The CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Water Research Institute (CSIR-WRI), the Fisheries Commission, and collaborated with local government departments and local communities to implement fish cage culture in selected small reservoirs in Ghana. This brief highlights the technical and institutional principles that were applied in these sites for inclusive and sustainable aquatic food production in the year 2023.
Governance / Technological changes / Institutional development / Socioeconomic aspects / Water quality / Rainfed farming / Aquaculture development / Aquatic food systems / Water reservoirs / Cage culture / Fish cages Record No:H052393
Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams, have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with World Commission on Dams principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development.
Inclusion / Communities / Livelihoods / Food production / Energy / Impact assessment / Ecosystems / Diseases / Environmental factors / Hydropower / Irrigation / One Health approach / Human health / Reservoirs / Dams Record No:H052403
Akpoti, Komlavi; Obahoundje, S.; Mortey, E. M.; Diawuo, F. A.; Antwi, E. O.; Gyamfi, S.; Domfeh, M. K.; Kabo-bah, A. T. 2023. Technological advances in prospecting sites for pumped hydro energy storage. In Kabo-Bah, A. T.; Diawuo, F. A.; Antwi, E. O. (Eds.). Pumped hydro energy storage for hybrid systems. London, UK: Academic Press. pp.105-118. [DOI] More...
This chapter provides a survey of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) in terms of the factors considered in the site selection process: geographic, social, economic, and environmental. Due to the number and complexity of factors considered for this purpose, a multicriteria decision-making model is often used during the selection process. From our study, it is observed that the implementation of a PHES project may come with several environmental concerns, that is land and water requirements, impacts on the fishery industry, aquatic habitat, cultural, historical as well as natural. However, we also observed that many of these concerns are being addressed with improvement in PHES technology.
Models / Water requirements / Aquatic habitats / Environmental impact / Environmental factors / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Pumping / Reservoirs / Technological changes / Storage / Renewable energy / Energy demand / Hydroelectric power Record No:H051548
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) [DOI] More... | Fulltext (1.62 MB)
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
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
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
Evaluation of the hydrological impact of urbanization-induced land use land cover (LULC) changes for medium to large catchments is still an important research topic due to the lack of evidence to conclude about how local changes translate to impacts across scales. This study aims to provide evidence on the effects of LULC change on the streamflow of the Akaki catchment that hosts Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Since the comparative performance of classification algorithms is poorly understood, we compared the performance of one parametric and five non-parametric machine learning methods for LULC mapping using Landsat imageries. To investigate the effect of LULC changes on streamflow, a semi-distributed HEC-HMS model was calibrated and validated using daily discharge data at multiple sites. Findings of this study showed that: (i) the accuracy of classification and regression tree (CART) was superior to the other classifiers, (ii) from 1990 to 2020, urban and forest cover increased at the expense of agricultural and bare land, (iii) the performance of the HEC-HMS model was acceptable at all stations during both the calibration and validation periods, and (iv) the mean annual and main rainy seasonal streamflow of the catchment experienced significant increases due to LULC change but the simulated streamflow changes highly varied with the type of LULC classifier. This study contributes to the limited evidence on how catchments, with rapidly developing cities are prone to hydrological regime changes that need to be recognized, understood and quantified, and incorporated into urban planning and development.
Models / Machine learning / Hydrological factors / Reservoirs / Rivers / Urbanization / Stream flow / Catchment areas / Land cover change / Land use change Record No:H051886
Small water infrastructure in Nigeria needs to be utilized more efficiently. There are over 900 small reservoirs across the country. Many of these have yet to be put to productive use within the Ogun watershed in the Ogun Osun River Basin. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities for improving the use of small reservoirs for farmer-led irrigation in a sustainable way. The 20 small reservoirs investigated showed varying degrees of degradation of the hydraulic structures, poor embankment maintenance evidenced by the observed erosion, overgrown shrubs, spillway cracks and failures, and siltation of the reservoir. Poor water management and irrigation practices due to weak technical capacity are also observed. There needs to be a precise governance arrangement or policy supporting water use in such a situation. The economic interests and considerations of the farmers determine the irrigation activities around the reservoirs. Regulations and management of the reservoirs were based on what was considered appropriate by the farmers. With the increasing interest in the use of small reservoirs as water sources for farmer-led irrigation in Nigeria, increased capacity building and training, access to agricultural inputs, finance, and the transformation of commodity associations to water users’ associations would contribute to improving the productivity of small reservoirs.
Case studies / Social inclusion / Women / Gender / Sustainable livelihoods / Farm inputs / Domestic water / Rural areas / Finance / Public-private partnerships / Stakeholders / Water users / Capacity development / Smallholders / Pumping / Water conveyance / Spillways / Embankments / Irrigation management / Irrigation schemes / Crop production / Water supply / Socioeconomic aspects / Marketing / Farming systems / Agronomy / Irrigation practices / Agricultural practices / Governance / Institutions / Water management / Maintenance / Hydraulic structures / Water productivity / Storage capacity / Dams / River basins / Watersheds / Small-scale irrigation / Infrastructure / Reservoirs / Farmer-led irrigation Record No:H051769
The paper proposes a probabilistic approach to the assessment of the impacts of multipurpose dams. It is framed around the notion of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) in the setting of the Water-Energy-Food nexus. The socio-ecological context of the Tana River Basin in Kenya and the construction of two multipurpose dams are used to highlight co-produced positive and negative NCP under alternative river regimes. These regimes produce both damaging floods that ought to be controlled and beneficial floods that ought to be allowed. But the river regime that results from hydropower generation and flood risk reduction may not be the one that is most conducive to food and feed-based NCP. The approach relates the economic value of river-based NCP coproduction to the probability of flooding to derive the expected annual value of NCP and a NCP value-probability curve. The relation between NCP flows and flood characteristics is tested and estimated based on regression analyses with historical data. Results indicate that the net economic value of key NCP associated with multipurpose dams for local people and associated social equity effects largely depend on the frequency of flood events and on the way impacts are distributed across communities, economic sectors and time.
Communities / Ecological factors / Social aspects / Hydroelectric power generation / Hydrology / Floods / Economic value / River basins / Equity / Ecosystem services / Natural environment / Nexus approaches / Food systems / Energy / Water resources / Reservoirs / Dams Record No:H051684
This study investigates the dynamics and susceptibility to drying of small reservoirs in Northern Ghana, leveraging advanced machine learning and remote sensing techniques through Google Earth Engine. It aims to map these reservoirs, evaluate their extent, and analyze water availability during dry seasons, crucial for understanding water resource potential for aquaculture and supporting food security goals under the CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods. Findings reveal a consistent decrease in the number and size of reservoirs from November to April, attributed to increasing dry conditions, with a notable rise in reservoir numbers peaking in November 2022. Small reservoirs (lt; 0.6 hectares) were found to be more numerous than medium and large ones, predominantly located in midstream areas. Approximately half of these reservoirs face a very high risk of drying, highlighting the urgent need for effective water management strategies. This research provides significant insights into the vulnerabilities of small reservoirs, guiding sustainable management practices to combat the impacts of climate change and environmental stressors on water and aquaculture resources in Northern Ghana.
Ghosh, Surajit; Rajakaruna, Punsisi; Tri, V. P. D.; Loi, N. T.; Trung, P. K.; Holmatov, Bunyod. 2023. Unveiling water resources of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Low-Emission Food Systems 24p. More... | Fulltext (2.11 MB)
The Vietnamese Mekong Delta is responsible for half of the country’s rice production. This is possible due to abundant freshwater resources available for agriculture. This report provides a general overview of water resources in the region, presents unique water-related challenges using earth observation data, and description of measures to address them. Structurally, section one provides a general introduction followed by description of surface water resources, its uses and dynamics. Section three contains information on water infrastructure in the region. Section four covers water extent dynamics of small reservoirs followed by section five that focuses on groundwater pumping. Section six presents information about the Google Earth Engine – based tool developed to visualize surface waters and water infrastructure of the region for different time ranges using different satellites. Section seven focuses on institutional arrangements related to water management in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Finally, section eight provides concluding remarks and recommendations to overcome identified challenges.
Satellite imagery / Deltas / Water management / Infrastructure / Pumping / Groundwater / Water reservoirs / Surface water / Water resources Record No:H052594
Quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hydropower reservoirs is linked with national and international sustainability objectives. Deploying scalable and effective cloud-based technologies improves the accessibility, reproducibility, and timeliness of the quantification process. This novel strategy promotes global sustainability in the hydropower industry while making it easier to comply with environmental regulations. It can promote informed decision-making, increase transparency, and expedite the transition to clean energy sources. Considering the use of cloud computing in GHG quantification can support global efforts to mitigate climate change and advance the development of hydropower systems into more sustainable global infrastructure. Earth Observation (EO) data with cloud computing facilities such as Google Earth Engine (GEE) and G-res (an online tool by the International Hydropower Association) can help fill in the missing data gaps and calculate GHG emissions from hydropower reservoirs in Vietnam following IPCC recommendations for estimating GHG emissions. Seven hydropower reservoirs (Ban Ve, Binh Dien, Ho Ham Thuan, Ho Hoa Binh, Ho Song Hinh, Thac Ba and Yali) from different parts of Vietnam were selected as test cases for calculating GHG emissions using the G-res tool. The initial results from the analysis show that the Binh Dien reservoir reports the highest GHG aerial emission rate per year, while the lowest has been observed for the Thac Ba reservoir. Similarly, the highest emission rate has been observed for the Ban Ve reservoir, while the lowest has been recorded for the Thac Ba reservoir. The initial results reported here provide an understanding of GHG emissions from the hydropower reservoirs (test cases) and are needed to be verified with the respective reservoir authorities for actual emissions.
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
Small reservoirs are one of the most important sources of water for irrigation, domestic and livestock uses in the Upper East Region (UER) of Ghana. Despite various studies on small reservoirs in the region, information on their spatial-temporal variations is minimal. Therefore, this study performed a binary Random Forest classification on Sentinel-2 images for five consecutive dry seasons between 2015 and 2020. The small reservoirs were then categorized according to landscape positions (upstream, midstream, and downstream) using a flow accumulation process. The classification produced an average overall accuracy of 98% and a root mean square error of 0.087 ha. It also indicated that there are currently 384 small reservoirs in the UER (of surface area between 0.09 and 37 ha), with 20% of them newly constructed between the 2016-17 and 2019-20 seasons. The study revealed that upstream reservoirs have smaller sizes and are likely to dry out during the dry season while downstream reservoirs have larger sizes and retain substantial amounts of water even at the end of the dry season. The results further indicated that about 78% of small reservoirs will maintain an average of 54% of their water surface area by the end of the dry season. This indicates significant water availability which can be effectively utilized to expand dry season irrigation. Overall, we demonstrate that landscape positions have significant impact on the spatial-temporal variations of small reservoirs in the UER. The study also showed the effectiveness of remote sensing and machine learning algorithms as tools for monitoring small reservoirs.
Reliance on groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing and expected to rise as surface water resource variability increases under climate change. Major questions remain about how groundwater will be used, and who informs these decisions. We represent different visions of groundwater use by ‘pathways’: politically and environmentally embedded socio-technological regimes for governing and managing groundwater systems. We presented policy actors (9 sets), development and research stakeholders (4 sets), and water users (6 sets) in three river basins in Ethiopia, Niger and Tanzania with information on the social and environmental impacts of six ‘Groundwater Development Pathways’, before gathering their opinions on each, through Multicriteria Mapping (MCM). Participants preferred pathways of low-intensity use, incorporating multiple agricultural, pastoral and domestic purposes, to high-intensity single-use pathways. Water availability and environmental sustainability, including water quality, were central concerns. Participants recognised that all groundwater uses potentially impinge upon one another affecting both the quantity and quality of abstracted water. Across participant groups there was ambiguity about what the most important water use was; each expressed demands for more detailed, certain modelling data. Water users preferred community or municipal-scale management regimes, perceiving that water quality was more likely to be safeguarded by institutions at these levels, whereas policy and development actors preferred individual-scale management, viewed as more efficient in terms of operation and maintenance. We conclude that MCM, combined with more detailed modelling, can provide an effective framework for policy actors to understand other stakeholders’ perspectives on groundwater development futures, enabling equitable, inclusive decision-making and governance.
Uncertainty / Modelling / Communities / Stakeholders / Groundwater extraction / Environmental sustainability / Water quality / Multiple use / Water users / Water use / Small-scale farming / Large-scale farming / Water availability / Water governance / Water policies / River basins / Groundwater management Record No:H051559
Climate change (CC) poses a threat to renewable hydropower, which continues to play a significant role in energy generation in West Africa (WA). Thus, the assessment of the impacts of climate change and climate variability on hydropower generation is critical for dam management. This study develops a framework based on ensemble climate models and ensemble machine learning methods to assess the projected impacts of CC on inflow to the reservoir and hydropower generation at the Nangbeto Hydropower plant in WA. Inflow to reservoir and energy generation for the future (2020–2099) is modeled using climate models output data from Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment to produce a publicly accessible hydropower dataset from 1980 to 2099. The bias-adjusted ensemble mean of eleven climate models for representative concentration pathways (RC4.5 and RCP8.5) are used. The added value of this approach is to use fewer input data (temperature and precipitation) while focusing on their lagged effect on inflow and energy. Generally, the model output strongly correlates with the observation (1986–2005) with a Pearson correlation of 0.86 for energy and 0.82 for inflow while the mean absolute error is 2.97% for energy and 9.73% for inflow. The results reveals that both inflow and energy simulated over the future periods (2020–2039, 2040–2059, 2060–2079, and 2080–2099) will decrease relative to the historical period (1986–2005) for both RCPs in the range of (2.5–20.5% and 1–8.5% for inflow and energy, respectively), at annual, monthly and seasonal time scales. Therefore, these results should be considered by decision-makers when assessing the best option for the energy mix development plan.
Energy generation / Forecasting / Datasets / Machine learning / Precipitation / Temperature / Climate variability / Reservoirs / Hydroelectric power generation / Hydropower / River basins / Dams / Modelling / Climate change Record No:H051375
Living customary water tenure is the most accepted socio-legal system among the large majority of rural people in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on literature, this report seeks to develop a grounded understanding of the ways in which rural people meet their domestic and productive water needs on homesteads, distant fields or other sites of use, largely outside the ambits of the state. Taking the rural farming or pastoralist community as the unit of analysis, three components are distinguished. The first component deals with the fundamental perceptions of the links between humankind and naturally available water resources as a commons to be shared by all, partially linked to communities’ collective land rights. The second component deals with the sharing of these finite and contested naturally available water resources, especially during dry seasons and droughts. Customary arrangements shape both the ‘sharing in’ of water resources within communities and the ‘sharing out’ with other customary communities or powerful third parties. Since colonial times, communities have been vulnerable to those third parties grabbing water resources and overriding customary uses and governance. The third component deals with infrastructure to store and convey water resources. Since time immemorial, communities have invested in infrastructure for self supply, ranging from micro-scale soil moisture retention techniques to large-scale collective deep wells. As increasingly recognized in both the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and irrigation sectors, this component of self supply is rapidly expanding. In all three components, local diversity is high, with gender, class and other social hierarchies intertwining with social safety nets, neighborliness and moral economies.
The study derives two sets of implications for state and non-state policies, laws and interventions. First, state legislation about the sharing of water resources should recognize and protect living customary water tenure, especially through due process in ‘sharing out’ water with powerful third parties. Remarkably, water law, which is dominated by permit systems in sub-Saharan Africa, lags behind other legislation in recognizing customary water tenure (see IWMI Research Report 182). Second, by taking communities’ self supply for multiple uses as a starting point for further water infrastructure development, the WASH, irrigation and other sectors can follow the priorities of communities, including the most vulnerable; identify cost-effective multi-purpose infrastructure; develop local skills; and, hence, contribute more sustainably to achieving more United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDGs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 13. Further historical and interdisciplinary research to achieve these benefits is recommended.
