization of indigenous food crops in Africa over the third decade (2012–2021). Sustainability, 14(4):2355. (Special issue: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Mainstreaming Underutilized Crops)
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This paper follows the transition from ethnobotany to a deeper scientific understanding of the food and medicinal properties of African agroforestry tree products as inputs into the start of domestication activities. It progresses on to the integration of these indigenous trees as new crops within diversified farming systems for multiple social, economic and environmental benefits. From its advent in the 1990s, the domestication of indigenous food and non-food tree species has become a global programme with a strong African focus. This review of progress in the third decade is restricted to progress in Africa, where multi-disciplinary research on over 59 species has been reported in 759 research papers in 318 science publications by scientists from over 833 research teams in 70 countries around the world (532 in Africa). The review spans 23 research topics presenting the recent research literature for tree species of high priority across the continent, as well as that in each of the four main ecological regions: the humid zone of West and Central Africa; the Sahel and North Africa; the East African highlands and drylands; and the woody savannas of Southern Africa. The main areas of growth have been the nutritional/medicinal value of non-timber forest products; the evaluation of the state of natural resources and their importance to local people; and the characterization of useful traits. However, the testing of putative cultivars; the implementation of participatory principles; the protection of traditional knowledge and intellectual property rights; and the selection of elite trees and ideotypes remain under-researched. To the probable detriment of the upscaling and impact in tropical agriculture, there has been, at the international level, a move away from decentralized, community-based tree domestication towards a laboratory-based, centralized approach. However, the rapid uptake of research by university departments and national agricultural research centres in Africa indicates a recognition of the importance of the indigenous crops for both the livelihoods of rural communities and the revitalization and enhanced outputs from agriculture in Africa, especially in West Africa. Thus, on a continental scale, there has been an uptake of research with policy relevance for the integration of indigenous trees in agroecosystems and their importance for the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To progress this in the fourth decade, there will need to be a dedicated Centre in Africa to test and develop cultivars of indigenous crops. Finally, this review underpins a holistic approach to mitigating climate change, as well as other big global issues such as hunger, poverty and loss of wildlife habitat by reaping the benefits, or ‘profits’, from investment in the five forms of Capital, described as ‘land maxing’. However, policy and decision makers are not yet recognizing the potential for holistic and transformational adoption of these new in
Highlands / Lowland / Drylands / Rural development / Poverty alleviation / Policies / Livelihoods / Food security / Natural resources management / Cultivation / Marketing / Trade / Vegetative propagation / Nonwood forest products / Nutritional value / Ethnobotany / Medicinal properties / Genetic improvement / Tree crops / Agroforestry / Commercialization / Domestication / Indigenous organisms / Food crops
Record No:H050971
Nawiko, M.; Chomba, C.; Mambwe, M.; Nkanyani, S.; Mwamakamba, S.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Ires, Idil. 2022.
Zambia agricultural policy profile. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa 11p.
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This paper aims to provide an overview of Zambian policies related to agriculture and climate adaptation in preparation for the Zambia National Policy Dialogue, scheduled for 18 August 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia. The dialogue is a joint programme with CGIAR Initiative on Diversification of East and Southern Africa led by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Southern Africa, the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) South Africa, and Agricultural Consultative Forum (ACF) Zambia. The paper includes an overview of the economic and administrative profile of the country and a descriptive overview of the agricultural and climate policies that are expected to be critically debated at the Dialogue.
Strategies / Economic development / Agricultural sector / Food policies / Food security / Climate change / Diversification / Agricultural production / Agricultural policies
Record No:H051682
Laichena, J.; Kiptoo, E.; Nkanyani, S.; Mwamakamba, S.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Ires, Idil. 2022.
Kenya agricultural policy profile. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Diversification in East and Southern Africa 11p.
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This paper aims to provide an overview of Kenyan policies related to agriculture and climate change adaptation and mitigation in preparation for the Kenya National Policy Dialogue on 12 November 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Dialogue is a joint programme with CGIAR Initiative on Diversification of East and Southern Africa led by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Southern Africa, the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) South Africa, and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) Kenya. The paper provides an overview of the economic and administrative profile of the country and general overview of the country’s economic status and agricultural and climate change policies that will be critically debated during the Dialogue.
Farmers / Strategies / Indicators / Economic aspects / Climate change mitigation / Climate change adaptation / Food policies / Food security / Diversification / Agricultural production / Agricultural policies
Record No:H051680
Leder, S.; Shrestha, Gitta; Upadhyaya, R.; Adhikari, Y. 2022.
COVID-19, gender, and small-scale farming in Nepal. In Castellanos, P.; Sachs, C. E.; Tickamyer, A. R. (Eds.). Gender, food and COVID-19: global stories of harm and hope. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.3-12.
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Relief / State intervention / Food security / Awareness-raising / Social inclusion / s organizations / Womenapos / Smallholders / Women farmers / Small-scale farming / Gender / COVID-19
Record No:H050956
van Koppen, Barbara; Raut, Manita; Rajouria, Alok; Khadka, Manohara; Pradhan, P.; GC, R. K.; Colavito, L.; O’Hara, C.; Rautanen, S.-L.; Nepal, P. R.; Shrestha, P. K. 2022.
Gender equality and social inclusion in community-led multiple use water services in Nepal. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
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The Constitution of Nepal 2015 enshrines everyone’s right of access to clean water for drinking and the right to food. The common operationalization of the right to water for drinking is providing access to infrastructure that brings water for drinking and other basic domestic uses near and at homesteads. Challenges to achieving this goal in rural areas include: low functionality of water systems; expansion of informal self supply for multiple uses; widespread de facto productive uses of water systems designed for domestic uses; growing competition for finite water resources; and male elite capture in polycentric decision-making. This paper traces how the Nepali government and nongovernmental organizations in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), irrigation and other sectors have joined forces since the early 2000s to address these challenges by innovating community-led multiple use water services (MUS). The present literature review of these processes complemented by field research supported by the Water for Women Fund focuses on women in vulnerable households.
Overcoming sectoral silos, these organizations support what is often seen as the sole responsibility of the WASH sector: targeting infrastructure development to bring sufficient water near and at homesteads of those left behind. Women’s priorities for using this water are respected and supported, which often includes productive uses, also at basic volumes. In line with decentralized federalism, inclusive community-led MUS planning processes build on vulnerable households’ self supply, commonly for multiple uses, and follow their priorities for local incremental infrastructure improvements. Further, community-led MUS builds on community-based arrangements for ‘sharing in’ and ‘sharing out’ the finite water resources in and under communities’ social territories. This realizes the constitutional right to food in line with the Nepal Water Resources Act, 1992, which prioritizes core minimum volumes of water for everyone’s domestic uses and many households’ irrigation. Evidence shows how the alleviation of domestic chores, women’s stronger control over food production for nutrition and income, and more sustainable infrastructure mutually reinforce each other in virtuous circles out of gendered poverty. However, the main challenge remains the inclusion of women and vulnerable households in participatory processes.
Competition / Income / Financing / Benefit-cost ratio / Sustainability / Small scale systems / Irrigation / Infrastructure / Water systems / Rural areas / Nexus / Food security / Solar energy / Water sharing / Vulnerability / Livelihoods / Women / Households / Non-governmental organizations / Governmental organizations / Decision making / Participatory approaches / Water, sanitation and hygiene / Domestic water / Drinking water / Water availability / Right to water / Supply chains / Water supply / Water resources / Community involvement / Social inclusion / Gender equality / Multiple use water services
Record No:H050908
Tsvuura, S.; Senzanje, A.; Mudhara, M.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Report on integrating WEF Nexus into teaching and learning and on the outcome of the short training programme. Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains 33p.
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This is a report on the survey of WEF Nexus teaching in selected higher education and tertiary institutions in South Africa, outcomes of the WEF Nexus short training programmes, and the development of WEF Nexus teaching material.
The report presents the survey results on WEF Nexus teaching in South African higher and tertiary education institutions. The main findings of the survey are that; there is general knowledge of the WEF Nexus in the country, some of the institutions have been involved in WEF Nexus apos;trainingapos; for a while now, WEF Nexus activities are found mainly in water-related departments at most institutions, WEF Nexus related work is mainly embedded in MSc and PhD research programmes, the WEF Nexus covered are wide but focused mainly on concepts, frameworks and application of models and tools. Most believed WEF Nexus should be focused on postgraduate students, and their institutions would welcome WEF Nexus-related teaching and learning.
The deliverable also reports two WEF Nexus short course training undertaken in 2021 and 2022, initially virtually (due to Covid-19 restrictions) and then in person in 2022. The short courses were very well received, attracting more than 80 participants worldwide for the virtual versions and some 50 students for the in-person training. Details of the course contents of the training are presented in the report.
Sustainable Development Goals / Training / Learning / Teaching / Curriculum / Educational institutions / Nexus approaches / Food security / Energy / Water resources
Record No:H051651
Ali, H.; Menza, M.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare. 2022.
Impact of climate-smart agriculture adoption on food security and multidimensional poverty of rural farm households in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Agriculture and Food Security, 11:62.
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Background: Climate change has perverse efects on the natural resource base and agricultural productivity, negatively afecting the well-being of households and communities. There are various attempts by the government and NGOs to promote climate-smart agricultural (CSA) practices to help farmers adapt to and mitigate these negative impacts. This study aimed to identify CSA practices widely adopted in the study area and examined their impacts on rural farm households’ food security and multidimensional poverty. A three-stage proportional to size sampling procedure was followed to select four districts out of nine districts, and 278 households were randomly selected from two kebeles from each district. A cross-sectional data of the 2020–2021 cropping season were collected using a structured and pretested survey questionnaire. The food consumption score, dietary diversity score, food insecurity experience scale, and multidimensional poverty index, constructed out of 9 indicators, were used to assess households’ food security and poverty status, respectively. A multinomial endogenous switching regression model was used to assess average treatment efects on these outcome indicators.
Results: Widely adopted CSA practices are conservation agriculture, soil fertility management, crop diversifcation, and small-scale irrigation. The results illustrated that adopter households on average showed more food consumption score, dietary diversity score, and less food insecurity experience scale than non-adopters. The results also showed that CSA adopter households, on average, have a low deprivation score in multidimensional poverty than non-adopter households. Accelerating wider adoption of CSA through up-scaling incentives is quite important.
Conclusion: This study showed that CSA adoption improves households’ food security and reduces multidimensional poverty. We conclude that up-scaling of CSA practices is important for contributing to the achievement of SDG1, SDG2 and SDG13 targets.
Socioeconomic environment / Sustainable Development Goals / Small-scale irrigation / Climate change / Diversification / Integrated soil fertility management / Conservation agriculture / Poverty / Household food security / Climate-smart agriculture
Record No:H051668
Mudau, F. N.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Modi, A. T.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022.
Neglected and underutilised crops: a systematic review of their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops in South Africa. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12:809866.
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The African continent harbours many native species with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical potential. This study reviewed underutilised crops in South Africa to determine their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops. Over 5,000 species have been identified and earmarked for their medical attributes in formal and informal setups. Researchers, plant breeders and policymakers have mostly ignored the development potential of these crops. Consequently, their value chains are poorly developed. In South Africa, there is a wide range of neglected and underutilised crops, which were historically popular and used by communities; however, over the years, they have lost their status within farming systems and been relegated to the status of neglected and underutilised. Recently, driven by the need to transition to more sustainable and resilient food systems, there has been renewed interest in their potential as food and herbal medicinal crops to establish new value chains that include vulnerable groups. They are now gaining global attention, and their conservation and sustainable utilisation are now being prioritized. The review confirmed that several of these crops possess nutraceutical and pharmaceutical properties, highlighting their potential for development as food and herbal medicines. However, current production levels are too low to meet the requirements for industrial development; research and development should focus on all aspects of their value chain, from crop improvement to utilisation. A transdisciplinary approach involving a wide range of actors is needed to develop the identified neglected and underutilised crops’ potential as food and herbal medicinal crops and support the development of new and inclusive value chains.
Capacity development / Food supplements / Diets / Sustainability / Pharmaceuticals / Nutraceuticals / Nutrition security / Food security / Underutilized species / Food crops / Medicinal plants
Record No:H050904
Sarkar, Anindita; Chakraborty, Shreya; Mukherji, Aditi. 2022.
Agrifood systems policy research: historical evolution of agrifood systems in Odisha, India. New Delhi, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA) 14p.
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The diverse political influences and agrarian histories in Odisha have played a major role in determining the heterogenous regional contexts of agricultural development in the region. Several important political-economic developments like land tenure systems, feudal and semi-feudal structures, and their alliance with colonial extraction of revenue and taxation regimes historically have determined the agrarian pathways manifested in present inequalities in access to land, resources, and capital. There is a historical path dependence in agrarian systems, agrarian relations and the policies that aim to bring about changes. Thus “solutions” to a sustainable and resilient agrifood system needs to be contextualized within the historical and socio-political context. This research brief discusses the major drivers of food production and food security in Odisha charting the evolution of agrifood systems in the state. It traces the major political, economic, and social developments in Odisha that have taken place since 1850 that have determined the agrarian relations and agrifood outcomes for the region. It also discusses the major climatic events, particularly droughts and floods, that have influenced food production and livelihoods of rural communities. It brings out the temporal continuities and discontinuities in agrarian relations and technological transformations in agriculture.
Agricultural productivity / Political aspects / Agrarian structure / Food security / Food production / Policies / Agrifood systems
Record No:H051632
Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Mitra, Archisman; Hounsa, T.; Habib, A.; Mukherji, Aditi. 2022.
Adaptation co-benefits of solar irrigation: evidence from Bangladesh. New Delhi, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Transforming Agrifood Systems in South Asia (TAFSSA); Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR) 9p.
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The mitigation benefits of solar irrigation pumps (SIPs), when those SIPs replace diesel pumps, are well understood. What is not equally known are the adaptation co-benefits of SIPs. This brief evaluates the co-benefits of using SIPs instead of widely used diesel pumps for farmers in Bangladesh. It estimates the impact of access to SIP on household and crop levels outcomes for improving farmer livelihoods and food security. In doing so, it explores the potential pathways of these impacts.
Climate change mitigation / Groundwater / Irrigation practices / Food security / Farmers / Adaptation / Pumps / Solar powered irrigation systems
Record No:H051630
Mekuria, Wolde; Dessalegn, Mengistu; Amare, D.; Belay, B.; Getnet, B.; Girma, G.; Tegegne, Desalegn. 2022.
Factors influencing the implementation of agroecological practices: lessons drawn from the Aba-Garima Watershed, Ethiopia. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10:965408.
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The challenges to agroecological transitions are not the same for all farmers and implementation of agroecological practices in different locations could yield different results. With this consideration, this study was conducted in Aba-Garima watershed in northwestern Ethiopia to characterize the structure and activities of farming households and assess factors influencing the implementation and sustainability of agroecological practices. Data were collected from 218 households, 16 key informants, and 12 focus group discussions. The Multivariate Probit model and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze factors influencing farmers’ choices of different agroecological practices and describe the characteristics of farming households. The qualitative data analysis was processed through topic coding and building categories, themes, and patterns of relationships. Farmers realize the importance of both farm and landscape level agroecological practices to enhance income earning capacity, achieve food security and protect the environment. However, most of the agroecological practices are very difficult to start using for various constraining factors including limited access to water, and shortages of money, land and labor. The results suggest that depending on different socioeconomic characteristics of farming households, agroecological practices that appear common practices can be very difficult to use for some farmers, while it would be possible for other farmers. The constraining factors are also differently associated with different practices, involving diverse perspectives of different socioeconomic groups. The paper discussed the existing agroecological practices, the perspectives of different socio-economic groups on these practices and the factors influencing the implementation as well as the conditions that can facilitate the wider adoption of agroecological practices in the study area.
Socioeconomic aspects / Farmers / Land cover / Land use / Income / Households / Food security / Watersheds / Environmental protection / Agroecology
Record No:H051643
Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Yu, W.; Schmitter, Petra; Smith, Douglas Mark. 2022.
Optimising the water we eat - rethinking policy to enhance productive and sustainable use of water in agri-food systems across scales. Lancet Planetary Health, 6(1):E59-E65.
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Sustainable and resilient food systems depend on sustainable and resilient water management. Resilience is characterised by overlapping decision spaces and scales and interdependencies among water users and competing sectors. Increasing water scarcity, due to climate change and other environmental and societal changes, makes putting caps on the consumption of water resources indispensable. Implementation requires an understanding of different domains, actors, and their objectives, and drivers and barriers to transformational change. We suggest a scale-specific approach, in which agricultural water use is embedded in a larger systems approach (including natural and human systems). This approach is the basis for policy coherence and the design of effective incentive schemes to change agricultural water use behaviour and, therefore, optimise the water we eat.
Sustainable Development Goals / Resilience / Climate change / Water users / Groundwater / Water management / Water productivity / Water scarcity / Water resources / Food security / Food production / Agricultural production / Policies / Agrifood systems / Water use efficiency / Sustainable use / Agricultural water use
Record No:H050852
Ringler, C.; Agbonlahor, M.; Baye, K.; Barron, J.; Hafeez, Mohsin; Lundqvist, J.; Meenakshi, J. V.; Mehta, L.; Mekonnen, D.; Rojas-Ortuste, F.; Tankibayeva, A.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan. 2021.
Water for food systems and nutrition. Food Systems Summit Brief. In von Braun, J.; Afsana, K.; Fresco, L. O.; Hassan, M. (Eds.). Science and innovations for food systems transformation and summit actions: papers by the Scientific Group and its partners in support of the UN Food Systems Summit 2021. Bonn, Germany: University of Bonn. Center for Development Research (ZEF). pp.251-259.
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Access to sufficient and clean freshwater is essential for all life. Water is also essential for food system functioning: as a key input into food production, but also in processing and preparation, and as a food itself. Water scarcity and pollution are growing, affecting poorer populations, particularly food producers. Malnutrition levels are also on the rise, and this is closely linked to water scarcity. The achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 and SDG 6 are co-dependent. Solutions to jointly improve food systems and water security outcomes that the United Nations Food Security Summit (UNFSS) should consider include: 1) strengthening efforts to retain water-based ecosystems and their functions; 2) improving agricultural water management for better diets for all; 3) reducing water and food losses beyond the farmgate; 4) coordinating water with nutrition and health interventions; 5) increasing the environmental sustainability of food systems; 6) explicitly addressing social inequities in water-nutrition linkages; and 7) improving data quality and monitoring for water-food system linkages, drawing on innovations in information and communications technology (ICT).
Ecosystems / Environmental sustainability / Climate change / Health / Malnutrition / Water pollution / Water scarcity / Irrigation / Water management / Agriculture / Goal 2 Zero hunger / Goal 6 Clean water and sanitation / Sustainable Development Goals / Food security / Nutrition / Food systems / Water security
Record No:H050672
Chapagain, D.; Dhaubanjar, Sanita; Bharati, Luna. 2021.
Unpacking future climate extremes and their sectoral implications in western Nepal. Climatic Change, 168(1-2):8.
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Existing climate projections and impact assessments in Nepal only consider a limited number of generic climate indices such as means. Few studies have explored climate extremes and their sectoral implications. This study evaluates future scenarios of extreme climate indices from the list of the Expert Team on Sector-specific Climate Indices (ET-SCI) and their sectoral implications in the Karnali Basin in western Nepal. First, future projections of 26 climate indices relevant to six climate-sensitive sectors in Karnali are made for the near (2021–2045), mid (2046–2070), and far (2071–2095) future for low-and high-emission scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively) using bias-corrected ensembles of 19 regional climate models from the COordinated Regional Downscaling EXperiment for South Asia (CORDEX-SA). Second, a qualitative analysis based on expert interviews and a literature review on the impact of the projected climate extremes on the climate-sensitive sectors is undertaken. Both the temperature and precipitation patterns are projected to deviate significantly from the historical reference already from the near future with increased occurrences of extreme events. Winter in the highlands is expected to become warmer and dryer. The hot and wet tropical summer in the lowlands will become hotter with longer warm spells and fewer cold days. Low-intensity precipitation events will decline, but the magnitude and frequency of extreme precipitation events will increase. The compounding effects of the increase in extreme temperature and precipitation events will have largely negative implications for the six climate-sensitive sectors considered here.
Public health / Tourism / Biodiversity / Forests / Food security / Agriculture / Energy / Water resources / Impact assessment / Natural disasters / Monsoons / Rain / Lowland / Highlands / River basins / Precipitation / Temperature / Trends / Forecasting / Extreme weather events / Climate change
Record No:H050668
Queiroz, C.; Norstrom, A. V.; Downing, A.; Harmackova, Z. V.; De Coning, C.; Adams, V.; Bakarr, M.; Baedeker, T.; Chitate, A.; Gaffney, O.; Gordon, L.; Hainzelin, E.; Howlett, D.; Krampe, F.; Loboguerrero, A. M.; Nel, D.; Okollet, C.; Rebermark, M.; Rockstrom, J.; Smith, Mark; Wabbes-Candotti, S.; Matthews, N. 2021.
Investment in resilient food systems in the most vulnerable and fragile regions is critical. Nature Food, 2(8):546-551.
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Reversing the alarming trend of rising food insecurity requires transformations towards just, sustainable and healthy food systems with an explicit focus on the most vulnerable and fragile regions.
Smallholders / Regulations / Policies / Supply chains / Transformation / Sustainable intensification / Agricultural landscape / Food security / Vulnerability / Food insecurity / Investment / Resilience / Food systems
Record No:H050607
DeClerck, F. A. J.; Koziell, I.; Sidhu, A.; Wirths, J.; Benton, T.; Garibaldi, L. A.; Kremen, C.; Maron, M.; Rumbaitis del Rio, C.; Clark, M.; Dickens, Chris; Estrada-Carmona, N.; Fremier, A. K.; Jones, S. K.; Khoury, C. K.; Lal, R.; Obersteiner, M.; Remans, R.; Rusch, A.; Schulte, L. A.; Simmonds, J.; Stringer, L. C.; Weber, C.; Winowiecki, L. 2021.
Biodiversity and agriculture: rapid evidence review. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 70p.
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Developing countries / Genetic diversity (as resource) / Pest control / Pollination / Soil fertility / Agricultural landscape / Investment / Policies / Sustainable Development Goals / Resilience / Climate change mitigation / Water security / Water quality / Environmental security / Habitats / Ecosystem services / Agroecology / Diversification / Food production / Food security / Livelihoods / Nutrition / Healthy diets / Agricultural productivity / Food systems / Agrobiodiversity
Record No:H050605
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021.
Transformative solutions for inclusive economic growth in West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Water Issue Brief 15) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (3.61 MB)
Food security / Climate-smart agriculture / Climate change adaptation / Policies / Institutional reform / Development planning / Land access / Migration / Rural urban relations / Communities / Economic growth / Youth / Gender transformative approaches / Social change
Record No:H050505
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021.
Agricultural water management innovations to build resilient food systems in West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Water Issue Brief 14) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.88 MB)
Innovation scaling / Livelihoods / Rural areas / Private sector / Digital innovation / Technology / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Water use efficiency / Climate change / Resilience / Food security / Food systems / Sustainable agriculture / Water management
Record No:H050504
Yu, Winston; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; von Gnechten, Rachel; van der Bliek, Julie. 2021.
Can water productivity improvements save us from global water scarcity?. White paper. Rome, Italy: FAO 41p.
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Farmers / Stakeholders / Policy making / Water policies / Food security / Climate change / Groundwater / Water management / Water resources / Sustainable Development Goals / Water accounting / Water allocation / Agricultural water use / Water scarcity / Water productivity
Record No:H050553
McCartney, Matthew; Brunner, J. 2021.
Improved water management is central to solving the water-energy-food trilemma in Lao PDR. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 37(4):619-639.
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Relying on published literature, we reviewed water-energy-food issues in Lao PDR in the context of a policy shift to more sustainable ‘green growth’ and significantly increased infrastructure investment resulting from China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The BRI provides the prospect for the country to address its infrastructure deficit and transform from a ‘land-locked’ to a ‘land-linked’ country. However, great care is needed to ensure that future investments do not result in further environmental degradation and harm to communities. An integrated ‘nexus’ approach, in which enhanced water management is central, is a prerequisite for more inclusive and sustainable development.
Strategies / Sustainability / Socioeconomic development / Poverty / Environmental impact / Hydropower / Policies / Development projects / Investment / Infrastructure / Water quality / Drought / Flooding / Economic development / Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water security / Water management
Record No:H049795
Duncan, N.; de Silva, Sanjiv; Conallin, J.; Freed, S.; Akester, M.; Baumgartner, L.; McCartney, Matthew; Dubois, M.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2021.
Fish for whom?: Integrating the management of social complexities into technical investments for inclusive, multi-functional irrigation. World Development Perspectives, 22:100318.
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Irrigation represents a long-standing water sector investment in South East Asia. However, despite the undeniable benefits of food production, an irrigation/rice-centric strategy is insufficient in a multi-dimensional conceptualisation of development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) challenge us to re-think traditional ways of achieving food security. Central to this challenge is how we can retain multi-functionality within landscapes. We explore the often negatively correlated relationship between irrigation and inland fisheries through a literature review and interviews with key informants, focusing on examples from Myanmar and Cambodia. We found that whilst technical options exist for minimizing irrigation impacts on fisheries, there is a fundamental disconnect between the technical application of such ‘solutions’, and distribution of benefits to the marginal groups that SDGs 1, 2, 3 and more target. We found that insufficient recognition of the social contexts in which solutions are applied underpins this disconnect. This means that technical infrastructure design needs to be organised around the question, ‘Who do we want to benefit?’, if investments are to go beyond rice/fish production and deliver more on socially inclusive food security and livelihood opportunities. This paper is a call to extend the framing and financing of irrigation investments beyond technical parameters to include investing in the social processes that enable both multi-functionality and inclusive growth, to enhance the role of irrigation in adapting to a changing climate, while maintaining landscape integrity and multi-functionality so necessary for a sustainable future.
Policies / Inclusion / Social aspects / Poverty / Livelihoods / Community fishing / Access and benefit-sharing / Food security / Nutrition security / Sustainable Development Goals / Investment / Irrigation / Ricefield aquaculture / Inland fisheries / Fishery management
Record No:H050440
Kafle, Kashi; Songsermsawas, T.; Winters, P. 2021.
Impacts of agricultural value chain development in a mountainous region: evidence from Nepal. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 33p.
(IFAD Research Series 65) More... |
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This analysis investigates the potential mechanism and the practical significance of the impacts of agricultural value chain development in a geographically challenging rural area of a developing country. We use data from a carefully designed primary survey administered in the hill and mountainous region in Western Nepal. Using the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment method, we show that linking small-scale producers with regional and local traders can help increase agricultural income. We unpack the potential mechanism of the impact pathway and show that the increase in agricultural income is a consequence of higher agricultural revenues, owing to a higher volume of sales at lower prices. We argue that value chain intervention in rural areas, where land is not fully exploited, can lead to acreage expansion or crop switching, which eventually results in higher supply at lower output prices. The positive impact on household income is practically significant in that it translated into improved food security, dietary diversity and household resilience. These findings are robust to various specifications. Targeted value chain interventions that strengthen and stabilize small-scale producers’ access to markets can contribute to rural poverty reduction via an increase in agricultural income.
Econometric models / Women / Minority groups / Villages / Highlands / Livestock / Food insecurity / Price indices / Agricultural prices / Commodities / Rural poverty / Resilience / Dietary diversity / Food security / Household income / Market access / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Farm income / Agricultural value chains
Record No:H050432
de Souza, M.; Koo-Oshima, S.; Kahil, T.; Wada, Y.; Qadir, M.; Jewitt, G.; Cudennec, C.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Zhang, L. 2021.
Food and agriculture. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021: valuing water. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.67-78.
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Costs / Diets / Poverty alleviation / Groundwater / Ecosystems / Water quality / Wastewater irrigation / Intensification / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Water pricing / Water supply / Water productivity / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Water management / Water resources / Multiple use water services / Food production / Sustainable agriculture / Food security
Record No:H050380
Villholth, Karen G. 2021.
One water: expanding boundaries for a new deal and a safe planet for all. One Earth, 4(4):474-477.
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We have one Earth and one water resource defining our living space. We are the key custodians for safeguarding these resources, which underpin the healthy and peaceful environment in which we all want to live. We cannot expand the physical boundaries, but we can stretch our perspectives to achieve water sustainability through global solidarity and considering water inside Earth’s crust: groundwater.
Sustainable Development Goals / Environmental factors / Globalization / Climate change / Aquifers / Groundwater / Food security / Water security / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H050371
Mukherjee, A.; Scanlon, B. R.; Aureli, A.; Langan, Simon; Guo, H.; McKenzie, A. 2021.
Global groundwater: from scarcity to security through sustainability and solutions. In Mukherjee, A.; Scanlon, B. R.; Aureli, A.; Langan, Simon; Guo, H.; McKenzie, A. A. (Eds.). Global groundwater: source, scarcity, sustainability, security, and solutions. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.3-20.
[DOI] More... Groundwater, the largest available global freshwater resource, plays a crucial role in human sustenance and global food security through drinking water supplies and irrigated agriculture. In recent times, many parts of the world have been experiencing discernable, large-scale groundwater depletion, and pollution. A large groundwater-dependent population, uncertain climate-reliant recharge processes, transboundary water sources, major geogenic-sourced, nonpoint contaminants, inefficient irrigation methods and human practices, and indiscriminate land use change with rising urbanization underscore the urgent need to develop models of sustainability and security for global groundwater, in terms of both quantity and quality. Climate change is expected to exacerbate these issues. We need to understand the main factors that control groundwater availability (quantity and quality) in a changing world, where climate change and human factors (overexploitation, pollution, economics, agro-food aspects and their socioeconomic side, and governance intervention) deeply influence water availability. Because groundwater represents a critical source of water in many areas, especially in developing countries, there is a need to analyze physical (hydrological), chemical (hydrogeochemistry), and human (socioeconomic) aspects within a comprehensive framework to define sustainability. Groundwater, which forms a large component of attaining the sustainable development goals, is difficult to manage (mostly not visible, limited monitoring of groundwater levels, recharge, and abstraction, poorly defined flow boundaries; transboundary issues; poor management of abstraction; uncertainty in groundwater–surface water inter-connections) and hence requires comprehensive scale–dependent governance plans. From an economic and governance point of view, there has been insufficient attention given to groundwater as a resource, which is both hidden but widely considered ubiquitous. Solutions, incorporating emerging and innovative technologies, need to be integrated with traditional knowledge, to develop future groundwater security.
Trade / Economic aspects / Urbanization / Irrigation / Nexus / Energy / Food security / Water availability / Contamination / Water quality / Sustainability / Water security / Water scarcity / Groundwater
Record No:H050268
Suhardiman, Diana; Scurrah, N. 2021.
Farmer’s agency and institutional bricolage in land use plan implementation in upland Laos. Land Use Policy, 104:105316.
[DOI] More... This paper looks at the (re)shaping of local institutional arrangements within the context of land use planning processes in Laos, bringing to light their dynamic and co-constitutive relationship. Taking Pa Khom village in Houaphan province as a case study, it examines how local tenure institutions are (re)produced, (re)assembled and adapted to mirror farmer’s livelihood strategies to meet households’ food security, while also conforming to the defined land use plan. Drawing on examples of changes in swidden agriculture and village grazing land arrangements introduced as part of land use planning, the paper highlights the important role played by local communities – acting autonomously, collectively and in relation to external agents – in reconfiguring the relationship between natural resources and institutional orders. It illustrates how farmers employ institutional bricolage to creatively assemble and reshape their land use arrangements to comply with the defined land use plan, thus ensuring it meets their locally embedded livelihood priorities, albeit with different distributional outcomes for various farm households. Linking farm households’ strategies with inter-household and village level institutional arrangements, the paper shows how institutional bricolage contributes to synergizing the different rationales behind land use planning processes.
Case studies / Villages / Grazing lands / Livelihoods / Household food security / Local communities / Strategies / Adaptation / Collective action / Land tenure / Common lands / Shifting cultivation / Highlands / Institutional development / Farmers organizations / Land use planning
Record No:H050266
Sikka, Alok K.; Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Pavelic, Paul. 2021.