Nexus approaches / Water security / Land / Livestock / Pastoralists / Farmer-led irrigation / Domestic water / Drinking water / Living standards / Households / Right to food / Right to water / Women / Gender / Costs / Conflicts / Water permits / Water distribution / Water quality / Water governance / Legislation / Policies / Norms / water, sanitation and hygiene / Sustainable Development Goals / Water allocation / Rural communities / Multiple use water services / Water supply / Infrastructure / Water sharing / Water resources / Customary law / Water law / Water management / Water rights / Customary tenure / Water tenure Record No:H051372
Global warming-induced melting and thawing of the cryosphere are severely altering the volume and timing of water supplied from High Mountain Asia, adversely affecting downstream food and energy systems that are relied on by billions of people. The construction of more reservoirs designed to regulate streamflow and produce hydropower is a critical part of strategies for adapting to these changes. However, these projects are vulnerable to a complex set of interacting processes that are destabilizing landscapes throughout the region. Ranging in severity and the pace of change, these processes include glacial retreat and detachments, permafrost thaw and associated landslides, rock–ice avalanches, debris flows and outburst floods from glacial lakes and landslide-dammed lakes. The result is large amounts of sediment being mobilized that can fill up reservoirs, cause dam failure and degrade power turbines. Here we recommend forward-looking design and maintenance measures and sustainable sediment management solutions that can help transition towards climate change-resilient dams and reservoirs in High Mountain Asia, in large part based on improved monitoring and prediction of compound and cascading hazards.
Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth explores how groundwater, often invisibly, improves peoples’ lives and livelihoods. This unique collection of 19 studies captures experiences of groundwater making a difference in 16 countries in Africa, South America and Asia. Such studies are rarely documented and this book provides a rich new collection of interdisciplinary analysis. The book is published in colour and includes many original diagrams and photographs.
Spring water, wells or boreholes have provided safe drinking water and reliable water for irrigation or industry for millennia. However, the hidden nature of groundwater often means that it’s important role both historically and in the present is overlooked. This collection helps fill this knowledge gap, providing a diverse set of new studies encompassing different perspectives and geographies. Different interdisciplinary methodologies are described that can help understand linkages between groundwater, livelihoods and growth, and how these links can be threatened by over-use, contamination, and ignorance.
Written for a worldwide audience of practitioners, academics and students with backgrounds in geology, engineering or environmental sciences; Groundwater for Sustainable Livelihoods and Equitable Growth is essential reading for those involved in groundwater and international development.
Case studies / Socioeconomic development / Households / Farmers / Smallholders / Rice / Stubble burning / Coastal areas / Villages / Rural areas / Periurban areas / Landscape conservation / Urban development / Strategies / Adaptation / Resilience / Climate change / Hydrogeology / Alluvial aquifers / Wells / Water springs / Watersheds / River basins / Water harvesting / Water supply / Legal frameworks / Water policies / Water governance / Water scarcity / Surface water / Conjunctive use / Water use / Small scale systems / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater extraction / Groundwater recharge / Water security / Water resources / Equity / Sustainable livelihoods / Groundwater management Record No:H051156
Pavelic, Paul; Suhardiman, Diana; Keovilignavong, Oulavanh; Clement, Corentin; Vinckevleugel, Jordan; Bohsung, Seinab M.; Xiong, Kong; Valee, Lengya; Viossanges, Mathieu; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Sotoukee, Touleelor; Villholth, Karen G.; Shivakoti, B. R.; Vongsathiane, K. 2022. Assessment of options for small-scale groundwater irrigation in Lao PDR. In Re, V.; Manzione, R. L.; Abiye, T. A.; Mukherji, Aditi; MacDonald, A. (Eds.). Groundwater for sustainable livelihoods and equitable growth. Leiden, Netherlands: CRC Press - Balkema. pp.347-363. (IAH - International Contributions to Hydrogeology 30)[DOI] More...
Groundwater offers smallholder farmers in the lowlands of Lao PDR opportunities to diversify cropping beyond wet season paddy and thus enhance their livelihoods while reducing climate risks. This chapter focuses on evaluating existing and specifically developed groundwater irrigation options on the Vientiane Plain, and framing the findings around the livelihood priorities of different farming groups against a backdrop of agrarian change. Results show that cultivating a range of cash crops using shallow dugwells managed by individual farmers and deeper boreholes managed by the community can be profitable for farmers, while helping to increase the resilience of farming households’ livelihoods. Both options may also represent a viable investment option for farming households lacking access to surface water irrigation, and thus contribute to more equitable growth. The results identify drivers and conditions that incentivize and enable groundwater irrigation to generate positive development outcomes. It also highlights that farmers will not intrinsically engage in groundwater irrigation simply because a good resource is available, but instead, weighs up the pros and cons of a mix of biophysical, socioeconomic, technical, and institutional factors. Agricultural policies aiming to intensify small-scale groundwater irrigation should be cognizant of these nuances as they are critical to successful implementation and management.
Investment / Households / Livelihoods / Farmers / Cash crops / Crop production / Water use / Boreholes / Wells / Assessment / Small scale systems / Groundwater irrigation Record No:H051160
This working paper was prepared under a research project from the Future Leaders – African Independent Research (FLAIR) fellowship programme – focusing on understanding hydrological changes in the Lake Tana sub-basin, Ethiopia, due to water abstraction, land use and climate change. FLAIR is funded by the UK government’s Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) through The Royal Society, UK. The study was jointly conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and staff of the Abbay Basin Development Office (ABDO). The paper provides information on the deterioration of streamflow data quality in the sub-basin. It demonstrates how to support the sub-basin by generating primary data and compiling current water abstraction data that are relevant for development planning. The project showed the possibility of conducting such activities with limited financial resources and time constraints but with strong collaboration. This work also demonstrated the need for a data alliance among stakeholders in the sub-basin.
Models / Climatic data / Alliances / Data management / River basin institutions / Partnerships / Stakeholders / Planning / Water management / Water resources / Farmer-led irrigation / Irrigated farming / Rainfed agriculture / Livestock / Hydropower / Industry / Domestic water / Drinking water / Rural settlement / Urban areas / Water supply / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Water use / Water availability / Surface water / Data collection / Water level measurement / Flow measurement / Monitoring / Water extraction / Stream flow / Lakes / Data quality / Hydrological data Record No:H051149
CONTEXT: Although rice production has increased significantly in the last decade in West Africa, the region is far from being rice self-sufficient. Inland valleys (IVs) with their relatively higher water content and soil fertility compared to the surrounding uplands are the main rice-growing agroecosystem. They are being promoted by governments and development agencies as future food baskets of the region. However, West Africa’s crop production is estimated to be negatively affected by climate change due to the strong dependence of its agriculture on rainfall.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study is to apply a set of machine learning models to quantify the extent of climate change impact on land suitability for rice using the presence of rice-only data in IVs along with bioclimatic indicators.
METHODS: We used a spatially explicit modeling approach based on correlative Ecological Niche Modeling. We deployed 4 algorithms (Boosted Regression Trees, Generalized Linear Model, Maximum Entropy, and Random Forest) for 4-time periods (the 2030s, 2050s, 2070s, and 2080s) of the 4 Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8) from an ensemble set of 32 spatially downscaled and bias-corrected Global Circulation Models climate data.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The overall trend showed a decrease in suitable areas compared to the baseline as a function of changes in temperature and precipitation by the order of 22–33% area loss under the lowest reduction scenarios and more than 50% in extreme cases. Isothermality or how large the day to night temperatures oscillate relative to the annual oscillations has a large impact on area losses while precipitation increase accounts for most of the areas with no change in suitability. Strong adaptation measures along with technological advancement and adoption will be needed to cope with the adverse effects of climate change on inland valley rice areas in the sub-region. SIGNIFICANCE: The demand for rice in West Africa is huge. For the rice self-sufficiency agenda of the region, “where” and “how much” land resources are available is key and requires long-term, informed planning. Farmers can only adapt when they switch to improved breeds, providing that they are suited for the new conditions. Our results stress the need for land use planning that considers potential climate change impacts to define the best areas and growing systems to produce rice under multiple future climate change uncertainties.
McCartney, Matthew; Rex, William; Yu, Winston; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; von Gnechten, Rachel. 2022. Change in global freshwater storage. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 25p. (IWMI Working Paper 202)[DOI] More... | Fulltext (0.99 MB)
Freshwater in both natural and man-made stores is critical for socioeconomic development. Globally, cumulative reduction in terrestrial water storage from 1971 to 2020 is estimated to be of the order of 27,079 Bm3. Although insignificant in comparison to the total volume stored, the decrease in ‘operational’ water stored (i.e., the proportion of water storage that is sustainably utilizable by people) is estimated to be of the order of 3% to 5% since 1971. In many places, both natural and man-made water storage are declining simultaneously, exacerbating water stress. Conjunctive use of different water stores is a prerequisite for water security and it is vital that natural water stores are fully integrated, alongside man-made water infrastructure, in future water resources planning and management.
Ecosystem services / Hydropower / Irrigation / Water use / Satellite observation / Sedimentation / Estimates / Water budget / Water management / Water supply / Climate change / Anthropogenic changes / Resilience / Water security / Sea level / Soil moisture / Paddy fields / Wetlands / Lakes / Dams / Reservoirs / Water depletion / Groundwater / Permafrost / Glaciers / Water storage / Freshwater resources Record No:H051016
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
The report provides a methodology protocol for measuring temporal and spatial changes in water quantity and quality using drone imagery. The procedure is informed by the need for effective and sustainable water resource use to enhance water productivity under climate change. It is based on a literature review that allows the identification of appropriate processes, materials, and procedures for water monitoring, including mapping spatial and temporal dynamics of reservoirs, measurement of water quality parameters, and flood mapping of irrigation canals.
Parameters / Water levels / Mapping / Floods / Remote sensing / Imagery / Unmanned aerial vehicles / Smallholders / Precision agriculture / Water productivity / Reservoirs / Irrigation canals / Monitoring / Water quality / Water availability Record No:H051656
This paper illustrates an approach to measuring economic benefits and ecological and social impacts of various configurations of reservoir systems for basin-wide planning. It suggests indicators and examines their behavior under several reservoir arrangement scenarios using two river basins in Sri Lanka as examples. A river regulation index is modified to take into account the volume of flow captured by reservoirs and their placement and type. Indices of connectivity illustrate that the lowest river connectivity in a basin results from a single new reservoir placed on the main stem of a previously unregulated river between the two locations that command 50% and 75% of the basin area. The ratio of the total affected population to the total number of beneficiaries is shown to increase as the cumulative reservoir capacity in a river basin increases. An integrated index comparing the performance of different reservoir system configurations shows that while results differ from basin to basin, the cumulative effects of a large number of small reservoirs may be comparable to those with a few large reservoirs, especially at higher storage capacities.
Equity / Sustainability / River basins / Water reservoirs / Social impact / Ecological factors / Economic benefits / Water storage / Surface water Record No:H050900
The benefit of biochar as a soil fertility enhancer is well known and has been broadly investigated. Equally, many tropical and subtropical countries use wastewater for irrigation in urban agriculture. To assess the related health risks, we determined pathogen and heavy metal fate associated with biochar application and wastewater irrigation in the urban agriculture of northern Ghana. Rice (Oryza L.) husk biochar (20 t ha-1), N–P–K 15–15–15 fertilizer (212.5 kg ha-1), and their combinations were evaluated in a field-based experiment. Untreated wastewater and tap water served as irrigation water. Red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus L.) was used as a test crop and was grown in wet (WS) and dry (DS) cropping seasons. Irrigation water, soil, and vegetables were analyzed for heavy metals, Escherichia coli, fecal coliform, helminth eggs, and Salmonella spp. Unlike the pathogens, analyzed heavy metals from irrigation water and soil were below the FAO/WHO permissible standard for agricultural activities. Wastewater irrigation caused E. coli concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 0.6 (WS) and from 0.7 to 0.8 (DS) log10 colony forming units per gram fresh weight (CFU gFW-1) on vegetables and from 1.7 to 2.1 (WS) and from 0.6 to 1.0 (DS) log10CFU per gram dry weight (gDW-1) in soil. Average log10CFU gFW-1 rates of 6.19 and 3.44 fecal coliform were found on vegetables, whereas in soil, 4.26 and 4.58 log10CFU gDW-1 were observed in WS and DS, respectively. Helminth egg populations were high in wastewater and were transferred to the crops and soil. Biochar did not affect bacteria contamination. Pathogen contamination on vegetables and in soil were directly linked to the irrigation water, with minimal or no difference observed from biochar application.
Stakeholders of the small-scale (lt;50 MW generation capacity) hydropower sector in Uganda recognise the importance of sustainable development of the resources that have social and ecological importance. Uganda is experiencing a boom in hydropower projects resulting in over generation of electricity and its exportation to neighbouring nations. Limited policies are currently available in Uganda to direct the sustainable development of this sector. Environmental flows (e-flows) practices established for the Nile Basin region and international good e-flows practices can contribute to sustainable management of hydropower developments in Uganda. The paper defines and explains e-flows, identifies water resource attributes of importance for e-flows determination associated with hydropower and threat associated with this activity in Uganda, and provides good e-flows determination and management practices based on regional and international information. The determination and management of e-flows in the hydropower sector in Uganda is largely dependent on the availability of and quality of hydrology, hydraulic and flow-ecosystem and flow-ecosystem service relationship information. This review of good-practice e-flows practice for the small hydropower sector in Uganda provides guidance to support multiple stakeholders of water resources in Uganda for a better future for all of its vulnerable communities and the environments they depend on.
Ecosystem services / Rivers / Water management / Water resources / Sustainability / Environmental flows / Small scale systems / Hydropower Record No:H050614
Kuppannan, Palanisami; Thangavel, M. 2021. Sustaining tank irrigation in South India through time-tested measures. In Fujita, K.; Mizushima, T. (Eds.). Sustainable development in India: groundwater irrigation, energy use, and food production. Oxon, UK: Routledge. pp.88-108. (Routledge New Horizons in South Asian Studies) More...
The century old irrigation tanks mostly found in south India account for about 1/3 of rice irrigated areas and largely benefit the small and marginal farmers. The current performance of these tanks is below the 50 percent level. Major factors contributing to their declining performance are: erratic rainfall pattern and reduced inflows (hydrology side); poor management of the tanks (tank side); ineffective water control amp; poor groundwater development (farmers’ side). Given the future impacts of climate change on water resources, sustaining tank irrigation is considered important. Evidence shows that developing an interface between tank ecosystems and wells is expected to augment water supplies, improve tank management and boost tank irrigation. This paper outlines a five-pronged strategy to achieve this: a) partial rehabilitation (partial desilting); b) full scale tank rehabilitation; c) converting tanks into percolation ponds; d) converting non-system tanks into system tanks; e) full scale groundwater development (tapping the full groundwater potential). Financial viability of the strategy also varies according to the scale and size of the investments and the expected benefits. There is an important need for policy reforms converging ongoing as well as proposed programs (by national and international funding agencies) on tank rehabilitation; these can be planned in a phased manner by prioritizing the investment scenarios.
Sustainability / Agroecosystems / Soil types / Wells / Rainfall patterns / Aquifers / Groundwater / Tank irrigation Record No:H050616
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
This report assesses the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) irrigation for smallholder agriculture in Ghana, using elements of business planning and business models with a suitability mapping approach. These approaches take into account the economic as well as environmental sustainability of expanding such technology. Using data from existing solar PV irrigation systems and interviews with key industry actors, the report discusses the regulatory and institutional context for investment in solar PV technology and outlines the technology supply chain, mapping the key actors and their roles. The financial viability of two empirical business cases – directly funding an agribusiness and subsidizing a cooperative model – is analyzed to assess the feasibility of expanding access to the technology. Furthermore, three solar PV irrigation business model scenarios are presented based on insights gained from the two empirical cases as well as from analyzing the existing policy and regulatory framework, the technology supply chain and environmental suitability. The potential for solar PV irrigation pumps is substantial, especially in northern Ghana, although care must be taken to avoid overpumping some aquifers. Achieving this potential will require strengthening the policy framework and making finance available at a reasonable cost. The report identifies alternative financing mechanisms and business models that have been tried elsewhere and can be adapted to Ghana, and makes recommendations to enhance the sustainable uptake of solar PV irrigation.
Innovation scaling / Case studies / Institutions / Input output analysis / Costs / Financial viability / Value chains / Supply chains / Regulations / Policies / Renewable energy / Pumps / Water lifting / Multiple use water services / Water resources / Aquifers / Groundwater irrigation / Smallholders / Irrigated farming / Environmental sustainability / Feasibility studies / Business models / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Farmer-led irrigation / Technology / Photovoltaic systems / Solar energy Record No:H050503
Livestock is an integral part of the agricultural system in sub-Saharan Africa, serving as a food source, income, fertilizer, and power for farming and transportation. However, the productivity of the livestock system has been hampered due to a lack of sufficient quantity and quality feed. This study evaluates the gaps and constraints of fodder and nutritional potential for livestock feed using small-scale irrigation (SSI). The study comprised of 30 randomly selected farmers from two different ecological zones in Ethiopia. Half of the farmers cultivated Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in the Robit watershed in northern Ethiopia, and the other half cultivated mixed vetch (Lathyrus cicera) and oats (Avena sativa) in Lemo watershed in southern Ethiopia. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Agricultural Policy Environmental eXtender (APEX) were applied in an integrated manner to assess the impacts of SSI at the watershed and field-scale levels, respectively. The watershed-scale analysis showed that there is a substantial amount of surface runoff and shallow groundwater recharge that could be used for dry season fodder production using irrigation. Field data calibrated APEX model indicated that Napier yield could be maximized with 550 mm of water in Robit watershed. While in the Lemo watershed, maximum vetch and oats yield may be achieved with 250 mm of water. The major constraints for Napier and oats production in the study sites were soil fertility, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, and vetch production was limited by high temperature. Fodder samples were collected at the time of harvest to evaluate feed quality. The nutritional analysis indicated that Napier grass has a higher dry matter and ash (mineral) content compared to oats and vetch. However, vetch has higher crude protein content (18%) compared to Napier (10%) and oats (6%). Overall the study indicated that cultivating vetch provided superior performance in terms of providing quality feed and environmental services.
Watersheds / Farmers / Oats / Lathyrus cicera / Pennisetum purpureum / Forage yield / Water stress / Groundwater / Runoff / Rain / Fertilizer application / Water use efficiency / Small scale systems / Irrigation / Assessment / Nutrition / Livestock feed / Fodder / Small scale farming Record No:H050449
Expansion of various types of water infrastructure is critical to water security in Africa. To date, analysis of adverse disease impacts has focused mainly on large dams. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of both small and large dams on malaria in four river basins in sub-Saharan Africa (i.e., the Limpopo, Omo-Turkana, Volta and Zambezi river basins). The European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC) Yearly Water Classification History v1.0 data set was used to identify water bodies in each of the basins. Annual malaria incidence data were obtained from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) database for the years 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. A total of 4907 small dams and 258 large dams in the four basins, with 14.7million people living close (lt; 5 km) to their reservoirs in 2015, were analysed. The annual number of malaria cases attributable to dams of either size across the four basins was 0.9–1.7 million depending on the year, of which between 77 and 85% was due to small dams. The majority of these cases occur in areas of stable transmission. Malaria incidence per kilometre of reservoir shoreline varied between years but for small dams was typically 2–7 times greater than that for large dams in the same basin. Between 2000 and 2015, the annual malaria incidence showed a broadly declining trend for both large and small dam reservoirs in areas of stable transmission in all four basins. In conclusion, the malaria impact of dams is far greater than previously recognized. Small and large dams represent hotspots of malaria transmission and, as such, should be a critical focus of future disease control efforts.
Population density / Infrastructure / Water reservoirs / Risk / Vector-borne diseases / River basins / Dams / Disease transmission / Malaria Record No:H050499
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. More... | Fulltext (15.9 MB)
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
Coates, D.; Connor, R.; Dickens, Chris; Villholth, Karen; Dhot, N.; O’Brien, G. 2021. Valuation of hydraulic infrastructure. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021: valuing water. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.43-54. More... | Fulltext (15.9 MB)
Environmental factors / Social aspects / Decision making / Risk assessment / Resilience / Cost benefit analysis / Economic viability / Water supply / Water storage / Aquifers / Reservoirs / Dams / Valuation / Infrastructure / Hydraulic structures Record No:H050379
Soil erosion is a serious environmental issue in the Gomal River catchment shared by Pakistan and Afghanistan. The river segment between the Gomal Zam dam and a diversion barrage (~40 km) brings a huge load of sediments that negatively affects the downstream irrigation system, but the sediment sources have not been explored in detail in this sub-catchment. The analysis of flow and sediment data shows that the significant sediment yield is still contributing to the diversion barrage despite the Gomal Zam dam construction. However, the sediment share at the diversion barrage from the sub-catchment is much larger than its relative size. A spatial assessment of erosion rates in the sub-catchment with the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) shows that most of the sub-catchment falls into very severe and catastrophic erosion rate categories (gt;100 t h-1y -1 ). The sediment entry into the irrigation system can be managed both by limiting erosion in the catchment and trapping sediments into a hydraulic structure. The authors tested a scenario by improving the crop management factor in RUSLE as a catchment management option. The results show that improving the crop management factor makes little difference in reducing the erosion rates in the sub-catchment, suggesting other RUSLE factors, and perhaps slope is a more obvious reason for high erosion rates. This research also explores the efficiency of a proposed settling reservoir as a sediment load management option for the flows diverted from the barrage. The proposed settling reservoir is simulated using a computer-based sediment transport model. The modeling results suggest that a settling reservoir can reduce sediment entry into the irrigation network by trapping 95% and 25% for sand and silt particles, respectively. The findings of the study suggest that managing the sub-catchment characterizing an arid region and having steep slopes and barren mountains is a less compelling option to reduce sediment entry into the irrigation system compared to the settling reservoir at the diversion barrage. Managing the entire catchment (including upstream of Gomal Zam dam) can be a potential solution, but it would require cooperative planning due to the transboundary nature of the Gomal river catchment. The output of this research can aid policy and decision-makers to sustainably manage sedimentation issues in the irrigation network.
Canals / Reservoirs / Catchment areas / Rivers / Crop management / Normalized difference vegetation index / Rainfall-runoff relationships / Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation / Strategies / Sustainability / Arid zones / Modelling / Sediment transport / Irrigation systems / Sediment yield / Soil erosion Record No:H050370
This paper addresses the questions of acceptable upper limits for storage development and how best to deploy storage capacity in the long-term planning of built surface water storage in river basins. Storage-yield curves are used to establish sustainable storage development pathways and limits for a basin under a range of environmental flow release scenarios. Optimal storage distribution at a sub-basin level, which complies with an identified storage development pathway, can also be estimated. Two new indices are introduced—Water Supply Sustainability and Environmental Flow Sustainability—to help decide which pathways and management strategies are the most appropriate for a basin. Average pathways and conservative and maximum storage limits are illustrated for two example basins. Conservative and maximum withdrawal limits from storage are in the range of 45–50% and 60–65% of the mean annual runoff. The approach can compare the current level of basin storage with an identified pathway and indicate which parts of a basin are over- or under-exploited. A global storage–yield–reliability relationship may also be developed using statistics of annual basin precipitation to facilitate water resource planning in ungauged basins.
Models / Case studies / Precipitation / Dams / Runoff / Water extraction / Environmental flows / Strategies / Sustainability / Planning / Reservoirs / River basin management / Water yield / Water supply / Water storage / Surface water Record No:H050319
Yu, W.; Rex, William; McCartney, Matthew; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; von Gnechten, Rachel; Priscoli, J. D. 2021. Storing water: a new integrated approach for resilient development. : Stockholm, Sweden: Global Water Partnership (GWP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 28p. (GWP Perspectives Paper 13) More... | Fulltext (0.99 MB)
This paper outlines a new and integrated water storage agenda for resilient development in a world increasingly characterised by water stress and climate uncertainty and variability.; Storing water has long been a cornerstone of socio-economic development, particularly for societies exposed to large climatic variability. Nature has always supplied the bulk of water storage on earth, but built storage has increased significantly, particularly over the twentieth century. Today, numerous countries suffer from water storage gaps and increasingly variable precipitation, threatening sustainable development and even societal stability. There is a growing need to develop more storage types and manage existing storage better. At the same time, the policy, engineering, and scientific communities may not fully recognise the extent of these storage gaps and how best to manage them. There are large and uncertain costs and benefits of different types of storage, and developing storage can be risky and controversial. Although there is consensus that built and natural storage are fundamentally complementary, there is still no pragmatic agenda to guide future integrated water storage development.; This paper argues that water storage should be recognised as a service rather than only a facility. More than volumes of water stored behind a dam or in a watershed, what ultimately matters is the ability to provide different services at a particular time and place with a given level of assurance. Integrated storage systems should be developed and managed to deliver a targeted service standard. This will reduce the costs of new storage development and make the benefits more sustainable.; As this paper demonstrates, there are numerous data gaps pertaining to water storage, as well as a need for greater clarity on some key concepts. This paper does not introduce new data or research but rather provides a review of some of the current knowledge and issues around water storage, and outlines a new, integrated and constructive water storage agenda for the decades to come.
Wetlands / Reservoirs / Glaciers / River basins / Lakes / Dams / Aquifers / Groundwater / Soil moisture / Rainfall patterns / Risk / Water demand / Infrastructure / Water supply / Socioeconomic development / Resilience / Climate change / Sustainable development / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Water storage Record No:H050263
Most of the part of India is already under water-stressed condition. In this regard, the continuous monitoring of the water levels (WL) and storage capacity of reservoirs, lakes, and rivers is very important for the estimation and utilization of water resources effectively. The long term ground observed WL of many of the water bodies is not easily available, which may be very critical for proper water resources management. Satellite radar altimetry is the remote sensing technique, which is being used to study sea surface height for the last three decades. The advancement in radar technology with time has provided the opportunity to exploit the technique to retrieve the WL of inland water bodies. In the current study, an attempt has been made to generate long term time series on WL of around 29 geometrically complicated inland water bodies in India. These water bodies are mainly large reservoirs namely Ban Sagar, Balimela, Bargi, Bhakra, Gandhi Sagar, Hasdeo, Indravati, Jalaput, Kadana, Kolab, Mahi Bajaj, Maithon, Massanjore, Pong, Ramganga, Ranapratap Sagar, Rihand, Sardar Sarovar, Shivaji Sagar, Tilaiya, Ujjani, and Ukai. The WL of these water bodies was retrieved for around two decades using the European Remote-Sensing Satellite – 2 (ERS-2), ENVISAT Radar Altimeter – 2 (ENVISAT RA-2), and Saral-AltiKa altimeters data through Ice-1 retracking algorithm. Further, an attempt has also been made to estimate the WL of gauged/ungauged lakes namely Mansarovar, Pangong, Chilika, Bhopal, and Rann of Kutch over which Saral-AltiKa pass was there. As after July 2016, the SARAL-AltiKa is operating in the drifting orbit, systematic repeated observation of WL data of all reservoirs was not possible. The data of drifted tracks of Saral-AltiKa were tested for WL estimation of Ban Sagar reservoir. As the ERS-2, ENVISAT RA-2 and Saral-AltiKa all were having almost the same passing tracks, a long term WL series of these lakes could be generated from 1997 to 2016. However, at present only Sentinel – 3 is in orbit, the continuous altimeter based WL monitoring of some of these reservoirs (Gandhi Sagar, Nathsagar, Ranapratap, Ujjani, and Ukai) was attempted through Sentinel-3A satellite data from 2016 to 2018. The accuracy of the retrieved WL was than validated against the observed WL. In most of the reservoirs, a systematic bias was found due to the different characteristics and geoid height of each reservoir. The coefficient of determination, R2 , value for a majority of reser voirs was as good as 0.9. In the case of ERS-2, the values of R2 varied for 0.44–0.97 with root mean square error (RMSE) in the range of 0.63–2.72 m. These statistics improved with the ENVISAT RA-2 data analysis, the R2 value reached more than 0.90 for around 11 reservoirs. The highest, 0.99, for Hasdeo and Shivaji Sagar Reservoirs with RMSE of 0.44 and 0.56, respectively. Further, the accuracy improved with the analysis of Saral-AltiKa data. The R2 was always more than 0.9 for each reservoir a
Time series analysis / Altimeters / Satellite observation / Water resources / Inland waters / Lakes / Reservoirs / Estimation / Water levels Record No:H050798
Study region: The Lake Tana sub-basin, upper Blue Nile, Ethiopia.
Study focus: The Lake Tana sub-basin is one of the agricultural growth corridors for Ethiopia’s ambitious plan to expand irrigation. Despite the booming irrigation activities in the sub-basin, limited information exists on the rate of irrigation expansion and its impact on the water balance of the sub-basin. This study collected and organized smallholder irrigation data in the subbasin to identify the actual irrigated area, the abstracted irrigation water, and its implications on seasonal water availability. The area under small-scale irrigation was estimated through data obtained from ’woredas’ (districts) databases. Crop patterns were obtained through field surveys. Irrigation water abstracted at daily timescale was measured.
New hydrological insights for the Region: In the sub-basin, 38,694 ha was under small-scale irrigation in 2020/21. Surface water is the dominant water source, and it supplies about 80% of irrigation withdrawal. Water abstraction for small-scale irrigation is about 430 MCM per dry season (~50% of dry season flow). The eastern side of the sub-basin faces water shortages as the dry season flow is not sufficient for irrigation. With the prospects of more irrigation expansion, small-scale irrigation water withdrawals pose concerns of water scarcity at local level and to the water balance of the sub-basin. Hence, there is urgent need for adaptive management of the small-scale irrigation effect on the sub-basin’s hydrology.
Farmers / Smallholders / Rivers / Water use / Water requirements / Crop production / Hydroclimatology / Irrigated land / Water scarcity / Water availability / Dry season / Water balance / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Hydrology / Water extraction / Irrigation water Record No:H050794
This paper assesses how the Huruluwewa tank (HWT) irrigation system in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka adapts to climate variability. The lessons learned in the HWT will be helpful for many water-scarce irrigation systems in the country, which bear high climate risks. Recurrent droughts are the bane of agriculture in the Dry Zone, comprising three-fourths of the land area spread over the Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces. In the HWT, the fifteenth largest canal irrigation system in the country, adaptation to climate variability happens on several fronts: changes made by the irrigation management to the water release regime; changes in the cropping patterns practiced by farmers in the command area; and the use of groundwater, which is recharged from rainfall, reservoir storage and canal irrigation, as supplemental irrigation. Such adaptation measures ensure that the available water supply in the reservoir is adequate for 100% cropping intensity over two cropping seasons, even in drought years, and enhances economic water productivity in terms of value per unit of consumptive water use. Moreover, irrigation management should consider groundwater recharge through canal irrigation as a resource, which brings substantial agricultural and economic benefits not only for the command area but also outside the command area. The adaptation patterns implemented in HWT demonstrate how water-scarce irrigation systems can achieve higher economic water productivity, i.e., generate ‘more income per drop’ to enhance climate resilience for people in and outside the canal command areas.
Case studies / Geographical information systems / Remote sensing / Farm income / Farmers / Consumptive use / Crop water use / Diversification / Seasonal cropping / Water policies / Water accounting / Groundwater recharge / Water storage / Catchment areas / Water spreading / Reservoirs / Water management / Water scarcity / Resilience / Risk / Rainfall patterns / Drought / Water availability / Water productivity / Irrigation efficiency / Water use efficiency / Crop production / Water depletion / Water supply / Cropping patterns / Land use / Irrigation management / Irrigation canals / Tank irrigation / Arid zones / Irrigation systems / Climate change adaptation / Climate variability Record No:H050737
Innovation scaling / Smallholders / Sustainability / Water accounting / Water requirements / Crops / Water availability / Groundwater recharge / Surface water / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Solar energy / Irrigation systems Record No:H052088
This paper explores outcome indicators and process principles to evaluate landscape resilience in agro-ecosystems, drawing on outcome indicator case studies of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). Four questions are addressed: (1) which outcome indicators and process principles feature most prominently in the seminal literature on resilient agro-ecological landscapes? (2) to what extent are these principles represented in CGIAR Outcome Impact Case Reports (OICRs) and selected peer-reviewed studies? (3) how does the use of process principles in the case studies compare to their occurrence in the theoretical literature? and (4) which process principles co-occur with related outcome indicators in the OICRs? The findings enable researchers and practitioners to be more specific about the outcomes and processes that drive resilience in agro-ecosystems, thereby informing adaptive program management. Seven novel research themes are proposed.