Managing groundwater for building resilience for sustainable agriculture in South Asia. Irrigation and Drainage, 70(3):560-573. (Special issue: Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment. Selected Papers of the 3rd World Irrigation Forum, Bali, Indonesia)
[DOI] More... South Asiaapos;s heavy reliance on groundwater for irrigated agricultural production supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of smallholder farmers but is being undermined by rampant overexploitation of groundwater. Without major intervention, this is expected to be further exacerbated by growing demand and climate change. Groundwater management, scientific and evidence-based, can make an important contribution to managing unsustainable groundwater use and strengthening the climate resilience of farmers due to groundwaterapos;s unique storage characteristics. This study brings together a set of strategies and solutions to better manage groundwater that cover the augmentation of groundwater recharge through managed aquifer recharge, management of groundwater demand through participatory groundwater management and other methods, and the harnessing synergies of co-dependent sectors. The opportunities, constraints and available evidence for each are analysed and the boundaries, barriers and specificities identified to establish entry points for positive change through policies and implementation programmes.
State intervention / Policies / Participatory management / Farmers / Strategies / Nexus / Energy / Food security / Water supply / Water demand / Water storage / Water use / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater depletion / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Sustainable agriculture / Groundwater management
Record No:H050165
Reddy, V. R.; Pavelic, Paul; Reddy, M. S. 2021.
Participatory management and sustainable use of groundwater: a review of the Andhra Pradesh Farmer-Managed Groundwater Systems project in India. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 21p.
(Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP) Case Profile Series 05) [DOI] More... |
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This GRIPP Case Profile assesses whether the proactive involvement of rural communities in the management of groundwater positively contributes towards sustainable resource use. The assessment uses the long-term (2003-2013) Andhra Pradesh Farmer-Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS) project in India as a case study. Implemented across seven districts, the assessment is based on a critical review and synthesis of existing literature and complementary field visits conducted five years after project closure. APFAMGS worked towards creating awareness and bringing about behavioral change to achieve sustainable groundwater use, primarily for irrigation. The approach focused on knowledge transfer and capacity building to set up participatory processes conducive to informal management measures, and technologies supporting participatory hydrological monitoring and crop water budgeting. In addition, awareness creation in relation to demand as well as supply side management options was critical. The analysis suggests that APFAMGS has helped in filling the knowledge and information gaps on groundwater resources among local farming communities. Some degree of long-term reduction in groundwater pumping was observed, but the attribution to the project is not clear, and effects on reducing groundwater level declines may be limited and localized. The APFAMGS approach of participatory groundwater management (PGM) fell short in terms of equity considerations, with implications for the institutional sustainability of the approach. The study provides policy guidance for adopting more inclusive PGM-based institutions on a wider scale.
Villages / Rural communities / Socioeconomic aspects / Food security / Livelihoods / Water user associations / Non-governmental organizations / Funding / Institutions / Water budget / Crop production / Equity / Regulations / Water policies / Hydrological factors / Groundwater level / Wells / Pumping / Groundwater extraction / Behavioural changes / Technology transfer / Awareness-raising / Capacity development / Project evaluation / Water systems / Farmer-led irrigation / Sustainable use / Water use efficiency / Participatory management / Groundwater management
Record No:H050839
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021.
Circular economy solutions to close water, energy and food loops in West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Water Issue Brief 17) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.70 MB)
Urban areas / Sanitation / Health hazards / Socioeconomic impact / Sustainability / Donors / Capacity development / Public-private partnerships / Ponds / Aquaculture / Organic fertilizers / Faecal sludge / Solid wastes / Business models / Reuse / Resource recovery / Food security / Energy generation / Wastewater / Waste management / Circular economy
Record No:H050808
Steinbach, S.; Cornish, N.; Franke, J.; Hentze, K.; Strauch, A.; Thonfeld, F.; Zwart, Sander J.; Nelson, A. 2021.
A new conceptual framework for integrating earth observation in large-scale wetland management in East Africa. Wetlands, 41(7):93.
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Wetlands are abundant across the African continent and provide a range of ecosystem services on different scales but are threatened by overuse and degradation. It is essential that national governments enable and ensure the sustainable use of wetland resources to maintain these services in the long run. As informed management decisions require reliable, up-to-date, and large coverage spatial data, we propose a modular Earth observation-based framework for the geo-localisation and characterization of wetlands in East Africa. In this study, we identify four major challenges in spatial data supported wetland management and present a framework to address them. We then apply the framework comprising Wetland Delineation, Surface Water Occurrence, Land Use/Land Cover classification and Wetland Use Intensity for the whole of Rwanda and evaluate the ability of these layers to meet the identified challenges. The layers’ spatial and temporal characteristics make them combinable and the information content, of each layer alone as well as in combination, renders them useful for different wetland management contexts.
Spatial data / Decision making / Large scale systems / Ecosystems / Land cover / Land use / Surface water / Environmental protection / Food security / Sustainable use / Earth observation satellites / Environmental management / Wetlands
Record No:H050718
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021.
IWMI Annual report 2020. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 62p.
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Wetlands / Biodiversity / Environmental health / Water user associations / Inclusion / Youth / s participation / Womenapos / Gender equality / Livelihoods / Poverty reduction / Crop insurance / Resilience / Climate change mitigation / Climate change adaptation / Groundwater / Farmer-led irrigation / Solar energy / Wastewater / Waste management / Water policies / Public health / Nutrition / Food security / Partnerships / Research programmes / Innovation / Sustainable Development Goals / Water security / Water management
Record No:H050677
Nepal, S.; Neupane, N.; Belbase, D.; Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Mukherji, Aditi. 2021.
Achieving water security in Nepal through unravelling the water-energy-agriculture nexus. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 37(1):67-93.
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This article investigates water security in Nepal from the perspective of the water-energy-agriculture (food) nexus, focusing on pathways to water security that originate in actions and policies related to other sectors. It identifies promoting development of Nepal’s hydropower potential to provide energy for pumping as way to improve water security in agriculture. Renewable groundwater reserves of 1.4 billion cubic meters (BCM), from an estimated available balance of 6.9 BCM, could be pumped to irrigate 613,000 ha of rainfed agricultural land in the Terai plains, with a potential direct economic gain of USD 1.1 billion annually and associated benefits including promotion of energy-based industry, food security and local employment. Governance also plays an important role in addressing water security. We conclude that a nexus-based approach is required for effective water management and governance.
Population growth / Rural areas / Urban areas / Irrigated land / Environmental sustainability / Climate change / Irrigation systems / Water supply / Hydropower / Domestic water / Industrial uses / Agricultural water use / Water governance / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Groundwater / Surface water / Water availability / Nexus / Food security / Energy sources / Water security
Record No:H049496
Pavelic, Paul; Sikka, Alok; Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Sharma, Bharat R.; Muthuwatta, Lal; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Villholth, Karen G.; Shalsi, S.; Mishra, V. K.; Jha, S. K.; Verma, C. L.; Sharma, N.; Reddy, V. R.; Rout, S. K.; Kant, L.; Govindan, M.; Gangopadhyay, P.; Brindha, K.; Chinnasamy, P.; Smakhtin, V. 2021.
Utilizing floodwaters for recharging depleted aquifers and sustaining irrigation: lessons from multi-scale assessments in the Ganges River Basin, India. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 20p.
(Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice (GRIPP) Case Profile Series 04) [DOI] More... |
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Pragmatic, cost-effective, socially inclusive and scalable solutions that reduce risks from recurrent cycles of floods and droughts would greatly benefit emerging economies. One promising approach known as Underground Transfer of Floods for Irrigation (UTFI) involves recharging depleted aquifers with seasonal high flows to provide additional groundwater for irrigated agriculture during dry periods, while also mitigating floods. It has been identified that there is potential for implementing the UTFI approach across large parts of South Asia. The first pilot-scale implementation of UTFI was carried out in a rural community of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in India, and performance of the approach was assessed over three years from a technical, environmental, socioeconomic and institutional perspective. The results are promising and show that UTFI has the potential to enhance groundwater storage and control flooding, if replicated across larger scales. The challenges and opportunities for more wide-scale implementation of UTFI are identified and discussed in this report. In areas with high potential for implementation, policy makers should consider UTFI as an option when making decisions associated with relevant water-related development challenges.
Drought / Rain / Monsoons / Wells / Ponds / River basins / Environmental impact / Irrigated farming / Food security / Livelihoods / Socioeconomic aspects / Community involvement / Stakeholders / Cost benefit analysis / Risk management / Assessment / Pilot projects / Technology / Pumping / Water quality / Water storage / Groundwater table / Flood control / Transfer of waters / Groundwater flow / Sustainable use / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater depletion / Water use / Floodwater / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater management
Record No:H050171
Magalhaes, M.; Ringler, C.; Verma, Shilp; Schmitter, Petra. 2021.
Accelerating rural energy access for agricultural transformation: contribution of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 26p.
(WLE Legacy Series 3) [DOI] More... |
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With adverse impacts of climate change growing in number and intensity, there is an urgent need to reduce emissions from food systems to net zero. This can only be achieved if rural areas in low- and middle-income countries gain access to clean energy. A review of the research and capacity building contributions of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) over the last 10 years suggests important contributions in the areas of energy policy and energy investment planning, cost and feasibility frameworks, and business models for clean energy technology uptake. WLE has also conducted successful pilot projects on solar irrigation to provide an evidence base for scaling up innovative energy initiatives. Finally, the program also considered non-agricultural uses of energy where relevant to food systems, and implemented capacity building activities.
Going forward, CGIAR has a key role to play in providing information, supporting access and piloting innovative, scalable clean energy interventions to support the achievement of multiple impacts for the poorest and most food-insecure women and men farmers and entrepreneurs.
Food security / Women / Farmers / Smallholders / Capacity development / Business models / Income generation / Reuse / Resource recovery / Emission reduction / Environmental sustainability / Pilot projects / Innovation / Investment / Technology / Pumps / Electricity / Groundwater / Irrigation systems / Solar energy / Energy consumption / Climate change / Water systems / Land use / Agrifood systems / Research programmes / CGIAR / Rural areas / Energy policies / Transformation / Agriculture
Record No:H050910
Sikka, Alok K. 2021.
Conservation agriculture: towards managing the water-energy-food nexus in India. Journal of Agricultural Physics, 21(1):135-144.
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Depleting groundwater resources and increasing energy demand with the huge dependence of India’s agriculture on groundwater and energy, and especially in water deficit rice-based production systems, are posing a serious threat to sustained food, water, and energy security. Sustainability concerns of water, energy, and input-intensive rice-based crop production systems have increased the realization for developing and scaling up alternative agro-techniques that can significantly reduce the water and energy requirements in crop production without compromising on crop yield. The interconnectedness between water, energy, and food makes the concept of water, energy, and food (WEF) nexus more relevant to explore integrated solutions to efficient use of limited and/or declining water and energy resources. Conservation agriculture (CA) is gaining currency as an alternate system for rice/cereal-based production systems to conserve water and energy, improve soil health, reduce cost of cultivation, and preserve ecology. This paper explores the concept of WEF nexus and how CA addresses the challenge of harmonizing the synergy among water, energy, and food though WEF ‘nexus gains’ especially in the context of groundwater irrigated rice/cereal based cropping systems.
Rice / Groundwater / Nexus approaches / Food security / Energy / Water management / Conservation agriculture
Record No:H051660
Magidi, J.; van Koppen, Barbara; Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Slotow, R.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2021.
Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems. Water, 13(24):3627.
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Accurate information on irrigated areas’ spatial distribution and extent are crucial in enhancing agricultural water productivity, water resources management, and formulating strategic policies that enhance water and food security and ecologically sustainable development. However, data are typically limited for smallholder irrigated areas, which is key to achieving social equity and equal distribution of financial resources. This study addressed this gap by delineating disaggregated smallholder and commercial irrigated areas through the random forest algorithm, a non-parametric machine learning classifier. Location within or outside former apartheid “homelands” was taken as a proxy for smallholder, and commercial irrigation. Being in a medium rainfall area, the huge irrigation potential of the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area (UWMA) is already well developed for commercial crop production outside former homelands. However, information about the spatial distribution and extent of irrigated areas within former homelands, which is largely informal, was missing. Therefore, we first classified cultivated lands in 2019 and 2020 as a baseline, from where the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to distinguish irrigated from rainfed, focusing on the dry winter period when crops are predominately irrigated. The mapping accuracy of 84.9% improved the efficacy in defining the actual spatial extent of current irrigated areas at both smallholder and commercial spatial scales. The proportion of irrigated areas was high for both commercial (92.5%) and smallholder (96.2%) irrigation. Moreover, smallholder irrigation increased by over 19% between 2019 and 2020, compared to slightly over 7% in the commercial sector. Such information is critical for policy formulation regarding equitable and inclusive water allocation, irrigation expansion, land reform, and food and water security in smallholder farming systems.
Normalized difference vegetation index / Datasets / Sustainable development / Farmers / Crop production / Catchment areas / Cultivated land / Irrigated land / Rainfed farming / Spatial distribution / Water security / Food security / Food policies / Water policies / Irrigated farming / Farming systems / Smallholders
Record No:H050853
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2020.
IWMI Annual report 2019. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 60p.
[DOI] More... |
Fulltext (3.65 MB)
Partnerships / Collaboration / Research programmes / CGIAR / Economic aspects / Agriculture / Crop insurance / Disaster risk management / Farm income / Farmers / Smallholders / Water use / Resource recovery / Irrigation programs / Wastewater / Groundwater management / Water resources / Digital innovation / Women / Inclusion / Gender / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Ecosystems / Food security / Sustainable Development Goals / Water management
Record No:H049940
Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Pavelic, Paul. 2020.
Underground Transfer of Floods for Irrigation (UTFI): exploring potential at the global scale. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 58p.
(IWMI Research Report 176) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (6.21 MB)
This report presents a spatial analysis conducted at global scale to identify areas of high suitability for implementing the Underground Transfer of Floods for Irrigation (UTFI) approach. The study used multiple global spatial datasets, and the related data were arranged under three categories – water supply, water demand and water storage – to assess global UTFI suitability. Among the river basins with high suitability, the Awash in Ethiopia, Ramganga in India (one of the major tributaries of the Ganges River Basin) and Chao Phraya in Thailand were selected for the economic analysis in this study. The results from this study are intended to provide a first step towards identifying the broad areas (at the river basin or country scale) where more detailed investigation would be worthwhile to ascertain the technical and economic feasibility of UTFI, with greater confidence.
Models / Rural areas / Urban areas / Socioeconomic environment / Monsoon climate / Rain / Land use / Crop production / Pumps / Wells / Infrastructure / Groundwater irrigation / Stakeholders / Policies / Food security / Water security / Climate change / Water availability / Surface water / Water management / Water resources / Watershed management / Ecosystem services / Mitigation / Disaster risk reduction / Flood control / Benefit-cost ratio / Cost benefit analysis / Economic analysis / Drought / Water demand / Water supply / Water storage / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / River basins / Flood irrigation
Record No:H050008
Njenga, M.; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Mendum, R.; Adam-Bradford, A.; Woldetsadik, D.; Okia, C. 2020.
Circular economy solutions for resilient refugee and host communities in East Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p.
(Resource Recovery and Reuse (RRR) in Refugee Settlements in Africa: Project Brief Series 1) More... |
Fulltext (990 KB)
Social aspects / Stakeholders / Women / Gender / Sustainability / Water use / Energy sources / Food security / Resilience / Reuse / Resource management / Resource recovery / Economic systems / Communities / Human settlements / Refugees
Record No:H049941
Sawadogo, A.; Kouadio, L.; Traore, F.; Zwart, Sander J.; Hessels, T.; Gundogdu, K. S. 2020.
Spatiotemporal assessment of irrigation performance of the Kou Valley Irrigation Scheme in Burkina Faso using satellite remote sensing-derived indicators. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 9(8):484. (Special issue: Observation-Driven Understanding, Prediction, and Management in Hydrological/Hydraulic Hazard and Risk Studies)
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Traditional methods based on field campaigns are generally used to assess the performance of irrigation schemes in Burkina Faso, resulting in labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly processes. Despite their extensive application for such performance assessment, remote sensing (RS)-based approaches remain very much underutilized in Burkina Faso. Using multi-temporal Landsat images within the Python module for the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land model, we investigated the spatiotemporal performance patterns of the Kou Valley irrigation scheme (KVIS) during two consecutive cropping seasons. Four performance indicators (depleted fraction, relative evapotranspiration, uniformity of water consumption, and crop water productivity) for rice, maize, and sweet potato were calculated and compared against standard values. Overall, the performance of the KVIS varied depending on year, crop, and the crop’s geographical position in the irrigation scheme. A gradient of spatially varied relative evapotranspiration was observed across the scheme, with the uniformity of water consumption being fair to good. Although rice was the most cultivated, a shift to more sweet potato farming could be adopted to benefit more from irrigation, given the relatively good performance achieved by this crop. Our findings ascertain the potential of such RS-based cost-effective methodologies to serve as basis for improved irrigation water management in decision support tools.
Models / Sweet potatoes / Maize / Rice / Crop yield / Landsat / Evapotranspiration / Water productivity / Crop water use / Climate change / Food security / Water management / Irrigation water / Performance indexes / Remote sensing / Satellite imagery / Performance evaluation / Irrigation schemes
Record No:H049932
Arsenault, K. R.; Shukla, S.; Hazra, A.; Getirana, A.; McNally, A.; Kumar, S. V.; Koster, R. D.; Peters-Lidard, C. D.; Zaitchik, B. F.; Badr, H.; Jung, H. C.; Narapusetty, B.; Navari, M.; Wang, S.; Mocko, D. M.; Funk, C.; Harrison, L.; Husak, G. J.; Adoum, A.; Galu, G.; Magadzire, T.; Roningen, J.; Shaw, M.; Eylander, J.; Bergaoui, K.; McDonnell, Rachael A.; Verdin, J. P. 2020.
The NASA hydrological forecast system for food and water security applications. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (BAMS), 101(7):E1007-E1025.
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Many regions in Africa and the Middle East are vulnerable to drought and to water and food insecurity, motivating agency efforts such as the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) to provide early warning of drought events in the region. Each year these warnings guide life-saving assistance that reaches millions of people. A new NASA multimodel, remote sensing–based hydrological forecasting and analysis system, NHyFAS, has been developed to support such efforts by improving the FEWS NET’s current early warning capabilities. NHyFAS derives its skill from two sources: (i) accurate initial conditions, as produced by an offline land modeling system through the application and/or assimilation of various satellite data (precipitation, soil moisture, and terrestrial water storage), and (ii) meteorological forcing data during the forecast period as produced by a state-of-the-art ocean–land–atmosphere forecast system. The land modeling framework used is the Land Information System (LIS), which employs a suite of land surface models, allowing multimodel ensembles and multiple data assimilation strategies to better estimate land surface conditions. An evaluation of NHyFAS shows that its 1–5-month hindcasts successfully capture known historic drought events, and it has improved skill over benchmark-type hindcasts. The system also benefits from strong collaboration with end-user partners in Africa and the Middle East, who provide insights on strategies to formulate and communicate early warning indicators to water and food security communities. The additional lead time provided by this system will increase the speed, accuracy, and efficacy of humanitarian disaster relief, helping to save lives and livelihoods.
Modelling / Satellite observation / Meteorological factors / Land area / Monitoring / Stream flow / Soil water content / Water storage / Groundwater / Precipitation / Flooding / Drought / Water security / Food security / Early warning systems / Forecasting / Hydrology
Record No:H049803
Garrity, D.; Dixon, J.; Mburathi, G.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T. 2020.
Conclusions: implementation of the farming systems approach for African food security. In Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. (Eds.). Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.589-598.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More... |
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Households / Stakeholders / Institutions / Policies / Strategies / Rural development / Technology / Innovation platforms / Market access / Sustainability / Nutrition security / Intensification / Diversification / Food systems / Farming systems / Food security
Record No:H049743
Dixon, J.; Garrity, D.; Mburathi, G.; Boffa, J.-M.; Amede, T.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan. 2020.
Ways forward: strategies for effective science, investments and policies for African farming and food systems. In Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. (Eds.). Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.562-588.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More... |
Fulltext (1.90 MB)
Energy / Strategies / Social capital / Population / Farmers / Nonfarm income / Market access / Investment / Policies / Technology / Innovation platforms / Sustainability / Diversification / Intensification / Nutrition security / Food security / Agricultural development / Food systems / Farming systems
Record No:H049742
Dixon, J.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; de Leeuw, J.; Fischer, G.; van Velthuizen, H. 2020.
Farming and food systems potentials. In Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. (Eds.). Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.535-561.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More... |
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Ecosystem services / Natural resources management / Technology / Policies / Institutions / Strategies / Labour mobility / Living standards / Households / Poverty / Market access / Livestock / Nonfarm income / Farm size / Farmers / Agricultural population / Diversification / Intensification / Yield gap / Agricultural productivity / Nutrition security / Food security / Food systems / Farming systems
Record No:H049741
Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Faures, J.-M.; Namara, R.; Snyder, K. 2020.
Large-scale irrigated farming system: the potential and challenges to improve food security, livelihoods and ecosystem management. In Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. (Eds.). Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.423-449.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More... |
Fulltext (4.05 MB)
Strategies / Gender / Farmers / Poverty / Population / Households / Institutions / Energy / Water management / Investment / Policies / Markets / Rice / Sustainability / Agricultural productivity / Ecosystems / Living standards / Food security / Irrigated farming / Large scale farming / Farming systems
Record No:H049740
Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. 2020.
Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan 638p.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More... |
Fulltext (103 MB)
Strategies / Resilience / Ecosystem services / Maize / Root crops / Cereal crops / Tubers / Tree crops / Yield gap / Households / Socioeconomic environment / Hunger / Poverty / Living standards / Farmers / Smallholders / Women / Gender / Agricultural population / Human capital / Trade / Market access / Investment / Technology / Energy / Nutrition security / Natural resources / Water management / Soil fertility / Fertilizers / Drylands / Highlands / Forests / Agricultural extension / Fish culture / Livestock / Land tenure / Farm size / Diversification / Intensification / Agricultural productivity / Perennials / Agropastoral systems / Mixed farming / Large scale systems / Irrigated farming / Sustainable development / Peri-urban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Policies / Climate change / Food security / Farming systems
Record No:H049739
Hanjra, Munir A.; Williams, Timothy O. 2020.
Global change and investments in smallholder irrigation for food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Gomez y Paloma, S.; Riesgo, L.; Louhichi, K. (Eds.). The role of smallholder farms in food and nutrition security. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp.99-131.
[DOI] More... |
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Investments in irrigation contribute to poverty reduction and enhance food security. This paper considers irrigation investments more broadly in the context of rural–urban linkages and thus examines rural irrigation schemes and peri-urban and urban agriculture using freshwater, groundwater and wastewater. We present case studies from East, West and Southern Africa, while focusing on the imperative of smallholders and of food security and nutrition. Evidence from Big Data and telecoupling show that, amid global change and sustainability issues, irrigation development strengthens connections between humans and nature with notable benefits to food security. Transforming investments to feed the future generation require priority investments in irrigation, solar energy for groundwater pumping, groundwater development policy, and integration of peri-urban and urban agriculture into food systems. Equally important will be no-regret interventions in wastewater reuse, water storage and groundwater buffer, micro-irrigation, and wholesale reconfiguration of farming systems, through anticipatory investments, to safeguard food security and sustainability into the distant future.
Sustainability / Groundwater development / Surface water / Solar energy / Water policy / Water reuse / Wastewater irrigation / Public-private partnerships / Business models / Poverty / Small scale systems / Intensification / Peri-urban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Rural urban relations / Public investment / Irrigation schemes / Smallholders / Nutrition security / Food security
Record No:H049733
Kookana, R. S.; Drechsel, Pay; Jamwal, P.; Vanderzalm, J. 2020.
Urbanisation and emerging economies: issues and potential solutions for water and food security. Science of the Total Environment, 732:139057.
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Urbanisation will be one of the 21st centuryapos;s most transformative trends. By 2050, it will increase from 55% to 68%, more than doubling the urban population in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Urbanisation has multifarious (positive as well as negative) impacts on the wellbeing of humans and the environment. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the blueprint to achieve a sustainable future for all. Clean Water and Sanitation is a specific goal (SDG 6) within the suite of 17 interconnected goals. Here we provide an overview of some of the challenges that urbanisation poses in relation to SDG 6, especially in developing economies. Worldwide, several cities are on the verge of water crisis. Water distribution to informal settlements or slums in megacities (e.g. N50% population in the megacities of India) is essentially non-existent and limits access to adequate safe water supply. Besides due to poor sewer connectivity in the emerging economies, there is a heavy reliance on septic tanks, and other on-site sanitation (OSS) system and by 2030, 4.9 billion people are expected to rely on OSS. About 62–93% of the urban population in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia rely on septic tanks, where septage treatment is rare. Globally, over 80% of wastewater is released to the environment without adequate treatment. About 11% of all irrigated croplands is irrigated with such untreated or poorly treated wastewater. In addition to acute and chronic health effects, this also results in significant pollution of often-limited surface and groundwater resources in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Direct and indirect water reuse plays a key role in global water and food security. Here we offer several suggestions to mitigate water and food insecurity in emerging economies.
Behavioural changes / Sustainable Development Goals / Rural urban relations / Groundwater recharge / Aquifers / Ecosystems / Environmental health / Suburban agriculture / Wastewater irrigation / Water scarcity / Water supply / Indicators / Monitoring / Water quality / Health hazards / Public health / Water reuse / Sanitation / Septic tanks / Costs / Wastewater treatment / Waste treatment / Waste management / Food security / Water security / Economic development / Urbanization
Record No:H049719
Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Shrestha, Dibesh; Adhikari, M.; Shakya, S. 2020.
Streamflow alterations, attributions, and implications in extended East Rapti Watershed, central-southern Nepal. Sustainability, 12(9):3829. (Special issue: Implications of Climate Change for Ecosystems and Society)
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Streamflow alteration and subsequent change in long-term average, seasonality, and extremes (e.g., floods and droughts) may affect water security, which is a major concern in many watersheds across the globe. Both climatic and anthropogenic activities may contribute to such changes. Therefore, this study assesses: (i) Streamflow and precipitation trends to identify streamflow alterations in the Extended East Rapti (EER) watershed in central-southern Nepal; (ii) relationship of the alterations to climatic and anthropogenic sources; and (iii) implications of streamflow changes to the socio-environmental system. The trends in streamflow were analyzed for pre-and post-1990 periods considering the abrupt shift in temperature trend in 1990. Results showed a general decreasing trends in discharge post-1990 in the EER watershed. Human activities have significantly contributed in altering streamflow in the EER. Human-induced streamflow alterations have affected the water availability, food security, river health, aquatic biodiversity, and groundwater abstraction in the EER watershed.
Land cover change / Land use change / Food security / Aquatic ecology / Hydrological factors / Runoff / River basins / Meteorological stations / Groundwater extraction / Environmental effects / Social aspects / Population density / Temperature / Precipitation / Rainfall patterns / Anthropogenic factors / Climate change / Stream flow / Watersheds
Record No:H049715
Nhamo, L.; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Dickens, Chris; Nhemachena, C.; Senzanje, A.; Naidoo, D.; Liphadzi, S.; Modi, A. T. 2020.
An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study. Environmental Science and Policy, 109:15-24.
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The missing link between cross-sectoral resource management and full-scale adoption of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has been the lack of analytical tools that provide evidence for policy and decision-making. This study defined WEF nexus sustainability indicators, from where an analytical model was developed to manage WEF resources in an integrated manner using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The model established quantitative relationships among WEF sectors, simplifying the intricate interlinkages among resources, using South Africa as a case study. A spider graph was used to illustrate sector performance as related to others, whose management is viewed either as sustainable or unsustainable. The model was then applied to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa. The estimated integrated indices of 0.155 and 0.203 for 2015 and 2018, respectively, classify South Africa’s management of resources as marginally sustainable. The model is a decision support tool that highlights priority areas for intervention.
Case studies / Performance evaluation / Models / Cereals / Agricultural productivity / Living standards / Development indicators / Sustainable Development Goals / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Water productivity / Nexus / Food security / Energy / Water availability / Decision support systems
Record No:H049710
Lee-Smith, D.; Prain, G.; Cofie, Olufunke; van Veenhuizen, R.; Karanja, N. 2020.
Urban and peri-urban farming systems: feeding cities and enhancing resilience. In Dixon, J.; Garrity, D. P.; Boffa, J.-M.; Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Amede, T.; Auricht, C.; Lott, R.; Mburathi, G. (Eds.). Farming systems and food security in Africa: priorities for science and policy under global change. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.504-531.
(Earthscan Food and Agriculture Series) More...
Strategies / Institutions / Markets / Trade / Policies / Energy / Technology / s participation / Womenapos / Social capital / Human capital / Climate change / Natural resources / Sustainable development / Resilience / Poverty / Hunger / Population / Farmers / Households / Nutrition security / Food security / Agricultural productivity / Nutrients / Waste utilization / Wastewater irrigation / Livestock / Crop production / Open spaces / Backyard farming / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Towns / Peri-urban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Farming systems
Record No:H049663
Eshete, G.; Assefa, B.; Lemma, E.; Kibret, G.; Ambaw, G.; Samuel, S.; Seid, J.; Tesfaye, K.; Tamene, L.; Haile, A.; Asnake, A.; Mengiste, A.; Hailemariam, S. N.; Ericksen, P.; Mekonnen, K.; Amede, T.; Haileslassie, Amare; Hadgu, K.; Woldemeskel, E.; Solomon, D. 2020.
Ethiopia climate-smart agriculture roadmap 2020-2030. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) 36p.
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Farmers / Capacity development / Gender / Greenhouse gas emissions / Institutions / Strategies / Policies / Agricultural practices / Nutrition / Food security / Vulnerability / Climate change / Climate-smart agriculture
Record No:H050321
Balana, Bedru B.; Bizimana, J.-C.; Richardson, J. W.; Lefore, Nicole; Adimassu, Zenebe; Herbst, B. K. 2020.
Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in northern Ghana. Water Resources and Economics, 29:100141
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation (SSI) technologies can be useful not only to increase crop productivity and income but also as a viable adaptation practice to climate variability. A farm simulation model (FARMSIM) and data from selected SSI technologies piloted in northern Ghana under the ‘Feed the Future-Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation’ (ILSSI) project were used to assess the economic feasibility of the SSI technologies and their potential to improve income and nutrition of smallholder farm households. Three dry season irrigated crops (onion, corchorus, amaranthus) grown under three agricultural water management regimes were analysed. Results show that adoption of the SSI technologies could increase the net farm profit by 154%–608% against the baseline depending on the ‘crop type - SSI technology’ combination. Nutrition levels also improved significantly as a result of the improvements in crop yields due to irrigation and use of complementary inputs. However, the results further reveal that the options that utilize capital-intensive SSI technologies such as solar-powered water pumps to grow high value cash crops are constrained by the high investment cost. Currently, farmers tend to choose low-cost SSI technologies such as a traditional watering-cans, which generate low economic returns. Improving access to credit or alternative financing schemes could mitigate the capital constraints and enable smallholders to gain more benefits from participating in market-oriented high-value irrigated production.
Food consumption / Household consumption / Feasibility studies / Climate change / Pumps / Profit / Water availability / Water management / Agricultural production / Seasonal cropping / Crop yield / Crop production / Nutrition / Smallholders / Farm income / Economic situation / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Household food security
Record No:H049159
De Souza, M.; Nishimura, Y.; Burke, J.; Cudennec, C.; Schmitter, Petra; Haileslassie, Amare; Smith, Mark; Hulsmann, S.; Caucci, S.; Zhang, L.; Stewart, B. 2020.
Agriculture and food security. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2020: water and climate change. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.78-95.
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This chapter highlights where land–water linkages are expected to become apparent in terms of climate impacts and where practical approaches to land and water management offer scope for both climate adaptation and mitigation though agriculture. It also provides an agricultural perspective from which to further engage the United Nations Climate Change Conference in terms of water management.
Livestock / Farmers / Agricultural production / Technology / Irrigation methods / Solar energy / Groundwater / Water scarcity / Forestry / Land use / Greenhouse gas emissions / Irrigated land / Farming systems / Water demand / Climate change mitigation / Climate change adaptation / Water management / Agricultural water use / Food security / Climate-smart agriculture
Record No:H049604
Cassara, M.; Beekma, J.; de Strasser, L.; Anarbekov, Oyture; Murzaeva, Makhliyo; Giska, S.; Dorre, A. 2020.
Local and national institutions and policies governing water resources management. In Xenarios, S.; Schmidt-Vogt, D.; Qadir, M.; Janusz-Pawletta, B.; Abdullaev, I. (Eds.). The Aral Sea Basin: water for sustainable development in Central Asia. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.136-154.