Stakeholders / Institutions / Governance / Livelihoods / Social inclusion / Gender equity / Farm income / Land rights / Land access / Biodiversity / Ecosystem services / Agroecosystems / Soil management / Agrifood systems / Production systems / Sustainability / Meta-analysis / Case studies / Monitoring / Impact assessment / Research programmes / CGIAR / Indicators / Ecosystem resilience / Agricultural landscape / Agroecology Record No:H050974
Water-permit systems are widely used across Africa as a blanket requirement for small and micro irrigation enterprises, as well as large enterprises. The present study aimed to, first, further understand the implications of permit systems for both the most vulnerable and the state, and, second, based on the findings, identify options for pro-poor water legislation that also meet the water governance requirements of the state. The growing recognition of the importance of farmer-led irrigation development for food security across the continent underlines the importance of these questions. Focusing on Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and other African countries, we found that permit systems criminalized instead of protected the water rights of small-scale farmers. Moreover, little if any attention is paid to the logistical burdens and costs to the state of implementing such systems relative to the intended revenue generation. As many small-scale farmers in Africa were found to operate under customary land and water tenure systems, the study proposes a hybrid system of water rights that formally recognizes such practices, along with the use of permits, including enforcement of conditions for large users, to serve the interests of both the state and small-scale farmers.
Irrigation / Small scale systems / Farmers / Smallholders / Water users / Legislation / Legal pluralism / Customary law / Licences / Water law / Water governance / Water rights Record No:H050006
Built water infrastructure impacts the balance of services provided by a river and its flow regime. Impacts on both commercial and subsistence activities should be considered in water management decision-making. Various methods used to define mandatory minimum environmental releases do not account for the inherent and often complex trade-offs and synergies which must be considered in selecting a balance of ecosystem and engineered services. This paper demonstrates the value and use of optimised many-objective trade-off analysis for managing resource-systems providing diverse and sometimes competing services. Using Kenya’s Tana River basin as a demonstration it shows controlled releases from multi-reservoir systems can be optimised using multiple performance metrics, representing individual provisioning ecosystem and engineered services at different locations and relating to different time periods. This enables better understanding the interactions between natural and built assets, and selecting river basin interventions that appropriately trade-off their services. Our demonstration shows prioritising Kenya’s statutory minimum environmental ‘reserve’ flows degrades flood-related provisioning services. Low overall flow regime alteration correlates negatively with consistency of hydropower generation, but positively with other provisioning services.
Models / Decision making / Costs / Assets / Fisheries / Floodplains / Flood control / Water management / Water resources / Water storage / Dams / Reservoirs / Infrastructure / Hydropower / Energy generation / Environmental flows / River basins / Ecosystem services Record No:H049875
Capacity building / Knowledge management / Policies / Stakeholders / Intervention / Research institutions / CGIAR / Research programmes / Agricultural research for development / Multiple use / Water use / Ecosystems / Food systems / Risk reduction / Resilience / Climate change / Structural change / Empowerment / Social development / Women / Equity / Social inequalities / Sustainable Development Goals / Data management / Digital innovation / Water systems / Water security / Organizational change / Strategies / Inclusion / Gender equality Record No:H049876
This study fills a knowledge gap about low-income rural communities’ holistic management of multiple water resources to meet their multiple needs through multiple or single-use infrastructure. Six low-income rural villages in Limpopo Province were selected with a diversity in: service levels, surface and groundwater resources, public infrastructure (designed for either domestic uses or irrigation but multiple use in reality) and self-supply (people’s individual or communal investments in infrastructure). Focusing on water-dependent livelihoods and water provision to homesteads, distant fields and other sites of use, three policy-relevant patterns were identified. First, most households have two or more sources of water to their homesteads as a vital buffer to irregular supplies and droughts. Second, infrastructure to homesteads is normally for domestic uses, livestock and, for many households, irrigation for consumption and sale. Public infrastructure to irrigate distant fields is multiple use. Exceptionally, self-supply point sources to distant fields are single use. Water bodies to other sites of use are normally multiple use. As for large-scale infrastructure, multiple-use infrastructure is cost-effective and water-efficient. Third, in four of the six villages people’s self-supply is a more important water source to homesteads than public infrastructure. In all villages, water provided through self-supply is shared. Self-supply improves access to water faster, more cost-effectively and more sustainably than public services do. In line with international debates, self-supply is there to stay and can be supported as a cost-effective and sustainable complementary mode of service delivery. A last potential policy implication regards community-driven planning, design and construction of water infrastructure according to people’s priorities. This may sustainably harness the above-mentioned advantages and, moreover, communities’ ability to manage complex multiple sources, uses and multiple-use infrastructure, whether public or self-supply, as a matter of daily life.
Livelihoods / Households / Villages / Sanitation / Water quality / Rainwater harvesting / Water use / Groundwater / Water resources / Water supply / Community involvement / Infrastructure / Communal irrigation systems / Rural communities / Water management / Integrated management / Multiple use water services Record No:H050552
A key question in sustainable development is how much alteration in natural systems, such as river basins, is acceptable? One of the ways by which humans alter a river basin is by building water storage infrastructure. While storage reservoirs deliver numerous benefits, they can also induce social and environmental costs by displacing people, fragmenting river networks and altering downstream flow regimes. In such a context, merely capping total water withdrawal from rivers for human consumption is not sufficient. River basin plans should also identify optimal (acceptable) limits to surface storage capacities, and optimal numbers, degrees of distribution and locations of storage infrastructure. It remains largely unclear, however, whether it is possible to define a hydrologically, ecologically and socially justified ‘surface water storage boundary’ for a river basin. An associated question is what would be the ‘best’ arrangement of this bounding storage capacity in the basins river network (in terms of numbers, sizes and locations of reservoirs) to maximize water storage benefits and minimize environmental and social costs. The main objective of this review is to examine contemporary knowledge on surface water storage development with a focus on tools and approaches that may help to answer the above questions of a ‘surface water storage boundary’ and its ‘optimum arrangement’ for a river basin. In order to achieve this objective, our review introduces two novel concepts: the ‘storage scale’ and the ‘sustainable storage development framework.’ The ‘storage scale’ has four elements – capacity, number, distribution and location – individual scales that help visualize a ‘surface water storage boundary’ and its ‘optimum arrangement’ for a typical river basin. The ‘sustainable storage development framework’ consists of three dimensions – economic benefits, ecosystems and society- and a set of indicators quantifying each dimension. This review shows that optimal levels of the elements of the ‘storage scale’ may be identified using the ‘sustainable storage development framework’.
Indicators / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Sediment / Flooding / Environmental flows / Hydropower / Ecosystem services / Ecological factors / Water supply / Infrastructure / Dams / Reservoirs / Water resources / Sustainable development / River basins / Water storage / Surface water Record No:H049809
Small reservoirs (SRs) are essential water storage infrastructures for rural populations of Sub-Saharan West Africa. In recent years, rapid population increase has resulted in unprecedented land use and land cover (LULC) changes. Our study documents the impacts of such changes on the water quality of SRs in Burkina Faso. Multi-temporal Landsat images were analyzed to determine LULC evolutions at various scales between 2002 and 2014. Population densities were calculated from downloaded 2014 population data. In situ water samples collected in 2004/5 and 2014 from selected SRs were analyzed for Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) loads, an integrative proxy for water quality. The expansion of crop and artificial areas at the expense of natural covers controlled LULC changes over the period. We found a very significant correlation between SPM loads and population densities calculated at a watershed scale. A general increase between the two sampling dates in the inorganic component of SPM loads, concomitant with a clear expansion of cropland areas at a local scale, was evidenced. Results of the study suggest that two complementary but independent indicators (i.e., LULC changes within 5-km buffer areas around SRs and demographic changes at watershed scale), relevantly reflected the nature and intensity of overall pressures exerted by humans on their environment, and locally on aquatic ecosystems. Recommendations related to the re-greening of peripheral areas around SRs in order to protect water bodies are suggested.
Indicators / Population density / Dry season / Lakes / Vegetation / Farmland / Satellite imagery / Landsat / Watersheds / Anthropogenic factors / Land cover change / Land use change / Water quality / Water reservoirs Record No:H049806
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
Nongovernmental organizations / Farmer-led irrigation / State intervention / Famine / Dry season / Intensification / Agricultural development / Markets / Pumps / Solar energy / Tube well irrigation / Aquifers / Groundwater depletion / Groundwater irrigation / Water governance / Water resources / Policies / Green revolution / Irrigated land / Irrigated farming / Communal irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Smallholders / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H049612
Application of participatory modelling to water-saving strategies in smallholder farming is rare. Farmer-preferred and efficient strategies were identified through participatory modelling. The farmersapos; basin irrigation and scheduling (I), farmersapos; scheduling with furrow strategy (II), farmersapos; scheduling with alternate furrow strategy (III) and scheduling at 55% maximum allowable depletion (MAD) (IV) were evaluated for maize (Zea mais) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) using the FAO AquaCrop model. The results showed that I resulted in over-irrigation for maize and under-irrigation for barley, while IV resulted in maximum yield (8.6 t ha-1 for maize and 2 t ha-1 for barley) with maximum (1.8 kg m-3) and minimum (0.8 kg m-3) water productivity of maize under IV and I, respectively. A shift from I to IV (most preferred strategy by farmers) can save 8440 mm of water, which can possibly bring back 18.5 ha of land into irrigation. It is essential to interact with farmers on a basis of mutual comprehension to increase their trust and to lay a base for discussion, awareness raising and decision making. The transdisciplinary approach, Community of Practice (CoP) and Learning Practice Alliance (LPA) were appropriate platforms for participation. The increased crop yield and water productivity may contribute to ecological and economical sustainability and social equity.
Biomass / Monitoring / Data management / Social aspects / Barley / Maize / Farmers / Models / Participatory approaches / Crop yield / Water use / Water conservation / Water balance / Water productivity / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H048614
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
Feeding 9 billion people in 2050 will require sustainable development of all water resources, both surface and subsurface. Yet, little is known about the irrigation potential of hillside shallow aquifers in many highland settings in sub-Saharan Africa that are being considered for providing irrigation water during the dry monsoon phase for smallholder farmers. Information on the shallow groundwater being available in space and time on sloping lands might aid in increasing food production in the dry monsoon phase. Therefore, the research objective of this work is to estimate potential groundwater storage as a potential source of irrigation water for hillside aquifers where lateral subsurface flow is dominant. The research was carried out in the Robit Bata experimental watershed in the Lake Tana basin which is typical of many undulating watersheds in the Ethiopian highlands. Farmers have excavated more than 300 hand dug wells for irrigation. We used 42 of these wells to monitor water table fluctuation from April 16, 2014 to December 2015. Precipitation and runoff data were recorded for the same period. The temporal groundwater storage was estimated using two methods: one based on the water balance with rainfall as input and baseflow and evaporative losses leaving the watershed as outputs; the second based on the observed rise and fall of water levels in wells. We found that maximum groundwater storage was at the end of the rain phase in September after which it decreased linearly until the middle of December due to short groundwater retention times. In the remaining part of the dry season period, only wells located close to faults contained water. Thus, without additional water sources, sloping lands can only be used for significant irrigation inputs during the first 3 months out of the 8 months long dry season.
Models / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Watersheds / Rain / Discharges / Runoff / Infiltration / Monitoring / Hydrometeorology / Water levels / Water availability / Water storage / Water budget / Wells / Irrigation water / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater table / Sloping land / Highlands / Aquifers Record No:H049535
The African Water Facility, together with the Water Research Commission, South Africa, as its implementing agent, supported the demonstration project Operationalizing community-led Multiple Use water Services (MUS) in South Africa. As knowledge broker and research partner in this project, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) analyzed processes and impacts at the local level, where the nongovernmental organization Tsogang Water and Sanitation demonstrated community-led MUS in six diverse rural communities in two of the poorest districts of South Africa, Sekhukhune and Vhembe districts - Ga Mokgotho, Ga Moela and Phiring in the Sekhukhune District Municipality, and Tshakhuma, Khalavha and Ha Gumbu in Vhembe District Municipality. In conventional water infrastructure projects, external state or non-state agencies plan, diagnose, design and prioritize solutions, mobilize funding, and implement the procurement of materials, recruitment of workers and construction. However, this MUS project facilitated decision-making by communities, and provided technical and institutional advice and capacity development. Based on IWMI’s evidence, tools and manuals, the project team organized learning alliances and policy dialogues from municipal to national level on the replication of community-led MUS by water services authorities; government departments of water, agriculture, and others; employment generation programs; climate and disaster management; and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
This working paper synthesizes the lessons learned about the six steps of the community-led MUS process in all six communities. The step-wise process appeared to be welcome and effective across the board. The duration of the process and the costs of facilitation, technical and institutional capacity development, and engineering advice and quality control were comparable to conventional approaches. However, the respective responsibilities of the government and communities, also in longer-term co-management arrangements, depended on the type of infrastructure. Some communities were supported to improve their communal self supply systems. In other communities, the process enabled an extension of the reticulation of borehole systems owned, operated and maintained by municipalities. Almost all households used water supplies at homesteads for multiple purposes, underscoring synergies in cross-sectoral collaboration between the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and irrigation sectors.
Households / Villages / Wages / Labour / Inclusion / s participation / Womenapos / Climate change adaptation / Decision making / Nongovernmental organizations / State intervention / Capacity building / Institutions / Financing / Costs / Collaboration / Technical aid / Innovation / Construction / Boreholes / Infrastructure / Water quality / Water storage / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Participatory approaches / Planning / Small scale systems / Communal irrigation systems / Rural communities / Guidelines / Co-management / Water supply / Multiple use water services Record No:H050124
The African Water Facility, together with the Water Research Commission, South Africa, as its implementing agent, supported the demonstration project Operationalizing community-led Multiple Use water Services (MUS) in South Africa. As knowledge broker and research partner in this project, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) analyzed processes and impacts at the local level, where the nongovernmental organization Tsogang Water and Sanitation demonstrated community-led MUS in six diverse rural communities in two of the poorest districts of South Africa, Sekhukhune and Vhembe districts - Ga Mokgotho, Ga Moela and Phiring in the Sekhukhune District Municipality, and Tshakhuma, Khalavha and Ha Gumbu in Vhembe District Municipality. In conventional water infrastructure projects, external state and non-state agencies plan, diagnose, design and prioritize solutions, mobilize funding, and implement the procurement of materials, recruitment of workers and construction. However, this MUS project facilitated decision-making by communities, and provided technical and institutional advice and capacity development. Based on IWMI’s evidence, tools and manuals, the project team organized learning alliances and policy dialogues from municipal to national level on the replication of community-led MUS by water services authorities; government departments of water, agriculture, and others; employment generation programs; climate and disaster management; and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
This working paper reports on the local findings of Ga Mokgotho and Ga Moela villages, which had completed construction works. The paper presents an in-depth analysis from the preproject situation to each of the steps of the participatory process, and highlights the resulting benefits of more water, more reliable and sustainable supplies, and multiple benefits, including a 60% and 76% increase in the value of irrigated produce in Ga Mokgotho and Ga Moela, respectively. Women were the sole irrigation manager in 68% and 60% of the households in Ga Mokgotho and Ga Moela, respectively. The user satisfaction survey highlighted communities’ unanimous preference of the participatory process, capacity development and ownership compared to conventional approaches.
Villages / Rural areas / Nongovernmental organizations / State intervention / Capacity building / s participation / Womenapos / Income / Livelihoods / Households / Water users / Financing / Irrigated farming / Livestock / Domestic water / Water use / Water distribution / Groundwater / Geohydrology / Maintenance / Boreholes / Wells / Pumps / Infrastructure / Water storage / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Water availability / Access and benefit-sharing / Innovation / Participatory approaches / Communal irrigation systems / Water supply / Community management / Multiple use water services Record No:H050123
Credit constraint is considered by many as one of the key barriers to adoption of modern agricultural technologies, such as chemical fertilizer, improved seeds, and irrigation technologies, among smallholders. Past research and much policy discourse associates agricultural credit constraints with supply-side factors, such as limited access to credit sources or high costs of borrowing. However, demand-side factors, such as risk-aversion and financial illiteracy among borrowers, as well as high transaction costs, can also play important roles in credit-rationing for smallholders. Using primary survey data from Ethiopia and Tanzania, this study examines the nature of credit constraints facing smallholders and the factors that affect credit constraints. In addition, we assess whether credit constraints are gender-differentiated. Results show that demand-side credit constraints are at least as important as supply-side factors in both countries. Women are more likely to be credit constrained (from both the supply and demand sides) than men. Based on these findings, we suggest that policies should focus on addressing both supply- and demand-side credit constraints, including through targeted interventions to reduce risk, such as crop insurance and gender-sensitive policies to improve women’s access to credit.
Econometric models / Irrigation / Small scale systems / Policies / Risk factors / Financial institutions / Microfinance / Adoption / Technology transfer / Socioeconomic environment / Women / Gender / Households / Constraints / Supply balance / Farmers / Smallholders / Loans / Agricultural credit Record No:H050170
Small-scale irrigation (SSI) provides great benefits to farmers in terms of increased yields and profits, better food and nutrition security and greater resilience to climate shocks. Ethiopia has high potential for expanding SSI and has invested considerably in this area in recent years. Despite these investments, several challenges to further expansion of irrigation technologies remain. Different stakeholders in the country play important roles in overcoming these barriers to further scale technologies for SSI. This paper explores institutional arrangements for the diffusion of small-scale irrigation technologies by mapping the landscape of key actors involved, their interconnections, and their influence. This paper draws on an analysis of stakeholder data collected through two participatory workshops in Ethiopia, one at the national level and one at the Oromia regional level, using the Net-Map approach. Results show the dominance of government actors in the diffusion of SSI at both the national and regional levels, while most private sector and NGO actors remain in the periphery. Participants in both workshops highlighted the need for increased financing services to support the adoption of SSI and measures aimed at increasing the supply of high-quality irrigation equipment, such as modern water lifting technologies. One notable difference between the national and regional results was that at the regional level, farmers, and to some extent traders and input suppliers, were considered to be more influential in the diffusion of irrigation technologies, while they were considered marginal actors at the national level.
Policies / Financing / Farmers / Smallholders / Funding / International organizations / Donors / Nongovernmental organizations / Private sector / Government agencies / Institutions / Participatory approaches / Stakeholders / Technology / Small scale systems / Irrigation Record No:H050169
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
The engagement of communities (non-scientists) in the collection of reliable hydrometeorological data (a citizen science approach) has the potential to address part of the data gaps in Ethiopia. Due to the high cost of establishing and maintaining gauging stations, hydrometeorological monitoring in the country tends to focus on large river basins (gt; 1,000 km2) with little or no consideration of small watersheds (lt; 100 km2). However, hydrologic data from small watersheds are critical for two main reasons: (i) measure the impacts of watershed management interventions on water resources; and (ii) inform local development plans, such as small- and micro-scale irrigation development. Therefore, this paper examines the institutional arrangements for hydrometeorological monitoring and the practices followed by the Basin Development Authority and National Meteorology Agency in Ethiopia. It is important to investigate the possibilities of embedding a citizen science approach into the data collection systems of these two organizations, as this will help to address data gaps, particularly at micro-watershed levels. Based on the assessments, there is potential to embed the approach into the institutional structure of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) for hydrometeorological monitoring in micro-watersheds, due to the following reasons: (i) MoA has a high demand for hydrometeorological data from small rivers to be used for small- and micro-scale irrigation development, and for measuring the impacts of watershed development interventions on water resources; and (ii) MoA has an institutional structure from federal to community level that supports the engagement of communities in development interventions. However, effectively embedding the citizen science approach into regular monitoring of MoA depends on the clear distribution of mandates; developing legal, ethical, methodological and quality frameworks; and developing clear data sharing and incentive mechanisms involving all partners.
Information dissemination / Access to information / Data analysis / Stakeholders / Participatory approaches / Meteorological stations / River basin institutions / Governmental organizations / Sustainability / Small scale systems / Irrigation management / Water security / Natural resources management / Water management / Water resources / Monitoring / Climatic data / Weather data / Hydrometeorology / Water institutions / Citizen science / Community involvement / Watershed management Record No:H050043
Background: The impact of large dams on malaria has received widespread attention. However, understanding how dam topography and transmission endemicity influence malaria incidences is limited.
; Methods: Data from the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission were used to determine reservoir perimeters and shoreline slope of African dams. Georeferenced data from the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) were used to estimate malaria incidence rates in communities near reservoir shorelines. Population data from the WorldPop database were used to estimate the population at risk of malaria around dams in stable and unstable areas.
; Results: The data showed that people living near (lt; 5 km) large dams in sub-Saharan Africa grew from 14.4 million in 2000 to 18.7 million in 2015. Overall, across sub-Saharan Africa between 0.7 and 1.6 million malaria cases per year are attributable to large dams. Whilst annual malaria incidence declined markedly in both stable and unstable areas between 2000 and 2015, the malaria impact of dams appeared to increase in unstable areas, but decreased in stable areas. Shoreline slope was found to be the most important malaria risk factor in dam-affected geographies, explaining 41–82% (P lt; 0.001) of the variation in malaria incidence around reservoirs.
; Conclusion: Gentler, more gradual shoreline slopes were associated with much greater malaria risk. Dam-related environmental variables such as dam topography and shoreline slopes are an important factor that should be considered in efforts to predict and control malaria around dams.
Health hazards / Communities / Climatic data / Topography / Slope / Water reservoirs / Breeding habitats / Anopheles / Mosquitoes / Endemics / Disease transmission / Environmental effects / Dams / Vector-borne diseases / Malaria Record No:H049330
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
Multiple-use water services (MUS) have been promoted and piloted globally for two decades as a socio-technical innovation. Yet the MUS approach has hardly extended beyond donor-funded projects to public policies. We use a collective action framework to analyze the non-institutionalization of MUS in Nepal. We find that MUS has much cognitive legitimacy, but discourse fragmentation has reduced its socio-political legitimacy. Yet the latter is essential to overcome the institutional challenges of a fragmented public water sector and to mainstream MUS into policy debate.
Economic aspects / Farmer-led irrigation / Political aspects / Water policy / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Development programmes / Coalitions / Government agencies / Nongovernmental organizations / International organizations / Collective action / Social aspects / Innovation / Technological changes / Institutional reform / Multiple use / Water use / Water supply Record No:H049236
Technology / Research projects / Water management / Agricultural development / Farmer-led irrigation / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H049191
This report presents findings from a study conducted to explore the synergies and trade-offs between built (i.e., engineered) and natural (i.e., ecological systems) infrastructure in the Tana River Basin, Kenya. The study considered hydrological, ecological and economic processes in order to value flow-related ecosystem services. It provides quantitative insights into the links between flow and the benefits derived from both built and natural infrastructure. The results provide initial perspectives not just on the monetary values of a number of ecosystem services (and how they change as flows vary and are altered by large dams) but also, importantly, aspects of equity and social inclusion, that also need to be considered in decision-making.
Land management / Decision making / Grazing / Smallholders / Ecosystem services / Cost benefit analysis / River basins / Sediment / Coastal area / Flood irrigation / Inland fisheries / Estuarine fisheries / Marine fisheries / Reservoirs / Soils / Hydrological factors / Hydroelectric power / Economic impact / Economic analysis / Flow discharge / Flood control / Floodplains / Dam construction / Downstream / Upstream / Infrastructure / Manmade structures / Natural environment / Climate change Record No:H049163
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
Young, W. J.; Anwar, Arif; Bhatti, Tousif; Borgomeo, Edoardo; Davies, S.; Garthwaite, W. R. III; Gilmont, M.; Leb, C.; Lytton, L.; Makin, Ian; Saeed, B. 2019. Pakistan: getting more from water. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank 191p. (Water Security Diagnostics) More... | Fulltext (9.43 MB)
This report builds on prior work to provide a new, comprehensive, and balanced view of water security in Pakistan, stressing the importance of the diverse social, environmental, and economic outcomes from water. The report highlights the complex water issues that Pakistan must tackle to improve water security and sheds new light on conventional assumptions around water. It seeks to elevate water security as an issue critical for national development. The report assesses current water security and identifies important water-related challenges that may hinder progress in economic and human development. It identifies unmitigated water-related risks, as well as opportunities where water can contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction. The report analyzes how the performance and architecture of the water sector are related to broader economic, social, and environmental outcomes. It models alternative economic trajectories to identify where intervention can lead to a more water-secure future. A consideration of water sector architecture and performance and how these determine outcome leads to recommendations for improving aspects of sector performance and adjusting sector architecture for better outcomes. The sector performance analysis considers (a) management of the water resource, (b) delivery of water services, and (c) mitigation of water-related risks. The description of sector architecture considers water governance, infrastructure, and financing.
Models / Monitoring / Political aspects / Sediment / Dams / Reservoirs / Rivers / Planning / Risk reduction / Flood control / Climate change / Sanitation / Income / Financing / Economic aspects / Investment / Infrastructure / Law reform / Legal frameworks / Environmental sustainability / Nexus / Energy / Hydropower / Water supply / Irrigated farming / Irrigated sites / Irrigation systems / Institutional reform / Water extraction / Water quality / Water demand / Water balance / Water allocation / Water availability / Water productivity / Agricultural water use / Groundwater management / Water policy / Water governance / Water management / Water resources / Water security Record No:H049423
Chuthong, J.; Liu, H.; Xu, F.; Cheng, D.; Zhang, W.; Leh, Mansoor; Lacombe, Guillaume. 2019. Joint research on hydrological impacts of the Lancang hydropower cascade on downstream extreme events: final report. : Vientiane, Lao PDR: Mekong River Commission (MRC); Beijing, China: Lancang-Mekong Water Resources Cooperation Center (LMWRCC); Beijing, China: China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 140p. More...
Models / Salinity / Meteorological stations / International waters / Climatic factors / Dry season / Runoff / Water levels / Discharges / Stream flow / Dams / Rivers / Reservoirs / Water resources / Rain / Precipitation / Flooding / Drought / Extreme weather events / Hydrological factors / Development projects / Hydropower Record No:H049432
This paper reexamines how local governments exercised the legal powers related to their official rights and duties to manage the impacts of both large-scale mining (LSM) and artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities, and how local households perceived resource changes and what strategies they have adopted to adapt their livelihoods based on a case study of the Phu-Hae area, in Xieng Khouang province of northern Lao PDR. It reveals that local government agencies have insufficient capacity to exercise their legal powers to protect natural resources and local livelihoods, partly as a result of weak governance mechanisms. The impacts from LSM and ASM had degraded natural resources and changed local livelihood strategies, impacting particularly the poorer households and women who perceived ASM as a means to increase income and sustain precarious livelihoods, which was often as the expense of the environment and their health. It highlights the need to strengthen capacity to local government and technical training targeted at farming and non-farming livelihood activities for the local community as a way of facilitating alternative income sources for poor households involved with artisanal mining.
Womans status / Gender / Villages / Strategies / Living standards / Households / Investment / Illegal practices / Legal aspects / Small scale systems / Large scale systems / Local government / Governance / Mining / Gold / Natural resources management Record No:H049429
Farmers in Minor Irrigation Systems (MIS) experience many difficulties due to severe seasonal or year-round absolute water scarcity that affects their livelihoods. In order to address this problem, the resilience of the vulnerable communities needs to be enhanced through smart investments and appropriate adaptation strategies. Since there is no well-established method for assessing the resilience of the farmers in MIS, this study was aimed to develop a framework and prospective methodology to assess resilience and factors determining the resilience to shocks and stresses of MIS. A structured questionnaire survey was carried out among 188 households belong to eight farmer organizations under 16 MIS located in three Agrarian Service Divisions in the IL3 agro-ecological region in Kurunegala District. The resilience of farming was measured using adaptive capacity or the risk management strategies used at household levels related to farming practices using 20 indicators. Analysis of factors was performed with the principle component method and rotated (from Varimax with Kaiser Normalization technique) factor loadings were extracted to compute resilience index. Using the empirical equation derived from the study, the resilience of MIS was quantitatively determined. The results showed that there is an adequate space to enhance the resilience of farming in MIS by introducing and adapting various risk management strategies. It appears that capacity of the tank, accessibility of services and the trust of farmers both on farmer organizations and the agency officials are some of the key factors which govern the resilience of farming in MIS.
Case studies / Socioeconomic environment / Tanks / Farming systems / Living standards / Risk management / Communities / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Farmers / Water scarcity / Water shortage Record No:H048927
Target 6.4 of the recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deals with the reduction of water scarcity. To monitor progress towards this target, two indicators are used: Indicator 6.4.1 measuring water use efficiency and 6.4.2 measuring the level of water stress (WS). This paper aims to identify whether the currently proposed indicator 6.4.2 considers the different elements that need to be accounted for in a WS indicator. WS indicators compare water use with water availability. We identify seven essential elements: 1) both gross and net water abstraction (or withdrawal) provide important information to understand WS; 2) WS indicators need to incorporate environmental flow requirements (EFR); 3) temporal and 4) spatial disaggregation is required in a WS assessment; 5) both renewable surface water and groundwater resources, including their interaction, need to be accounted for as renewable water availability; 6) alternative available water resources need to be accounted for as well, like fossil groundwater and desalinated water; 7) WS indicators need to account for water storage in reservoirs, water recycling and managed aquifer recharge. Indicator 6.4.2 considers many of these elements, but there is need for improvement. It is recommended that WS is measured based on net abstraction as well, in addition to currently only measuring WS based on gross abstraction. It does incorporate EFR. Temporal and spatial disaggregation is indeed defined as a goal in more advanced monitoring levels, in which it is also called for a differentiation between surface and groundwater resources. However, regarding element 6 and 7 there are some shortcomings for which we provide recommendations. In addition, indicator 6.4.2 is only one indicator, which monitors blue WS, but does not give information on green or green-blue water scarcity or on water quality. Within the SDG indicator framework, some of these topics are covered with other indicators.
Groundwater extraction / Reservoirs / Surface water / Environmental flows / Indicators / Monitoring / Evaluation / Economic activities / Sustainable development / Water quality / Water availability / Water use efficiency / Water stress / Water scarcity Record No:H048267
This study reviewed the status of natural resources and the driving forces for change, as well as past and ongoing approaches in natural resource management at the watershed scale in Ethiopia. First, we reviewed established environmental policy tools and the legal and policy framework, and determined whether innovative financing mechanisms are working in other areas with a similar context. We undertook stakeholder analyses and mapping to identify key stakeholders, and to assess their possible roles in the implementation of a sustainable financing mechanism for watershed rehabilitation. We also determined whether opportunities exist for financing mechanisms involving hydropower and urban water supply in payments for ecosystem services (PES), and the global community in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in the context of the Bale Eco-region. The study identified major constraints to designing an appropriate financing mechanism. Finally, the study drew important conclusions and key policy implications that are relevant for Ethiopia and perhaps other areas in a similar context.
Land use / Reservoirs / Land degradation / Market economies / Dam construction / Nongovernmental organizations / Farmers’ income / Soil erosion / Urban areas / Community involvement / Watershed management / Carbon stock assessments / Deforestation / Forest management / Water institutions / Water supply / Hydropower / Stakeholders / Legal aspects / Payment for ecosystem services / Financing / Participatory approaches / Environmental policy / Natural resources management Record No:H048874
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
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Albers, J. 2018. Sediment. In Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Zadeh, S. M.; Turral, H. (Eds.). More people, more food, worse water?: a global review of water pollution from agriculture. Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). pp.111-123. More... | Fulltext (604 KB)
Rivers / Reservoirs / Chemical contamination / Turbidity / Sediment yield / Aquatic environment / Surface water / Erosion / Soils / Agriculture / Sediment pollution Record No:H048860
Current patterns of agricultural expansion and intensification are bringing unprecedented environmental externalities, including impacts on water quality. While water pollution is slowly starting to receive the attention it deserves, the contribution of agriculture to this problem has not yet received sufficient consideration.
We need a much better understanding of the causes and effects of agricultural water pollution as well as effective means to prevent and remedy the problem. In the existing literature, information on water pollution from agriculture is highly dispersed. This repost is a comprehensive review and covers different agricultural sectors (including crops, livestock and aquaculture), and examines the drivers of water pollution in these sectors as well as the resulting pressures and changes in water bodies, the associated impacts on human health and the environment, and the responses needed to prevent pollution and mitigate its risks.