(Earthscan Series on Major River Basins of the World) More...
River basins / Indigenous knowledge / Information systems / Water user associations / Nexus / Energy / Food security / Sustainable Development Goals / Institutional reform / Water governance / Water policy / Water institutions / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management
Record No:H049421
Nguyen-Khoa, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Funge-Smith, S.; Smith, L.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Dubois, M. 2020.
Increasing the benefits and sustainability of irrigation through the integration of fisheries: a guide for water planners, managers and engineers. : Rome, Italy: FAO; Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 92p.
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There is increasing recognition of the need to bring about changes across the full spectrum of agricultural practices to ensure that, in future, food production systems are more diverse, sustainable and resilient. In this context, the objectives of irrigation need to be much more ambitious, shifting away from simply maximizing crop yields to maximizing net benefits across a range of uses of irrigation water, including ecosystems and nature-based solutions. One important way to achieve this is by better integrating fisheries into the planning, design, construction, operation and management of irrigation systems. Irrigation – a major contributor to the Green Revolution – has significantly improved agricultural production worldwide, with consequent benefits for food security, livelihoods and poverty alleviation. Today, irrigated agriculture represents about 21 percent of cultivated land, but contributes approximately 40% of the total global crop production. Many governments continue to invest in irrigation as a cornerstone of food security and rural development. Investments in irrigation often represent a pragmatic form of adaptation to changing climatic conditions. This guide focuses on how to sustainably optimize and broaden the range of benefits from irrigation development - not only economic but also social and environmental benefits. It emphasizes the opportunities that fisheries could provide to increase food production and economic returns, enhance livelihoods and public health outcomes, and maintain key ecosystem services. The guide considers possible trade-offs between irrigation and fisheries, and provides recommendations on how these could be minimized.
Floodplains / Rivers / Water reservoirs / Rural areas / Conflicts / Stakeholders / Institutions / Water governance / Participatory approaches / Community management / Sustainable Development Goals / Trends / Environmental Impact Assessment / Monitoring and evaluation / Socioeconomic environment / Nutrition security / Food security / Livelihoods / Infrastructure / Irrigated farming / Aquaculture / Habitats / Aquatic ecosystems / Irrigation management / Guidelines / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Irrigation systems / Sustainability / Fishery production
Record No:H050111
Freed, S.; Barman, B.; Dubois, M.; Flor, R. J.; Funge-Smith, S.; Gregory, R.; Hadi, B. A. R.; Halwart, M.; Haque, M.; Jagadish, S. V. K.; Joffre, O. M.; Karim, M.; Kura, Y.; McCartney, Matthew; Mondal, M.; Nguyen, V. K.; Sinclair, F.; Stuart, A. M.; Tezzo, X.; Yadav, S.; Cohen, P. J. 2020.
Maintaining diversity of integrated rice and fish production confers adaptability of food systems to global change. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4:576179.
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Rice and fish are preferred foods, critical for healthy and nutritious diets, and provide the foundations of local and national economies across Asia. Although transformations, or “revolutions,” in agriculture and aquaculture over the past half-century have primarily relied upon intensified monoculture to increase rice and fish production, agroecological approaches that support biodiversity and utilize natural processes are particularly relevant for achieving a transformation toward food systems with more inclusive, nutrition-sensitive, and ecologically sound outcomes. Rice and fish production are frequently integrated within the same physical, temporal, and social spaces, with substantial variation amongst the types of production practice and their extent. In Cambodia, rice field fisheries that strongly rely upon natural processes persist in up to 80% of rice farmland, whereas more input and infrastructure dependent rice-shrimp culture is expanding within the rice farmland of Vietnam. We demonstrate how a diverse suite of integrated production practices contribute to sustainable and nutrition-sensitive food systems policy, research, and practice. We first develop a typology of integrated production practices illustrating the nature and degree of: (a) fish stocking, (b) water management, (c) use of synthetic inputs, and (d) institutions that control access to fish. Second, we summarize recent research and innovations that have improved the performance of each type of practice. Third, we synthesize data on the prevalence, outcomes, and trajectories of these practices in four South and Southeast Asian countries that rely heavily on fish and rice for food and nutrition security. Focusing on changes since the food systems transformation brought about by the Green Revolution, we illustrate how integrated production practices continue to serve a variety of objectives to varying degrees: food and nutrition security, rural livelihood diversification and income improvement, and biodiversity conservation. Five shifts to support contemporary food system transformations [i.e., disaggregating (1) production practices and (2) objectives, (3) utilizing diverse metrics, (4) valuing emergent, place-based innovation, (5) building adaptive capacity] would accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 2, specifically through ensuring ecosystem maintenance, sustainable food production, and resilient agricultural practices with the capacity to adapt to global change.
Case studies / Livelihoods / Agroecology / Green revolution / Sustainable Development Goals / Biodiversity conservation / Shrimp culture / Food policies / Nutrition security / Food security / Community involvement / Diversification / Agricultural practices / Agropisciculture / Fishery production / Food production / Ricefield aquaculture / Inland fisheries / Food systems
Record No:H050055
Keovilignavong, Oulavanh; Suhardiman, Diana. 2020.
Linking land tenure security with food security: unpacking farm households’ perceptions and strategies in the rural uplands of Laos. Land Use Policy, 90:104260
[DOI] More... Land tenure, or access and rights to land, is essential to sustain people’s livelihoods. This paper looks at how farm households perceive land tenure (in)security in relation to food (in)security, and how these perceptions evolve throughout different policy periods in Laos. The paper highlights the centrality of farmers’ strategies in configuring the dynamic relationships between tenure (in)security and food (in)security, by demonstrating how farmers’ perceived and de facto land tenure insecurity shapes their decisions to diversify livelihood options to ensure food security. While the paper’s key findings reveal the close interlinkages between land tenure (in) security and food (in)security, we argue that the first does not automatically result in the latter. In contrast, we show how perceived and de-facto land tenure insecurity pushes farmers to explore alternative strategies and avenues to ensure food supply, through farm and non-farm employment. From a policy perspective, the paper highlights the need to put people’s livelihoods at the center of land governance, thus moving beyond the current positioning of land as merely a means for agricultural production or environmental conservation.
Case studies / Rural areas / Villages / Highlands / Land governance / Government policy / Non-farm employment / attitudes / Farmersapos / Strategies / Living standards / Household income / Land policies / Land use planning / Food security / Perception of tenure security / Land tenure
Record No:H049372
Nhamo, Luxon; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S. 2019.
A model to integrate and assess water-energy-food nexus performance: South Africa case study. Paper presented at the 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) on Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment, Bali, Indonesia, 1-7 September 2019. 10p.
More... The main limiting factor impeding the operationalisation of the WEF nexus has been lack of metrics and tools to translate the concept into a fully-fledged operational framework to support policy and decision-making. This study developed a WEF nexus model by (i) defining WEF nexus sustainability indicators, and (ii) calculating composite indices for those indicators to establish numerical relationships among WEF nexus resources using South Africa as a case study. The composite indices show WEF nexus performance as well as monitoring and evaluation of WEF resources management. The indicators were integrated through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM). The established quantitative relationships indicate resource utilisation, management and performance through a spider graph to illustrate WEF nexus performance, providing a general overview of the level of interactions, interrelationships and inter-connectedness of resources. The shape of the spider graph is determined by the level of the interdependencies and interactions among the WEF nexus sectors, whose management is viewed either as sustainable or unsustainable depending on the classification of the developed integrated index. The spider graph for South Africa showed an over-emphasis on food self-sufficiency and water productivity at the expense of other sectors. The deformed shape of the spider graph is a demonstration of the sectoral or “silo” approach in resource management. The calculated integrated WEF nexus index of 0.203 for South Africa classified the country under the low sustainability category. The developed model is a decision support tool that provides evidence for interventions in priority areas. The model demonstrates the capabilities of the WEF nexus to evaluate synergies and trade-offs in a systematic and integrated way to increases efficiency and productivity in resource management for sustainable development.
Case studies / Indicators / Sustainability / Living standards / Resilience / Climate change adaptation / Agricultural productivity / Water productivity / Water availability / Models / Nexus / Food security / Energy resources / Water resources
Record No:H049339
Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhamo, Luxon; Mpandeli, S.; Nhemachena, Charles; Senzanje, A.; Sobratee, N.; Chivenge, P. P.; Slotow, R.; Naidoo, D.; Liphadzi, S.; Modi, A. T. 2019.
The water–energy–food nexus as a tool to transform rural livelihoods and well-being in southern Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(16):1-20. (Special issue: Human Adaptation to Climate Change)
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About 60% of southern Africa’s population lives in rural areas with limited access to basic services and amenities such as clean and safe water, affordable and clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets. Resource scarcity has direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human health, and well-being of mostly poor rural communities. Climate change impacts in the region are manifesting through low crop yields, upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). This study applied a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus analytical livelihoods model with complex systems understanding to assess rural livelihoods, health, and well-being in southern Africa, recommending tailor-made adaptation strategies for the region aimed at building resilient rural communities. The WEF nexus is a decision support tool that improves rural livelihoods through integrated resource distribution, planning, and management, and ensures inclusive socio-economic transformation and development, and addresses related sustainable development goals, particularly goals 2, 3, 6 and 7. The integrated WEF nexus index for the region was calculated at 0.145, which is marginally sustainable, and indicating the region’s exposure to vulnerabilities, and reveals a major reason why the region fails to meet its developmental targets. The integrated relationship among WEF resources in southern Africa shows an imbalance and uneven resource allocation, utilisation and distribution, which normally results from a ‘siloed’ approach in resource management. The WEF nexus provides better adaptation options, as it guides decision making processes by identifying priority areas needing intervention, enhancing synergies, and minimising trade-offs necessary for resilient rural communities. Our results identified (i) the trade-offs and unintended negative consequences for poor rural households’ livelihoods of current silo approaches, (ii) mechanisms for sustainably enhancing household water, energy and food security, whilst (iii) providing direction for achieving SDGs 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Rural areas / SADC countries / Frameworks / Innovation / Indicators / Sustainable Development Goals / Climate change adaptation / Public health / Living standards / Rural communities / Food security / Energy generation / Water resources
Record No:H049315
Lynch, A. J.; Baumgartner, L. J.; Boys, C. A.; Conallin, J.; Cowx, I. G.; Finlayson, C. M.; Franklin, P. A.; Hogan, Z.; Koehn, J. D.; McCartney, Matthew P.; O’Brien, G.; Phouthavong, K.; Silva, L. G. M.; Tob, C. A.; Valbo-Jorgensen, J.; Vu, A. V.; Whiting, L.; Wibowo, A.; Duncan, P. 2019.
Speaking the same language: can the Sustainable Development Goals translate the needs of inland fisheries into irrigation decisions? Marine and Freshwater Research, 70(9):1211-1228.
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Irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries both make important contributions to food security, nutrition, livelihoods and wellbeing. Typically, in modern irrigation systems, these components operate independently. Some practices, commonly associated with water use and intensification of crop production can be in direct conflict with and have adverse effects on fisheries. Food security objectives may be compromised if fish are not considered in the design phases of irrigation systems. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a framework that can serve as a backdrop to help integrate both sectors in policy discussions and optimise their contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Inland fisheries systems do play an important role in supporting many SDG objectives, but these contributions can sometimes be at odds with irrigated agriculture. Using case studies of two globally important river catchments, namely the Lower Mekong and Murray–Darling basins, we highlight the conflicts and opportunities for improved outcomes between irrigated agriculture and inland fisheries. We explore SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as a path to advance our irrigation systems as a means to benefit both agriculture and inland fisheries, preserving biodiversity and enhancing the economic, environmental and social benefits they both provide to people.
Case studies / River basins / Decision making / Integrated management / Living standards / Social aspects / Ecological factors / Ecosystem services / Aquatic ecosystems / Irrigation systems / Food security / Sustainable Development Goals / Irrigated farming / Inland fisheries
Record No:H049308
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2019.
IWMI Strategy 2019-2023: innovative water solutions for sustainable development. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 36p.
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Fulltext (2.26 MB)
Data management / Sustainable Development Goals / Reuse / Resource recovery / Urbanization / Poverty / Agricultural productivity / Economic growth / Resilience / Natural resources / Communication / Models / Research and development / Partnerships / Empowerment / Women / Gender equity / Environmental impact assessment / Digital technology / Nexus / Food security / Food systems / Climate change / Ecosystems / Water availability / Water policy / Water use / Water supply / Water security / Water governance / Water scarcity / Water management / Water resources / Research institutes / Strategy planning
Record No:H049297
Clement, Floriane; Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Leder, Stephanie; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Saikia, Panchali; Bastakoti, Ram; Karki, Emma; van Koppen, Barbara. 2019.
From women's empowerment to food security: revisiting global discourses through a cross-country analysis. Global Food Security, 23:160-172.
[DOI] More... Global discourses have advocated womenapos;s empowerment as a means to enhance food security. Our objective was to critically review the causal linkages between womenapos;s empowerment and food availability and access. We relied on mixed methods and a cross-country analysis, using household survey data from Bangladesh, Nepal and Tajikistan and qualitative data from Nepal. The quantitative analysis highlights the diversity of patterns linking empowerment and food security indicators and the roles socio-economic determinants play in shaping these patterns across countries. The qualitative analysis further stresses the need for a truly intersectional approach in food security programmes that supports challenging the structural barriers that keep marginalised men and women food insecure. Lastly, our findings call for informing standardised measures of empowerment with an assessment of local meanings and values.
Strategies / Decision making / Social structure / Socioeconomic environment / Household consumption / Indicators / Malnutrition / Food shortages / Food access / Food supply / Empowerment / Women farmers / Gender / Food security
Record No:H049254
Saruchera, D.; Lautze, Jonathan. 2019.
Small reservoirs in Africa: a review and synthesis to strengthen future investment. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 45p.
(IWMI Working Paper 189) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.46 MB)
Small reservoirs are a critical coping mechanism in water-stressed rural areas in Africa, providing immense livelihood benefits that include improved food and water security, entrepreneurial activities and climate resilience. Challenges associated with the implementation of investments in small reservoirs include appropriate site selection, weak institutions, insufficient maintenance and sedimentation. The findings from this study suggest that the benefits of small reservoirs may be tapped more efficiently by rehabilitating old sites rather than building new infrastructure. However, the findings also point to broader lessons on the need to change the way of doing business, i.e., to adopt a long-term, more holistic approach (or model) to the construction and maintenance of small reservoirs that matches the degree of the challenge associated with sustainably tapping the benefits of the water that they store.
Case studies / Livestock / Empowerment / Women’s participation / Gender / Entrepreneurship / Rural communities / Socioeconomic development / Funding / Financing / State intervention / Nongovernmental organizations / Impact assessment / Land use / Environmental sustainability / Public health / Household income / Living standards / Food security / Performance indexes / Infrastructure / Sedimentation / Dams / Water users / Water use / Water supply / Water institutions / Water storage / Water availability / Cost benefit analysis / Reinvestment / Irrigation investment / Irrigation management / Rehabilitation / Reservoirs / Small scale systems
Record No:H049244
Sood, Aditya; Nicol, Alan; Arulingam, Indika. 2019.
Unpacking the water-energy-environment-food nexus: working across systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Working Paper 186) [DOI] More... |
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The increasing demand for water, energy and food, and the interdependence of these systems could lead to potential human conflict in the future. This was seen in the food crisis of 2008, which stirred a renewed interest in taking a quot;systemsquot; approach to managing resources. The initial flurry of activities led to many nexus frameworks, but there remains a gap between theory and its implementation. This paper tries to look at various frameworks and unpacks the concept of nexus in order to develop matrices to help quantify and understand the interlinkages between the nexus systems. It suggests multi-level and multi-system indices to measure the health of nexus systems and to identify the weak links. It is hoped that such frameworks can be used at country level, and eventually be used to measure and rank countries on the health of their systems. The paper suggests a questionnaire that can be used (after modifying for local conditions) to collect country-level institutional and political-economy data (which is difficult to get from online resources) to be used in the framework.
Decision making / Resource allocation / Resource management / Legislation / Sustainability / Risk management / Environmental impact assessment / Socioeconomic environment / Stakeholders / Ecosystem services / Nexus / Water governance / Water policy / Water institutions / Water security / Water availability / Energy sources / Energy generation / Food security / Food production
Record No:H049196
Balana, Bedru B.; Sanfo, S.; Barbier, B.; Williams, Timothy; Kolavalli, S. 2019.
Assessment of flood recession agriculture for food security in northern Ghana: an optimization modelling approach. Agricultural Systems, 173:536-543.
[DOI] More... Food insecurity is a recurrent problem in northern Ghana. Food grown during the rainy season is often insufficient to meet household food needs, with some households experiencing severe food insecurity for up to five months in a year. Flood recession agriculture (FRA) – an agricultural practice that relies on residual soil moisture and nutrients left by receding flood water – is ordinarily practiced by farmers along the floodplains of the White Volta River in northern Ghana under low-input low-output conditions. Opportunities abound to promote highly productive FRA as a means of extending the growing season beyond the short rainy season (from May to September) into the dry season and thereby increase household income and food security of smallholder farmers. This study uses an optimization modelling approach to explore this potential by analyzing the crop mix and agricultural water management options that will maximize household income and enhance food security. Results indicate that growing cowpea, groundnut and melon under residual-moisture based FRA and high value crops (onion, pepper, and tomato) under supplementary irrigation FRA maximize household income and food security. The cash income from the sale of FRA crops was sufficient to purchase food items that ensure consumption smoothing during the food-insecure months. The study concludes that the full potential of FRA will be realized through a careful selection of crop mixtures and by enhancing access of farmers to improved seeds, integrated pest management and credit and mainstreaming FRA through targeted policy interventions and institutional support.
Communities / Land allocation / Wet season / Dry season / Soil moisture / Rainfed farming / Farmers / Smallholders / Food consumption / Household income / Supplemental irrigation / Models / Food security / Crop production / Water management / Floodplains / Agricultural practices
Record No:H049190
Suhardiman, Diana; de Silva, Sanjiv; Arulingam, Indika; Rodrigo, Sashan; Nicol, Alan. 2019.
Review of water and climate adaptation financing and institutional frameworks in South Asia. Background Paper 3. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 110p.
(Climate Risks and Solutions: Adaptation Frameworks for Water Resources Planning, Development and Management in South Asia) [DOI] More... |
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Stakeholders / Coastal area / Irrigation systems / Risk management / Government agencies / Nongovernmental organizations / Cooperation / Domestic water / Climate-smart agriculture / Poverty / Population growth / Integrated management / Groundwater depletion / Surface water / Hydropower / Food production / Food security / Energy resources / Planning / Decision making / Landscape / Costs / Funding / Financing / Economic situation / Rainfall / Drought / Flooding / Climate change adaptation / International waters / Water governance / Water scarcity / Water institutions / Water supply / Water management / Water quality / Water availability / Water demand / Water resources development
Record No:H049186
Borgomeo, Edoardo; Santos, N. 2019.
Towards a new generation of policies and investments in agricultural water in the Arab region: fertile ground for innovation. Background paper prepared for the high level meeting on agricultural water policies and investments. : Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 124p.
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The Arab region needs a new generation of policies and investments in agricultural water. Agricultural water management has always posed challenges and opportunities in the Arab world. However, unprecedented and accelerating drivers such as climate change, population growth, and land degradation make agricultural water management a more urgent priority than ever before. In addition, as part of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, Arab countries have committed to work towards an ambitious set of development targets, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Unless the right policies and investments are put in place, it will be difficult to achieve the SDGs, including ending hunger and providing clean water and sanitation for all.
This paper is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute to foster dialogue on agricultural water policies and investments in the context of the FAO led Regional Water Scarcity initiative. The purpose of the paper is to frame the key challenges and opportunities in the sector – including emerging innovations in digital agriculture, water accounting, water supply and wastewater reuse – and to lay out broad strategic directions for action.
Case studies / Farmers / Gender / Social protection / Economic value / Public-private partnerships / Solar energy / Technology / Innovation / Water reuse / Wastewater / Climate change / Groundwater / Water resources / Water user associations / Water productivity / Water governance / Water scarcity / Water supply / Water security / Food security / Food policies / Agricultural development / Sustainable Development Goals / Funding / Irrigation investment / Agricultural policies / Water policy / Water management / Agricultural sector
Record No:H049659
Mabhaudhi, T.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Hlahla, S.; Massawe, F.; Mayes, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Modi, A. T. 2019.
Prospects of orphan crops in climate change. Planta, 250(3):695-708.
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Orphan crops play an important role in global food and nutrition security, and may have potential to contribute to sustainable food systems under climate change. Owing to reports of their potential under water scarcity, there is an argument to promote them to sustainably address challenges such as increasing drought and water scarcity, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, and employment creation under climate change. We conducted a scoping review using online databases to identify the prospects of orphan crops to contribute to (1) sustainable and healthy food systems, (2) genetic resources for future crop improvement, and (3) improving agricultural sustainability under climate change. The review found that, as a product of generations of landrace agriculture, several orphan crops are nutritious, resilient, and adapted to niche marginal agricultural environments. Including such orphan crops in the existing monocultural cropping systems could support more sustainable, nutritious, and diverse food systems in marginalised agricultural environments. Orphan crops also represent a broad gene pool for future crop improvement. The reduction in arable land due to climate change offers opportunities to expand the area under their production. Their suitability to marginal niche and low-input environments offers opportunities for low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an agro-ecosystems, production, and processing perspective. This, together with their status as a sub-set of agro-biodiversity, offers opportunities to address socio-economic and environmental challenges under climate change. With research and development, and policy to support them, orphan crops could play an important role in climate-change adaptation, especially in the global south.
Land use / Diversification / Research and development / Socioeconomic environment / Agrobiodiversity / Agroecosystems / Greenhouse gas emissions / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Cropping systems / Sustainability / Genetic diversity / Nutrition / Food systems / Food insecurity / Food security / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H049145
Akpoti, K.; Kabo-bah, A. T.; Zwart, Sander J. 2019.
Agricultural land suitability analysis: state-of-the-art and outlooks for integration of climate change analysis. Agricultural Systems, 173:172-208.
[DOI] More... Agricultural land suitability analysis (ALSA) for crop production is one of the key tools for ensuring sustainable agriculture and for attaining the current global food security goal in line with the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations. Although some review studies addressed land suitability, few of them specifically focused on land suitability analysis for agriculture. Furthermore, previous reviews have not reflected on the impact of climate change on future land suitability and how this can be addressed or integrated into ALSA methods. In the context of global environmental changes and sustainable agriculture debate, we showed from the current review that ALSA is a worldwide land use planning approach. We reported from the reviewed articles 69 frequently used factors in ALSA. These factors were further categorized in climatic conditions (16), nutrients and favorable soils (34 of soil and landscape), water availability in the root zone (8 for hydrology and irrigation) and socio-economic and technical requirements (11). Also, in getting a complete view of crop’s ecosystems and factors that can explain and improve yield, inherent local socio-economic factors should be considered. We showed that this aspect has been often omitted in most of the ALSA modeling with only 38% of the total reviewed article using socio-economic factors. Also, only 30% of the studies included uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in their modeling process. We found limited inclusions of climate change in the application of the ALSA. We emphasize that incorporating current and future climate change projections in ALSA is the way forward for sustainable or optimum agriculture and food security. To this end, qualitative and quantitative approaches must be integrated into a unique ALSA system (Hybrid Land Evaluation System - HLES) to improve the land evaluation approach.
Ecosystems / Socioeconomic environment / Water availability / Planning / Environmental impact / Food security / Crop modelling / Crop yield / Crop production / Machine learning / Climate change / Integration / Land use / Land suitability / Sustainable Development Goals / Sustainable agriculture / Agricultural land
Record No:H049142
Giordano, Meredith; Barron, J.; Unver, O. 2019.
Water scarcity and challenges for smallholder agriculture. In Campanhola, C.; Pandey, S. (Eds.). Sustainable food and agriculture: an integrated approach. London, UK: Academic Press; Rome, Italy: FAO. pp.75-94.
[DOI] More... Water availability for agriculture will become a growing constraint in areas already under environmental and social stress due to population growth, development, and climatic variability. This limits the potential for expanding irrigated areas and for sustainable intensification, and compromises the ability of smallholder farmers to cater to the increased demand for food. This chapter assesses the key global challenges to water availability and how increasing scarcity and competition for water resources are affecting agricultural productivity, especially that of smallholder producers in Asia and Africa. It further analyzes emerging water management practices that can be sustainably adapted to the needs of smallholder farmers. We provide evidence of the economic viability and potential to improve farmers’ income from such solutions. The opportunity for scaling up high-impact solutions is also assessed against available empirical evidence.
Policies / Investment / Household income / Living standards / Benefit-cost ratio / Pumps / Solar energy / Renewable energy / Irrigation water / Groundwater / Water storage / Water resources / Food security / Sustainability / Technology / Water management / Farmers / Agricultural sector / Smallholders / Water scarcity
Record No:H049548
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2019.
IWMI Annual report 2018. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 42p.
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Fulltext (4.35 MB)
Infrastructure / Financing / Investment / Resilience / Disaster prevention / Flood control / Wetlands / Farmers / Smallholders / Water user associations / Water conservation / Soil conservation / Pollution by agriculture / Water pollution / Resource management / Water accounting / Water governance / Water law / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation management / Solar energy / Food security / Research programmes / CGIAR / Sustainable Development Goals / Sustainable agriculture / Water management
Record No:H049534
Nhamo, Luxon; Matchaya, Greenwell; Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, Charles; Mpandeli, S. 2019.
Cereal production trends under climate change: impacts and adaptation strategies in Southern Africa. Agriculture, 9(2): 1-17.
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The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, coupled with increasing temperatures and declining rainfall totals, are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in southern Africa. Agriculture is the most affected sector as 95% of cultivated area is rainfed. This review addressed trends in moisture stress and the impacts on crop production, highlighting adaptation possible strategies to ensure food security in southern Africa. Notable changes in rainfall patterns and deficiencies in soil moisture are estimated and discussed, as well as the impact of rainfall variability on crop production and proposed adaptation strategies in agriculture. Climate moisture index (CMI) was used to assess aridity levels. Southern Africa is described as a climate hotspot due to increasing aridity, low adaptive capacity, underdevelopment and marginalisation. Although crop yields have been increasing due to increases in irrigated area and use of improved seed varieties, they have not been able to meet the food requirements of a growing population, compromising regional food security targets. Most countries in the region depend on international aid to supplement yield deficits. The recurrence of droughts caused by the El Nio Southern Oscillation (ENSO) continue devastating the region, affecting livelihoods, economies and the environment. An example is the 2015/2016 ENSO drought that caused the region to call for international aid to feed about 40 million people. In spite of the water scarcity challenges, cereal production continues to increase steadily due to increased investment in irrigated agriculture and improved crop varieties. Given the current and future vulnerability of the agriculture sector in southern Africa, proactive adaptation interventions are important to help farming communities develop resilient systems to adapt to the changes and variability in climate and other stressors.
Economic aspects / Food security / Water scarcity / Rainfall / Temperature / Flooding / Drought / Climate change adaptation / Maize / Cereal products / Agricultural sector / Agricultural policy / Agricultural production
Record No:H049086
Hecht, J. S.; Lacombe, Guillaume; Arias, M. E.; Duc Dang, T.; Piman, T. 2019.
Hydropower dams of the Mekong river basin: a review of their hydrological impacts. Journal of Hydrology, 568: 285-300.
[DOI] More... Hydropower production is altering the Mekong River basin’s riverine ecosystems, which contain the world’s largest inland fishery and provide food security and livelihoods to millions of people. The basin’s hydropower reservoir storage, which may rise from ~2% of its mean annual flow in 2008 to ~20% in 2025, is attenuating seasonal flow variability downstream of many dams with integral powerhouses and large storage reservoirs. In addition, tributary diversions for off-stream energy production are reducing downstream flows and augmenting them in recipient tributaries. To help manage tradeoffs between dam benefits (hydropower, irrigation, flood control, domestic water supply, and navigation) and their consequences for livelihoods and ecosystems, we review observed and projected impacts on river flows along both the Mekong mainstream and its tributaries. We include the effects of diversions and inter-basin transfers, which prior reviews of flow alteration in the Mekong basin have largely neglected. We also discuss the extent to which concurrent changes in climate, water demand, and land use, may offset or exacerbate hydropower-induced flow alteration. Our major recommendations for assessing hydrological impacts in the Mekong and other basins undergoing rapid hydropower development include synchronizing and integrating observational and modeling studies, improving the accuracy of reservoir water balances, evaluating multi-objective reservoir operating rules, examining hydropeaking-induced flow alteration, conducting multi-dam safety assessments, evaluating flow indicators relevant to local ecosystems and livelihoods, and considering alternative energy sources and reservoir sedimentation in long-term projections. Finally, we strongly recommend that dam impact studies consider hydrological alteration in conjunction with fish passage barriers, geomorphic changes and other contemporaneous stressors.
Land cover change / Climate change / Sedimentation / Renewable energy / Energy generation / Tributaries / Mainstreaming / Downstream / Living standards / Food security / Ecosystems / Hydrological factors / River basin management / Water demand / Water storage / Reservoir storage / Dams / Hydropower
Record No:H048985
Mapedza, Everisto; Tsegai, D.; Bruntrup, M.; McLeman, R. 2019.
Drought challenges: policy options for developing countries. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier 363p.
(Current Directions in Water Scarcity Research Volume 2) More...
Communities / Pastoralists / Rural areas / Social protection / Households / Living standards / SADC countries / Drylands / Semiarid zones / Indigenous knowledge / Conflicts / Migration / Farmers / Smallholders / Small scale farming / Gender / Impact assessment / Strategies / Rainwater harvesting / Sustainable land management / Forage / Livestock management / Crop insurance / Legumes / Maize / Intercropping / Nexus / Water scarcity / Energy / Food security / Forecasting / Remote sensing / Satellite observation / Monitoring / Resilience / Disaster preparedness / Early warning systems / Weather hazards / Adaptation / Climate change mitigation / Developing countries / Policies / Drought tolerance
Record No:H049366
Clement , F.; Nicol, Alan. 2019.
Gender, poverty and politics along the real-virtual water spectrum. In Allan, T.; Bromwich, B.; Keulertz, M.; Colman, A. (Eds.). The Oxford handbook of food, water and society. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press. pp.251-267.
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Labour / Markets / Irrigation management / Water security / Food security / Water use / Food production / Food systems / Political aspects / Virtual water / Poverty / s participation / Womenapos / Gender analysis
Record No:H049504
Williams, Timothy O. 2019.
Managing water for food and agricultural transformation in Africa: key issues and priorities. In Allan, T.; Bromwich, B.; Keulertz, M.; Colman, A. (Eds.). The Oxford handbook of food, water and society. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press. pp.470-487.
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Urbanization / Population growth / Nutrition security / Food security / Irrigation water / Imports / Food prices / Climate change / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Agricultural productivity / Agrifood systems / Integrated management / Water management
Record No:H049503
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2019.
IWMI Strategy 2019-2023: innovative water solutions for sustainable development. Summary. In Arabic. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p. (Also in English)
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Fulltext (252 KB)
Data management / Agriculture / Economic growth / Partnerships / Research programmes / Gender equality / Innovation / Digital technology / Resilience / Nexus / Food security / Climate change adaptation / Ecosystems / Sustainable Development Goals / Water policy / Water use / Water security / Water governance / Water management / Water resources / Research institutes / Strategy planning
Record No:H049499
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2019.
IWMI Strategy 2019-2023: innovative water solutions for sustainable development. Summary. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p. (Also in Arabic)
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Fulltext (1.27 MB)
Data management / Agriculture / Economic growth / Partnerships / Research programmes / Gender equality / Innovation / Digital technology / Resilience / Nexus / Food security / Climate change adaptation / Ecosystems / Sustainable Development Goals / Water policy / Water use / Water security / Water governance / Water management / Water resources / Research institutes / Strategy planning
Record No:H049498
Ngongi, N.; Pridmore, P.; Drechsel, Pay; van Veenhuizen, R. 2018.
Does Africa need controlled environment agriculture? Agriculture for Development, 34:1-4
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Low income areas / Diet / Periurban areas / Urban population / Urban areas / Poverty / Food security / Agriculture / Environment
Record No:H048929
Benin, S.; Ulimwengu, J.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Makombe, T.; Lorka, M.; Vodounhessi, A.; Tefera, W. 2018.