Economic aspects / Good agricultural practices / Reservoirs / Lakes / Eutrophication / Erosion control / Sediment / Water policy / Environmental health / Public health / Freshwater / Irrigation water / Soil salinization / Salts / Phosphorus / Nitrogen / Nutrient management / Livestock production / Aquaculture / Pesticide application / Fertilizer application / Intensification / Farming systems / Models / Water quality / Food wastes / Pathogens / Organic matter / Pollutants / Risk management / Groundwater / Surface water / Population growth / Food consumption / Agricultural wastewater / Agricultural waste management / Water pollution Record No:H048855
Diverse agricultural technologies are promoted to increase yields and incomes, save time, improve food and nutritional security, and even empower women. Yet a gender gap in technology adoption remains for many agricultural technologies, even for those that are promoted for women. This paper complements the literature on gender and technology adoption, which largely focuses on reasons for low rates of female technology adoption, by shifting attention to what happens within a household after it adopts a technology. Understanding the expected benefits and costs of adoption, from the perspective of women users in households with adult males, can help explain observed technology adoption rates and why technology adoption is often not sustained in the longer term. Drawing on qualitative data from Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania, this paper develops a framework for examining the intrahousehold distribution of benefits from technology adoption, focusing on small-scale irrigation technologies. The framework contributes to the conceptual and empirical exploration of joint control over technology by men and women in the same household. Efforts to promote technology adoption for agricultural development and women’s empowerment would benefit from an understanding of intrahousehold control over technology to avoid interpreting technology adoption as an end in and of itself.
Communities / Farmer-led irrigation / Households / Decision making / s participation / Womenapos / Use rights / s empowerment / Womenapos / Gender / Agriculture / Technology transfer / Small scale systems / Irrigation Record No:H049870
Storage of surface water is widely regarded as a form of insurance against rainfall variability. However, creation of surface storage often endanger the functions of natural ecosystems, and, in turn, ecosystem services that bene t humans. The issues of optimal size, placement and the number of reservoirs in a river basin – which maximizes sustainable bene ts from storage – remain subjects for debate. This study examines the above issues through the analysis of a range of reservoir con gurations in the Malwatu Oya river basin in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The study produced multiple surface storage development pathways for the basin under different scenarios of environmental ow (EF) releases and reservoir network con gurations. The EF scenarios ranged from “zero” to “very healthy” releases. It is shown that if the “middle ground” between the two extreme EF scenarios is considered, the theoretical maximum “safe” yield from surface storage is about 65–70% of the mean annual runoff (MAR) of the basin. It is also identi ed that although distribution of reservoirs in the river network reduces the cumulative yield from the basin, this cumulative yield is maximized if the ratio among the storage capacities placed in each sub drainage basin is equivalent to the ratio among their MAR. The study suggests a framework to identify drainage regions having higher surface storage potential, to plan for the right distribution of storage capacity within a river basin, as well as to plan for EF allocations.
River basins / Stream flow / Ecosystem services / Rain / Surface water / Water supply / Water storage / Water management / Water resources / Environmental sustainability / Environmental flows / Reservoir operation Record No:H048844
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
As solar panels become more a ordable, solar photovoltaic (PV) pumps have been identi ed as a high potential water lifting technology to meet the growing irrigation demand in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, little is known aboutthegeo-spatial potentialofsolarbasedPVpumpingforirrigationtakinginto accountnotonlysolar radiation but also the availability of water resources and linkage to markets. This study developed a suitability framework using multi-criteria analysis in an open source GIS environment and tested it in the case of Ethiopia. Theaccessibilityofwaterresourceswasthedrivingfactorfordi erentscenarios.Suitabilityresultsfollowingthe groundwater scenarios showed good agreement with the available referenced well depth data. Comparing the suitability maps with available land use data showed that on average 9% (96103ha) of Ethiopian irrigated and 18% (3739103ha) of rainfed land would be suitable for solar PV pump irrigation. Furthermore, small solar PV pumps could be an alternative water lifting technology for 11% of the current and future small motorized fuel hydro-carbon pumps on smallholder farms (2166103ha). Depending on the technical pump capacity, between 155103ha and 204103ha of land would be suitable for solar PV pumps and provide smallholder farmers with the option to either pump from small reservoirs or shallow groundwater. With the ongoing interest in development for smallholder irrigation, the application of this model will help to upscale solar PV pumps for smallholder farmers in SSA as a climate smart technology in an integrated manner.
Groundwater management / Farmer-led irrigation / Water availability / Water resources / Water storage / Reservoirs / Irrigation water / Water lifting / Farmers / Geographical Information Systems / Pumps / Photovoltaic systems / Solar energy / Mapping / Smallholders Record No:H048620
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
This article shows how large-scale commercial farmers, individually and collectively, are responding to land and water reform processes in the Thukela River basin, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. With a high degree of innovative agency, commercial farmers have effectively executed four strategies, enabling them to adapt and use their access to resources to neutralize multiple water reform efforts that once promised to be catalysts for inclusive change in the post-apartheid era. It is likely that policy alone will not facilitate the envisioned transformation, if local practices are not sufficiently understood and anticipated by the governmental officials charged with the implementation of water reform processes.
Reservoirs / Catchment areas / Domestic trade / Infrastructure / Irrigation water / Water user associations / Water rights / Legislation / Land reform / Water policy / Strategies / Farmers / Commercial farming / Water resources Record No:H048575
Capturing inundation extent by floods is indispensable for decision making for mitigating hazard. Satellite images have commonly been used for flood mapping, but there are limitations such as unavailability due to satellite’s orbital period or cloud cover. Additionally, it would also be beneficial for policy makers to figure out the impact of water management measures such as water storage options on flood mitigation and irrigation water strengthening. Utilization of flood inundation models would support providing information for these demands. In this study, the rainfall–runoff inundation (RRI) model was applied in a flood-prone basin in eastern Sri Lanka, and its applicability was discussed. The RRI model was capable of simulating discharge and inundation extent during flood events, although it should be noted that the model had been calibrated targeting only the flooding period. Satellite-observed rainfall data corrected with a scale factor were able to be used as the model input to simulate long-term trends in runoff just as well as when gauged rainfall data were applied. The calibrated model was also capable of evaluating flood mitigation effects of existing and proposed water storage options by simulating discharge with and without flood capture operations. By reproducing long-term inflow to the storage facilities using satellite rainfall data, it was possible to determine that water would reach the maximum level of the proposed storage facilities even during low-rainfall years.
Disaster risk reduction / Satellite observation / Hydrography / Estimation / Water storage / Water management / Reservoirs / Discharges / River basins / Performance evaluation / Calibration / Models / Rainfall-runoff relationships / Flood control Record No:H048446
This paper reviews the evidence available on the provision of financing for African smallholder farmers to purchase irrigation equipment such as pumps, pipes and drip irrigation systems. It sets the scene by first reviewing the literature on experiences with providing microcredit and other microfinance services as a poverty reduction strategy. Based on both case studies and several systematic reviews of the literature, it finds that the outcomes and impacts on poverty, gender equity and broader economic development are mixed at best. Microcredit is not a silver bullet solution to poverty, but it can often help poor households improve their lives. The paper then reviews the demand for and supply of financing for smallholders to purchase irrigation equipment. In surveys, farmers express a strong demand for equipment such as pumps, but often point to the lack of affordable and appropriately designed credit as a critical impediment to gaining access to such equipment. Even where microfinance institutions offer agricultural credit, it is usually short-term seasonal credit to purchase seeds and fertilizer. Credit on these terms is not useful to purchase equipment costing several hundred dollars. Focusing on programs specifically aimed at enabling farmers to purchase irrigation equipment, no credible detailed studies were found documenting the impacts and lessons learned. However, there are currently (as of 2018) numerous promising pilot studies and small projects offering a variety of approaches to enable smallholders to make such purchases. The paper reviews what information is available on these. A major recommendation of this paper is that a research project should be designed to carry out studies of these various experiments to identify what works under what conditions, as a basis for scaling out programs to offer financial services aimed at assisting smallholders to gain access to small-scale irrigation equipment.
Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / Insurance / Grants / Business models / Water resources / Poverty / Investment / Credit policies / Microcredit / Supply chain / Households / Farming systems / Smallholders / Solar energy / Pumps / Drip irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation equipment / Rural communities / Empowerment / Women’s participation / Agricultural credit / Small scale systems / Financial institutions / Rural finance / Microfinance / Financing Record No:H049027
The purpose of this Guide is to provide an overview of the major considerations and steps to be followed in organizing new irrigation farmers’ organizations or Irrigation Water Users’ Associations (IWUAs). The Guide should support developing or strengthening a specialized formal IWUA for implementing a program aimed at creating or improving a collectively managed irrigation scheme. The Guide is focused on programs involving construction of new irrigation schemes; rehabilitation, modernization or revitalization of existing irrigation schemes; or supporting farmers wishing to improve the performance of their irrigation scheme. While based on extensive research and evidence, the intended audience for this Guide is the set of practitioners responsible for planning and implementing communal irrigation programs. This may include managers of publicly or externally supported projects, government agricultural and irrigation officials, private investments and nongovernmental organizations.; The Guide draws on over 50 years of experience organizing farmers to participate in the creation, improvement and management of both farmer-managed and government-managed irrigation schemes. The major lesson learned is that investing in the “software” component – training and institutional development – of irrigation is critical for success. If the IWUA is weak or ineffective, the scheme will fail to achieve its potential, no matter how good the hardware is.; The Guide seeks to avoid imposing a specific organizational design for what an institution should look like and do, but suggests a process organized around six ‘steps’ to be followed, more or less in sequence. Using these steps creatively as a guideline, not as a recipe to be followed precisely, will increase the likelihood that irrigation investments achieve the desired project goals.
Local authorities / Communities / Socioeconomic environment / Infrastructure / Stakeholders / Sustainability / Nongovernmental organizations / Water availability / Water institutions / Water governance / Water policy / Evaluation / Monitoring / Training programmes / Gender / Costs / Investment / Policy making / Small scale systems / Collective action / Irrigation schemes / Farmers organizations / Guidelines / Best practices / Water user associations / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation management / Irrigation water / Learning / Research and development Record No:H049026
Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has planned to harness water from outside the valley from Melamchi as an inter-basin project to supply water inside the ring road (core valley area) of the Kathmandu Valley (KV). The project, called the “Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP)”, is expected to have its first phase completed by the end of September 2018 and its second phase completed by the end of 2023 to supply 170 MLD (million liters a day) through the first phase and an additional 340 MLD through the second phase. The area has recently faced a severe water deficit and KUKL’s existing infrastructure has had a limited capability, supplying only 19% of the water that is demanded in its service areas during the dry season and 31% during the wet season. In this context, this study aims to assess the temporal trends and spatial distribution of household water security index (WSI), defined as a ratio of supply to demand for domestic water use for basic human water requirements (50 L per capita per day (lpcd)) and economic growth (135 lpcd) as demand in pre and post-MWSP scenarios. For this purpose, data on water demand and supply with infrastructure were used to map the spatial distribution of WSI and per capita water supply using ArcMap. Results show a severe water insecurity condition in the year 2017 in all KUKL service areas (SAs), which is likely to improve after completion of the MWSP. It is likely that recent distribution network and strategies may lead to inequality in water distribution within the SAs. This can possibly be addressed by expanding existing distribution networks and redistributing potable water, which can serve an additional 1.21 million people in the area. Service providers may have to develop strategies to strengthen a set of measures including improving water supply infrastructures, optimizing water loss, harnessing additional water from hills, and managing water within and outside the KUKL SAs in the long run to cover the entire KV.
River basins / Valleys / Households / Population growth / Water distribution / Reservoirs / Freshwater / Estimation / Water demand / Drinking water / Water transfer / Development projects / Water supply / Evaluation / Water security Record No:H048978
In recent decades, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have pursued national water permit systems, derived from the colonial era and reinforced by “global best practice.” These systems have proved logistically impossible to manage and have worsened inequality in water access. A new study conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Pegasys Institute, with support from the UK government, traces the origins of these systems, and describes their implementation and consequences for rural smallholders in five countries – Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The authors of this report propose a hybrid water use rights system to decolonize Africa’s water law, lighten the administrative burden on the state and make legal access to water more equitable. This would strengthen smallholder irrigation, which is vital for boosting Africa’s food production and making it more resilient in the face of worsening drought.
Marginalization / Equity / Small scale systems / Regulations / Political aspects / Rural population / Investment / Authorities / State intervention / Economic aspects / Colonialism / Water security / Water distribution / Water governance / Water policy / Water allocation / Water management / Water rights / Water use / Water users / Water resources / Water law / Customary law / Legal pluralism / Legislation Record No:H048956
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
Water management in Bangladesh is guided by an intended integrated and inclusive approach enshrined in government legislation since the late 1990s. Based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in the coastal zone, we assess the implementation of these policies with regard to women water uses. First, the analysis of reproductive and productive roles of women establishes that men have a significant role to play in domestic supply, and women use water extensively for small-scale agriculture and aquaculture, the scope of which has been underestimated. However, when considering womenapos;s inclusion in community water management and more specifically in Water Management Organizations (WMOs), we demonstrate that women face diverse forms of social barriers resulting in systematic exclusion and self-exclusion from these institutions. Water Management Organizations focus on large-scale productive use of water and are rarely addressing the small scale productive and reproductive uses of water. This creates a gap between water users and water managers, which is exacerbated by class and power relations. The creation of community based water management organisations in the coastal zone of south west Bangladesh has so far not challenged women marginalisation especially in terms of activity limitations and participation restrictions. We conclude by recommending a shift from the inclusiveness policy, which is unable to achieve its goals to a more targeted approach that is relevant in the socio-cultural context of rural Bangladesh.
Financing / Livestock / Vegetables / Agriculture / Rural areas / Small scale systems / Aquaculture / Coastal area / Community management / Community involvement / Natural resources management / Women / Gender / Water productivity / Water supply / Water users / Water management Record No:H048235
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
Water security has become the new buzzword for water and development programmes in the rural South. The concept has potential to focus policymakers and practitioners on the inequalities and injustices that lie behind lack of access to affordable, safe, and clean water. The concept of women’s empowerment also provides an opportunity to do this. However, the vast majority of water security interventions using the term are apolitically and technically framed and fail to understand complex intersectional inequalities. We suspect that many of these interventions have been implemented following a business-as-usual approach with the risk of reproducing and even exacerbating existing gendered inequalities in access to and control over water. This article explores these concerns in the context of four villages in Western Nepal, where two internationally funded programmes aimed to empower women by improving access to water for both domestic and productive uses. They hoped to transform women into rural entrepreneurs and grassroots leaders. However, differences between women – such as age, marital status, caste, remittance flow, and land ownership – led to some women benefiting more than others. Water programmes must recognise and address difference between women if the poorest and most disadvantaged women are to benefit. Gender mainstreaming in the water sector needs to update its understanding of women’s empowerment in line with current feminist understandings of it as a processual, relational, and multi-dimensional concept. This means focusing on inter-household relations within communities, as well as intra-household relations. In addition, we recommend that water security programmes rely on more nuanced and context-specific understandings of women’s empowerment that go beyond enhanced access to resources and opportunities to develop agency to include social networks, critical consciousness, and values.
Case studies / Farmers / Households / Communities / Water resources / Water quality / Water use / Domestic water / Development programmes / Feminization / Multiple use / Empowerment / Role of women / Gender / Water security Record No:H048204
van Koppen, Barbara; Nhamo, Luxon; Cai, Xueliang; Gabriel, M. J.; Sekgala, M.; Shikwambana, S.; Tshikolomo, K.; Nevhutanda, S.; Matlala, B.; Manyama, D. 2017. Smallholder irrigation schemes in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 36p. (IWMI Working Paper 174)[DOI] More... | Fulltext (2 MB)
A survey of 76 public smallholder irrigation schemes in the Limpopo Province was jointly conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), South Africa, and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD), as part of the ‘Revitalization of Smallholder Irrigation in South Africa’ project. About one-third of those schemes was fully utilized; one-third partially utilized; and one-third not utilized in the winter of 2015; however, no single socioeconomic, physical, agronomic and marketing variable could explain these differences in utilization. Sale, mostly for informal markets, appeared the most important goal. Dilapidated infrastructure was the most important constraint cited by the farmers. The study recommends ways to overcome the build-neglect-rebuild syndrome, and to learn lessons from informal irrigation, which covers an area three to four times as large as public irrigation schemes in the province.