Mutual accountability in CAADP [Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme] and agricultural transformation. In Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). Africa agriculture status report: catalyzing government capacity to drive agricultural transformation (Issue 6). Nairobi, Kenya: Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). pp.150-184.
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Fulltext (13.6 MB)
Water governance / Resource allocation / Assessment / Accountability / Policy making / Nutrition / Food security / Infrastructure / Stakeholders / Development programmes / Agricultural sector / Agricultural policy / Agricultural development
Record No:H048892
Karki, M.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Okayasu, S.; Suzuki, W.; Acosta, L. A.; Alhafedh, Y.; Anticamara, J. A.; Ausseil, A.-G.; Davies, K.; Gasparatos, A.; Gundimeda, H.; Ibrahim, F.-H.; Kohsaka, R.; Kumar, R.; Managi, S.; Ning, W.; Rajvanshi, A.; Rawat, G. S.; Riordan, P.; Sharma, S.; Virk, A.; Wang, C.; Yahara, T.; Yeo-Chang, Y. 2018.
The regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Asia and the Pacific.Summary for policymakers. Bonn, Germany: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) 44p.
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Forest management / Food security / Waste management / Economic growth / Poverty / Sustainable development / Natural resources / Policy making / Biodiversity / Ecosystem services
Record No:H048875
Acheampong, D.; Balana, Bedru B.; Nimoh, F.; Abaidoo, R. C. 2018.
Assessing the effectiveness and impact of agricultural water management interventions: the case of small reservoirs in northern Ghana. Agricultural Water Management, 209: 163-170.
[DOI] More... Agricultural water management, particularly management of multi-purpose small reservoirs (SRs) in drier savanna areas of the northern Ghana, is being promoted as a key solution to improve agricultural production, enhance food security and livelihoods of smallholder farm households. However, little empirical evidence exist on how effective these small water infrastructures are in terms of delivering multiple benefits and their impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. This study assessed the effectiveness and impact of the small reservoirs on smallholder vegetable farmers in northern Ghana. A participatory rating method using a 5-point Likert-scale was used to assess the effectiveness of SRs in delivering multiple livelihood benefits and an endogenous switching regression model was applied to assess the SRs’ impact using a primary data collected from 328 randomly sampled vegetable farmers. Results from the Likert scale analysis show that most of the SRs are either dysfunctional or underutilized and not effective in delivering multiple benefits. Results from the endogenous switching regression model show that there is only about 3% increase in the income of vegetable farmers participating in irrigated vegetable production using SRs against the counterfactual situation but this change is insignificant statistically. The current low level effectiveness and impact of SRs could be enhanced by improving their management, for example, through the provision of incentive mechanisms such as subsidies to the private sector involvement in rehabilitation, management and irrigation service provision and strengthening the capacity of existing water users associations. Furthermore, small reserviors should be recognized not only as water sources for small scale irrigation but also as providers of multiple livelihood benefits to local communities and consequently should attract due attention in public resource allocation in their rehabilitation and management/institutional capacity building.
Community involvement / Farm income / Irrigated farming / Farmers / Households / Living standards / Food security / Vegetable growing / Smallholders / Reservoir operation / Water management / Agriculture
Record No:H048872
Ferrer, A. J.; Yen, B. T.; Kura, Y.; Minh, N. D.; Pavelic, Paul; Amjath-Babu, T. S.; Sebastian, L. 2018.
Analyzing farm household strategies for food security and climate resilience: the case of climate-smart villages of Southeast Asia. Wageningen, Netherlands: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) 31p.
(CCAFS Working Paper 248) More... |
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This paper develops a conceptual framework with an indicator-based approach to assess Climate-Smart Villages (CSVs) and applies it to case study sites in Lao PDR (Ekxang CSV), Cambodia (Rohal Suong CSV), and Vietnam (Tra Hat CSV) in Southeast Asia. The intensification, extensification, diversification, commercialization, alteration of practices, use of common lands, migration strategies that can augment climate resilience, farm income, assets, and food security are assessed based on a composite index of the strategies and key outcome variables. The study demonstrates a method that can be applied widely for assessing climate-smart agriculture strategies and finding possible entry points for climate-smart interventions. The influence of gender in resource control and livelihood strategies is also discussed. It is also evident that the climate-smart interventions can augment different livelihood strategies of farmers and enhance the developmental and climate resilience outcomes. There is a need to prioritize the possible interventions in each case and implement them with the help of donor agencies, local institutions, and government offices.
Case studies / Assets / Migration / Gender / Irrigation canals / Land use / Commercialization / Diversification / Extensification / Intensification / Agricultural production / Villages / Climate-smart agriculture / Indicators / Living standards / Strategies / Household income / Farmers / Resilience / Climate change / Food security
Record No:H049238
Kadyampakeni, Davie; Appoh, Richard; Barron, Jennie; Boakye-Acheampong, Enoch. 2018.
Analysis of water quality of selected irrigation water sources in northern Ghana. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 18(4):1308-1317.
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation continues to cushion the food security gap in sub-Saharan Africa. Irrigation is largely governed by water availability, soil type and crop water requirements, among other factors. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the suitability of various water sources for irrigation in northern Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to assess quality of water sources in the Savelugu, Kasena-Nankana East, and Nabdam districts for small-scale irrigation development. The water quality parameters used were: pH, electrical conductivity (ECw), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percent (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Kelleyapos;s ratio (KR), total hardness (TH), Chloride (Cl), E. coli, and Faecal coliforms. While we found most of the irrigation water sources, including small reservoirs, dams, wells and rivers suitable, few unsuitable irrigation water sources were also identified. Overall, the study found that opportunities for scaling small-scale irrigation exist in all the sites. The knowledge generated from this study will guide irrigation water use, and agricultural policy for sustainable smallholder irrigation development in the region.
Biological contamination / pH / Rivers / Agricultural policy / Chemical compounds / Electrical conductivity / Food security / Small scale systems / Wells / Salinity / Reservoir operation / Irrigation operation / Irrigation water / Water requirements / Water availability / Water storage / Water quality
Record No:H048787
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2018.
Strengthening participatory irrigation management in Tajikistan. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p.
(IWMI Water Policy Brief 41) [DOI] More... |
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Rural communities / Women’s participation / Crop production / Food security / Agricultural extension / Collective farms / Farm managers / Farmers / Training programmes / Water user associations / Water governance / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management / Participatory management
Record No:H048783
Aarnoudse, E.; Closas, Alvar; Lefore, Nicole. 2018.
Water user associations: a review of approaches and alternative management options for Sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Working Paper 180) [DOI] More... |
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Building on existing literature and the analysis of a portfolio of development projects (past and under implementation), this paper reviews the evolution of water user associations (WUAs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), reflecting on the conceptualization of how they operate, and the promised outcomes related to irrigation development, and the efficient and effective delivery of irrigation services. It also moves one step further from existing studies on WUAs, postulating that additional reflection is needed to understand the limitations of WUAs and proposes alternative, viable and context-based adapted models. This need is particularly strong in SSA where irrigation is incipient, and governments and donors are still consolidating their development approaches. Whereas a growing body of international literature takes into account the sociopolitical context of decentralized irrigation management, practical indication on what remains to be done to address the various limitations found in SSA stays meagre and scattered. The objective of this paper is not to challenge the myth of WUAs but to learn how to better deliver on the promised outcomes. The underlying message is that, if the SSA region is to be made water and food secure while respecting resource sustainability, community development, livelihoods and equality of resource access, the recurrent templates for WUA management and governance need to be revisited and adapted to local needs.
Public authorities / Alternative methods / Socioeconomic environment / Agricultural productivity / Public participation / Participatory approaches / Community development / Cost recovery / Food security / Investment / Decision making / Irrigation water / Irrigation management / Irrigation systems / Groundwater irrigation / Surface water / Partnerships / Public-private cooperation / Stakeholders / Water distribution / Water policy / Water governance / Water resources / Water security / Water management / Water user associations
Record No:H048782
Marshall, F.; Dolley, J.; Bisht, R.; Priya, R.; Waldman, L.; Amerasinghe, Priyanie; Randhawa, P. 2018.
Ecosystem services and poverty alleviation in urbanising contexts. In Schreckenberg, K.; Mace, G.; Poudyal, M. (Eds.). Ecosystem services and poverty alleviation: trade-offs and governance. London, UK: Routledge. pp.111-125.
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Living standards / Food security / Sustainable development / Economic aspects / Rural communities / Agriculture / Environmental legislation / Environmental management / Urbanization / Urban areas / Poverty / Ecosystem services
Record No:H048775
Matthews, N.; McCartney, Matthew. 2018.
Opportunities for building resilience and lessons for navigating risks: dams and the water energy food nexus. Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 37(1):56-61.
[DOI] More... After a hiatus through the 1990s and the early part of this century, rising energy demand, new private sector financing options and countries pursuing food security, modernization and economic growth have spurred a new era of large dam development. Currently an estimated 3700 dams are planned or under construction globally (Zarfl et al., [2015] 77, 161–170). Many of the challenges faced in the context of the water-energy-food nexus are brought into sharp focus by large dam construction. Dams can safeguard food production, provide an important source of income and relatively cheap electricity, and can have direct and indirect benefits for poor people. Too often, however, they have created significant and poorly mitigated environmental and social costs (WCD, [2000] London: Earthscan Publications Ltd). Adverse impacts on ecosystem services caused by dam construction can have profound implications for the health, resilience and livelihoods of the poor. This article explores the challenges facing decision makers with regards to building resilience and navigating risk within the water-energy-food nexus and dams. It draws from two progressive case studies, one in Africa and one in Asia, to highlight lessons learned from nexus approaches including the need for meaningful participation, transparency in decision making, and valuing ecosystem services. The case studies examined contain relevant lessons for global agreements including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement because unlike the Millennium Development Goals, they are expected to address interlinkages and tradeoffs across the nexus. The implications of the increasing trend of public private partnerships to finance, build, and operate hydropower dams is discussed. The article concludes by demonstrating that although mitigating impacts across the nexus and social-ecological resilience presents challenges and requires overcoming complexity, the need to tackle these is greater than ever.
Case studies / Rivers / Flooding / Social impact / Environmental impact / Decision making / Income / Food security / Energy / Dam construction / Resilience / Ecosystem services / Hydropower
Record No:H048124
Nhamo, Luxon; Ndlela, B.; Nhemachena, Charles; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Matchaya, Greenwell. 2018.
The water-energy-food nexus: climate risks and opportunities in southern Africa. Water, 10(5):1-18.
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The discourse on the need for water, energy, and food security has dominated the development agenda of southern African countries, centred on improving livelihoods, building resilience, and regional integration. About 60% of the population in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) live in rural areas relying mainly on rainfed agriculture, lacking access to clean water and energy, yet the region is endowed with vast natural resources. The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a conceptual framework that presents opportunities for greater resource coordination, management, and policy convergence across sectors. This is particularly relevant in the SADC region as resources are transboundary and supports efforts linked to regional integration and inclusive socio-economic development and security. We conducted an appraisal of WEF-related policies and institutions in SADC and identified linkages among them. The present ‘silo’ approach in resource management and allocation, often conducted at the national level, contributes to the region’s failure to meet its development targets, exacerbating its vulnerabilities. The lack of coordination of WEF nexus synergies and trade-offs in planning often threatens the sustainability of development initiatives. We highlighted the importance of the WEF nexus to sustainably address the sectoral coordination of resources through harmonised institutions and policies, as well as setting targets and indicators to direct and monitor nexus developments. We illustrate the significance of the nexus in promoting inclusive development and transforming vulnerable communities into resilient societies. The study recommends a set of integrated assessment models to monitor and evaluate the implementation of WEF nexus targets. Going forward, we propose the adoption of a regional WEF nexus framework.
Assessment / Models / Policies / Institutions / Regional development / SADC countries / Agricultural production / Poverty / Living standards / Sustainable Development Goals / River basins / International waters / Resilience / Climate change / Nexus / Food security / Energy resources / Water availability / Water resources
Record No:H048729
Hanjra, Munir A.; Lydecker, M.; Drechsel, Pay; Paul, Johannes. 2018.
Rural-urban food and nutrient dynamics and nutrient recovery from waste in developing countries. In Zeunert, J.; Waterman. T. (Eds.). Routledge handbook of landscape and food. Routledge: Oxon, UK. pp.344-365.
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Policy making / Sanitation / Organic matter / Landscape / Faecal sludge / Solid wastes / Food production / Food security / Nutrients / Urban areas / Rural areas / Resource recovery / Wastewater irrigation / Waste management / Developing countries
Record No:H048533
Hanjra, Munir A.; Wichelns, D.; Drechsel, Pay. 2018.
Investing in water management in rural and urban landscapes to achieve and sustain global food security. In Zeunert, J.; Waterman. T. (Eds.). Routledge handbook of landscape and food. Routledge: Oxon, UK. pp.278-295.
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Groundwater / Periurban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Sustainable agriculture / Nutrients / Resource recovery / Wastewater treatment / Saline water / Waterlogging / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Downstream / Upstream / Developing countries / Climate change / Investment / Food production / Food security / Landscape / Urban areas / Rural areas / Water use / Water resources / Water security / Water management
Record No:H048532
Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, C. R.; Karuaihe, S.; Muchara, B.; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2018.
Measuring baseline agriculture-related sustainable development goals index for southern Africa. Sustainability, 10(3):1-16.
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Sustainable development has become the main focus of the global development agenda as presented in the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, for countries to assess progress, they need to have reliable baseline indicators. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a composite baseline index of the agriculture-related SDGs in Southern Africa to guide progress reporting. The paper identified eight of the SDG indicators related to the agriculture sector. The paper relies on data for indicators from five SDGs (SDGs 1, 2, 6, 7 and 15). Applying the arithmetic mean method of aggregation, an agriculture-related SDG composite index for Southern Africa between zero (0 = poor performance) and 100 (best possible performance) was computed for thirteen countries that had data on all identified indicators. The results show that the best performing countries (Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa) in the assessment recorded high scores in SDGs 1, 2 and 7. The three countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Madagascar) that performed poorly on both SDG 1 and 2 also had the least scores on the overall agriculture-related SDG composite index. The water stress indicator for SDG 6 recorded the worst performance among most countries in the region. Possible approaches to improve the contribution of agriculture to SDGs may include investing more resources in priority areas for each agriculture-related SDG depending on baseline country conditions. The implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional and continental commitments in the agriculture sector and the SDGs are critical for achievement of the targets at the national and local levels. While the methods employed are well-grounded in literature, data unavailability for some of the SDGs in some countries presented a limitation to the study, and future efforts should focus on collecting data for the other SDGs in order to permit a wider application.
Food security / Poverty / Agricultural policy / Agricultural sector / Agriculture / Sustainable Development Goals
Record No:H048613
Otoo, Miriam; Lefore, Nicole; Schmitter, Petra; Barron, Jennie; Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria. 2018.
Business model scenarios and suitability: smallholder solar pump-based irrigation in Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management – Making a Business Case for Smallholders. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 67p.
(IWMI Research Report 172) [DOI] More... |
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This report outlines a business model approach to assessing the feasibility and for encouraging investment in smallholder solar pump irrigation. It also proposes a new methodology for mapping the suitability of solar energy-based irrigation pumps. The proposed business model framework and the methodology for suitability mapping are applied to Ethiopia as a case study, based on data from existing case studies and reports. A brief analysis outlines the regulatory and institutional context for investment in solar pump irrigation, and the ways in which it both constrains and attempts to support investment. The report identifies and outlines three business model scenarios that present opportunities for investing in smallholder solar pump-based irrigation, which would contribute towards sustainable intensification for food and nutrition security. The business model scenarios are based on the value proposition of supplying water to smallholder farmers for irrigated agricultural production. Analysis of potential gains and benefits suggests that direct purchase of solar pumps by farmers is feasible, and that out-grower schemes and pump supplier options with bundled financing offer promising solutions. The potential constraints that different investors may face in up-scaling the business models are also discussed, particularly within institutional, regulatory and financial contexts. The report provides development actors and investors with evidence-based information on the suitability and sustainability of solar pump irrigation in Ethiopia, as well as suggestions for helping to enable smallholders to invest in individually-owned, smallholder photovoltaic (PV) solar pumps.
Innovation scaling / Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / s participation / Womenapos / Small scale systems / Markets / Rural communities / Regulations / Groundwater / Water management / Water supply / Nutrition / Food security / Intensification / Investment / Agricultural production / Irrigated farming / Economic aspects / Supply chain / Financing / Agricultural financial policy / Renewable energy / Policy making / Corporate culture / Environmental impact / Environmental sustainability / Alternative methods / Farmers / Smallholders / Pumping / Irrigation practices / Irrigation methods / Energy policies / Solar energy / Models / Business management
Record No:H048583
Karki, M.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Okayasu, S.; Suzuki, W. 2018.
The regional assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services for Asia and the Pacific. Bonn, Germany: Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) 616p.
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Coastal area / Wetlands / Freshwater / Forest resources / Legal aspects / Environmental management / Public health / Living standards / Food security / Water security / Watershed management / International waters / Waste management / Urbanization / Natural resources management / Socioeconomic environment / Governance / Climate change / Freshwater / Pesticides / Pest control / Infrastructure / Economic growth / Coral reefs / Assessment / Policy making / Decision making / Ecosystem services / Biodiversity conservation
Record No:H049096
Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, C. R. 2018.
Exploring ways to increase public investments in agricultural water management and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity in Southern Africa. Water SA, 44(3): 474-481.
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This paper explores ways to increase public investments in agricultural water management and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity in Southern Africa, with a specific focus on Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. The analysis was based on a critical review of literature and assessment of the national agricultural investment plans and agricultural/water policies in the study countries. Despite the potential to improve agricultural productivity, irrigation does not currently play a significant role in Southern African agriculture. There have been efforts and formal commitments at the continental, regional and country levels to promote investments in agricultural water management and irrigation to improve and sustain agricultural productivity. However, despite these commitments, actual implementation has been a challenge and the first 5 years of national agricultural investment plans have passed or are now coming to an end without much progress having been made regarding actual investments. Lack of adequate resources and institutional capacity have been some of the challenges affecting implementation of the investment plans to meet commitments in sustainable land and water management. Overall, as countries plan for the second phase of the CAADP programme, there are opportunities to ensure that investments in agricultural water management and irrigation and complementary technologies are prioritised and allocated adequate resources for implementation.
Subsistence / Rural areas / Farmers / Sustainability / Land management / Policy making / Food security / Natural resources management / Water storage / Water use efficiency / Water policy / Productivity / Irrigation management / Water management / Agriculture / Public investment
Record No:H049102
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2018.
Upper river basin watersheds: sustainable, equitable and profitable interventions. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 12p.
(Towards Sustainable Intensification: Insights and Solutions Brief 6) [DOI] More... |
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The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) has conducted innovative research in the upper watersheds of the Ganges, Mekong, Red and Nile river basins. WLE sought to identify how to improve people’s livelihoods in ways that are equitable, profitable and sustainable, while also improving ecosystem services locally and downstream. The research specifically examined the impact of interventions spanning several sectors, including water, food, energy and trade. This brief presents results, insights and tools that can be adopted and applied elsewhere. Escaping from the confines of narrow sectoral investments and adopting an integrated, ecosystems-focused approach can lead to more sustainable, profitable and equitable use and development of upper watershed landscapes.
Infrastructure / Capacity building / Trade policies / Integrated management / Upstream / Downstream / Hydroelectric power / Participatory approaches / Food security / Local communities / Landscape / Investment / Ecosystem services / Living standards / Watershed management / River basins / Intervention / Profitability / Equity / Intensification / Sustainability
Record No:H048503
Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Nhemachena, Charles; Senzanje, A.; Naidoo, D.; Modi, A. T. 2018.
Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in Southern Africa: linking water, energy and food. Water, 10(12):1-16.
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Increasing agricultural productivity has always been a prominent feature on the regional agenda due to a high incidence of food and nutrition insecurity. This review assessed the current status of irrigated agriculture in southern Africa from a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus perspective. Gaps and opportunities for improving irrigated agriculture within the context of the WEF nexus were also assessed in terms of the feasible limits to which they can be exploited. Southern Africa faces water scarcity, and climate projections show that member states will face increased physical and/or economic water scarcity by as early as 2025, which will have negative impacts on water, energy and food production. Recurrent droughts experienced across the region reaffirm the sensitive issues of food and energy insecurity as well as water scarcity. Projections of an increasing population within the region indicate increased water, energy and food demand. With agriculture already accounting for about 70% of water withdrawals, increasing the area under irrigation will place additional demand on already strained energy grids and scarce water resources. This poses the question—is increasing irrigated agriculture a solution to improving water access, food security and energy supply? While there are prospects for increasing the area under irrigation and subsequent improvement in agricultural productivity, adopting a WEF nexus approach in doing so would mitigate trade-offs and unintended consequences. Consideration of the WEF nexus in integrated resources planning and management eliminates the possibilities of transferring problems from one sector to other, as it manages synergies and trade-offs. While it is acknowledged that improving water productivity in irrigated agriculture could reduce water and energy use while increasing yield output, there is a need to decide how such savings would then be reallocated. Any intervention to increase the irrigated area should be done in the context of a WEF nexus analytical framework to guide policy and decision-making. Technical planning should evolve around the WEF nexus approach in setting targets, as WEF nexus indicators would reveal the performance and impact of proposed interventions on any of the three WEF nexus components.
Capacity building / Farmers / Smallholders / Dams / Infrastructure / Nexus / Energy resources / Water accounting / Water productivity / Food production / Food insecurity / Food security / Agriculture / Irrigated farming / Small scale farming / Farming systems
Record No:H049042
Akoto-Danso, E. K.; Karg, H.; Drechsel, Pay; Nyarko, G.; Buerkert, A. 2018.
Virtual water flow in food trade systems of two West African cities. Agricultural Water Management, 213: 760-772.
[DOI] More... Rapid urban growth in sub-Saharan Africa challenges food supply of cities. As food and other organic matter are transported from production areas to consumption points, water, which has been used for their production, is transported virtually. This study aimed at determining the magnitude and sources of virtual water flows in food trade of two West African cities, in order to better assess food provisioning risks and water resource use and planning. To this end, flows of unprocessed food from local, regional, national and international sources were systematically recorded at all roads leading to Tamale, Ghana and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The survey was conducted within two years covering the peak (November - December) and lean season (March - April), respectively, for six days in a row. Virtual water flows were computed by multiplying the flow quantities (t yr-1) by their respective virtual water contents (m3 t-1). Results showed that virtual water of all food commodities imported to Tamale and Ouagadougou were 514 and 2105 million m3 yr-1 respectively, out of which 68% and 40% were re-exported to other regions of the country. The data also showed major seasonal variation in virtual water flows across the year. Reflecting their dominating role in local diets, cereals contributed most to the total virtual water inflows in both cities. Southern Ghana is the major net virtual water importer from Tamale through cereals, legumes, vegetables, and livestock. The Northern Region of Ghana, on the other hand, is a net exporter of virtual water in all food groups apart from fruits. In Ouagadougou, large flows of virtual water were imported in cereals, specifically rice from Asian countries, via Ivory Coast.
Diet / Cereals / Seasonal cropping / Crop production / Planning / Water balance / Water requirements / Water use / Water resources / Organic matter / Food consumption / Food production / Food supply / Food security / Water flow / Virtual water
Record No:H049029
Drechsel, Pay; Karg, H. 2018.
Food flows and waste: planning for the dirty side of urban food security. In Cabannes, Y.; Marocchino, C. (Eds.). Integrating Food into Urban Planning. London, UK: UCL Press; Rome, Italy: FAO. pp.154-170.
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Crop residues / Resource recovery / Nutrients / Economic aspects / Sustainability / Water reuse / Waste management / Wastewater treatment / Metabolism / Planning / Urban wastes / Urban areas / Virtual water / Food production / Food consumption / Food policy / Food wastes / Food supply / Food security
Record No:H049030
FAO; International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2018.
Assessing and planning city region food system: Colombo (Sri Lanka) synthesis report. Rome, Italy: FAO 90p.
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This report is the result of the implementation of an assessment methodology for Colombo and its city region food system (CRFS).
Colombo stands as a unique city in Sri Lanka due to the complexity of its socio-demographic profile and the diverse food items that arrive through multiple channels. The busy and complex lifestyle of its inhabitants, together with the floating population of the city, creates a high demand for catering services that supply prepared food for direct consumption. In addition, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) acts as the national hub for imported food items and the regional hub for vegetable and fruit. As a result, Colombo has one of the most complex food systems in Sri Lanka.
The aims of the CRFS assessment include: to better understand the functioning the Colombo food system; to examine the current and future constraints on food security and safety, with respect to the challenges of urban growth, diversity, lifestyle and dynamics; to explore the sustainability and resilience of the Colombo CRFS; and to seek to improve the livelihoods of rural and urban dwellers now and in the future.
Policies / Stakeholders / Natural resources management / Climate change / Food losses / Food wastes / Food processing / Nutrition / Food security / Food consumption / Food safety / Commodities / Markets / Value chains / Food production / Planning / Assessment / Rural-urban food supply chains / Food systems
Record No:H050831
Schreiner, B.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2018.
Establishing hybrid water use rights systems in Sub-Saharan Africa: a practical guide for managers. : Pretoria, South Africa: Pegasys Institute; Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 48p.
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Financing / Legal aspects / Regulations / State intervention / Sustainable Development Goals / Food security / Catchment areas / Irrigation management / Customary law / Monitoring / Smallholders / Economic aspects / Rural communities / Guidelines / Water management / Water resources / Water rights / Water use
Record No:H048975
Ringler, C.; Choufani, J.; Chase, C.; McCartney, Matthew; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Mekonnen, D.; Dickens, Chris. 2018.
Meeting the nutrition and water targets of the Sustainable Development Goals: achieving progress through linked interventions. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE); Washington, DC, USA: The World Bank 24p.
(WLE Research for Development (R4D) Learning Series 7) [DOI] More... |
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Water and nutrition are linked in multiple ways, but few of these interlinkages are well understood. What is, for example, the exact relationship between water pollution and health or between water resource management and nutrition? Even less is known about the interactions across these various linkages. The importance of better understanding these connections has been highlighted as we pursue the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which challenge mankind to meet both water security as well as food and nutrition security goals, while also improving water-based ecosystems. It has become increasingly clear that progress toward these goals can only be achieved if measures in the food and nutrition space (SDG 2) do not constrain progress on water (SDG 6) and if measures undertaken to support targets under one of these SGDs also support the outcomes of the other. This paper provides an overview of water–nutrition linkages as reflected in the SDGs, and it identifies key gaps in these linkages and suggests a way forward to support the achievement of both water and nutrition goals and targets.
Irrigation water / Risk management / Communities / Ecosystem services / Wastewater treatment / Public health / Landscape / Equity / Economic aspects / Policy making / Climate change / Drinking water / Agricultural systems / Sustainable agriculture / Diet / Food production / Food security / Sanitation / Waterborne diseases / Water availability / Water use / Water pollution / Water security / Water quality / Water supply / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Nutrition / Sustainable Development Goals / Learning / Research and development
Record No:H048974
Nakawuka, Prossie; Langan, S.; Schmitter, Petra; Barron, Jennie. 2018.
A review of trends, constraints and opportunities of smallholder irrigation in East Africa. Global Food Security, 17:196-212.
[DOI] More... Smallholder irrigation expansion would signi cantly increase agricultural production, and reduce food insecurity and poverty levels in East Africa. This paper reviews literature on trends, constraints and opportunities of smallholder irrigation in four East African countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Irrigation development has been slow in these countries, and has been mainly through traditional schemes. Recently, individual irrigation technologies such as small motorized pumps, drip kits, treadle pumps, rope and washer pumpsarebeing promoted.Adoption ofthesetechnologiesandexpansion ofsmallholder irrigationhoweverface a number of challenges including land tenure issues; lack of access to appropriate irrigation technologies, improved agricultural inputs, reliable markets, nance and credit services, and research support; poor transport and communication infrastructures; poor irrigation water management; poor extension systems; and the over dependence on national governments, NGOs and donors for support. Despite these challenges, opportunities exist for smallholder irrigation expansion in East Africa. Such opportunities include: high untapped irrigation potential; rainwater harvesting to improve water availability; high commitment of national governments, NGOs and donors to smallholder irrigation expansion; low cost irrigation technologies adaptable to local conditions; traditional schemes rehabilitation;growing urbanization; and increaseduse ofmobilephones thatcanbeused to disseminate information.
Training / Farmer-led irrigation / Capacity building / Traditional farming / Urbanization / Seed / Markets / Livestock production / Crop production / Population growth / Cultivation / Rainwater harvesting / Nongovernmental organizations / State intervention / Water management / Water resources / Land management / Land tenure / Pumps / Poverty / Agricultural production / Farmers / Smallholders / Irrigation management / Food security
Record No:H048965
Mpandeli, S.; Naidoo, D.; Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhemachena, Charles; Nhamo, Luxon; Liphadzi, S.; Hlahla, S.; Modi, A. T. 2018.
Climate change adaptation through the water-energy-food nexus in southern Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10):1-19
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Climate change is a complex and cross-cutting problem that needs an integrated and transformative systems approach to respond to the challenge. Current sectoral approaches to climate change adaptation initiatives often create imbalances and retard sustainable development. Regional and international literature on climate change adaptation opportunities and challenges applicable to southern Africa from a water-energy-food (WEF) nexus perspective was reviewed. Specifically, this review highlights climate change impacts on water, energy, and food resources in southern Africa, while exploring mitigation and adaptation opportunities. The review further recommends strategies to develop cross-sectoral sustainable measures aimed at building resilient communities. Regional WEF nexus related institutions and legal frameworks were also reviewed to relate the WEF nexus to policy. Southern Africa is witnessing an increased frequency and intensity in climate change-associated extreme weather events, causing water, food, and energy insecurity. A projected reduction of 20% in annual rainfall by 2080 in southern Africa will only increase the regional socio-economic challenges. This is exacerbating regional resource scarcities and vulnerabilities. It will also have direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human well-being, and health. Reduced agricultural production, lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and clean, sustainable energy are the major areas of concern. The region is already experiencing an upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). What is clear is that climate change impacts are cross-sectoral and multidimensional, and therefore require cross-sectoral mitigation and adaptation approaches. In this regard, a wellcoordinated and integrated WEF nexus approach offers opportunities to build resilient systems, harmonise interventions, and mitigate trade-offs and hence improve sustainability. This would be achieved through greater resource mobilisation and coordination, policy convergence across sectors, and targeting nexus points in the landscape. The WEF nexus approach has potential to increase the resilience of marginalised communities in southern Africa by contributing towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 13).
Hydropower / Nutrition / Economic aspects / Public health / Sanitation / Agricultural production / Communities / Sustainable development / Nexus / Food security / Food resources / Energy resources / Water management / Water resources / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H048960
Lacombe, Guillaume; Valentin, C.; Sounyafong, P.; de Rouw, A.; Soulileuth, B.; Silvera, N.; Pierret, A.; Sengtaheuanghoung, O.; Ribolzi, O. 2018.
Linking crop structure, throughfall, soil surface conditions, runoff and soil detachment: 10 land uses analyzed in northern Laos. Science of the Total Environment, 616-617:1330-1338.
[DOI] More... In Montane Southeast Asia, deforestation and unsuitable combinations of crops and agricultural practices degrade soils at an unprecedented rate. Typically, smallholder farmers gain income from “available” land by replacing fallow or secondary forest by perennial crops. We aimed to understand how these practices increase or reduce soil erosion. Ten land uses were monitored in Northern Laos during the 2015 monsoon, using local farmersapos; fields. Experiments included plots of the conventional system (food crops and fallow), and land uses corresponding to new market opportunities (e.g. commercial tree plantations). Land uses were characterized by measuring plant cover and plant mean height per vegetation layer. Recorded meteorological variables included rainfall intensity, throughfall amount, throughfall kinetic energy (TKE), and raindrop size. Runoff coefficient, soil loss, and the percentage areas of soil surface types (free aggregates and gravel; crusts; macro-faunal, vegetal and pedestal features; plant litter) were derived from observations and measurements in 1-m2 micro-plots. Relationships between these variables were explored with multiple regression analyses. Our results indicate that TKE induces soil crusting and soil loss. By reducing rainfall infiltration, crusted area enhances runoff, which removes and transports soil particles detached by splash over non-crusted areas. TKE is lower under land uses reducing the velocity of raindrops and/or preventing an increase in their size. Optimal vegetation structures combine minimum height of the lowest layer (to reduce drop velocity at ground level) and maximum coverage (to intercept the largest amount of rainfall), as exemplified by broom grass (Thysanolaena latifolia). In contrast, high canopies with large leaves will increase TKE by enlarging raindrops, as exemplified by teak trees (Tectona grandis), unless a protective understorey exists under the trees. Policies that ban the burning of multi-layered vegetation structure under tree plantations should be enforced. Shade-tolerant shrubs and grasses with potential economic return could be promoted as understorey.
Concentrating / Sediment / Concentrating / Sediment / Land use / Catchment areas / Infiltration / Rain / Vegetation / Plantations / Food security / Sloping land / Runoff / Erosion / Soil surface properties / Land useCrops / Catchment areas / Infiltration / Rain / Vegetation / Plantations / Food security / Sloping land / Runoff / Erosion / Soil surface properties / Crops
Record No:H048341
van Koppen, Barbara; Tapela, B. N.; Mapedza, Everisto. 2018.
Joint ventures in the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa: a history of smallholders, states and business. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Research Report 171) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (703 KB)
The report analyzes the changing tripartite constellations between South African black smallholders, the pre- and post-apartheid state, and the country’s large-scale agribusiness and irrigation industry. A recent mode of farming is the ‘joint venture’, in which smallholders hand over land and share in the net profits, while a strategic partner manages the cultivation with own inputs and equipment, and markets the output. With a focus on the 13 sub-schemes of the Flag Boshielo irrigation scheme in the former homeland of Lebowa (current Limpopo Province), the report analyzes the emergence of six joint ventures - the collapse of three and the troubled continuation of the other three. For the government’s support to joint ventures as one of the options of the revitalization of smallholder irrigation schemes in former homelands, it is recommended to ensure there is a robust bilateral contract between smallholders and the strategic partner, to strengthen land tenure arrangements, and to diversify irrigation technologies for women and men smallholders.
Accountability / Policy making / Cotton / Crop production / State intervention / Labour / Infrastructure / Food security / Water resources development / Contract farming / Public-private cooperation / Gender / Resettlement / Land ownership / Land tenure / Irrigated farming / Small scale systems / Agricultural policy / Farming systems / Agribusiness / Farmers / Smallholders / Irrigation schemes / Joint ventures
Record No:H048492
Owusu, Seth; Cofie, Olufunke O.; Osei-Owusu, P. K.; Awotwe-Pratt, V.; Mul, Marloes L. 2017.
Adapting aquifer storage and recovery technology to the flood-prone areas of northern Ghana for dry-season irrigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 35p.
(IWMI Working Paper 176) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (763 KB)
The Bhungroo Irrigation Technology (BIT) is a system designed to infiltrate excess ‘standing’ floodwater to be stored underground and abstracted for irrigation during the dry season. The system was developed in India and piloted in three sites in northern Ghana. This paper documents the implementation of BIT, the operating principles and criteria for selecting appropriate sites for the installation of such systems, as well as the potential benefits complementing existing irrigation systems in Ghana. Essential requirements for the installation of BIT include biophysical features such as land-use type, soil type, surface hydrology and slope of the terrain. The hydrogeological characteristics of the subsoil are also vital, and must exhibit high storage capacity and potential for groundwater accessibility. To be profitable and generate benefits for farmers, the technology needs to be situated in close proximity to markets and must have public acceptance.
Costs / Local communities / Crop production / Seasonal cropping / Farmland / Farmers / Food security / Hydraulic conductivity / Hydrological factors / Geology / Soil types / Soil properties / Sloping land / Land use / Socioeconomic environment / Environmental impact / Filtration / Irrigation methods / Irrigation systems / Artificial recharge / Dry season / Floodplains / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater extraction / Water quality / Water drilling / Waterlogging / Water use / Water acquisitions / Water storage / Aquifers
Record No:H048222
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2017.
Enabling sustainable, productive smallholder farming systems through improved land and water management. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 12p.
(WLE Towards Sustainable Intensification: Insights and Solutions Brief 4) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (804 KB)
Farmer-led investments in agricultural land and water management (ALWM) are transforming livelihoods and food security across South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Potential exists for even greater benefits, for even more beneficiaries. Understanding what factors influence adoption and impact of ALWM interventions can help ensure sustainable, positive effects of future investments. WLE has designed a suite of tools and investment models to support policy makers and development agents to leverage and extend the investments farmers are already making.
Productivity / Food security / Public investment / Private investment / Innovation adoption / Water policy / Watershed management / Integrated management / Agricultural land management / Water management / Land management / Farming systems / Smallholders / Intensification / Sustainability
Record No:H048215
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2017.
Re-conceptualizing dam design and management for enhanced water and food security. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 12p.
(WLE Towards Sustainable Intensification: Insights and Solutions Brief 3) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (804 KB)
Dams provide numerous economic benefits and can mitigate the adverse impacts of water variability and extreme climate events. However, such large-scale water infrastructure has also caused significant social and environmental costs, prompting calls for alternative, nature-based solutions. WLE suggests that collections of built and natural infrastructure, combined with participatory management approaches, can support water and food security, while enhancing livelihoods and environmental outcomes.
Sediment / Nutrients / Habitats / Net primary productivity / Cost benefit analysis / Environmental economics / Economic aspects / Local communities / River basins / Reservoirs / Infrastructure / Ecosystem services / Food security / Water security / Dam construction / Intensification / Sustainability
Record No:H048214
Rockstrom, J.; Williams, J.; Daily, G.; Noble, A.; Matthews, N.; Gordon, L.; Wetterstrand, H.; DeClerck, F.; Shah, M.; Steduto, P.; de Fraiture, C.; Hatibu, N.; Unver, O.; Bird, Jeremy; Sibanda, L.; Smith, J. 2017.
Sustainable intensification of agriculture for human prosperity and global sustainability. Ambio, 46(1):4-17.
[DOI] More... |
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There is an ongoing debate on what constitutes sustainable intensification of agriculture (SIA). In this paper, we propose that a paradigm for sustainable intensification can be defined and translated into an operational framework for agricultural development. We argue that this paradigm must now be defined—at all scales—in the context of rapidly rising global environmental changes in the Anthropocene, while focusing on eradicating poverty and hunger and contributing to human wellbeing. The criteria and approach we propose, for a paradigm shift towards sustainable intensification of agriculture, integrates the dual and interdependent goals of using sustainable practices to meet rising human needs while contributing to resilience and sustainability of landscapes, the biosphere, and the Earth system. Both of these, in turn, are required to sustain the future viability of agriculture. This paradigm shift aims at repositioning world agriculture from its current role as the world’s single largest driver of global environmental change, to becoming a key contributor of a global transition to a sustainable world within a safe operating space on Earth.
Groundwater / Solar energy / Food security / Ecosystem services / Landscape / Poverty / Environmental impact / Resilience / Living standards / Anthropology / Intensification / Agricultural development / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H047656
Clarke, James; McCartney, Mathew. 2017.
International Water Management Institute. In Finlayson, C. M.; Everard, M.; Irvine, K. McInnes, R.; Middleton, B.; van Dam, A.; Davidson, N. C. (Eds.). The Wetland book I: structure and function, management and methods. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp.681-685.
More... The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non-pro t, scienti c research organization focusing on the sustainable use of water and land resources in developing countries. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a real impact on poverty reduction, food security and ecosystem health. IWMI is a member of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
Capacity building / Irrigation systems / Wetlands / Health / Resource recovery / Governance / Gender / Ecosystem services / Sustainable agriculture / Developing countries / Land resources / Water availability / Water quality / Water management / Water resources / Poverty / Food security / Nongovernmental organizations / Research institutions / International organizations
Record No:H048800
Saad, D.; Byrne, D.; Drechsel, Pay. 2017.
Social perspectives on the effective management of wastewater. In Farooq, R.; Ahmad, Z. (Eds.). Physico-chemical wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. pp.253-267.
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The chapter discusses how adopting a holistic methodology that acknowledges socio-logical factors, including community participation, public involvement, social perception, attitudes, gender roles and public acceptance, would lead to improvements in wastewater management practice. It highlights the social dimension as a tool, a lens through which wastewater management and reuse can take on new dimensions. In this way, this chapter aims to shift the focus from perceiving wastewater as a nuisance that needs disposal, toward a resource not to be wasted, which can contribute to food security, human and environmental health, access to energy as well as water security.
Health hazards / Environmental health / Public health / Water demand / Water security / Food security / Waste disposal / Gender / Water reuse / Wastewater treatment / Community involvement / Public participation / Social participation / Sociology
Record No:H048125
Salam, P. A.; Shrestha, S.; Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Anal, A. K. 2017.
Water-energy-food nexus: principles and practices. : NJ, USA: Wiley; Washington, USA: American Geophysical Union (AGU) 252p.
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Case studies / Filtration / Riverbanks / Research institutions / Cultivation / Rice / Crop production / Carbon footprint / Climate change / Rural areas / River basins / International waters / International cooperation / Developing countries / Sustainable Development Goals / Policy making / Development policy / Nexus / Food security / Food resources / Energy resources / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H048731
Hagos, Fitsum; Mulugeta, A.; Erkossa, Teklu; Langan, Simon; Lefore, Nicole; Abebe, Yenenesh. 2017.
Poverty profiles and nutritional outcomes of using spate irrigation in Ethiopia. Irrigation and Drainage, 66:577-588
[DOI] More... Development partners and public investors assume that spate irrigation reduces household poverty and malnutrition. This article examines whether the poverty profiles of smallholder farmers and the nutritional outcomes of their children have improved as a result of using spate irrigation. The study areas were in two regional states in Ethiopia. Twenty-five users each, both from traditional and modern spate irrigation schemes, and an equal number of non-users responded to a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric measures of 122 children under five were measured using a hanging scale and stadiometer. The results indicated that all poverty indices were significantly lower for the spate irrigation users compared to non-users, and were even lower for modern spate compared to traditional spate systems. Our results did not show gender differences, using sex of the household head as a crude measure of gender, in poverty profiles. Stochastic dominance tests showed that the poverty comparisons between users, traditional and modern, and non-users are statistically robust. It can be concluded that the use of spate irrigation can significantly reduce poverty, and modernizing spate systems further increases its poverty-reduction impact. However, anthropometric measures indicated that use of spate irrigation did not have significant nutritional effects, suggesting the need for nutrition-sensitive interventions, such as nutrition education and awareness and multisectoral collaboration.
Water management / Food consumption / Food security / Smallholders / Public investment / Households / Flood irrigation / Supplemental irrigation / Irrigation systems / Malnutrition / Nutrition / Indicators / Poverty
Record No:H048061
Douxchamps, S.; Debevec, Liza; Giordano, Meredith; Barron, Jennie. 2017.
Monitoring and evaluation of climate resilience for agricultural development: a review of currently available tools. World Development Perspectives, 5:10-23.
[DOI] More... Building climate resilience, defined as the ability to anticipate, absorb, accommodate, or recover from climate change in a timely and efficient manner, is becoming a major priority of development across multiple sectors. However, there is still no consensus on how resilience should be assessed despite the release of numerous theoretical papers on the topic. Various measurement frameworks and recommendations have emerged, but their applicability is yet to be critically assessed. Using a comprehensive review and a systematic selection approach, we review resilience assessment tools developed for the context of climate change and agricultural development, and their linkages to theoretical frameworks, with a particular focus on the choice of indicators and the scale and methods of measurement. Fifteen tools originating from diverse organizations were selected and evaluated according to a measurement framework. Our study finds that, while some of the tools remain embedded in classical approaches, by simply adding a resilience lens to previous tools and by recycling indicators, others demonstrate a true attempt to re-think in order to account for resilience dimensions. We conclude that for the use of resilience assessment tools, a major challenge is to ensure that simple and operational tools can address complexity. Full baseline should comprise both quantitative and qualitative data collection, and include more systemic indicators as well as indicators of stability and shocks. Changes should be tracked with regular monitoring and evaluation using simple tools based on key variables that capture short-term adaptive processes and changes in states, at the appropriate system level. Clear pathways to human well-being, including transformation, should be discussed through system-oriented approaches, to discard potential undesired resilient states. Finally, robust outcome and impact records from the use of these tools are needed to demonstrate whether the resilience concept is useful over time in driving development into more desirable paths.
Assessment / Research organizations / Nongovernmental organizations / Development organizations / International organizations / Disaster risk management / Food security / Economic evaluation / Indicators / Transformation / Climate change / Monitoring / Adaptation / Agricultural development
Record No:H048037
Bhatti, Muhammad Tousif; Anwar, Arif A.; Aslam, Muhammad. 2017.
Groundwater monitoring and management: status and options in Pakistan. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 135:143-153.
[DOI] More... Due to extensive groundwater development in the recent past, Pakistan now faces enormous challenges of groundwater management as it struggles to ensure food security for its rapidly growing population. These management challenges require a re-balancing of surface and groundwater monitoring objectives and approaches in the country. This article presents the current status of the groundwater monitoring and management in Pakistan. A compelling case is presented for optimization of material resources in improving groundwater level and quality data by proposing to use farmer organizations as a source of crowd sourced groundwater information. The authors showcase new methods to collect groundwater data and demonstrate use of automatic recording instruments for groundwater monitoring in a tertiary canal command area in the Pakistan’s Punjab. The results suggest that the potential for broader impact by engaging farmer organization and expanding monitoring networks is attractive. A common concern about long term deployment of automatic instruments is that the observation wells are not purged before extracting water quality samples. The authors address this concern through a field experiment by utilizing capabilities of automatic recording instruments.
Aquifers / Surveys / Salinity / Tube wells / Wells / Irrigation canals / Farmers organizations / Food security / Monitoring / Water table / Water quality / Water levels / Groundwater development / Groundwater management
Record No:H048019
Giordano, Meredith; Turral, H.; Scheierling, S. M.; Treguer, D. O.; McCornick, Peter G. 2017.
Beyond “More Crop per Drop”: evolving thinking on agricultural water productivity. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Washington, DC, USA: The World Bank 53p.
(IWMI Research Report 169) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (2 MB)
This Research Report chronicles the evolution of thinking on water productivity in the research agenda of IWMI and in the broader irrigation literature over the past 20 years. It describes the origins of the concept and the methodological developments, its operationalization through applied research, and some lessons learned over the two decades of research. This report further highlights how a focus on agricultural water productivity has brought greater attention to critical water scarcity issues, and the role of agricultural water management in supporting broader development objectives such as increasing agricultural production, reducing agricultural water use, raising farm-level incomes, and alleviating poverty and inequity. Yet, reliance on a single-factor productivity metric, such as agricultural water productivity defined as “crop per drop,” in multi-factor and multi-output production processes can mask the complexity of agricultural systems as well as the trade-offs required to achieve desired outcomes. The findings from this retrospective underscore the limitations of single-factor productivity metrics while also highlighting opportunities to support more comprehensive approaches to address water scarcity concerns and, ultimately, achieve the broader development objectives.
Food security / Environmental flows / Models / Applied research / Costs / Sustainable development / Equity / Groundwater depletion / Poverty / Farm income / Crop yield / Crop production / Performance indexes / Irrigation systems / Irrigated land / Irrigation efficiency / Water supply / Water scarcity / Water allocation / Water conservation / Water use efficiency / Water accounting / Water management / Water resources / Water productivity / Agricultural system / Agricultural production
Record No:H048036
Makombe, T.; Tefera, W.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Benin, S. 2017.
Tracking key CAADP [Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme] indicators and implementation processes. In De Pinto, A.; Ulimwengu, J. M. (Eds.). A thriving agricultural sector in a changing climate: meeting Malabo declaration goals through climate-smart agriculture. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). pp.147-157.
( ReSAKSS Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2016) More... |
Fulltext
Risk management / Stakeholders / Nutrition / Food security / Poverty / Economic growth / Agricultural sector / Agricultural production / Agricultural development
Record No:H048453
Villholth, Karen. 2017.
The role of groundwater in achieving water security and approaches to its governance [Abstract Only]. In Germany. Institute for Technology and Resources Management (ITT). (Ed.). Water Security and Climate Change Conference, Cologne, Germany, 18-21 September 2017. Book of abstracts. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Technology and Resources Management (ITT). pp.22.
More... Groundwater is integral to water security. It is the largest store of unfrozen freshwater on earth, and it serves almost half of the global population for basic water needs. In addition, it contributes more than 40% of the irrigation water globally. Groundwater also secures critical ecosystems and ecosystem services, on which people and the environment depend. This paper gives an overview of the significance of groundwater and the critical interlinkages in the Water–Food–Energy–Climate–Environment nexus. It also discusses how opportunities for bringing in groundwater as part of the solutions to water security at various levels are often missed out. Examples are given of how research can contribute to moving forward to ensure that groundwater plays a stronger role in achieving the SDGs. Realizing that sustainable groundwater development, use and management hinges on conscious and pro-active governance, the presentation gives an highlight of the upcoming book on Advances in Groundwater Governance. Finally, some recent developments in terms of developing global platforms and initiative to work across disciplines, sectors and levels and geographic boundaries to address groundwater management challenges are presented, including GRIPP, the Groundwater Solutions Initiative for Policy and Practice and the Working Group on Groundwater Management under the Sustainable Water Future Program. These initiatives are emerging with strong buy-in from stakeholders at various levels, from local to global.
Environmental effects / Climate change / Energy / Food security / Ecosystem services / Irrigation water / Freshwater / Sustainable development / Water governance / Water security / Groundwater
Record No:H048333
Cai, X.; Altchenko, Yvan; Chavula, G. 2017.
Availability and use of water resources. In Lautze, Jonathan; Phiri, Z.; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Saruchera, D. (Eds.). 2017. The Zambezi River Basin: water and sustainable development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.7-28.
(Earthscan Series on Major River Basins of the World) More...
Food security / Investment / Economic aspects / Climate change / Reservoir storage / Dams / Groundwater / Domestic water / Surface water / Water demand / Water supply / Water storage / Water use / Water availability / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H048271
Closas, Alvar; Rap. E. 2017.
Solar-based groundwater pumping for irrigation: Sustainability, policies, and limitations. Energy Policy, 104:33-37.
[DOI] More... The increasing demand for solar-powered irrigation systems in agriculture has spurred a race for projects as it potentially offers a cost-effective and sustainable energy solution to off-grid farmers while helping food production and sustaining livelihoods. As a result, countries such as Morocco and Yemen have been promoting this technology for farmers and national plans with variable finance and subsidy schemes like in India have been put forward. By focusing on the application of solar photovoltaic (PV) pumping systems in groundwater-fed agriculture, this paper highlights the need to further study the impacts, opportunities and limitations of this technology within the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus. It shows how most policies and projects promoting solar-based groundwater pumping for irrigation through subsidies and other incentives overlook the real financial and economic costs of this solution as well as the availability of water resources and the potential negative impacts on the environment caused by groundwater over-abstraction. There is a need to monitor groundwater abstraction, targeting subsidies and improving the knowledge and monitoring of resource use. Failing to address these issues could lead to further groundwater depletion, which could threaten the sustainability of this technology and dependent livelihoods in the future.
Irrigated farming / Water resources / Subsidies / Living standards / Farmers / Food production / Food security / Agriculture / Irrigation systems / Sustainability / Pumping / Groundwater extraction / Groundwater irrigation / Energy generation / Solar energy
Record No:H047986
Cardenas, J.-C.; Janssen, M. A.; Ale, M.; Bastakoti, Ram; Bernal, A.; Chalermphol, J.; Gong, Y.; Shin, H.; Shivakoti, G.; Wang, Y.; Anderies, J. M. 2017.
Fragility of the provision of local public goods to private and collective risks. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(5):921-925.
[DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.04 MB)
Smallholder agricultural systems, strongly dependent on water resources and investments in shared infrastructure, make a significant contribution to food security in developing countries. These communities are being increasingly integrated into the global economy and are exposed to new global climate-related risks that may affect their willingness to cooperate in community-level collective action problems. We performed field experiments on public goods with private and collective risks in 118 small-scale rice-producing communities in four countries. Our results indicate that increasing the integration of those communities with the broader economic system is associated with lower investments in public goods when facing collective risks. These findings indicate that local public good provision may be negatively affected by collective risks, especially in communities more integrated with the market economy.
Risk management / Smallholders / Market economics / Economic systems / Economic aspects / Private sector / Climate change / Local communities / Rice / Food security / Food production / Investment / Agricultural production / Small scale farming
Record No:H047982
Joffre, O. M.; Castine, S. A.; Phillips, M. J.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Chandrabalan, D.; Cohen, P. 2017.
Increasing productivity and improving livelihoods in aquatic agricultural systems: a review of interventions. Food Security, 9(1):39-60.
[DOI] More... The doubling of global food demand by 2050 is driving resurgence in interventions for agricultural intensification. Globally, 700 million people are dependent on floodplain or coastal systems. Increased productivity in these aquatic agricultural systems is important for meeting current and future food demand. Agricultural intensification in aquatic agricultural systems has contributed to increased agricultural production, yet these increases have not necessarily resulted in broader development outcomes for those most in need. Here we review studies of interventions that have sought to improve productivity in aquatic agricultural systems in Bangladesh, Cambodia and Zambia. We review evidence of development outcomes from these interventions and the particular role of participatory approaches in intervention design and deployment. There was evidence of increases in productivity in 20 of the 31 studies reviewed. Yet, productivity was only measured beyond the life of the intervention in one case, income and food security improvements were rarely quantified, and the social distribution of benefits rarely described. Participatory approaches were employed in 15 studies, and there was some evidence that development outcomes were more substantial than in cases that were less participatory. To explore the impact of participatory approaches further, we examined five empirical cases. Review and empirical cases provide preliminary evidence suggesting participatory approaches contribute to ensuring agriculture and aquaculture interventions into aquatic agricultural systems may better fit local contexts, are sustained longer, and are more able to deliver development benefits to those most in need. A worthy focus of future research would be comparison between outcomes achieved from interventions with differing levels of participation, and the social differentiation of outcomes.
Case studies / Horticulture / Livestock / Rice / Fisheries / Community involvement / Floodplains / Intensification / Income / Participatory approaches / Nutrition / Food production / Food demand / Food security / Productivity / Living standards / Agricultural systems / Aquatic environment
Record No:H047944
Mul, Marloes; Pettinotti, L.; Amonoo, Naana Adwoa; Bekoe-Obeng, E.; Obuobie, E. 2017.
Dependence of riparian communities on ecosystem services in northern Ghana. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Working Paper 179) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1 MB)
This study investigated the dependence of three riparian communities on ecosystem services in northern Ghana. Participatory mapping and ranking exercises in gender-segregated groups were used to elicit information on the communities’ livelihoods. The most important ecosystem-based activities (EBA) are farming, fishing, livestock watering and grazing, collection of wild fruits and vegetables, and provision of water for domestic use. The major EBA are dependent on the seasonal flows of the White Volta River, which are under pressure due to climatic and other anthropogenic changes. For example, observed delays in the start of the rainy season are affecting rainfed agricultural activities on the floodplains. Delayed planting on the floodplains results in damage to, or loss of, crops as floods arrive before the harvest. Moreover, the Bagr Dam in Burkina Faso, built upstream of the communities, has impacted the natural river flow. The planned Pwalugu Dam may, depending on the final operations, support or affect EBA. We, therefore, recommend that operations of the Pwalugu Dam should take into consideration the flow requirements of EBA downstream of the dam.
Agriculture / Income / Food security / Dry season / Rain / Climate change / Gender / Domestic consumption / Household consumption / Floodplains / Stream flow / River basins / Dams / Ponds / Water storage / Woodlands / Shrubs / Forest reserves / Infrastructure / Natural resources / Seasonality / Mapping / Living standards / Socioeconomic environment / Participatory rural appraisal / Communities / Riparian zones / Ecosystem services
Record No:H048466
Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Shrestha, S. 2017.
Evolution of the nexus as a policy and development discourse. In Salam, P. A.; Shrestha, S.; Pandey, V. P.; Anal, A. K. (Eds.). Water-energy-food nexus: principles and practices. Indianapolis, IN, USA: Wiley. pp.11-20.
More... The key resources that sustain life and the ecosystem (e.g., water, food, energy, and others) are linked in many ways. Action in one sector might have impacts on others, thus forming a policy nexus among them. The relationships between the resources were realized long back; however, the nexus concept is still evolving as a policy and development discourse with the involvement of many actors. It is generally considered as a “multicentric” approach, the advancement of “water centric” Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This chapter presents a systematic review on how the nexus concept emerged and is now spreading to cover wider sectors; it then discusses key actors involved in raising the profile of the nexus as a policy and development discourse.
Food security / Environmental protection / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Development / Policy making / Ecosystems
Record No:H048457
Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2016.
The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan 281p.
(Earthscan Series on Major River Basins of the World) More...
Case studies / Land cover change / Land use / Emission / Global warming / Dams / Energy generation / Legislation / Gender / Infrastructure / Meteorological stations / Riparian zones / Food composition / Farmland / Economic aspects / Population density / Intensification / Public health / Environmental flows / Ecosystem services / Industrial development / Urban development / Crops / Agricultural development / Sustainable agriculture / Food security / Living standards / Poverty / Socioeconomic environment / Drought / Flood control / Climate change / Industrial uses / Domestic consumption / Wastewater treatment / International waters / Drinking water / Groundwater / Surface water / Water policy / Water availability / Water scarcity / Water balance / Water quality / Water power / Water use / Water governance / Water resources / Economic growth / River basin management
Record No:H047720
Nhamo, Luxon; Mabhaudhi, T.; Magombeyi, Manuel. 2016.
Improving water sustainability and food security through increased crop water productivity in Malawi. Water, 8(9):1-12.
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Agriculture accounts for most of the renewable freshwater resource withdrawals in Malawi, yet food insecurity and water scarcity remain as major challenges. Despite Malawi’s vast water resources, climate change, coupled with increasing population and urbanisation are contributing to increasing water scarcity. Improving crop water productivity has been identified as a possible solution to water and food insecurity, by producing more food with less water, that is, to produce “more crop per drop”. This study evaluated crop water productivity from 2000 to 2013 by assessing crop evapotranspiration, crop production and agricultural gross domestic product (Ag GDP) contribution for Malawi. Improvements in crop water productivity were evidenced through improved crop production and productivity. These improvements were supported by increased irrigated area, along with improved agronomic practices. Crop water productivity increased by 33% overall from 2000 to 2013, resulting in an increase in maize production from 1.2 million metric tons to 3.6 million metric tons, translating to an average food surplus of 1.1 million metric tons. These developments have contributed to sustainable improved food and nutrition security in Malawi, which also avails more water for ecosystem functions and other competing economic sectors.
Smallholders / Irrigation systems / Rainfed farming / Maize / Urbanization / Population growth / Evapotranspiration / Agricultural production / Sustainability / Crop production / Freshwater / Water use / Water scarcity / Water productivity / Water management / Food security
Record No:H047747
Bekoe, E. O.; Andah, W.; Logah, F. Y.; Balana, Bedru B. 2016.
Water-food-energy nexus and hydropower development. In Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir (Eds.). The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.161-178.
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International waters / Emission / Climate change / Environmental flows / Environmental impact / Social impact / Dams / Renewable energy / River basins / Industrial uses / Food security / Domestic water / Water use / Water demand / Water supply / Water resources / Water power / Energy demand / Energy generation
Record No:H047731
Ayantunde, A.; Katic, Pamela G.; Cofie, Olufunke; Abban, E. K. 2016.
Improving agriculture and food security in the Volta Basin. In Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir (Eds.). The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.131-144.
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Investment / Small scale farming / Irrigation systems / Groundwater irrigation / Water management / Fisheries / Livestock / Farmers / Stakeholders / Farming systems / Crops / River basins / Food security / Agricultural policy / Agricultural production / Agricultural development
Record No:H047729
Sullivan, A.; Odonkor, E.; de Haan, Nicoline. 2016.
Poverty, vulnerability and livelihoods in the Volta Basin: a gendered analysis. In Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir (Eds.). The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.95-107.
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Labour / Food security / Cropping systems / Households / Rural communities / Role of women / Gender / River basins / Living standards / Poverty
Record No:H047727
Kolavalli, S.; Williams, Timothy O. 2016.
Socioeconomic trends and drivers of change. In Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir (Eds.). The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.13-30.
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Smallholders / Riparian zones / Nutritional status / Food policy / Food consumption / Food security / Crops / Agricultural production / Poverty / Economic development / River basin development / Urbanization / Population growth / Socioeconomic development
Record No:H047722
Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2016.
Introduction. In Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes L.; Biney, C. A.; Smakhtin, Vladimir (Eds.). The Volta River Basin: water for food, economic growth and environment. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.3-9.
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Economic growth / Poverty / Food security / Crops / Sustainable agriculture / Gender / Groundwater / Water resources / Water power / Energy generation / Riparian zones / River basin management
Record No:H047721
Surinaidu, L.; Nandan, M. J.; Prathapar, Sanmugam; Rao, V. V. S. G.; Natarajan, Rajmohan. 2016.
Groundwater evaporation ponds: a viable option for the management of shallow saline waterlogged areas. Hydrology, 3(3):1-12
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The province of Punjab is the main food basket of India. In recent years, many regions of Punjab are facing acute waterlogging problems and increased secondary salinity, which have negative impacts on food security of the nation. In particular, these problems are more pronounced in the Muktsar district of Punjab. The observed groundwater levels trend between 2005 and 2011 implies that groundwater levels are coming towards the land surface at the rate of 0.5 m/year in Lambi and Malout blocks. In this study, a groundwater flow model was constructed using MODFLOW to understand the groundwater table dynamics and to test the groundwater evaporation ponds to draw down the groundwater levels in the waterlogging areas of Muktsar district. The predicted flow model results indicate that groundwater levels could be depleted at the rate of 0.3 m/year between 2012 and 2018 after the construction of Groundwater Evaporation Ponds (GEP). In addition, the constructed ponds can be used for aquaculture that generates additional income. The proposed GEP method may be a promising tool and suitable for the reduction of waterlogging in any region if there is no proper surface drainage, and also for enhancement of agricultural production that improves the social and economic status of the farming community.
Calibration / Aquifers / Hydrogeology / Land degradation / Flow discharge / Food security / Ponds / Water balance / Waterlogging / Saline water / Salinity / Evaporation / Groundwater level / Groundwater management
Record No:H048905
Suhardiman, Diana; Giordano, M.; Leebouapao, L.; Keovilignavong, Oulavanh. 2016.
Farmers’ strategies as building block for rethinking sustainable intensification. Agriculture and Human Values, 33(3):563-574.
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Agricultural intensification, now commonly referred to as sustainable intensification, is presented in development discourse as a key means to simultaneously improve food security and reduce rural poverty without harming the environment. Taking a village in Laos as a case study, we show how government agencies and farmers could perceive the idea of agricultural intensification differently. The study illustrates how farmers with the opportunities for groundwater use typically choose to grow vegetables and high valued cash crops rather than intensify rice production. This contrasts with government and donor supported efforts to promote rice intensification as a means to increase food security and reduce rural poverty. The article’s main message is that farmers’ differing strategies are related to a variety of household characteristics and that farmers’ strategies should be central to the current discussion on sustainable intensification.
Labor / Households / Farming systems / Vegetables / Water use / Groundwater / Government agencies / Rural poverty / Food production / Food security / Farmer participation / Intensification / Sustainability / Rice / Agricultural development
Record No:H047142
Mayer, B. K.; Baker, L. A.; Boyer, T. H.; Drechsel, Pay; Gifford, M.; Hanjra, Munir A. 2016.
Total value of phosphorus recovery. Environmental Science amp; Technology, 50(13):6606-6620.
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Phosphorus (P) is a critical, geographically concentrated, nonrenewable resource necessary to support global food production. In excess (e.g., due to runoff or wastewater discharges), P is also a primary cause of eutrophication. To reconcile the simultaneous shortage and overabundance of P, lost P flows must be recovered and reused, alongside improvements in P-use efficiency. While this motivation is increasingly being recognized, little P recovery is practiced today, as recovered P generally cannot compete with the relatively low cost of mined P. Therefore, P is often captured to prevent its release into the environment without beneficial recovery and reuse. However, additional incentives for P recovery emerge when accounting for the total value of P recovery. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the range of benefits of recovering P from waste streams, i.e., the total value of recovering P. This approach accounts for P products, as well as other assets that are associated with P and can be recovered in parallel, such as energy, nitrogen, metals and minerals, and water. Additionally, P recovery provides valuable services to society and the environment by protecting and improving environmental quality, enhancing efficiency of waste treatment facilities, and improving food security and social equity. The needs to make P recovery a reality are also discussed, including business models, bottlenecks, and policy and education strategies.