State intervention / Utilization / Farmers / Vegetables / Soils / Land ownership / Land tenure / Irrigated land / Poverty / Marketing / Farmland / Seasonal cropping / Rehabilitation / Infrastructure / Water quality / Water resources / Gender / Social aspects / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H048142
Livelihoods / Rice / Economic aspects / Tank irrigation / Agriculture / Farmers / Farm income / Irrigated land / Irrigation water / Water levels / Water supply / Water distribution / Assessment / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H048733
Solar energy / Pumps / Energy consumption / Tube well irrigation / Policy making / Farmers / Water distribution / Water resources / Groundwater irrigation / Surface water / Economic aspects / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H048732
Clement, Floriane; Ahmed, Farah. 2017. Institutional of multiple-use water systems (MUS) in Nepal. In Joshi, N. M.; Subedee, S.; Pandey, D. R. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Seventh International Seminar on Irrigation in Local Adaptation and Resilience, Kathmandu, Nepal, 11-12 April 2017. Kathmandu, Nepal: Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems Promotion Trust. pp.103-112. More...
Nongovernmental organizations / Development agencies / Stakeholders / Collective action / Sustainability / Farming / Water management / Water resources development / Drinking water / Multiple use / Institutional reform / Corporate culture Record No:H048573
The satellite radar altimetry datasets are now extensively used for continental water monitoring although it was primarily designed for oceanic surface and ice cap studies. Water level estimated from satellite altimetry can help to assess many hydrological parameters like river discharge and reservoir volume. These parameters can be employed for calibration and validation purposes of hydrological and hydrodynamic models, rating curve (stage-discharge relationship) generation, near real-time flood forecasting, reservoir operations and transboundary water related issues. Satellite with Argos and AltiKa (SARAL/AltiKa), a joint venture of Indian Space Research Organisation and Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales, is one of the pioneer missions in the history of satellite radar altimetry. It is first high-frequency (Ka-band, 35.75 GHz) mission with the highest sampling rate (40 Hz). The applications of radar altimetry to inland hydrology have been significantly increased in recent years in India. Major studies have been carried out in Ganga, Brahmaputra, Tapi and Godavari river basins with AltiKa data. AltiKa datasets have been successfully used for retrieving water level in reservoir and river, estimating river discharge and calculating reservoir sedimentation. Considering the stress on India’s fresh water resources and the importance of SARAL/AltiKa mission, this work was carried out. The present review paper may be helpful to understand the working principle of altimetry, altimetry waveform, waveform retracking methods, water stage, river discharge and changes in reservoir’s water storage calculation, and the status of altimetry applications to inland hydrology, specifically solicitation of SARAL/AltiKa in the Indian context.
Calibration / Models / Hydrology / Measurement / Sedimentation / Reservoirs / Flow discharge / River basins / Water levels / Radar / Satellite observation / Monitoring / Surface water / Inland waters / Earth observation satellites Record No:H048445
State intervention / Dispossession / Colonialism / Living standards / Policies / Licences / Land tenure / Small scale systems / Multiple use water services / Water use / Reforms / Water resources / Water law / Legislation / Regulations / Human rights / Water rights / Right to water / Customary law / Water allocation Record No:H050076
van Koppen, Barbara; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; van Eeden, A.; Manzungu, E.; Sumuni, P. M. 2017. Winners and losers of IWRM in Tanzania. In Mehta, L.; Derman, B.; Manzungu, E. (Eds.). Flows and practices: the politics of integrated water resources management in eastern and southern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press. pp.251-276. More...
River basins / Infrastructure / Employment / Poverty / Farmers / Smallholders / Taxation / Business management / Legislation / Multiple use / Water power / Water use / Water rights / Water law / Water management / Water resources development / Integrated management Record No:H048284
Load estimates are more informative than constituent concentrations alone, as they allow quantification of on- and off-site impacts of environmental processes concerning pollutants, nutrients and sediment, such as soil fertility loss, reservoir sedimentation and irrigation channel siltation. While statistical models used to predict constituent concentrations have been developed considerably over the last few years, measures of uncertainty on constituent loads are rarely reported. Loads are the product of two predictions, constituent concentration and discharge, integrated over a time period, which does not make it straightforward to produce a standard error or a confidence interval. In this paper, a linear mixed model is used to estimate sediment concentrations. A bootstrap method is then developed that accounts for the uncertainty in the concentration and discharge predictions, allowing temporal correlation in the constituent data, and can be used when data transformations are required. The method was tested for a small watershed in Northwest Vietnam for the period 2010–2011. The results showed that confidence intervals were asymmetric, with the highest uncertainty in the upper limit, and that a load of 6262 Mg year-1 had a 95 % confidence interval of (4331, 12 267) in 2010 and a load of 5543 Mg an interval of (3593, 8975) in 2011. Additionally, the approach demonstrated that direct estimates from the data were biased downwards compared to bootstrap median estimates. These results imply that constituent loads predicted from regression-type water quality models could frequently be underestimating sediment yields and their environmental impact.
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has embarked on a new era of dam building to improve food security and promote economic development. Nonetheless, the future impacts of dams on malaria transmission are poorly understood and seldom investigated in the context of climate and demographic change.
Methods: The distribution of malaria in the vicinity of 1268 existing dams in SSA was mapped under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) representative concentration pathways (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5. Population projections and malaria incidence estimates were used to compute population at risk of malaria in both RCPs. Assuming no change in socio-economic interventions that may mitigate impacts, the change in malaria stability and malaria burden in the vicinity of the dams was calculated for the two RCPs through to the 2080s. Results were compared against the 2010 baseline. The annual number of malaria cases associated with dams and climate change was determined for each of the RCPs.
Results: The number of dams located in malarious areas is projected to increase in both RCPs. Population growth will add to the risk of transmission. The population at risk of malaria around existing dams and associated reservoirs, is estimated to increase from 15 million in 2010 to 21–23 million in the 2020s, 25–26 million in the 2050s and 28–29 million in the 2080s, depending on RCP. The number of malaria cases associated with dams in malarious areas is expected to increase from 1.1 million in 2010 to 1.2–1.6 million in the 2020s, 2.1–3.0 million in the 2050s and 2.4–3.0 million in the 2080s depending on RCP. The number of cases will always be higher in RCP 8.5 than RCP 2.6.
Conclusion: In the absence of changes in other factors that affect transmission (e.g., socio-economic), the impact of dams on malaria in SSA will be significantly exacerbated by climate change and increases in population. Areas without malaria transmission at present, which will transition to regions of unstable transmission, may be worst affected. Modifying conventional water management frameworks to improve malaria control, holds the potential to mitigate some of this increase and should be more actively implemented.
Sociocultural environment / Population growth / Disease prevention / Health hazards / Public health / Climate change / Reservoirs / Dams / Malaria Record No:H047719
Privately adopted motor pump-based smallholder irrigation is different from conventional irrigation schemes in many ways. Unlike to scheme based irrigation that usually experience financial deficits and complex management bureaucracies, privately owned and managed irrigation technologies avoid problems related with collective action. This study focuses on the impact of motor pump-based smallholder irrigation in input use and production as compared to rainfed production systems and investigates the financial viability of such investments. Data used in this study come from the baseline and motor pump surveys of Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders (LIVES) project conducted in five districts of four LIVES intervention zones conducted in 2014, but in reference to the 2012/2013 production season. The non-parametric propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to assess the effect of motor pump-based smallholder irrigation on input use and production. Following this, we adopt a cost-benefit analysis framework to study whether such investment is financial viable. Results show that as compared to rainfed agriculture, the use of motor pump-based smallholder irrigation leads to significantly higher and financially viable input use and production. Based on different scenarios, the estimated net present values (NPV) computed at 8.5%; 13.9%; 25.9%; 28% and 30% interest rates show investment in motor pump-based smallholder irrigation is financially viable and robust even at high interest rate and volatile market conditions. The data also suggest that an increase in irrigated land leads to a higher profit margin/ha as a result of lower cost/ha and higher gross production values/ha. Despite that over abstraction of water and use of agro-chemicals may result in land degradation and reduced marginal benefits due to loss of micro nutrients and genetic diversity of crop varieties, our analyses fail to capture such external costs.
Farmers / Policy making / Land use / Cost benefit analysis / Rainfed farming / Irrigated land / Agricultural production / Fertilizers / Household expenditure / Financing / Production costs / Assessment / Economic aspects / Intensification / Investment / Pumping / Smallholders / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Small scale farming Record No:H047625
Maintaining indigenous nutrient supply and positive nutrient balances are key factors in sustaining rice yields. Irrigation systems act as conveyers for water, sediments and nutrients throughout landscapes, especially in mountainous, cultivated tropical areas where erosivity is usually high. Contributions of erosion and irrigation to the nutrient balance of paddy fields, however, are rarely assessed. In this study, a turbidity-based method was used to quantify sediment-associated organic carbon and nitrogen as well as dissolved nitrogen inputs from erosion and irrigation to a 13 ha rice area in Northwest Vietnam. The irrigation source is a surface reservoir, and both reservoir and irrigation channel are surrounded by permanent upland maize cultivation on the steep slopes. Additionally, organic carbon and nitrogen loads in paddy outflow were determined to obtain nutrient budgets. Irrigation contributed 90 % of sediment-associated organic carbon inputs and virtually all nitrogen inputs. Analysis of ammonium and nitrate in total nitrogen loads showed that 24 % of the total N inputs from irrigation to the rice area, or 0.28 Mg ha-1 a-1, were plant-available. Loads measured at the outlet of rice fields showed that paddies were a trap for sediment-associated nutrients: balancing inputs and outflow, a net load of 1.09 Mg ha-1 a-1 of sediment-associated organic carbon and 0.68 Mg ha-1 a-1 of sediment-associated nitrogen remained in the rice fields. Sediment-associated organic carbon and nitrogen inputs thus form an important contribution to the indigenous nutrient supply of rice in these maize-paddy systems, while the rice fields simultaneously capture nutrients, protecting downstream areas from the effects of land use intensification on surrounding slopes. These results underscore the importance of upland-lowland linkages in tropical, mountainous, erosion-prone areas.
Water quality / Surface water / Shifting cultivation / Runoff / Land use / Reservoirs / Landscape / Nutrient balance / Watersheds / Highlands / Maize / Rice fields / Irrigation water / Erosion / Nitrogen fertilizers / Organic nitrogen compounds / Carbon / Organic fertilizers / Soil fertility / Sedimentation Record No:H047588
A large number of small- to medium-sized community ponds exist in most parts of the Terai region in Nepal. Such ponds could be a viable alternative for other forms of surface irrigation. But, with the lack of efficient management, many of these ponds remain underutilized. An effort was made to facilitate the rehabilitation of such a pond in a selected village of Rupandehi District in Western Terai region of Nepal. This paper aims to evaluate the changed water availability situation in post-monsoon seasons after the pond rehabilitation. The paper also evaluates the feasibility of such interventions especially focusing on the potential to provide additional water and improve agricultural productivity. Results showed small increases in quantifiable indicators such as water availability, cropping intensity, productivity and income. The new institutional setup improved water allocation, improved operation and maintenance, and increased social awareness among the people about the importance of underutilized water resources. The intervention has the potential to be replicated in similar contexts.
Case studies / Income / Households / Crops / Agricultural production / Water allocation / Water productivity / Water resources / Water availability / Irrigation water / Irrigation canals / Surface irrigation / Rehabilitation / Multiple use / Collective action / Community involvement / Ponds / Monsoon climate / Climate change Record No:H047566
Wijekoon, W. M. S. M.; Gunawardena, E. R. N.; Aheeyar, Mohamed M. M. 2016. Institutional reforms in minor (village tank) irrigation sector of Sri Lanka towards sustainable development. In Sri Lanka. University of Peradeniya. 7th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment. Proceedings of the Sessions on Recycling Waste Management and Sustainable Water Management, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 16-18 December 2016. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: University of Peradeniya. pp.75-83. More...
This paper reviews the institutional reforms taken place in minor irrigation systems in Sri Lanka by contrasting those observed during pre-colonial and colonial periods with those after the independence. Formal or informal institutions have governed the operation and performance of the minor irrigation systems with continuous change of authority. While the earlier reforms focused on the irrigation sector with quicker benefits and lower political risks, recent reforms have covered macro institutions, where the benefits are gradual with high political risks. In ancient irrigation system management, decision making and implementation were taken by communities themselves under the feudal system of “Rajakariya” ensuring sustainability and maintaining village ecosystem. With the abolishing of “Rajakariya” system after the arrival of British rulers, the authority was shifted from the community to the government along with the trend of irrigation system management towards centralization and bureaucracy. After independence, though the minor irrigation system management was the responsibility of beneficiary farmers, the authority of the systems was continuously changed between different government agencies. Now, minor irrigation systems are governed by the Department of Agrarian Development and/ or Provincial councils towards sustainability goals while emphasizing the different stakeholder involvement through enforcement of formal and informal rules and procedures. The government continues the commitment to reform because it provides evidence for the political and economic stability, tactical benefits, timely consideration of stakeholders’ perception and information towards the required change.
Cultivation / Community management / State intervention / Authority / Stakeholders / Irrigation water / Irrigation management / Irrigation systems / Ancestral technology / Small scale systems / Sustainable development / Tank irrigation / Villages / Institutional reform Record No:H048030
The performance of steep slope ( gt; 30o) orifice spillway aerators by varying air vent size and ramp angles were experimentally studied. Three air vents of different sizes and five ramps with different angles were tested on a physical model of Bunji dam spillway, which was constructed at Irrigation Research Station Nandipur, Gujranwala. In each case, the cavity length, cavity pressure, flow velocity and water depth at the aerator were measured by changing operating conditions. Non-dimensional jet length ( ), air entrainment co-efficient () and non-dimensional cavity pressure (Pn) were computed to evaluate the performance of the aerator against ramp angle and air vent size. Results noted an improvement in the performance of aerator with the increase of air vent size. However, the ramp initially improved the performance of the aerator but at higher reservoir level with large gate opening, no significant improvement in the performance of the aerator was noted, rather negative impact was observed due to reduction in cavity pressure.
Hydraulics / Reservoirs / Impact assessment / Spillways / Dam construction / Energy technology / Flow discharge / Stream flow / Water power / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation engineering Record No:H048020
Asamoah, Bernice; Nikiema, Josiane; Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Odonkor, Elsie; Njenga, M. 2016. A review on production, marketing and use of fuel briquettes. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 51p. (Resource Recovery and Reuse Series 07)[DOI] More... | Fulltext (2 MB)
Where modern heating and cooking fuels for domestic, institutional, commercial and industrial use are not readily available, briquettes made from biomass residues could contribute to the sustainable supply of energy. This study reviews the briquette making process, looking at the entire value chain starting from the type and characteristics of feedstock used for briquette making to the potential market for briquettes in developing countries. It also analyzes the role that gender plays in briquette production. Depending on the raw materials used and technologies applied during production, fuel briquettes come in different qualities and dimensions, and thus require appropriate targeting of different market segments. Key drivers of success in briquette production and marketing include ensuring consistent supply of raw materials with good energy qualities, appropriate technologies, and consistency in the quality and supply of the briquettes. Creating strong partnerships with key stakeholders, such as the municipality, financiers and other actors within the briquette value chain, and enabling policy are important drivers for the success of briquette businesses.
Economic aspects / Public health / Small scale systems / Production costs / Retail marketing / Marketing / Enterprises / Supply chain / Raw materials / Carbon / Chemicophysical properties / Youth / Men / Women / Gender / Developing countries / Emission / Pollution / Residues / Agricultural sector / Environmental impact / Biomass / Communities / Feedstocks / Energy generation / Energy resources / Cooking / Households / Domestic consumption / Renewable energy / Sewage sludge / Faecal sludge / Recycling / Organic wastes / Industrial wastes / Waste management / Solid wastes / Urban wastes / Fuelwood / Briquettes / Charcoal / Fuel consumption Record No:H047991
This working paper was based on the study on multiple uses of small reservoirs in the Volta River Basin of Burkina Faso. The study was conducted in communities using five small reservoirs in Yatenga province. The aim of the study was to document the multiple uses of small reservoirs in the study sites with an emphasis on access to, and use by, livestock, and conflicts that arise over the use of these reservoirs. This paper consists of four main sections: introduction or background to the study, methodology, results and discussion, and conclusion, including practical recommendations.