Urban wastes / Environmental effects / Fertilizers / Equity / Social aspects / Minerals / Heavy metals / Water quality / Water reuse / Water pollution / Eutrophication / Waste water treatment plants / Food security / Food production / Renewable energy / Phosphorus / Resource recovery
Record No:H047624
Seager, J.; Bechtel, J.; Bock, S.; Dankelman, I.; Fordham, M.; Gabizon, S.; Thuy Trang, N.; Perch, L.; Qayum, S.; Roehr, U.; Schoolmeester, T.; Steinbach, R.; Watts, M.; Wendland, C.; Aguilar, L.; Alvarez, I.; Araujo, K.; Basnett, B. S.; Bauer, J.; Bowser, G.; Caterbow, A.; Corendea, C.; Donners, A.; Dutta, S.; Halle, S.; halainen, M.; Ismawati, Y.; Joshi, D.; Kiwala, L.; Kolbeinsdottir, L.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2016.
Global gender and environment outlook. Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 233p.
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Land ownership / Households / Health hazards / Conflict / Disasters / Climate change / Biodiversity / Forest management / Forest degradation / Forest resources / Contamination / Pollutants / Living standards / Fisheries / Ecosystems / Rural communities / Coastal area / Marine areas / Renewable energy / Energy consumption / Energy management / Energy generation / Hygiene / Sanitation / Wastewater treatment / Drinking water / Water supply / Water use / Water management / Water resources / Domestic water / Agricultural production / Food policy / Food security / Food production / Sustainable development / Environmental policy / Environmental health / Environmental effects / Environmental sustainability / Equity / s participation / Womenapos / Gender
Record No:H047666
McCartney, Matthew; Johnston, Robyn; Lacombe, Guillaume. 2016.
Building climate resilience through smart water and irrigation management systems. In Nagothu U.S. (Ed). Climate change and agricultural development: Improving resilience through climate smart agriculture, agroecology and conservation. Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.41-65.
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Ecosystems / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Living standards / Socioeconomic development / Emission reduction / Greenhouse gases / Rice / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Agricultural production / Agronomic practices / Food security / Climate change / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management / Water management
Record No:H047645
Nhamo, Luxon; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, Charles; van Koppen, Barbara. 2016.
The impact of investment in smallholder irrigation schemes on irrigation expansion and crop productivity in Malawi. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 11(2):141-153.
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Reliance on rainfall for agriculture and increased climate change and variability pose growing production risks in developing countries. Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is dominated by smallholder farmers who depend mainly on rain-fed agriculture, putting food security at both household and national levels at risk, especially in the event of drought. Investment in smallholder irrigation becomes a priority in developing countries if food security and national development goals are to be met, as their economies are agro-based. This study evaluates the impact of investment in smallholder irrigation schemes in Malawi on improving crop production and productivity in comparison with rain-fed agriculture. The area under smallholder irrigation schemes increased from 15 988 ha in 2003 to about 42 986 ha in 2011, contributing immensely to national food production. Irrigated maize production increased from 78 159 tons in 2000 to 544 378 tons in 2013.
Impact assessment / Nutrition / Irrigated land / Rice / Maize / Households / Food security / Drought / Climate change / Water resources / Agriculture / Rainfed farming / Farmers / Smallholders / Investment / Crop production / Irrigation systems / Irrigation schemes
Record No:H047598
Grafton, R. Q.; McLindin, M.; Hussey, K.; Wyrwoll, P.; Wichelns, D.; Ringler, C.; Garrick, D.; Pittock, J.; Wheeler, S.; Orr, S.; Matthews, N.; Ansink, E.; Aureli, A.; Connell, D.; De Stefano, L.; Dowsley, K.; Farolfi, S.; Hall, J.; Katic, Pamela; Lankford, B.; Leckie, H.; McCartney, Matthew; Pohlner, H.; Ratna, N.; Rubarenzya, M. H.; Raman, S. N. S.; Wheeler, K.; Williams, J. 2016.
Responding to global challenges in food, energy, environment and water: risks and options assessment for decision-making. Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, 3(2):275-299.
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We analyse the threats of global environmental change, as they relate to food security. First, we review three discourses: (i) ‘sustainable intensification’, or the increase of food supplies without compromising food producing inputs, such as soils and water; (ii) the ‘nexus’ that seeks to understand links across food, energy, environment and water systems; and (iii) ‘resilience thinking’ that focuses on how to ensure the critical capacities of food, energy and water systems are maintained in the presence of uncertainties and threats. Second, we build on these discourses to present the causal, risks and options assessment for decision-making process to improve decisionmaking in the presence of risks. The process provides a structured, but flexible, approach that moves from problem diagnosis to better risk-based decision-making and outcomes by responding to causal risks within and across food, energy, environment and water systems.
Poverty / Farmers / Stakeholders / Households / Decision making / Water resources / Environmental effects / Resilience / Intensification / Sustainable development / Energy / Food production / Food security / Risk assessment
Record No:H047589
Reddy, J. M.; Jumaboev, Kahramon; Bobojonov, I.; Carli, C.; Eshmuratov, Davron. 2016.
Yield and water use efficiency of potato varieties under different soil-moisture stress conditions in the Fergana Valley of Central Asia. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 40(5):407-431.
[DOI] More... Deficit irrigation could be considered as one potential option to improve water productivity and obtain some level of assured income under water scarcity and drought conditions in Central Asia. This article investigates water productivity and economic returns to two varieties of potato crop under four different soilmoisture regimes in Uzbekistan. Results suggest that deficit irrigation may not be considered as an option to improve water productivity of potato crop, particularly when the deficit is high. However, deficit irrigation options could be still considered as a viable option to maintain food security and some assured farm income even under extreme drought conditions.
Income / Economic analysis / Farmers / Drought / Soil moisture / Potatoes / Crop yield / Water scarcity / Water productivity / Food security / Irrigation / Climate change / Water use efficiency
Record No:H047466
Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; Langan, Simon. 2016.
Interdependence in rainwater management technologies: an analysis of rainwater management adoption in the Blue Nile Basin. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 18:(2)449-466.
[DOI] More... In the Blue Nile Basin of Ethiopian highlands, rainfall distribution is extremely uneven both spatially and temporally. Drought frequently results in crop failure, while high rainfall intensities result in low infiltration and high runoff causing soil erosion and land degradation. These combined factors contribute to low agricultural productivity and high levels of food insecurity. Poor land management practices coupled with lack of effective rainwater management strategies aggravate the situation. Over the past two decades, however, the Government of Ethiopia has attempted to address many of these issues through a large-scale implementation of a number of soil and water conservation measures. Despite the success of interventions, uptake and adoption remains low. The conceptual framework of this study is based on the premise that farmers are more likely to adopt a combination of rainwater management technologies as adaptation mechanism against climate variability and agricultural production constraints. This contrasts the previous work that typically examined a single technology without considering the interdependence between technologies. Data used in this study come from household survey in seven watersheds in the Ethiopian Blue Nile Basin. A multivariate probit model was used to account for the potential correlation and interdependence of various components of rainwater management technologies. Our results suggest that rainwater management technologies are related with each other; hence, any effort to promote the adoption of rainwater management technologies has to consider such interdependence of technologies, or failure to do so may mask the reality that farmers face a set of choices in their adoption decisions.
Watersheds / Households / Farmers / Soil conservation / Water conservation / Food security / Agricultural production / Erosion / Land degradation / Highlands / River basins / Technology / Water harvesting / Rain water management
Record No:H046954
Bhatta, G. D.; Aggarwal, Pramod Kumar. 2016.
Coping with weather adversity and adaptation to climatic variability: a cross-country study of smallholder farmers in South Asia. Climate and Development, 8(2):145-157.
[DOI] More... Concerns over climate change and climatic variability are growing in South Asia because of the potential detrimental impacts of these phenomena on livelihoods. Such growing concerns demonstrate a need to assess how farmers simultaneously cope with extreme events and adapt to climatic variability. Based on household surveys of 2660 farm families conducted in Nepal’s Terai, coastal Bangladesh, and the Indian state of Bihar, this paper seeks to (1) explore farmers’ coping strategies under adverse weather events; (2) identify key adaptation measures used by farmers; and (3) explore the policy interventions required to adjust agriculture to climatic variability. The study reveals that migration is the most important coping strategy of the households in Bihar and coastal Bangladesh, while reliance on credit markets is the most important in Terai. Farmers in the areas with higher rainfall variability pursue a higher number of coping strategies compared to farmers in areas with lower rainfall variability. Food available months are also higher in areas with higher rainfall variability. Across all sites, the most frequently mentioned adaptive practices are changing cropping patterns and adoption of resilient crop varieties. A large number of farmers place emphasis on breeding crop varieties that tolerate adverse weather. Governments should implement a number of planned activities to cope with adverse events, with the aim that these activities would be synergistic with adaptation to climate change.
Cropping patterns / Food security / Savannas / Coastal area / Households / Living standards / Rain / Farmers / Smallholders / Weather / Adaptation / Climate change
Record No:H046903
Lankford, B.; Makin, Ian; Matthews, N.; McCornick, Peter G.; Noble, A.; Shah, Tushaar. 2016.
A compact to revitalise large-scale irrigation systems using a leadership-partnership-ownership 'Theory of Change'. Water Alternatives, 9(1):1-32.
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In countries with transitional economies such as those found in South Asia, large-scale irrigation systems (LSIS) with a history of public ownership account for about 115 million ha (Mha) or approximately 45% of their total area under irrigation. In terms of the global area of irrigation (320 Mha) for all countries, LSIS are estimated at 130 Mha or 40% of irrigated land. These systems can potentially deliver significant local, regional and global benefits in terms of food, water and energy security, employment, economic growth and ecosystem services. For example, primary crop production is conservatively valued at about US$355 billion. However, efforts to enhance these benefits and reform the sector have been costly and outcomes have been underwhelming and short-lived. We propose the application of a apos;theory of changeapos; (ToC) as a foundation for promoting transformational change in large-scale irrigation centred upon a apos;global irrigation compactapos; that promotes new forms of leadership, partnership and ownership (LPO). The compact argues that LSIS can change by switching away from the current channelling of aid finances controlled by government irrigation agencies. Instead it is for irrigators, closely partnered by private, public and NGO advisory and regulatory services, to develop strong leadership models and to find new compensatory partnerships with cities and other river basin neighbours. The paper summarises key assumptions for change in the LSIS sector including the need to initially test this change via a handful of volunteer systems. Our other key purpose is to demonstrate a ToC template by which large-scale irrigation policy can be better elaborated and discussed.
River basin management / Ownership / Partnerships / Leadership / Economic growth / Energy conservation / Irrigation canals / Irrigated land / Crop production / Ecosystem services / Water allocation / Water security / Food security / Large scale systems / Irrigation systems
Record No:H047459
De Silva, Sanjiv; Curnow, J.; Ariyatne, A. 2016.
Groundwater rising: agrarian resilience against climatic impacts on water resources. In Shamsuddoha, Md.; Pandey, M. S.; Chowdhury, R. K. (Eds.). Climate change in the bay of bengal region exploring sectoral cooperation for sustaiable development. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Coastal Association for Social Transformation (COAST) Trust. pp.93-109.
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Case studies / Farmers / Households / Cultivation / Wells / Rainfed farming / Dry season / Rice / Food security / Tank irrigation / Rain / Industrial uses / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Water storage / Water use / Surface water / Water resources / Climate change / Climatic factors / Agrarian structure / Groundwater
Record No:H048070
DeClerck, F. A. J.; Jones. S. K.; Attwood, S.; Bossio, D.; Girvetz, E.; Chaplin-Kramer, B.; Enfors, E.; Fremier, A. K.; Gordon, L. J.; Kizito, F.; Noriega, I. L.; Matthews, N.; McCartney, Matthew; Meacham, M.; Noble, Andrew; Quintero, M.; Remans, S.; Soppe, R.; Willemen, L.; Wood, S. L. R.; Zhang, W. 2016.
Agricultural ecosystems and their services: the vanguard of sustainability? Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 23:92-99.
[DOI] More... Sustainable Development Goals offer an opportunity to improve human well-being while conserving natural resources. Ecosystem services highlight human well-being benefits ecosystems, including agricultural ecosystems, provides. Whereas agricultural systems produce the majority of our food, they drive significant environmental degradation. This tension between development and environmental conservation objectives is not an immutable outcome as agricultural systems are simultaneously dependents, and providers of ecosystem services. Recognizing this duality allows integration of environmental and development objectives and leverages agricultural ecosystem services for achieving sustainability targets. We propose a framework to operationalize ecosystem services and resilience-based interventions in agricultural landscapes and call for renewed efforts to apply resilience-based approaches to landscape management challenges and for refocusing ecosystem service research on human well-being outcomes.
Social aspects / Diversification / Farmland / Nutrition / Food production / Food security / Biodiversity conservation / Landscape / Environmental sustainability / Social welfare / Ecosystem services / Natural resources / Farming systems / Agriculture / Sustainable development
Record No:H048008
Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; MacDonald, K.; Saikia, Panchali; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Aslamy, Sohrob; Horbulyk, Theodore. 2016.
Impact of water users associations on water and land productivity, equity and food security in Tajikistan. Mid-term Technical Report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 102p.
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Labour / Crops / Community organizations / Decision making / Field preparation / Private farm / Cultivated land / Agriculture / Small scale farming / Irrigation management / Irrigation water / Farmers / Female labour / s participation / Womenapos / Role of women / Household food security / Food security / Equity / Land productivity / Water rates / Water supply / Water availability / Water management / Water governance / Water productivity / Water user associations
Record No:H047854
Balasubramanya, Soumya; Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Saikia, Panchali; MacDonald, K.; Aslamy, Sohrob; Horbulyk, Theodore; Hannah, C.; Yakubov, Murat; Platonov, Alexander. 2016.
Impact of water-user associations on water and land productivity, equity, and food security in Tajikistan. Baseline Technical Report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 131p.
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Living standards / Private farms / Farm area / Cultivated land / Crop yield / Financing / Canals / Infrastructure / Irrigation water / Irrigation management / Impact assessment / Cotton industry / Agricultural sector / s participation / Womenapos / Role of women / Gender / Food security / Equity / Land productivity / Waterlogging / Water supply / Watercourses / Water governance / Water management / Water productivity / Water user associations
Record No:H047847
Van Koppen , Barbara; Hellum , A.; Mehta, L.; Derman, B.; Schreiner, B. 2016.
Rights-based freshwater governance for the twenty-first century: beyond an exclusionary focus on domestic water uses. In Karar, E. (Ed). Freshwater governance for the 21st century. London, UK: SpringerOpen. pp.129-143.
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The UN recognition of a human right to water for drinking, personal and other domestic uses and sanitation in 2010 was a political breakthrough in states’ commitments to adopt a human rights framework in carrying out part of their mandate. This chapter explores other domains of freshwater governance in which human rights frameworks provide a robust and widely accepted set of normative values to such governance. The basis is General Comment No. 15 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2002, which states that water is needed to realise a range of indivisible human rights to non-starvation, food, health, work and an adequate standard of living and also procedural rights to participation and information in water interventions. On that basis, the chapter explores concrete implications of the Comment for states’ broader infrastructure-based water services implied in the recognised need to access to infrastructure, rights to non-discrimination in public service delivery and respect of people’s own prioritisation. This implies a right to water for livelihoods with core minimum service levels for water to homesteads that meet both domestic and small-scale productive uses, so at least 50–100 l per capita per day. Turning to the state’s mandates and authority in allocating water resources, the chapter identifi es three forms of unfair treatment of smallscale users in current licence systems. As illustrated by the case of South Africa, the legal tool of “Priority General Authorisations” is proposed. This prioritises water allocation to small-scale water users while targeting and enforcing regulatory licences to the few high-impact users.
Infrastructure / Living standards / Food security / Licences / Multiple use / Human rights / Sanitation / Drinking water / Water allocation / Water supply / Water use / Domestic water / Water governance / Freshwater
Record No:H047925
Fernando, Sudarshana; Semasinghe, Christina; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Wijayamunie, R.; Wickramasinghe, N.; Dissanayake, S. 2016.
City region food system situational analysis, Colombo, Sri Lanka. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE); Rome, Italy: FAO; Accra, Ghana: Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF) 251p.
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Sanitation / Health hazards / Public health / Waste management / Waste disposal / Market prices / Crops / Milk production / Livestock / Fruits / Vegetables / Small scale systems / Economic aspects / Land use / Climate change / Natural resources management / Poverty / Sociocultural environment / Malnutrition / Human nutrition / Decision making / Policy making / Regulations / Legislation / Legal aspects / International organizations / Private sector / Municipal authorities / Government departments / Institutions / Corporate culture / Stakeholders / Food security / Food chains / Food production / Food policies / Food safety / Food supply / Food consumption
Record No:H047774
Sugden, Fraser; Punch, S. 2016.
Changing aspirations, education, and migration: young people’s declining agroecological knowledge in rural Asia. In Nicola, A.; Natascha, K.; Tracey, S. (Eds.). Geographies of global issues: change and threat. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp.483-499.
(Geographies of Children and Young People 8) More... This chapter explores the interrelationships between economic change and environmental issues, by showing how aspiration, education, and migration are variously connected to a loss of agroecological knowledges for rural young people. It reviews a series of case studies from Vietnam, India, and China on the implications for rural youth of changed aspirations and ecological and economic stress. The economic and cultural pressures of globalization mean young people increasingly aspire for a life outside of agrarian- and natural resource-based livelihoods. A consequence of this change has been the migration of young people to urban centers and a drive for families to invest in education. Thishasfar reaching consequences for communities.Those who stay behind face an increased labor burden, and economic pressures can be aggravated when the promise of improved livelihoods outside is notrealized. The chapter also points to the negative implications of these changed aspirations on the intergenerational transfer of agroecological knowledge. Thus, in relation to issues of environment and development, the chapter considers why this complex set of relationships between aspiration, education, and migration is important in the context of children and young people’s lives.
Case studies / River basins / Calibration / Food production / Food security / Nutrients / Supplemental irrigation / Assessment / Soils / Decision support systems / Ecological factors / Sustainable agriculture / Onions / Dry season / Agricultural production / Sediment / Ponds / Irrigation water / Crop yield / Climate change / Stream flow / Downstream / Upstream / Intensification / Water productivity / Water yield / Water use / Watersheds / Water quality / Water requirements / Water harvesting / Ecosystem services
Record No:H047886
Kakumanu, Krishna Reddy; Tesfai, M.; Borrell, A.; Nagothu, U. S.; Reddy, S. K.; Reddy, G. K. 2016.
Climate smart rice production systems: studying the potential of alternate wetting and drying irrigation. In Nagothu, U. S. (Ed.). Climate change and agricultural development: improving resilience through climate smart agriculture, agroecology and conservation. Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.206-231.
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Case studies / Flow discharge / Cultivation / Seasonal cropping / Food security / Nitrous oxide / Methane / Emission reduction / Greenhouse gases / Irrigation water / Farmers / Water requirements / Water productivity / Water scarcity / Water conservation / Water use / Climate change / Rice / Agricultural production
Record No:H047888
Hiwasaki, L.; Bolliger, L.; Lacombe, Guillaume; Raneri, J.; Schut, M.; Staal, S. 2016.
Integrated systems research for sustainable smallholder agriculture in the Central Mekong: achievements and challenges of implementing integrated systems research. Hanoi, Vietnam: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). Southeast Asia Regional Program 178p.
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Case studies / Gender / Agricultural research / Research and development / Empowerment / Food production / Food security / Economic aspects / Marketing techniques / Environmental management / Systems analysis / Natural resources management / CGIAR / Research institutions / Nongovernmental organizations / Nutrition / Land cover / Land degradation / Landscape / Highlands / Land use / Living standards / Watersheds / Water storage / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Water availability / Soil conservation / Soil fertility / Livestock / Plantation crops / Crop management / River basin management / Humid tropics / Farmers / Smallholders / Sustainable agriculture / Integrated management
Record No:H047858
Williams, Timothy Olalekan. 2016.
Reconciling food and water security objectives of MENA [Middle East and North Africa] and sub-Saharan Africa: is there a role for large-scale agricultural investments? Food Security, 7(6):1199-1209.
[DOI] More... The attainment of food and water security rank high on the agendas of governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although the objectives are similar, the underlying drivers, resource endowments and opportunities for achieving them are different. Differences between two regions in natural resource endowment and investment capital stock can, in theory, lead to mutually beneficial trade to achieve desired objectives. Concerns about the recent food crises coupled with the disparity in land and water endowment and investable capital between MENA and SSA have led in recent years to investment in agricultural land in the latter by a number of MENA countries with the aim of producing food. At the same time, many SSA countries seek these investments to infuse capital, technology and know-how into their agricultural sector to improve productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. However, these recent foreign direct agricultural investments have to date performed poorly or have been abandoned without achieving the initial objectives of setting them up. Based on research conducted in selected sub-Saharan countries, this paper analyses the reasons for the failure of these investments. It then reviews a few successful agricultural investments by private sector companies with a long history of operation in SSA. Juxtaposing lessons distilled from failed and successful case studies, the paper argues that large-scale agricultural investments that take advantage of this accumulated knowledge are needed and do have a critical role to play. Such investments, when they also incorporate ecosystems management practices and smallholder inclusive business models in their operations, can serve as appropriate instruments to reconcile the food and water security objectives of both the MENA region and SSA, while promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture and improved rural livelihoods in SSA.
Ecosystems / Social aspects / Economic aspects / Environmental impact / Water rights / Land rights / Irrigated land / Farmland / Rural areas / Models / Business management / Foreign investment / Living standards / Suburban agriculture / Land resources / Water resources / Water security / Food security
Record No:H047274
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2016.
Watershed moments: a photographic anthology celebrating 30 years of research for a water-secure world (1985–2015 and beyond). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 96p.
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Dams / Rural communities / Food security / Urbanization / Rain / Environmental effects / Soils / Equity / s participation / Womenapos / Gender / Floodplains / Households / Living standards / River basins / Farmers / Pumps / Sprinkler irrigation / Irrigation systems / Multiple use / Wastewater / Groundwater / Water security / Water governance / Water reuse / Water quality / Water balance / Water use / Water management / Water resources / Watersheds / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H047829
Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Nhamo, Luxon; Backeberg, G.; Modi, A. T. 2016.
Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in southern Africa – linking water, energy and food. Paper presented at the 2nd World Irrigation Forum, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 6-8 November 2016. 10p.
More... Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces high incidence of food and nutrition insecurity. Consequently, increasing agricultural productivity has always featured prominently on regional agenda. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s (CAADP) set a target to expand the area under irrigation by at least 5 million ha by 2025. This review assessed the current status of irrigated agriculture in SSA from a water–energy–food nexus perspective, focusing on southern Africa. Gaps and opportunities for improving irrigated agriculture were also assessed in terms of the feasible limits to which they can be exploited. Sub-Saharan Africa faces water scarcity and projections show that countries in SSA will face increased physical and / or economic water scarcity by 2025. However, with agriculture already accounting for more than 60% of water withdrawals, increasing area under irrigation could worsen the problem of water scarcity. Recurrent droughts experienced across SSA reaffirm the sensitive issue of food insecurity and water scarcity. The region also faces energy insecurity with most countries experiencing chronic power outages. Increasing area under irrigation will place additional demand on the already strained energy grids. Projections of an increasing population within SSA indicate increased food and energy demand; a growing middle class also adds to increasing food demand. This poses the question - is increasing irrigated agriculture a solution to water scarcity, food insecurity and energy shortages? This review recommends that, whilst there are prospects for increasing area under irrigation and subsequent agricultural productivity, technical planning should adopt a water–energy–food nexus approach to setting targets. Improving water productivity in irrigated agriculture could reduce water and energy use while increasing yield output.
Capacity building / Farmers / Smallholders / Dam construction / Infrastructure / Energy consumption / Energy demand / Nutritional losses / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Water productivity / Food production / Food insecurity / Food security / Cultivated land / Rainfed farming / Agriculture / Irrigated farming / Small scale farming / Farming systems
Record No:H047846
Makin, Ian W. 2016.
Irrigation infrastructure for sustainable and improved agricultural productivity. Topic Guide. Hertfordshire, UK: Evidence on Demand 64p.
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Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / Land resources / Land ownership / Participatory management / Solar energy / Stakeholders / Smallholders / Multiple use / Climate change / Water resources / Gender / Food supply / Food security / Food production / Population growth / Investment / Productivity / Sustainable agriculture / Irrigated farming / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management
Record No:H047802
Bell, A.; Matthews, Nathanial; Zhang, W. 2016.
Opportunities for improved promotion of ecosystem services in agriculture under the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 6(1):183-191.
[DOI] More... In this study, we focus on water quality as a vehicle to illustrate the role that the water, energy, and food (WEF) Nexus perspective may have in promoting ecosystem services in agriculture. The mediation of water quality by terrestrial systems is a key ecosystem service for a range of actors (municipalities, fishers, industries, and energy providers) and is reshaped radically by agricultural activity. To address these impacts, many programs exist to promote improved land-use practices in agriculture; however, where these practices incur a cost or other burden to the farmer, adoption can be low unless some form of incentive is provided (as in a payment for ecosystem services (PES) program). Provision of such incentives can be a challenge to sustain in the long term, if there is not a clear beneficiary or other actor willing to provide them. Successfully closing the loop between impacts and incentives often requires identifying a measurable and valuable service with a clear central beneficiary that is impacted by the summative effects of the diffuse agricultural practices across the landscape. Drawing on cases from our own research, we demonstrate how the WEF Nexus perspective—by integrating non-point-source agricultural problems under well-defined energy issues—can highlight central beneficiaries of improved agricultural practice, where none may have existed otherwise.
Case studies / Environmental management / Farmers / Conservation agriculture / Landscape / Drinking water / Pest management / Integrated management / Agriculture / Energy consumption / Food security / Water quality / Water use / Water security / Water power / Payment agreements / Payment for Ecosystem Services
Record No:H047782
Ringler, C.; Willenbockel, D.; Perez, N.; Rosegrant, M.; Zhu, T.; Matthews, Nathanial. 2016.
Global linkages among energy, food and water: an economic assessment. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 6(1):161-171.
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The resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 25 September 2015 is symptomatic of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus. It postulates goals and related targets for 2030 that include (1) End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture (SDG2); (2) Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (SDG6); and (3) Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG7). There will be tradeoffs between achieving these goals particularly in the wake of changing consumption patterns and rising demands from a growing population expected to reach more than nine billion by 2050. This paper uses global economic analysis tools to assess the impacts of long-term changes in fossil fuel prices, for example, as a result of a carbon tax under the UNFCCC or in response to new, large findings of fossil energy sources, on water and food outcomes. We find that a fossil fuel tax would not adversely affect food security and could be a boon to global food security if it reduces adverse climate change impacts.
Income / Households / Prices / Agricultural products / Fuels / Biofuels / Fossils / Economic aspects / Renewable energy / Energy resources / Climate change / Sustainability / Sanitation / Water security / Water management / Food security
Record No:H047781
Bird, Jeremy; Roy, Srabani; Shah, Tushaar; Aggarwal, Pramod; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Amarnath, Giriraj; Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Pavelic, Paul; McCornick, Peter. 2016.
Adapting to climate variability and change in India. In Biswas, A. K.; Tortajada, C. (Eds.). Water security, climate change and sustainable development. Gateway East: Singapore. pp.41-63.
(Water Resources Development and Management) More... Responding to rainfall variability has always been one of the most critical risks facing farmers. It is also an integral part of the job of water managers, whether it be designing interventions for flood management, improving the reliability of water supply for irrigation or advising on priorities during drought conditions. The conventional tools and approaches employed are no longer sufficient to manage the increasing uncertainty and incidence of extreme climate events, and the consequent effects these have on human vulnerability and food security. To be effective, the technological advances need to be matched with physical, institutional and management innovations that transcend sectors, and place adaptation and responsiveness to variability at the centre of the approach. This chapter examines a number of these challenges and possible solutions at a range of scales, from ‘climate-smart villages’ to national policy, with a focus on Asia and India, in particular.
Pumps / Solar energy / Irrigation systems / River basins / Food security / Irrigation / Drought / Flooding / Surface water / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / Water storage / Water security / Water management / Farmers / Rain / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H047360
Sharma, Bharat. 2015.
Role of groundwater in archiving food security in India: challenges and opportunities [Abstract only]. In India. Ministry of Water Resources. Central Group Water Board. River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Bhujal Manthan - A National Dialogue on Clean and Sustainable Groundwater. Abstract Volume, Haryana, India, 21 August 2015. New Delhi, India: Ministry of Water Resources. Central Group Water Board. River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. pp.150-152.
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Energy consumption / Economic aspects / Smallholders / Agricultural production / Food security / Water use / Water resources / Groundwater development / Groundwater irrigation
Record No:H047213
Buerkert, A.; Marschner, B.; Steiner, C.; Schlecht, E.; Wichern, M.; Schareika, N.; Lowenstein, W.; Drescher, A. W.; Glaser, R.; Kranjac-Berisavljevic, G.; Gnankambary, Z.; Drechsel, Pay; Jean-Pascal Lompo, D. 2015.
UrbanFoodplus – African-German Partnership to enhance resource use efficiency in urban and peri-urban agriculture for improved food security inWest African cities [Abstract only]. In Tielkes, E. (Ed.). Management of land use systems for enhanced food security: conflicts, controversies and resolutions. Book of abstracts. International Research on Food Security, Natural Resource Management and Rural Development, Tropentag 2015, Berlin, Germany, 16-18 September 2015. Witzenhausen, Germany: German Institute for Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics. pp.350-351.
More... Food security in West Africa not only depends on productivity increases in marginal rural areas, but also on enhanced use of intensively farmed agricultural “niche” lands such as the urban and peri-urban spaces. They are characterised by easy market access and input availability which allows self-reinforcing processes of agricultural intensification. However, too little is known about resource use efficiencies, matter flows and negative externalities in these systems. Starting from general assessments (status quo analyses), the African-German UrbanFoodPlus (UFP) network develops and tests site-specific, farmer-tailored innovations. These directly address the above mentioned knowledge gaps in the fourWest African cities of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Tamale (Ghana), Bamako (Mali), and Bamenda (Cameroon). At all locations farmers attempt to cope with increasing land pressure by cultivating along electrical power lines, on public property, and on undeveloped private land.
Inorganic fertilizers / Organic fertilizers / Soil fertility / Farmers / Resource evaluation / Partnerships / International cooperation / Nutrients / Food security / Irrigation / Periurban agriculture / Urban agriculture
Record No:H047212
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2015.
Improving water management in Myanmar’s dry zone for food security, livelihoods and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 52p.
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Information management / Soil conservation / Farmers / Rainfed farming / Land degradation / Landscape / Investment / Pumping / Irrigation schemes / Irrigated land / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater irrigation / Multiple use / Domestic water / Wells / Ponds / Reservoir storage / Water accounting / Water conservation / Water use / Water resources / Runoff / Rivers / Agroecosystems / Health / Living standards / Food security / Arid zones / Water management
Record No:H047190
Adimassu, Zenebe; Kessler, A. 2015.
Impact of the productive safety net program on farmers 'investments in sustainable land management in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Environmental Development, 16:54-62.
[DOI] More... This study assesses the impact of the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) on farmersapos; investments in sustainable land management (SLM) practices in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia. Primary data were collected using a structured and pre-tested questionnaire for a sample of 159 households (82 PSNP participants and 77 non-participants) in four kebeles (the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) of two weredas (districts). Using a cross-sectional household survey, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to assess the impact of PSNP on householdsapos; investments in soil erosion control and soil fertility management. The PSM results show that the control group of households (non-participants in PSNP) invested more in soil erosion control measures as compared to the treated group of households (participants in PSNP). On the contrary, however, the treated group of households significantly invested more in soil fertility management practices (e.g. inorganic fertilizer and compost) as compared to the control group of households. The negative impact of PSNP on households’ investments in soil erosion control in the treated group of farmers is related to their high labor investment in public works, which is not the case for the non-participants in PSNP. This implies that PSNP should pay more attention to capacity building and awareness raising, which requires a restructuring of the program that would benefit long-term and more sustainable impact on reducing food insecurity and enhancing natural resources in the CRV of Ethiopia.
Case studies / Labor / Capacity building / Composts / Inorganic fertilizers / Erosion / Soil fertility / Households / Productivity / Food security / Investment / Farmers / Sustainability / Land management
Record No:H047113
Williams, Timothy O.; Mul, Marloes; Cofie, Olufunke; Kinyangi, J.; Zougmore, R.; Wamukoya, G.; Nyasimi, M.; Mapfumo, P.; Speranza, C. I.; Amwata, D.; Frid-Nielsen, S.; Partey, S.; Girvetz, E.; Rosenstock, T.; Campbell, B. 2015.
Climate smart agriculture in the African context. Background Paper. Paper presented at the Feeding Africa - An Action Plan for African Agricultural Transformation. Session 1: Unlocking Africa’s Agricultural Potentials for Transformation to Scale, Dakar, Senegal, 21-23 October 2015. 26p.
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Policy making / Financing / Empowerment / Youth / Women / Gender / Socioeconomic environment / Investment / Sustainable development / Economic aspects / Ecosystems / Farmers / Smallholders / Poverty / Food security / Climate change / Agriculture
Record No:H048252
Villholth, Karen G. 2015.
Groundwater for food security. Module 9. In Africa Groundwater Network (AGW-Net). Training manual on integration of groundwater management into transboundary basin organizations in Africa. Hanover, Germany: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR); Harare, Zimbabwe: Africa Groundwater Network (AGW-Net); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Computer Aided Provider Network (Cap-Net). 20p.
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Case studies / Farmers / Economic aspects / Living standards / Energy / Food security / Water management / Water use / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater development
Record No:H047057
Langan, Simon. 2015.
Keynote address. In Langan, Simon; Kebede, H.; Tadesse, Desalegne; Terefe, B. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Launching Workshop of the Agricultural Water Management Platform, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15-16 January 2015. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.7-8.
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Food security / Stakeholders / Water management / Agricultural development
Record No:H047033
Baker, Tracy; Kiptala, J.; Olaka, L.; Oates, N.; Hussain, Asghar; McCartney, Matthew. 2015.
Baseline review and ecosystem services assessment of the Tana River Basin, Kenya. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 107p.
(IWMI Working Paper 165) [DOI] More... |
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The ‘WISE-UP to climate’ project aims to demonstrate the value of natural infrastructure as a ‘nature-based solution’ for climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Within the Tana River Basin, both natural and built infrastructure provide livelihood benefits for people. Understanding the interrelationships between the two types of infrastructure is a prerequisite for sustainable water resources development and management. This is particularly true as pressures on water resources intensify and the impacts of climate change increase. This report provides an overview of the biophysical characteristics, ecosystem services and links to livelihoods within the basin.
Food security / Energy generation / Water power / Socioeconomic environment / Livestock production / Charcoal / Mining / Sand / Irrigation schemes / Dams / Eucalyptus / Forests / Wetlands / Groundwater recharge / Infrastructure / Natural resources / Sedimentation / Surface water / Flooding / Floodplains / Climate change / Soils / Biodiversity conservation / Coastal area / Rainfed farming / Small scale farming / Farmland / Living standards / Highlands / Pastoral lands / Land management / Land use / Land cover / River basins / Assessment / Ecosystem services
Record No:H047535
McCartney, Matthew P.; Khaing, O. 2015.
A country in rapid transition: can Myanmar achieve food security? In Nagothu, U. S. (Ed.). Food security and development: country case studies. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.79-103.
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Infrastructure / Rural development / Social aspects / Private sector / Non governmental organizations / Investment / State intervention / Farmers / Water availability / Land reform / Land degradation / Malnutrition / Poverty / Rice / Agricultural production / Economic development / Food security
Record No:H046976
Nicol, Alan; Langan, Simon; Victor, M.; Gonsalves, J. 2015.
Water-smart agriculture in East Africa. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE); Kampala, Uganda: Global Water Initiative East Africa (GWI EA) 352p.
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Case studies / Collective action / Learning / Natural resources management / Gender / Dams / Smallholders / Incentives / Income / Wetlands / Catchment areas / Arid lands / Sustainable development / Erosion / Highlands / Participatory approaches / Soil conservation / Rehabilitation / Groundwater / Water storage / Water use / Water conservation / Water harvesting / Rain / Watershed management / Land management / Livestock production / Maize / Rice / Sorghum / Crops / Drought tolerance / Food security / Adaptation / Climate change / Vegetable growing / Drip irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Small scale farming / Water productivity / Agriculture
Record No:H046950
Balana, Bedru Babulo. 2015.
Trade-offs or synergies?: assessment of ecosystem services in multi-use small reservoirs in Burkina Faso [Abstract only]. In Nyssen J., Enyew A., Poesen J et al. (Eds.). International Conference on Tropical Lakes in a Changing Environment: Water, Land, Biology, Climate and Humans (TropiLakes), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 23-29 September 2015. Book of Abstracts. Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Bahir Dar University. pp.42-43.
More... Small reservoirs (SRs) development, as a strategy to enhance food and water security in water-scarce regions, has long attracted the interests of governments and development agents. The main argument put forward was that by providing water for small-scale agriculture, they can cushion the impacts of drought and rainfall variability on vulnerable and less-developed regions. Because of the dominance of interests in small-scale irrigation, performance assessments of SRs have concentrated on irrigation outcomes. The multiple non-irrigation uses/benefits and potential negative externalities were largely neglected in the measurement of their performance. The publication of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005 triggered the concept of ‘ecosystem services’ and prompted both academia and policy decisions to consider multiple effects/impacts of human activities on natural capital, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing. Along the lines of the surge in thoughts in ‘ecosystem services’, SRs, besides irrigation use, could generate multiple benefits such as improved access to domestic water, enhance women’s position, recreation, livelihood diversification, fisheries, water availability for livestock, limiting floods, and increased biodiversity. On the other hand, SRs may have unwanted side-effects such as environmental deterioration, decrease in water quality, adverse health impacts (e.g., harbour mosquitos), and reduce environmental flows and ground water recharge. Thus, SRs’ performance need to be assessed against these multiple benefits/dis-benefits and whether there exist trade-offs or synergetic relationship.
In the context of ecosystem services (ES), trade-offs between ES arise from management and/or utilization choices made by humans, which can change the type, magnitude, quality and relative mix of ES. Trade-offs occur when the provision of one or more ES is reduced as a consequence of increased use of another ES. In some cases, trade-offs may be an explicit choice; in others, it may take place without explicit account or even without awareness of the decision makers. As human activities transform ecosystems to obtain more of specific services, other services tend to diminish (trade-offs). Understanding how trade-offs operate temporally and spatially in various ecosystems and analysis of either to minimize the trade-offs or find synergetic solutions could provide decision support evidence for sustainable management of natural resources and human wellbeing.
Most parts of Burkina Faso (BF) suffer from physical water scarcity and irregular distribution of groundwater. SR development has been promoted as a key strategy aiming at enhancing water and food security in BF. A conservative estimate shows that there are about 1500 SRs in BF. These are used for small-scale irrigations, livestock, and domestic purposes. From 2002 BF has initiated a program to develop village irrigation, which facilitates the exploitation of all the irrigable areas around the SR
Water quality / Domestic water / Small scale farming / Food security / Water security / Health hazards / Assessment / Reservoirs / Multiple use / Ecosystem services
Record No:H047415
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2015.
Environmental livelihood security in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Water Policy Brief 37) [DOI] More... |
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GIS / Land cover / Policy making / Water resources / Energy / Food security / Climate change / Sustainable development / Living standards / Environmental protection
Record No:H046987
Hanjra, Munir A.; Drechsel, Pay; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Otoo, Miriam; Hernandez-Sancho, F. 2015.
Assessing the finance and economics of resource recovery and reuse solutions across scales. In Drechsel, Pay; Qadir, Manzoor; Wichelns, D. (Eds.). Wastewater: economic asset in an urbanizing world. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp.113-136.
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Natural resources management / Poverty / Food security / Nutrients / Renewable energy / Health hazards / Public health / Cost benefit analysis / Finance / Economic analysis / Water reuse / Wastewater treatment / Resource management
Record No:H046964
Cofie, Olufunke; Amede, T. 2015.
Water management for sustainable agricultural intensification and smallholder resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water Resources and Rural Development, 6:3-11. (Special issue: Managing Rainwater and Small Reservoirs in Sub-Saharan Africa).
[DOI] More... Water management strategies and allocation policies that support agricultural intensification across agro-ecological zones and hydrologic basins are required for building resilient agrarian communities in sub-Saharan Africa.We provide an overview of the research and investments needed to enhance agriculture in the region, with a focus on technology and institutions, while describing opportunities for improving rainfed crop production.We discuss a range of water management practices in three river basins that were part of the Challenge Program onWater and Food research on Basin Development Challenges from 2009 to 2013. Our main message is that technical and institutional innovations in water management are required for creating and sustaining resilient agrarian communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Such innovations are best designed and implemented in consultations involving researchers, households, investors, and other participants with a management or regulatory responsibility. It is in this collaborative spirit that we introduce this Special Issue of Water Resources and Rural Development, in which several authors present results of studies on agricultural water management in the region, with recommendations for better planning and implementation of interventions to benefit smallholder farmers.
Irrigation water / Corporate culture / River basins / Crop production / Rainfed farming / Water productivity / Water scarcity / Water resources / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Policy making / Investment / Farmers / Food security / Smallholders / Intensification / Sustainable agriculture / Water management
Record No:H047398
Drechsel, Pay; Heffer, P.; Magen, H.; Mikkelsen, R.; Wichelns, D. 2015.
Managing water and fertilizer for sustainable agricultural intensification. : Paris, France: International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Georgia, USA: International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI); Horgen, Switzerland: International Potash Institute (IPI) 270p.
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Arid zones / Evapotranspiration / Biochemical compounds / Wastewater irrigation / Wastewater treatment / Rainfed farming / Subhumid zones / Humid climate zones / Crop yield / Water supply / Water use efficiency / Ecosystem services / Food security / Soil fertility / Nutrients / Nitrogen fertilizers / Intensification / Irrigated farming / Irrigation systems / Sustainable agriculture / Water productivity / Water management
Record No:H046805
Drechsel, Pay; Heffer, P.; Magen, H.; Mikkelsen, R.; Singh, H.; Wichelns, D. 2015.
Managing water and nutrients to ensure global food security, while sustaining ecosystem services. In Drechsel, Pay ; Heffer, P.; Magen, H.; Mikkelsen, R.; Wichelns, D. (Eds.). Managing water and fertilizer for sustainable agricultural intensification. Paris, France: International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Georgia, USA: International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Horgen, Switzerland: International Potash Institute (IPI). pp.1-7.
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Fertilizers / Soil fertility / Farmers / Ecosystem services / Nutrients / Food security / Water management
Record No:H046806
Sayatham, M.; Suhardiman, Diana. 2015.
Hydropower resettlement and livelihood adaptation: the Nam Mang 3 Project in Laos. Water Resources and Rural Development, 5:17-30.
[DOI] More... Mekong hydropower is developing rapidly. Laos is at the forefront of this development. While hydropower development supports the country’s economic growth, many observers have highlighted the potential negative impacts for people’s livelihoods. Taking the Nam Mang 3 hydropower project as a case study, we examine the impacts of hydropower development on farming households of differing livelihood assets and resources, and how they have responded to these impacts. Linking livelihood asset substitution with livelihood outcomes, we examine factors constraining livelihood adaptation and how these shape rural households’ strategies to cope with socioeconomic and environmental impacts from hydropower development. We conclude that while asset substitution generally can improve people’s livelihoods, access to land continues to play an important role in the process of livelihood reconstruction and the shaping of livelihood outcomes.
Case studies / Food security / Land use / Agriculture / Fisheries / Villages / Dams / Natural resources / Environmental impact / Development projects / Income / Households / Compensation / Reconstruction / Living standards / Economic development / Water power
Record No:H046867
Ringler, C.; Anwar, Arif. 2015.
Water for food security: challenges for Pakistan. In Ringler, C.; Anwar, Arif (Eds.). Water for food security: challenges for Pakistan. Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.1-10.
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Institutional development / River basins / Irrigation management / Agriculture / Water demand / Water resources / Water management / Food security
Record No:H046847
Ringler, C.; Anwar, Arif. 2015.
Water for food security: challenges for Pakistan. Oxon, UK: Routledge 173p.
(Routledge Special Issue on Water Policy and Governance) More...
River basins / Impact assessment / Economic aspects / Precipitation / Drought / Adaptation / Climate change / Legal aspects / Institutional development / Catchment areas / Water market / Surface water / Watershed management / Energy consumption / Canals / Irrigated farming / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management / Food security
Record No:H046846
Kakumanu, Krishna Reddy; Kuppannan, Palanisami; Aggarwal, Pramod Kumar; Ranganathan, C. R.; Nagothu, U. S. 2015.
Adaptation strategies to address the climate change impacts in three major river basins in India. In Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnston, Robyn; Smakhtin, Vladimir. Climate change and agricultural water management in developing countries. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.97-119.
(CABI Climate Change Series 8) More... |
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Farmers / Water use / Farm income / Rice / Crop yield / Irrigation water / Living standards / Food security / River basins / Adaptation / Climate change
Record No:H047374
Sood, Aditya. 2015.
Global water requirements of future agriculture: using WATERSIM. In Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnston, Robyn; Smakhtin, Vladimir. Climate change and agricultural water management in developing countries. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.32-47.
(CABI Climate Change Series 8) More... |
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Population growth / Socioeconomic environment / Food consumption / Food security / Industrial uses / Rainfed farming / Agricultural sector / Climate change / Domestic water / Water resources / Water use / Water accounting / Water demand / Water requirements
Record No:H047370
Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. 2015.
Agriculture in the rural-urban continuum: a CGIAR research perspective. Agriculture for Development, 26:14-19.
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Thirsty and hungry cities are posing significant challenges for the urban-rural interface ranging from food security to inter-sectoral water allocation. Not only is the supply of resources to urban centres a growing challenge in low-income countries, but even more is the urban return flow, as investments in waste management and sanitation, ie the ‘ultimate food waste’, are not able to keep pace with population growth. And where polluted water is used in irrigation to feed the cities, food safety is becoming a crucial component of food security. Most affected by resource competition and pollution are the urban and peri-urban farming systems which are often driven by the informal sector. Urban waste is not only a challenge but also offers opportunities. It is in this interface between agriculture and sanitation where the CGIAR operates through its research programme on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), addressing both the challenges and opportunities of urbanisation: by exploring novel perspectives and solutions to respond to changing population dynamics, resource demands, centralised water and nutrient flows, and ecosystem services under pressure.
Environmental health / Vegetables / Ecosystem services / Sanitation / Water pollution / Urban wastes / Irrigated farming / Food supply / Food security / Research institutions / CGIAR / Urban areas / Peri urban areas / Rural areas / Periurban agriculture / Urban agriculture
Record No:H047347
Aheeyar, Mohamed; Padmajani, T. 2015.
Technical efficiency of paddy cultivation in anicut schemes in the Walawe Basin. Paper presented at the International Network for Water and Ecosystems in Paddy Fields (INWEPF) Symposium on Achieving the Goals of Food security in Sustainable Paddy Water Ecosystems, Negombo, Sri Lanka, 3-5 November 2015. 12p.
More... Small run-of-the-river systems (Anicuts) play an important role in irrigated paddy production in Sri Lanka. The total land area under Anicut cultivation is 98,000 ha, benefitting over 333,000 families. Farming under the Anicut schemes is largely smallholder (average 0.3 ha), and the average paddy yield obtained from a hectare of land is about one metric tonne less than the yield of major irrigated areas. As the Anicut schemes are not benefited by reservoirs/storages or major diversions, and are entirely dependent on local rainfall, climate change would make the Anicut farmers more vulnerable. Therefore, increasing efficiency in paddy production is vital to enhancing the productivity and livelihoods of the farmers. This study aimed to measure the farm-level technical efficiency of Anicut farmers in the Walawe Basin. Data collected from162 random farmers in six Anicut schemes in Badulla and Ratnapura districts were used to run the stochastic frontier production function to estimate technical efficiency. Farmer-related exogenous variables causing farm-level variation in technical inefficiency were also assessed. The findings show that the average technical efficiency of the Anicut farmers in Badulla and Ratnapura districts is 65.9% and 74.73%, respectively. This indicates that, in the given mix of inputs used in paddy production, there is a loss of production by 34.1% and 25.27% in Badulla and Ratnapura districts due to inefficiency and allocative errors in the production technique. This paper discusses the determinants of technical efficiency and its relationship with Anicut farmers’ socioeconomic attributes.
Case studies / Food security / Rural population / Living standards / Socioeconomic environment / Farmers / River basins / Technological changes / Irrigation schemes / Cultivation / Rice / Agricultural production
Record No:H047346
Bekchanov, Maksud; Sood, Aditya; Jeuland, M. 2015.
Review of hydro-economic models to address river basin management problems: structure, applications and research gaps. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 60p.
(IWMI Working Paper 167) [DOI] More... |
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Across the globe, the prospect of increasing water demands coupled with the potential for reduced water availability is calling for implementation of a range of technological, institutional, and economic instruments to address growing water scarcity. Hydro-economic models (HEMs), which integrate the complex hydrologic and economic interrelationships inherent in most water resources systems, provide an effective means of diagnosing and devising solutions to water-related problems across varied spatial and temporal scales. This study reviews recent advances in hydro-economic modeling and characterizes the types of issues that are typically explored in the hydro-economic modeling literature. Our findings suggest that additional efforts are needed to more realistically account for the range and complexity of interlinkages between water systems and society, particularly with regards to ecology and water quality, and the food and energy sectors. Additionally, the forces that depend on water and operate on the broader economy, for example in interregional trade should be investigated further. Moreover, effects on the distribution of income within countries, and on migration should be considered in basin management modeling studies.
Institutions / Food security / Dam construction / Climate change / Indicators / Ecosystem services / Environmental flows / Catchment areas / Reservoir storage / Groundwater recharge / International waters / Virtual water / Water footprint / Water allocation / Water supply / Water use / Water quality / Water management / Water resources / Water power / Water demand / Models / Economic impact / Hydrology / River basin management
Record No:H047337
Makin, Ian W.; Manthrithilake, Herath. 2015.
Sustainable intensification of agriculture with sustainable irrigated agroecosystem services. Paper presented at the International Network for Water and Ecosystems in Paddy Fields (INWEPF) Symposium 2015 on Achieving the Goals of Food security in Sustainable Paddy Water Ecosystems, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 3-5 November 2015. 13p.
More... Irrigated agriculture is undeniably a significant modification to natural ecosystems, and one which has not been without significant adverse impacts on the ecology and hydrology of the landscapes and river basins in which irrigation systems are located. A lack of consideration for broader ecosystem service values during planning, implementation and subsequent operation of irrigation projects may explain the underperformance of investments in irrigation systems. In many cases, this has arisen because irrigation schemes have been designed for a single purpose (intensification or increase) of agricultural production without due consideration being given to other ecosystem functions, and in isolation from the landscape of the entire catchment.
Large-scale irrigation systems (LSIS) and smaller, often community managed, systems have been a central component in the food security of the population in much of Asia3, and these systems are expected to make increased contributions to food security and improved livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Irrigation has been an essential input to agriculture to meet the fast-increasing demand for food and is also a contributor to poverty reduction. Future population growth and economic development means that the increasing demand for food must be expected to continue, and it is projected that intensified irrigated agriculture will have to provide about 60% of the extra food needed (World Bank, 2007). Yet, the expansion of irrigated areas has slowed, rates of productivity improvement are slowing, and water availability for irrigation is being constrained by alternate demands for water. Simultaneously, concerns over loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems have increased, resulting in the increasing examination of the sustainability of agricultural value chains and the role of agriculture in the landscape.
The core objective of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), is to promote the sustainable intensification of agriculture through evidence-based research and policy development. Fundamental to the achievement of this goal is the application and uptake of an ecosystem services and resilience-based approach.
This paper presents an ecosystem service-based approach to sustainable intensification of irrigated agriculture, highlighting approaches to guide research, policy development and strategies to stimulate ecosystem-inclusive management of irrigated agriculture. The concepts of ecosystem services are reasonably well established. However, attempts to develop ecosystem-inclusive management of LSIS is new.
Rice / Poverty / Living standards / Food security / Investment / Landscape / Irrigation systems / Irrigated land / Irrigated farming / Intensification / Ecosystem services / Agroecosystems / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H047277
Pittock, J.; Or, S.; Stevens, L.; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Smith, M. 2015.
Tackling trade-offs in the nexus of water, energy and food. Aquatic Procedia, 5:58-68.
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We explore processes that enable effective policies and practices for managing the links between water, energy, and food. Three case studies are assessed at different scales in the Mekong River basin, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. We find that there are considerable opportunities for improving outcomes for sustainable development by finding solutions that accommodate multiple objectives in the nexus. These include making data more publicly available, commissioning independent experts to advise on contested issues, engaging under-represented stakeholders in decision-making, sharing benefits, exploring different perspectives in forums where alternative development options can be tested and engaging decision-makers at different scales.
Case studies / Farmers / River basins / Decision making / Community development / Energy / Food security / Stakeholders / Living standards / Institutions / Water power / Irrigation schemes / Sustainable development
Record No:H047269
van Koppen, Barbara; Tapela, B.; Mapedza, Everisto. 2015.
Gender, rights, and the politics of productivity: the case of the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa. In Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. (Eds.) Water is life: women’s human rights in national and local water governance in southern and eastern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press. pp.535-574.
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Case studies / Training / Labor / Farmers / Smallholders / Local government / Food security / Multiple use / Domestic water / Water management / Water resources / Water rights / Irrigation schemes / Political aspects / Human rights / Women / Men / Gender
Record No:H047310
Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2015.
Water is life: women’s human rights in national and local water governance in southern and eastern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press 620p.
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Case studies / Living standards / Households / Food security / Multiple use / Community organizations / Corporate culture / Institutions / Standards / Small farms / Irrigation schemes / Suburban areas / Urban areas / Rural areas / Local authorities / Social aspects / Colonialism / Political aspects / Economic aspects / Legislation / Legal aspects / Common lands / Land reform / Land ownership / Landscape / Sanitation / Freshwater / Water user associations / Water quality / Water availability / Water use / Domestic water / Water policy / Water law / Water rights / Water scarcity / Water governance / Water resources / Ethnic groups / Equity / Women / Gender / Human rights
Record No:H047293
Williams, Timothy Olalekan; Sidibe, Yoro. 2015.
Can current land and water governance systems promote sustainable and equitable large-scale agricultural investments in sub-Saharan Africa? In Global Water Partnership (GWP); International Land Coalition (ILC); International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Proceedings of the Joint GWP-ILC-IWMI Workshop on Responding to the Global Food Security Challenge Through Coordinated Land and Water Governance, Pretoria, South Africa, 15-16 June 2015. Stockholm, Sweden: Global Water Partnership (GWP); Rome, Italy: International Land Coalition (ILC); Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 9p.
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Ever since the oil, financial and food crises of 2008, sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed a marked increase in large-scale investment in agricultural land. The drivers of this investment are varied and include growing food, water and energy insecurity as well as social and economic interests of investors and recipient countries. The shape of these investments and their eventual outcomes are equally influenced by the existing land and water governance systems in the host countries. Based on fieldlevel research conducted in Ghana and Mali which covered six large-scale agricultural investments, this paper analyzes the current land and water governance systems in these two countries through the lens of land and water acquisition and initial outcomes. It highlights missed opportunities for sustainable and equitable large-scale agricultural land investments due to uncoordinated governance systems and failure to rigorously apply detailed rules and regulations that are already in place. It offers suggestions for revamping land and water governance to promote large-scale investments that will lead to equitable distribution of benefits and sustainable management of natural resources.
Living standards / Food security / Natural resources / Property rights / Sustainability / Equity / Institutions / Farmland / Agriculture / Land rights / Land investments / Land acquisitions / Land tenure / Water rights / Water governance
Record No:H047292
Luwesi, Cush Ngonzo; Kinuthia, W.; Mutiso, M. N.; Akombo, R. A.; Doke, D. A.; Ruhakana, A. 2015.
Climate change, pro-poor schemes and water inequality: strengths and weaknesses of Kauti Irrigation Water Users’ Association, Kenya. In Atakilte, B. (Ed.). Agricultural water institutions in East Africa. Uppsala, Sweden: The Nordic Africa Institute. pp.43-60.
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Food security / Watershed management / Soil conservation / Natural disasters / Drought / Rain / Risk reduction / Agricultural production / Water scarcity / Water conservation / Water availability / Environmental degradation / Rural areas / Farmers / Water user associations / Irrigation water / Climate change
Record No:H047284
de Zeeuw, H.; Drechsel, Pay. 2015.
Cities and agriculture: developing resilient urban food systems. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan 431p.
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Sustainability / Urban farmers / Households / Pollution / Environmental effects / Public health / Health hazards / Flood control / Income / Financing / Economic development / Equity / Gender / Aquaculture / Agroforestry / Forestry / Livestock / Greenhouses / Aalternative agriculture / Irrigation systems / Horticulture / Climate change / Water quality / Wastewater treatment / Waste treatment / Excreta / Solid wastes / Liquid wastes / Organic matter / Organic wastes / Urban wastes / Developing countries / Stakeholders / Feeding habits / Nutrition / Food chains / Food supply / Food consumption / Food production / Food security / Food industry / Food policies / Urban agriculture / Urbanization
Record No:H047224
Stein, C.; Barron, J.; Nigussie, L.; Gedif, B.; Amsalu, T.; Langan, Simon. 2014.
Advancing the water-energy-food nexus: social networks and institutional interplay in the Blue Nile. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 24p.
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Sustainability / Stakeholders / Land resources / Environmental protection / Ecosystems / Natural resources management / Social structure / corporate culture / Research / River basins / food security / Energy management / Energy sources / Water management / Agriculture
Record No:H046623
Danso, G.; Hope, L.; Drechsel, Pay. 2014.
Financial and economic aspects of urban vegetable farming. In Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. (Eds.) Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.38-50.
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This chapter explores some of the financial and economic aspects of urban and peri-urban agriculture in Ghana. Cost-benefit analysis comparisons were made of farm finances of common rural, peri-urban and urban farming systems. Substudies also tried to quantify benefits for society and to cost externalities related to soil nutrient depletion, pesticide use and urban malaria.
Environmental impact / Households / Food security / Food supply / Malaria / Health hazards / Public health / Soil fertility / Pesticides / Crops / Vegetables / Farming systems / Suburban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Costs / Financing / Economic aspects
Record No:H046601
Drechsel, Pay; Keraita, B. 2014.
Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risk mitigation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 247p.
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Stakeholders / Malaria / Health hazards / Public health / Sustainability / Environmental health / Faecal coliforms / Heavy metals / Helminths / Pesticide residues / Biological contamination / Soil fertility / Land tenure / Women farmers / Gender / Marketing / Income / Households / Financing / Economic aspects / Water policy / Water use / Water quality / Sanitation / Food supply / Food security / Cropping systems / Wastewater irrigation / Risk management / Vegetable growing / Suburban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Irrigated farming
Record No:H046597
Mekuria, Wolde; Noble, Andrew; Sengtaheuanghoung, O.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Bossio, D.; Sipaseuth, N.; McCartney, Matthew; Langan, Simon. 2014.
Organic and clay-based soil amendments increase maize yield, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties in Lao PDR. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 38:936-961.
[DOI] More... In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), increasing food security remains a challenge since smallholder agricultural systems, which are the main source of food production, are under serious threat due to poor soil fertility and climate variability. This study was undertaken in Lao PDR to investigate the impacts of organic and clay-based soil amendments on maize yield, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties. Structured field experiments were established over two consecutive years (2011 and 2012) with maize as the test crop at the Veunkham and Naphok sites. Ten treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were control, rice husk biochar (applied at a rate of 10 t ha-1), bentonite clay (10 t ha-1), compost (4 t ha-1), clay-manure compost (10 t ha-1), rice husk biochar compost (10 t ha-1), and their combinations. All treatments were applied in 2011. Significant (p lt; 0.05) treatment effects in maize grain yields, total nutrient uptake, and soil properties were observed. At Veunkham, differences between the control and amended soils in yield ranged from 0.9 to 3.3 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.3 t ha-1 in 2012, whereas differences at Naphok varied between 0.2 and 2.2 t ha-1 in 2011 and from 0.2 to 1.7 t ha-1 in 2012. At both sites, in most of the treatments, yields in 2012 were significantly (p lt; 0.05) lower than 2011; this was attributed to a late season drought. Differences between the control and amended soils in yield can be attributed to the improvements in total N and P uptake, soil pH, exchangeable Ca++ and Mg++, and cation-exchange capacity following the application of soil amendments. The results of this study confirm that the soil amendments under consideration can be effective in improving agricultural productivity, while improving key soil properties indicating that soil amendments could be an option for intensification of agricultural productivity.
Land degradation / Biomass / Composts / Bentonite / Smallholders / Agricultural production / Food production / Food security / Nutrients / Clay / Rice husks / Maize / soil organic matter / Soil properties / Soil amendments
Record No:H046584
Shah, Tushaar. 2014.
Groundwater governance and irrigated agriculture. Stockholm, Sweden: Global Water Partnership, Technical Committee (TEC) 71p.
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Community management / Pumping / Tube wells / Farmers / Smallholders / Food security / Aquifers / Administration / Prices / Economic aspects / Agriculture / Groundwater irrigation / Water conservation / Water use / Water governance / Groundwater
Record No:H046583
Douxchamps, Sabine; Ayantunde, A.; Barron, J. 2014.
Taking stock of forty years of agricultural water management interventions in smallholder systems of Burkina Faso. Water Resources and Rural Development, 3:1-13.
[DOI] More... Agricultural water management (AWM) strategies have been extensively studied and promoted in Burkina Faso during the past four decades. However, rainfall variability and water access continue to limit agricultural production of most of the smallholder farming systems of the country. Our goals in this paper are: (i) to review the evolution of AWM development with respect to the technologies promoted, while emphasizing the context, approaches, investments and outcomes; (ii) to explore the linkages between the evolution of AWM projects, their outcomes and their impacts on rural livelihoods; and (iii) to provide recommendations to enhance the impact of new development initiatives. Between 1970 and 2009, 195 bilateral and multilateral AWM projects were implemented in Burkina Faso, corresponding to an investment of US$ 641 million.The study of the evolution of these projects allows one to assess the reasons for their success or failure. While projects involved many technical solutions, their actual impact on livelihoods is debatable. Using an outcome–impacts framework, we provide recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of investments in agricultural water management.
Poverty / Food security / Yields / Project design / Investment / Living standards / Smallholders / Small scale farming / Water management / Agriculture
Record No:H046430
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2014.
IWMI Strategy 2014-2018: solutions for a water-secure world. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 32p. (Also in Russian)
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Food security / Land management / Water management / Water security / Institutional development / Research programmes / Research institutes / Strategy planning
Record No:H046441
Keraita, Bernard; Amoah, Philip; Drechsel, Pay; Akple, M. 2014.
Enhancing adoption of food safety measures in urban vegetable production and marketing systems. In Nono-Womdim, R.; Mendez, D. Gutierrez; Sy Gaye, A. (Eds.). International Symposium on Urban and Peri-Urban Horticulture in the Century of Cities: Lessons, Challenges, Opportunities, Dakar, Senegal, 5-9 December 2010. Vol 1. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). pp.391-399.
(ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1021) More... Urban vegetable production and marketing systems in low-income countries are prone to contamination from polluted irrigation water, use of manure as fertilizer, unsanitary market conditions and other improper postharvest handling practices. In the recent past, the multiple-barrier approach has been adapted in research to develop measures to reduce contamination at different levels on the food chain. However, adoption of these measures could be constrained by low awareness levels of risks and risk-reduction measures as well as lack of adoption incentives. This paper presents various approaches and practical considerations that could enhance adoption rates of these measures, based on lessons learned from extensive studies carried out in Ghana. These studies include participatory development of risk reduction measures where end-users are actively involved in the process, incorporating their perceptions, needs and constraints. In addition, relevant social marketing techniques, incentive systems, awareness creation/education strategies and appropriate regulation measures are described. However, for optimal adoption, a combined framework of the most relevant approaches is advised.
Health hazards / Waste management / Farmers / Costs / Risk management / Contamination / Marketing / Vegetables / Urban agriculture / Food security
Record No:H046437
Larbi, T. O.; Cofie, Olufunke; Amoah, Philip; Veenhuizen, R. V. 2014.
Strengthening urban producer organizations for innovative vegetable production and marketing in West African cities: experiences from Accra, Chana and Ibadan, Nigeria. In Nono-Womdim, R.; Mendez, D. Gutierrez; Sy Gaye, A. (Eds.). International Symposium on Urban and Peri-Urban Horticulture in the Century of Cities: Lessons, Challenges, Opportunities, Dakar, Senegal, 6 December 2010. Vol 1. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). pp.167-180.
(ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1021) More... Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is seen as a subsistence-oriented production system. It has been given little formal support or recognition by city authorities in the development plans. Recent development programmes have continued to raise awareness about this phenomenon, and local authorities have begun to understand the role UPA can play in improving urban food supply and reducing poverty. Constraints to UPA such as limited access to land and good quality water, poor farmer organization, participation in policy development, and poor policy support, imply that UPA needs to be productive and profitable through diverse innovations. In Accra, Ghana and Ibadan, Nigeria, 200 urban farmers were organized into 8 producer groups and trained using technical and organizational innovations in vegetable production so as to improve yield and income. The Ibadan groups were predominantly female farmers, while Accra groups were mainly male. Training was delivered through the Urban Producer Field Schools (UPFS) on topics ranging from integrated plant production and protection principles, food safety and risk-minimization in wastewater use for irrigation to value-addition for marketing. Farmers dealt with organized marketing, targeting niche markets. The farmer groups in Accra progressed significantly over a one-year period of group strengthening as became evident in their organized structure and participation in group processes. The Ibadan group lagged behind at the group formation stage, apparently because of the hierarchical nature of the group and personal conflicts. In addition, external factors such as disease infestation affected the group processes in Ibadan. Adoption of innovations was higher among the farmers in Accra, where farmers applied at least 3 out of 6 different innovations, while adoption of innovations among female farmers in Ibadan was low: as less than 30% adopted 2 out of 5 different innovations. In both Accra and Ibadan, considerable improvement in crop performance was recorded.
Capacity building / Farmers / Wastewater / Marketing / Food security / Vegetables / Suburban agriculture / Urban agriculture
Record No:H046436
Prathapar, Sanmugam A.; Khan, M. M.; Mbaga, M. D. 2014.
The potential of transforming Salalah into Oman’s vegetables basket. In Shahid, S. A.; Ahmed, M. (Eds.). Environmental cost and face of agriculture in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: fostering agriculture in the context of climate change. London, UK: Springer. 15p.
More... Agriculture in the Sultanate of Oman is mostly small scale and is a part of the traditional way of life. The majority of the population benefit from agriculture, however little. The 67 % of the population was in households that had at least one crop or livestock holding where the output contributed to consumption or income. Since the year 2000, the Government spent Rial Omani (RO) 20.1 million on agriculture and fishery development, and another RO 39.4 million on water resources development. Furthermore, the government encourages farming by offering land, machinery, and extension services. However, during the period 2000 till 2007, crop production has in fact gone down. In other words, despite being a capital rich country, substantial investment in agriculture, it is increasingly becoming a food insecure country. An indepth analysis of Oman’s agricultural sub-sectors shows that, household sub-sector contributed 27 % of the total value. Primary crop production in Oman in 2005/07 was 486.872 metric tons of which contribution of fruits and vegetables were 353,072 metric tons and 102,606 respectively. In comparison, only 26,206 metric tons of cereals were produced. The value of production of cereals and vegetables were 7.8 and 17.6 million RO respectively. This comparison confirms that Omanis prefer producing high value vegetables to cereal crops. In addition to vegetables produced locally, Oman imported 148,345 metric tons during the same period. Therefore, it is interesting to explore, if vegetable production in Oman can be further increased, resulting in increased income and near self-sufficiency in vegetables. If Oman chooses to increase vegetable production, then it has to come from a major shift in its current land and water use practices, because almost all of its cultivable lands and available freshwater are fully utilized at present. In this chapter we explored if the Salalah region of Oman could be transformed into Oman’s vegetable basket, leading to self-sufficiency in its vegetable needs.
Soils / Environmental factors / Food security / Water availability / Cereals / Fruits / Vegetables
Record No:H046397
Hagos, Fitsum; Mulugeta, A.; Erkossa, Teklu; Lefore, Nicole; Langan, Simon. 2014.
Diversion of flashy floods for agricultural use and its effect on nutrition in Ethiopia. In Erkossa, Teklu; Hagos, Fitsum; Lefore, Nicole. (Eds.). 2014. Proceedings of the Workshop on Flood-based Farming for Food Security and Adaption to Climate Change in Ethiopia: Potential and Challenges, Adama, Ethiopia, 30-31 October 2013. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.53-66.
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Fulltext The study examined whether access to spate irrigation leads to better nutrition outcomes. The results showed that there is an overall improvement in the study sites compared to the 2011 DHS study. As far as households with access to spate irrigation are concerned, weight-for-height z-scores indicated that 8.2% of the children had prevalence of global acute malnutrition; 8.2% of them had moderate acute malnutrition. None of the children had severe acute malnutrition. The weight-for-age results indicated that 27.5, 17.6 and 9.8% of the children showed prevalence of underweight, moderate underweight and severe underweight, respectively. The height-for-age z-scores showed 56.5, 30.8 and 21.7% of the children had prevalence of stunting, moderate stunting and severe stunting, respectively. On the other hand, households without access to spate irrigation indicated that as far as the weight-for-height z-scores of children are concerned, there were no children (boys and girls) with prevalence of global acute malnutrition; weight for-age z-score showed that 13.6, 10.2 and 3.4% of the children had prevalence of underweight, moderate underweight and severe underweight, respectively. The height-for-age z-scores showed that 45.5, 25.5 and 20.0% of the children had prevalence of stunting, moderate stunting and severe stunting, respectively. The anthropometric measures, thus, showed the nutritional outcomes of users were worse-off than of nonusers of spate irrigation. This happens in the face of better income and consumption expenditures, mainly nonfood, for users compared to nonusers. This underlines the importance of nutrition education alongside efforts to improve access to irrigation. Moreover, multisectoral collaborations are needed between the health, agriculture, water, social protection, education, gender and other sectors to improve the nutrition outcome of children.
Food security / Malnutrition / Households / Height / Body weight / Gender / Children / Human nutrition / Agriculture / Spate irrigation / Flood irrigation
Record No:H046927
Islam, A.; Shirsath, P. B.; Kumar, S. N.; Subash, N.; Sikka, A. K.; Aggarwal, Pramod Kumar. 2014.
Modeling water management and food security in India under climate change. In Ahuja, L. R.; Ma, L.; Lascano, R. J. (Eds.). Advances in agricultural systems modeling transdisciplinary research, synthesis, and applications: practical applications of agricultural system models to optimize the use of limited water. Madison, WI, USA: American Society of Agronomy; Crop Science Society of America; Soil Science Society of America. pp.267-315.
[DOI] More... Climate change and variability will impact water availability and the food security of India. Trend analyses of historical data indicate an increase in temperature and changes in rainfall pattern in different parts of the country. The general circulation models (GCMs) also project increased warming and changes in precipitation patterns over India. This chapter presents examples of model applications in water management and crop yield simulation in India, focusing on climate change impact assessment. Simulation models have been successfully applied for rotational water allocation, deficit irrigation scheduling, etc. in different canal commands. Application of a universal soil loss equation in a distributed parametric modeling approach by partitioning watershed into erosion response units suggests that by treating only 14% of the watershed area, a 47% reduction in soil loss can be achieved. Simulation studies conducted using different hydrological models with different climate change projections and downscaling approaches showed varied hydrological responses of different river basins to the future climate change scenarios, depending on the hydrological model, climate change scenarios, and downscaling approaches used. Crop yield modeling showed decreases in irrigated and rainfed rice (Oryza sativa L.) yields under the future climate change scenarios, but the decrease is marginal for rainfed rice. Maize (Zea mays L.) yields in monsoon may be adversely affected by a rise in atmospheric temperature, but increased rain can partly offset those losses. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields are likely to be reduced by 6 to 23% and 15 to 25% during the 2050s and 2080s, respectively. A combined bottom-up participatory process and top-down integrated modeling tool could provide valuable information for locally relevant climate change adaptation planning.
Carbon dioxide / River basins / Watershed management / Wheat / Maize / Rice / Crop yield / Crop production / Erosion / Simulation models / Hydrology / Evapotranspiration / Precipitation / Rain / Temperature / Adaptation / Impact assessment / Climate change / Food security / Irrigation canals / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation water / Water productivity / Water resources / Water supply / Water allocation / Water availability / Water management
Record No:H046908
Lebel, L.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Krittasudthacheewa, C.; Daniel, R. 2014.
Climate risks, regional integration and sustainability in the Mekong region. : Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRDC); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) 405p.
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Case studies / Farmers / Sugar / Rice / Farming / Flooding / GIS / Remote sensing / Satellites / Costs / Environmental services / Forest management / Tourism / Food security / Stakeholders / Employment / Fish industry / International waters / Emission / Greenhouse gases / Carbon dioxide / Energy consumption / Poverty / Investment / Economic development / Households / Rural areas / Living standards / Urbanization / Policy making / Ecosystem services / Sustainable development / Risks / Climate change
Record No:H046894
Ghazouani, Wafa; Molle, Francois; Swelam, A.; Rap, Edwin; Abdo, A. 2014.
Understanding farmers’ adaptation to water scarcity: a case study from the western Nile Delta, Egypt. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 31p.
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This study was undertaken to analyze farmers’ adaption to water scarcity in the command area of a secondary canal in the Nile Delta of Egypt. The results revealed that farmers’ responses were driven by a multiplicity of factors, beyond water scarcity or profit maximization. These additional factors include food security of the family, risk management, social capital and history of farmers, and most unexpectedly the collective dimension of crop choice. The findings of this study expose the limitations of projects, modeling exercises or policy recommendations that are too often based on the oversimplified view of profit maximization as the basis of farming system dynamics.
Case studies / Profitability / Cost benefit analysis / Pumps / Drainage water / Food security / Irrigated farming / Irrigation water / Yields / Crop management / Conflict / Adaptation / Farmers / Canals / Deltas / Water availability / Water scarcity
Record No:H046836
Lautze, Jonathan; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2014.
Conclusions. In Lautze, Jonathan (Ed.). Key concepts in water resource management: a review and critical evaluation. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.103-109.
(Earthscan Water Text) More...
Agriculture / Food security / Water use / Water resources / Water management
Record No:H046522
Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Haileslassie, A. 2014.
Assessments of key small-scale irrigation technologies, agricultural water management options and integrated irrigated fodder in Ethiopia. Unpublished Discussion Paper prepared by Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation Project for Stakeholder Consultation Workshop. 30p.
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Smallholders / Landscape / Rural areas / River basins / Living standards / Food security / Adaptation / Climate change / Water storage / Poverty / Projects / Groundwater irrigation / Cost benefit analysis / Multiple use / Water use / Groundwater / Watershed management / Assessment / Waste management / Agriculture / Technology / Irrigation methods / Small scale farming
Record No:H046756
Biggs, E. M.; Boruff, B.; Bruce, E.; Duncan, J. M. A.; Haworth, B. J.; Duce, S.; Horsley, J.; Curnow, Jayne; Neef, A.; McNeill, K.; Pauli, N.; Van Ogtrop, F.; Imanari, Y. 2014.
Environmental livelihood security in Southeast Asia and Oceania: a water-energy-food-livelihoods nexus approach for spatially assessing change. White paper. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 114p.
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Assessment / Sustainable development / Monitoring / Natural disasters / Remote sensing / Political aspects / Institutions / Community management / Gender / Sociocultural environment / Urbanization / Demography / Farmland / Agriculture / Cyclones / Precipitation / Temperature / Climate change / Food security / Energy conservation / Water security / Living standards / Biodiversity / Ecological factors / Environmental management / Environmental sustainability
Record No:H046758
Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Giordano, Meredith A.; Langan, Simon; Namara, Regassa E. 2014.
Economic analysis of factors influencing adoption of motor pumps in Ethiopia. Journal of Development and Agricultural Economics, 6(12):490-500.
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Fulltext The Ethiopian economy depends heavily on smallholder agriculture, and this sector directly affects the country’s economic development, food security and poverty alleviation efforts. The adoption of smallholder irrigation technologies as a means to tackle these challenges has become an important policy issue in the development agenda of the country. The lack of access to low-cost irrigation technologies is, however, one of the major bottlenecks to increase smallholder irrigation. This paper examines the factors influencing farmers’ decisions to adopt low-cost small motor pumps. The analysis is based on a survey of 800 farm households in four regions of Ethiopia. We use a combination of econometric techniques to find comparable households among adopter and non-adopter sample households. First, we employ a multivariate probit model to check whether a correlation exists between motor pumps and other water lifting technologies (that is, bucket, treadle and electric pumps). A non-parametric matching method is used to identify a counterfactual (control group) among the non-adopter sample households. Finally, a probit model is adopted to model the determinants of farmers’ motor pump adoption decisions. Our analysis reveals that gender; age; ownership of oxen; access to extension; access to surface and shallow ground water; social capital and regional differences captured by a regional dummy, all influence farmers’ decision of motor pump adoption.
Agricultural production / Farmer-led irrigation / Gender / Households / Poverty / Food security / Farmers / Smallholders / Pumps / Technology / Irrigation methods / Economic analysis
Record No:H046743
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2014.
Ecosystem services and resilience framework. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 46p.
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Case studies / Decision making / Monitoring / Impact assessment / Planning / Soil conservation / Farmers / Stakeholders / Investment / Income / Public health / Nutrition / Food security / Poverty / Living standards / Rural areas / Communities / Sustainability / Governance / Rice / Productivity / Agroecosystems / Landscape / Agriculture / Ecosystem services
Record No:H046683
Thebo, A. L.; Drechsel, Pay; Lambin, E. F. 2014.
Global assessment of urban and peri-urban agriculture: irrigated and rainfed croplands. Environmental Research Letters, 9(11):1-9.
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Fulltext The role of urban agriculture in global food security is a topic of increasing discussion. Existing research on urban and peri-urban agriculture consists largely of case studies that frequently use disparate definitions of urban and peri-urban agriculture depending on the local context and study objectives. This lack of consistency makes quantification of the extent of this practice at the global scale difficult. This study instead integrates global data on croplands and urban extents using spatial overlay analysis to estimate the global area of urban and peri-urban irrigated and rainfed croplands. The global area of urban irrigated croplands was estimated at about 24 Mha (11.0 percent of all irrigated croplands) with a cropping intensity of 1.48. The global area of urban rainfed croplands found was approximately 44 Mha (4.7 percent of all rainfed croplands) with a cropping intensity of 1.03. These values were derived from the MIRCA2000 Maximum Monthly Cropped Area Grids for irrigated and rainfed crops and therefore their sum does not necessarily represent the total urban cropland area when the maximum extent of irrigated and rainfed croplands occurs in different months. Further analysis of croplands within 20 km of urban extents show that 60 and 35 percent of, respectively, all irrigated and rainfed croplands fall within this distance range.
Case studies / Land use / Food security / Farmland / Rainfed farming / Suburban agriculture / Urban agriculture
Record No:H046700
Harrington, Larry W.; Fisher, M. J. 2014.
Water scarcity, livelihoods and food security: research and innovation for development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan 245p.
(Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management) More...
Partnerships / International cooperation / Knowledge management / Gender / River basins / Water policy / Institutions / International organizations / Research projects / Water management / Agriculture / Poverty / Water allocation / Water productivity / Food security / Living standards / Water scarcity
Record No:H046694
Maheshwari, B.; Purohit, R.; Malano, H.; Singh, V. P.; Amerasinghe, Priyanie. 2014.
The security of water, food, energy and liveability of cities: challenges and opportunities for peri-urban futures. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer 489p.
(Water Science and Technology Library Volume 71) More...
Case studies / Biodiversity / Land use / Emission reduction / Greenhouse gases / Knowledge management / Climate change / Labour mobility / Horticulture / Nutrients / Waste treatment / Excreta / Wastewater treatment / Wastewater management / Decentralization / Milk production / Malnutrition / Health hazards / Sanitation / Carbon cycle / Solar energy / Catchment areas / Water availability / Water demand / Water use / Water supply / Water footprint / Social aspects / Sustainable development / Models / Hydrological cycle / Rural areas / Urbanization / Urban areas / Periurban areas / Agriculture / Energy conservation / Food supply / Food production / Food security / Water security
Record No:H046685
Harrington, Larry W.; Fisher, M. J. 2014.
Water scarcity, livelihoods and food security: research and innovation for development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan 245p.
(Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management) More...
Partnerships / International cooperation / Knowledge management / Gender / River basins / Water policy / Institutions / International organizations / Research projects / Water management / Agriculture / Poverty / Water allocation / Water productivity / Food security / Living standards / Water scarcity
Record No:H046679
Danso, George; Drechsel, Pay. 2014.
Nutrient recycling from organic wastes through viable business models in peri-urban areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Maheshwari, B.; Purohit, R.; Malano, H.; Singh, V. P.; Amerasinghe, Priyanie. (Eds.). The security of water, food, energy and liveability of cities: challenges and opportunities for peri-urban futures. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp.311-323.
(Water Science and Technology Library Volume 71) More... A major challenge of urbanisation, for relevant decision makers, is the provision of sufficient food and water for the emerging mega-cities and appropriate peri-urban sanitation management. This paper focuses on the results of a project carried out by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in three major cities in Ghana. The project was designed to provide decision support for nutrient recycling from organic waste in peri-urban areas, through waste composting or co-composting with nightsoil. Experiences of existing compost stations from Nigeria, Benin, Mali, Burkina Faso and Togo were taken into consideration to formulate the research framework. Apart from the technical aspect, the study looked at actual waste supply and its quality, a quantification of the compost demand as well as economic viability of different scenarios and legal implications. The analysis showed that from the city perspective cost savings are only possible if large volumes of waste can be composted to reduce waste transport costs while compost sale (and agricultural use) is not a necessity from the perspective of cost savings. In fact, despite much interest the farmers’ willingness to pay remained limited at the reservation price of US$5 per 50 kg bag. As this includes transport costs peri-urban areas will be those benefiting most from composting projects. Closing the rural-urban nutrient cycle appears unrealistic given the increasing transport distance; at least as long as smallholder farmers are targeted. However, the consideration of alternative customer segments and implementation of innovative business models could help in reaching different scales.
Economic analysis / Decision making / Water security / Food security / Composts / Waste treatment / Recycling / Nutrients / Organic wastes / Periurban areas
Record No:H046691
McCornick, Peter; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Bharati, Luna; Johnston, Robyn; McCartney, Matthew; Sugden, Fraser; Clement, Floriane; McIntyre, Beverly. 2014.
Afrontar el cambio: Cuidar del agua, de la agricultura y de la seguridad alimentaria en una era de incertidumbre climatica. In Spanish. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 36p.
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Environmental flows / Women / Gender / Soil moisture / Malaria / Health hazards / Food security / Rainfed farming / Agriculture / Irrigation schemes / River basins / Aquifers / Groundwater recharge / Water storage / Water governance / Water productivity / Water management / Water resources / Climate change
Record No:H046664
van der Bliek, Julie; McCornick, Peter; Clarke, James. 2014.
On target for people and planet: setting and achieving water-related sustainable development goals. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 52p.
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River basins / Women / Social aspects / Economic growth / Farmers / Drought / Flooding / Climate change / Ecosystem services / Sustainable development / Energy / Food security / Wastewater / Water accounting / Water policy / Domestic water / Water management / Water resources / Groundwater / Water quality / Water governance
Record No:H046660
Ortiz, R.; Jarvis, A.; Fox, P.; Aggarwal, Pramod; Campbell, B. M. 2014.
Plant genetic engineering, climate change and food security. 27p.
(CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Working Paper 72) More... |
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This paper explores whether crop genetic engineering can contribute to addressing food security, as well as enhancing human nutrition and farming under a changing climate. The review is based on peer-refereed literature, using results to determine the potential of this gene technology. It also provides a brief summary of issues surrounding this genetic enhancement approach to plant breeding, and the impacts on farming, livelihoods, and the environment achieved so far. The genetic engineering pipeline looks promising, particularly for adapting more nutritious, input-efficient crops in the development of the world’s farming systems.
Living standards / Farming systems / Environmental effects / Crops / Human nutrition / Public health / Heat / Salinity / Drought / Agriculture / Emission reduction / Food security / Adaptation / Climate change / Plant genetics
Record No:H046809
Pukinskis, Ilse. 2014.
The institutional history of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food [CPWF]. In Harrington, Larry W.; Fisher, M. J. (Eds.). Water scarcity, livelihoods and food security: research and innovation for development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.77-98.
(Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management) More...
Living standards / Food security / Development / Funding / Stakeholders / Partnerships / Corporate culture / Research programmes
Record No:H046785
Fisher, M. J.; Harding, Amanda; Kemp-Benedict, E. 2014.
The Challenge Program on Water and Food [CPWF]: a new paradigm for research in the CGIAR. In Harrington, Larry W.; Fisher, M. J. (Eds.). Water scarcity, livelihoods and food security: research and innovation for development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.1-14.
(Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management) More...
CGIAR / Poverty / Food security / Living standards / Agriculture / River basins / Water productivity / Development / Research organizations / Research programmes
Record No:H046783
Musaba, Emmanuel; Pali-Shikhulu, J.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Chilonda, Pius; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2014.
Monitoring agriculture sector performance in Swaziland: investment, growth and poverty trends, 2000-2011. : Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 72p.
(ReSAKSS-SA Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2012) More... |
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Prices / Livestock / Maize / Hunger / Poverty / Food security / Farmers / Imports / Exports / Indicators / Economic growth / Expenditure / Investment / Monitoring / Performance indexes / Agricultural production / Agricultural trade / Agricultural development
Record No:H046782
Matchaya, Greenwell Collins; Phiri, A.; Chilonda, Pius; Musaba, Emmanuel. 2014.
Agricultural Growth Trends and Outlook Report: trends in agricultural sector performance, growth and poverty in Malawi. : Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 70p.
(ReSAKSS-SA Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2012) More... |
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Fisheries / Livestock / Farmers / Land productivity / Labour productivity / Population structure / Households / Public health / Nutrition / Hunger / Poverty / Food security / Imports / Exports / Expenditure / Public investment / Performance indexes / Economic indicators / Agricultural trade / Agricultural budgets / Agricultural policy / Agricultural development
Record No:H046781
Bird, Jeremy; Dodds, F.; McCornick, Peter; Shah, Tushaar. 2014.
Water-food-energy nexus. In van der Bliek, Julie; McCornick, Peter; Clarke, James (Eds.). On target for people and planet: setting and achieving water-related sustainable development goals. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.10-12.
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Smallholders / Groundwater irrigation / Energy / Water security / Food security
Record No:H046794
Lacombe, Guillaume; McCartney, Matthew. 2014.
Uncovering consistencies in Indian rainfall trends observed over the last half century. Climatic Change, 123(2):287-299.
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Food security in India is tightly linked to rainfall variability. Trends in Indian rainfall records have been extensively studied but the subject remains complicated by the high spatiotemporal variability of rainfall arising from complex atmospheric dynamics. For various reasons past studies have often produced inconsistent results. This paper presents an analysis of recent trends in monthly and seasonal cumulative rainfall depth, number of rainy days and maximum daily rainfall, and in the monsoon occurrence (onset, peak and retreat). A modified version of the Mann-Kendall test, accounting for the scaling effect, was applied to 29 variables derived from square-degree-resolution daily gridded rainfall (1951–2007). The mapping of gridded trend slopes and the regional average Kendall test were used concurrently to assess the field significance of regional trends in areas exhibiting spatial homogeneity in trend directions. The statistics we used account for temporal and spatial correlations, and thus reduce the risk of overestimating the significance of local and regional trends. Our results i/ improve available knowledge (e.g. 5 %-field-significant delay of the monsoon onset in Northern India); ii/ provide a solid statistical basis to previous qualitative observations (e.g. 1 %-field-significant increase/decrease in pre-monsoon rainfall depth in northeast/southwest India); and, iii/ when compared to recent studies, show that the field significance level of regional trends (e.g. in rainfall extremes) is test-dependent. General trend patterns were found to align well with the geography of anthropogenic atmospheric disturbances and their effect on rainfall, confirming the paramount role of global warming in recent rainfall changes.
Food security / Consistency / Rainfall patterns / Monsoon climate / Climate change
Record No:H046286
Shah, Tushaar. 2013.
Research to lead development in the eastern Gangetic Plains. In Sharma, Bharat R.; Prathapar, Sanmugam A. Moving from water problems to water solutions: research needs assessment for the eastern Gangetic Plains. Proceedings of the International Workshop held at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India, 7-8 May 2013. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). pp.36-39.
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Policy making / Ecosystems / Households / Food security / Development projects / Research projects
Record No:H046109
Johnston, Robyn; Rajah, Ameer; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Lacombe, Guillaume; McCartney, Matthew; Pavelic, Paul; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Sotoukee, Touleelor; Suhardiman, Diana; Joffre, O. 2013.
Identifying priority investments in water in Myanmar’s dry zone: final report for component 3. [Project report of the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Dry Zone Program]. Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 53p.
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Social aspects / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Farmland / Food security / Watershed management / Wells / Dams / Reservoirs / Water storage / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Supplemental irrigation / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Agroecosystems / Arid zones / Living standards / Investment / Research projects / Water supply / Water management / Water resources development
Record No:H046135
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Joffre, O.; Suhardiman, Diana; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Pavelic, Paul; Htut, U. Y. T.; McCartney, Matthew; Johnston, Robyn. 2013.
Community survey on water access, availability and management issues in the dry zone of Myanmar: final report for component 2. [Project report of the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Dry Zone Program]. : Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Yangon, Myanmar: Myanmar Marketing Research and Development (MMRD) 74p.
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Income / Investment / Research projects / Institutions / Food security / Crops / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Water user associations / Water use / Water allocation / Water quality / Groundwater resources / Groundwater irrigation / Livestock / Income / Rain / Weather hazards / Climate change / Villages / Surveys / Arid zones / Water availability / Water resources / Water management
Record No:H046134
McCartney, Matthew; Pavelic, Paul; Lacombe, Guillaume; Latt, K.; Zan, A. K.; Thein, K.; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Rajah, Ameer; Myint, A.; Cho, C.; Johnston, Robyn; Sotoukee, Touleelor. 2013.
Water resources assessment of the dry zone of Myanmar: final report for component 1. [Project report of the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Dry Zone Program]. : Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Yangon, Myanmar: National Engineering and Planning Services (EPS) 52p.
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Research projects / Geology / Data / Rain / Living standards / Food security / Arid zones / Assessment / Irrigation schemes / Water supply / Evapotranspiration / Aquifers / Reservoirs / Water storage / Water quality / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater resources / Runoff / Flow discharge / Water use / Surface water / Water resources
Record No:H046133
Ringler, C.; Anwar, Arif A. 2013.
Water for food security: challenges for Pakistan. Water International, 38(5):505-514. (Special issue on quot;Water for food security: challenges for Pakistanquot; with contributions by IWMI authors).
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Climate change / Institutions / River basins / Food policy / Food production / Food security / Water security / Irrigation management / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H046132
Boelee, Eline; Scherr, S. J.; Pert, P. L.; Barron, J.; Finlayson, M.; Descheemaeker, K.; Milder, J. C.; Fleiner, R.; Nguyen-Khoa, S.; Barchiesi, S.; Bunting, S. W.; Tharme, R. E.; Khaka, E.; Coates, D.; Solowey, E. M.; Lloyd, G. J.; Molden, D.; Cook, Simon. 2013.
Management of water and agroecosystems in landscapes for sustainable food security. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.156-170.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
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Research priorities / Institutions / Food security / Landscape / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Water management
Record No:H046129
Pert, P. L.; Boelee, Eline; Jarvis, D. I.; Coates, D.; Bindraban, P.; Barron, J.; Tharme, R. E.; Herrero, M. 2013.
Challenges to agroecosystem management. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.42-52.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
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Agricultural production / Agricultural systems / Erosion / Land degradation / Livestock / Fisheries / Economic value / Food security / Agroecosystems
Record No:H046122
Coates, D.; Pert, P. L.; Barron, J.; Muthuri, C.; Nguyen-Khoa, S.; Boelee, Eline; Jarvis, D. I. 2013.
Water-related ecosystem services and food security. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.29-41.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
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Water management / Water availability / Agricultural production / Food security / Ecosystems
Record No:H046121
Boelee, Eline. 2013.
Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI 192p.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (2.38 MB)
Health hazards / Fodder / Water power / Tillage / Soil management / Landscape / Runoff / Rain / Land degradation / Flooding / Environmental flows / Climate change / Biofuels / Biodiversity / Aquifers / Fisheries / Livestock / River basins / Wetlands / Arid zones / Poverty / Food production / Agriculture / Food security / Nutrient cycling in ecosystems / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Hydrological cycle / Water quality / Water demand / Water use / Water management
Record No:H046118
Boelee, Eline; Coates, D.; Khaka, E.; Pert, P. L.; Thiombiano, L.; Scherr, S. J.; Cook, Simon; Sanford, Luke. 2013.
Introduction. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.1-6.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
Fulltext (163 KB)
Food production / Food security / Agroecosystems / Water management
Record No:H046119
Katic, Pamela G.; Namara, Regassa E.; Hope, Lesley; Owusu, E.; Fujii, H. 2013.
Rice and irrigation in West Africa: achieving food security with agricultural water management strategies. Water Resources and Economics, 1:75-92.
[DOI] More... West Africaapos;s rice imports currently satisfy 70% of the soaring local demand, worsening the food vulnerability of an increasingly urbanized population. Despite considerable rice-growing potential, lack of water control systems, access to improved seeds, agrochemicals and appropriate mechanization have resulted in modest production growth rates, unable to alter the regionapos;s dependency on imported rice. Governments aim to boost production with import duties and input subsidies. However, questions remain as to whether these policies enable the rice sector to respond to changing consumers preferences for high grade rice and to contribute to national economic growth. We present the results from a Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) on rice production in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Niger and under three water management systems: irrigation (public scheme), supplemented rain-fed (rainfall aided by autonomously-sourced water supplies) and purely rain-fed. Our results show that policy interventions in these West African countries (i.e., input subsidies and import taxes) did not significantly enhance the profitability of rice production to farmers due to the effect of market failures (limited capital access and non-competitive market for rice) and the low quality of local milled rice. The PAM results point strongly to the importance of improving rice quality and yields through more efficient water management and post-harvest handling/processing and targeted breeding to match consumersapos; preferences.
Farmers / Costs / Indicators / Policy / Economic growth / Irrigation schemes / Irrigated farming / Food security / Profitability / Yields / Rice / Water management
Record No:H046024
Chartres, Colin; Sood, Aditya. 2013.
The water for food paradox. [Selected from the World Water Week, Stockholm, Sweden, 26-31 August 2012]. Aquatic Procedia, 1:3-19.
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This paper considers whether there will be sufficient water available to grow enough food for a predicted global population of 9 billion in 2050, based on three population and GDP growth modelling scenarios. Under the a low population growth with high GDP growth scenario, global consumptive water demand is forecast to increase significantly to over 6,000 km3, which is approximately 3,000 km3 greater that consumptive use in the year 2000. Also of concern is that rising global temperatures are going to increase potential evaporation, and t us irrigation water demand, by up to 17%. Sustainable intensification of agriculture can provide solutions to this predicament. However, productivity growth i not fast enough and we face considerable risks in the next 20 to 30 years. Concerted action to combat food insecurity and water scarcity is required based on agricultural research and development, policy reform and greater water productivity, if the world is to feed its growing population.
Recycling / Wastes / Population growth / Food security / Climate change / Water productivity / Water scarcity / Water demand / Water security / Water resources
Record No:H046069
Stucki, V.; Wegerich, Kai; Rahaman, M. M.; Varis, O. 2013.
Introduction: water and security in Central Asia—solving a Rubik’s Cube. In Stucki, V.; Wegerich, Kai; Rahaman, M. M.; Varis, O. (Eds.). Water and security in Central Asia: solving a Rubikapos;s Cube. London, UK: Routledge. pp.1-3.
(Routledge Special Issues on Water Policy and Governance) More...
River basins / Energy / Agreements / Flow discharge / Virtual water / Food security / Water management / Water resources
Record No:H046072
Vincent, K.; Cull, T.; Kapoor, A.; Aggarwal, Pramod; Bhatta, Gopal Datt; Lau, C.; Kristjanson, P.; Phartiyal, P.; Parvin, G.; Bisht, S.; Nilormee, S. 2013.
Gender, climate change, agriculture and food security: a CCAFS Training-of-Trainers (TOT) manual to prepare South Asian rural women to adapt to climate change. Copenhagen, Denmark: CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) 126p.
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