Community involvement / Conflict / Farmers / Stakeholders / Pastures / Animal feeding / Vegetable growing / Farming systems / Groundwater recharge / Fishing / Water availability / Water use / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Catchment areas / River basins / Crop production / Cattle / Watering / Livestock management / Crop-based irrigation / Agroecosystems / Reservoirs / Small scale systems / Multiple use Record No:H047989
Joint Venture schemes based on the floppy irrigation technology are being promoted in the post-Apartheid South Africaapos;s Limpopo Province. Access to land and water resources in South Africa are largely viewed as a mechanism for re-dressing the Apartheid injustices. This research was part of a broader applied research to help inform irrigation practise in the Limpopo Province. The research used literature review, key informant interviews and a questionnaire survey. The overall research question sought to understand how the Joint Venture Schemes had benefited the smallholder farmers. This paper argues that the joint venture partnership created a new injustice. Firstly, the Joint Venture Scheme design is fundamentally a bad idea which disempower farmers not only to water access but also land as well. The choice of the ‘efficient’ floppy irrigation technology was made by the state and entailed that land had to be managed as a single unit. In order to make more effective use of this highly sophisticated new technology, the smallholder farmers also needed to go into a joint venture partnership with a white commercial farmer. By virtue of signing the Joint Venture agreement the farmers were also forfeiting their land and water rights to be used for crop production. The smallholder farmers lost access to their water and land resources and were largely relegated to sharing profits – when they exist - with hardly any skills development despite what was initially envisaged in the Joint Venture partnership. Secondly, the implementation of the JVS has been skewed from the start which explains the bad results. This paper further shows how the negative outcomes affected women in particular. As the smallholder farmers argue the technological options chosen by the state have excluded both male and female farmers from accessing and utilising their land and water resources in order to improve their livelihoods; it has entrenched the role of the state and the private interests at the expense of the smallholder male and female farmers in whose name the irrigation funding was justified. The paper concludes by offering recommendations on how joint venture schemes can be genuinely participatory and meaningfully address the rural livelihoods.
Sustainability / Multiple use / Water use / Water resources / Land resources / Female labour / Male labour / Gender / Sprinkler irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Living standards / Smallholders Record No:H047393
The foundation of rice production in the dry zone of Sri Lanka is a hydraulic civilization spanning at least 2,000 years, and based on constructed small irrigation tanks. Dotted across much of the dry zone, and often constituting cascades, the traditional management of these tanks for dry season irrigation water brought together sophisticated engineering skills, deep ecological knowledge and social organisation around the practical need for cooperation and spiritual belief systems. While these small tanks are often referred to with respect to their centrality to irrigating rice, the staple crop, the use of both natural and built elements in managing the tanks and their surrounding landscapes in fact constitute a remarkable multi-functional system that has provided a range of ecosystem services for human well-being. Despite its ancient roots, the ecological principles inherent in the traditional knowledge shaping this system resonate closely with modern concepts around natural resource management such as wise use, sustainability, social ecological systems and green infrastructure.
Natural resources management / Arid zones / Culture / Irrigation / Water management / Wetlands / Tanks / Small scale systems / Indigenous knowledge Record No:H048389
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. More... | Fulltext (7.37 MB)
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
Smallholder irrigation to improve food security in the dry season as well as economic and demographic growth within Ethiopia is developing rapidly. However, the long term sustainability of increased irrigated production, together with degradation of soils (and associated water bodies) may be irreparably damaged by inappropriate watering schedules. In irrigation schemes, over-irrigation results in periodic water scarcity issues and in some cases sodicity. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether using wetting front detectors (WFD), a simple mechanical irrigation advice tool, would give farmers the right knowledge on when and how much to irrigate. Therefore, improving sustainable on-farm water management without negatively affecting crop and water productivity while fostering a more equitable water distribution within the scheme. The study, conducted in different regions of Ethiopia, covered various agro-ecological zones and soil conditions with over 200 farmers irrigating cereals or vegetables. Farmers and water user associations were trained on using the WFD to irrigate and distribute water within the scheme. Irrigation and crop performance was evaluated against control plots, having the same crop variety and management but traditional irrigation practices. Reduction in applied irrigation volume due to the WFD differed within and between sites due to furrow length, soil texture and farmer experience. Although yield increases were highly variable between farmers due to differences in farm management and crop variety cultivated, there was a positive effect of WFD on water productivity. Water productivity on average increased by 9 % whereas yields for the different crops increased between 13 and 17 %. In some cases the volume of water saved could double the cropped area. The reduction of irrigation events, when using the WFD, led to labour saving (up to 11 working days per ha) and fuel saving (between 50 and 150 US$ per ha). In both sites, farmers positively evaluated the scheduling tool, acknowledging that they learned to save water without negatively impacting crop productivity. The study showed that by providing access to when and how much to irrigate, farmers can positively adjust their on-farm water management resulting in more sustainable usage of their natural resources.
Farm management / Soil conditioners / Farmers / Agroecology / Vegetables / Cereal crops / Crop production / Wetting front / Irrigation equipment / Irrigation scheduling / Small scale systems / Water user associations / Water distribution / Water productivity / Water management Record No:H047872
This paper focuses on the application of the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Tanzania. It asks: how did IWRM affect the rural and fast-growing majority of smallholder farmersapos; access to water which contributes directly to poverty alleviation and employment creation in a country where poverty and joblessness are high? Around 1990, there were both a strong government-led infrastructure development agenda and IWRM ingredients in place, including cost-recovery of state services aligning with the Structural Adjustment Programmes, water management according to basin boundaries and the dormant colonial water rights (permits) system. After the 1990s, the World Bank and other donors promoted IWRM with a strong focus on hydroelectric power development, River Basin Water Boards, transformation of the water right system into a taxation tool, and assessment of environmental flows. These practices became formalised in the National Water Policy (2002) and in the Water Resources Management Act (2009). Activities in the name of IWRM came to be closely associated with the post-2008 surge in large-scale land and water deals. Analysing 25 years of IWRM, the paper identifies the processes and identities of the losers (smallholders and – at least partially – the government) and the winners (large-scale water users, including recent investors). We conclude that, overall, IWRM harmed smallholdersapos; access to water and rendered them more vulnerable to poverty and unemployment.
Case studies / Economic aspects / Equity / Infrastructure / Multiple use / State intervention / Poverty / Farmers / Smallholders / Suburban areas / Rural areas / Taxes / River basin management / Water power / Water use / Water policy / Water rights / Water law / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management Record No:H047791
As hydropower dam construction in rapidly growing economies dislodges communities, rural development experts must help the displaced make their livelihoods in new lacustrine environments. One question is whether the dam infrastructure can directly benefit those who remain within the vicinity of the reservoir. Integrated water resource management seeks to concurrently consider hydrological, socioeconomic, and ecological factors, yet water managers lack the information needed to include livelihoods in their analyses. The objective of this paper is to develop tools and plans for coordinating hydropower reservoir operation and management for rural livelihoods. Specifically, this study investigates how dam management may accommodate vegetable farming on the banks of a reservoir. The intervention investigated is to lower water levels during the cultivation period in order to expose shoreline gardens. Based on the recession agriculture rule, evaluated through simulation of a dam in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the average annual hydropower production was reduced by between 0.4 and 8.1%, depending on the agricultural goal, with the loss to power occurring mainly in the months April to June. By focusing on hydropower reservoir systems, the techniques developed in this study have the potential to be applied to support communities throughout the world that farm on the shorelines of water reservoirs.
Case studies / River basins / Vegetable growing / Living standards / Rural areas / Dams / Water power / Water levels / Water management / Water resources / Reservoirs / Agriculture Record No:H046633
Background: While there is growing recognition of the malaria impacts of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa, the cumulative malaria impact of reservoirs associated with current and future dam developments has not been quantified. The objective of this study was to estimate the current and predict the future impact of large dams on malaria in different eco-epidemiological settings across sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: The locations of 1268 existing and 78 planned large dams in sub-Saharan Africa were mapped against the malaria stability index (stable, unstable and no malaria). The Plasmodium falciparum infection rate (PfIR) was determined for populations at different distances (lt;1, 1–2, 2–5, 5–9 km) from the associated reservoirs using the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) and WorldPop databases. Results derived from MAP were verified by comparison with the results of detailed epidemiological studies conducted at 11 dams.
Results: Of the 1268 existing dams, 723 are located in malarious areas. Currently, about 15 million people live in close proximity (lt;5 km) to the reservoirs associated with these dams. A total of 1.1 million malaria cases annually are associated with them: 919,000 cases due to the presence of 416 dams in areas of unstable transmission and 204,000 cases due to the presence of 307 dams in areas of stable transmission. Of the 78 planned dams, 60 will be located in malarious areas and these will create an additional 56,000 cases annually. The variation in annual PfIR in communities as a function of distance from reservoirs was statistically significant in areas of unstable transmission but not in areas of stable transmission.
Conclusion: In sub-Saharan Africa, dams contribute significantly to malaria risk particularly in areas of unstable transmission. Additional malaria control measures are thus required to reduce the impact of dams on malaria.
Case studies / Climate change / Risk management / Reservoirs / Dams / Malaria Record No:H047178
The expansion of the Totora Khocha dam-based irrigation system in the Pucara watershed is a case of planned re-engineering of a closing watershed. This article shows how, when irrigation systems expand in space and across boundaries to capture new water, they also involve new claims by existing and emergent users. This results in complex processes of design, contestation and negotiated redesign, where irrigation projects are being produced by the negotiated construction of water networks. Therefore, the design process in a closing watershed is better approached as a dynamic and negotiated process of engineering than as a prescriptive mode of network building.
Case studies / Networks / Water supply / Reservoirs / Dams / Watersheds / Irrigated land / Irrigation programs / Irrigation systems Record No:H046527
Kuppannan, Palanisami; Kakumanu, Krishna Reddy; Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh. 2015. Water pricing experiences in India: emerging issues. In Dinar, A.; Pochat, V.; Albiac-Murillo, J. (Eds.). Water pricing experiences and innovations. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. pp.161-180. (Global Issues in Water Policy Volume 9) More...
The debate on growing water scarcity and the need to use the available water more efficiently among different sectors has once again brought in renewed focus in India. In this debate, a large part of the emphasis has been on the pricing of irrigation water, the sector which accounts for almost 80 % of the total water use but for which water is charged at a fraction of the supply cost. Low water rates, apart from encouraging the inefficient use of water, result in low revenue collections and contribute to the growing burden of government subsidies. Efforts to increase revenue collection through institutional reforms motivated mostly by international lending agencies have yielded mixed results. However, given the increasing demand for water and the resulting competition among sectors, there is scope to price water. In this context, the chapter aims to examine the issues relating to water pricing in India with a case study from Andhra Pradesh.
Case studies / Population growth / Subsidies / Privatization / Environmental services / Industrial uses / Agriculture / Climate change / Groundwater / Irrigation water / Water demand / Water supply / Water use efficiency / Multiple use / Cost recovery / Pricing / Water rates Record No:H047095
Groundwater is an important resource for multiple uses in South Africa. However, setting limits to its sustainable abstraction while assuring basic human needs is a must. Due to prevalent data scarcity related to groundwater replenishment, which is the traditional basis for estimating groundwater availability, the present report presents a novel method for determining allocatable groundwater in quaternary catchment through information on streamflows. Using established methodologies for assessing baseflows, recession flows, and instream ecological flow requirements, the methodology develops a combined stepwise methodology to determine annual groundwater storage volumes in the catchments using linear reservoir theory, essentially linking low flows proportionally to upstream groundwater storages. The approach was trialled for twenty-one perennial and relatively undisturbed quaternary catchments with long-term and good streamflow records. Using the Desktop Reserve Model to estimate instream ecological flow requirements of the streams and equating these with ecological groundwater reserve, excess baseflows were converted into groundwater storages on an annual basis. Results show that groundwater development potential exists in nineteen of the catchments, with upper limits to allocatable groundwater volumes ranging from 0.01 to 1.58 MCM/yr over the catchments. With a secured availability of these volumes 75% of the years, variability between years is assumed to be manageable. A significant (R2 = 0.86) correlation between baseflow index and the drainage time scale for the catchments underscored the physical basis of the methodology and also enables the reduction of the procedure by one step, omitting recession flow analysis. The method serves as an important complementary tool for the assessment of the groundwater part of the Reserve and the groundwater directed measures.
Aquifers / Ecological factors / Multiple use / Rain / Environmental flows / Drainage / Catchment areas / Rivers / Flow discharge / Stream flow / Water requirements / Water allocation / Water availability / Water storage / Groundwater extraction / Groundwater recharge Record No:H047542
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2015. IWMI Annual report 2014. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (2 MB)
Households / Multiple use / Wetlands / Ecosystems / Farmers / Climate change / Living standards / Agriculture / Farming systems / Food production / Sustainable development / Water accounting / Water management / Water resources Record No:H047074
With mixed crop-livestock systems projected to be the principal source of food in developing countries in the coming decades, opportunities exist for smallholders to participate and benefit from emerging crop and livestock markets in the Volta Basin. Given the economic, social and environmental vulnerability due to high water scarcity and variability in the basin, improvements in agricultural water management (AWM) are needed to ensure sustainable benefits. A survey was conducted among 326 crop-livestock households in four water scarce sites of the basin in Burkina Faso and Ghana to characterize households in terms of access to water, services and information, AWM intensity and livelihoods, and to explore the linkages between these characteristics. The sources of water were more diverse for study sites in Ghana than in Burkina, allowing different types of AWM strategies. Most of the farmers perceived a strong positive impact of AWM strategies on their livelihoods. Almost 70% of the variation in livelihood assets was explained by variation in AWM intensity, affecting mainly food consumption, sources of income and housing index. With increasing access to water, services and information, AWM intensity significantly increased, as well as labour for water-related activities and food consumption. This increase in AWM was significantly related to an increase in livelihood assets (R2 = 52%). Policies should be developed to improve access to information and services as well as access to market in rural areas of the Volta Basin, to enhance positive impact of AWM strategies on livelihoods of the rural households.
Strategies / Access to information / Food consumption / Income / Labour / Households / Indicators / Living standards / Reservoirs / Water availability / Livestock / Crop production / Water management / Agriculture Record No:H047522
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
This paper argues that sequential in-channel reservoirs in the Syrdarya River Basin of Central Asia are not sufficient to meet the needs of both upstream and downstream water users. Some of the consequences of the use of in-channel reservoirs include fresh water discharges into the saline depression and flooding of irrigated land in winter and water shortages in summer, which causes low water productivity. This study examines the feasibility of two alternative management strategies (1) building additional off-channel reservoirs, and (2) managed aquifer recharge (MAR). First, the potential for MAR in the upstream Fergana Valley is estimated through a regional assessment of MAR potential, field-scale pilot experiments, and simulation modeling. Second, the potential for MAR is analyzed for lift canal irrigation areas, which cover 70% of the irrigated highlands and the foothills in the river midstream, with a focus on energy use intensity and water and energy productivity. Third, the potential for building off-channel reservoirs and MAR is compared in the downstream portion of the river. Specifically for the Makhtaral Irrigation Project (MIP), a scenario of shifting from lift canal irrigation and groundwater extraction for drainage purposes is compared with groundwater irrigation and MAR. The MIP, located in the tail-end of the transboundary Dustyk Canal, faces waterlogging and salinity issues because of the shallow water table. The study concludes that transboundary cooperation in transboundary water transfers for MAR may increase the amount of water that could be stored underground. Overall, it is shown that there is a high potential for MAR in the Syrdarya River Basin with benefits at both the state and farm levels.
Valleys / Reservoirs / Salinity / Water use / Energy consumption / Water power / Drainage / Irrigation canals / Irrigated land / River basins / Downstream / Upstream / Water storage / Water resources / Water table / Groundwater recharge / Aquifers / Water management Record No:H046896
Case studies / Institutions / Ecological factors / Socioeconomic environment / Marketing / Vegetable growing / Equity / Women / Gender / Drip irrigation / Irrigation systems / Land use / Farmers / Households / Water users / Water distribution / Performance indexes / Indicators / Sustainability / Multiple use / Water use efficiency Record No:H046890
River basins / Reservoirs / Agriculture / Water availability / Water use / Water management / Water demand / Water allocation / Climate change / Crop production / Irrigated farming Record No:H047378
Pumps / International agreements / Socioeconomic development / Poverty / Agriculture / Irrigation water / Living standards / Food production / Multiple use / Aquifers / Groundwater / Water market / Water resources / Water management / International waters / Climate change Record No:H047377
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
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
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
Case studies / Local authorities / Legislation / Legal aspects / Periurban areas / Urban areas / Rural areas / Empowerment / Living standards / Colonialism / Political aspects / s participation / Womenapos / Gender / Landscape / Water policy / Multiple use / Domestic water / Water law / Water use / Water governance / Legal aspects / Sanitation / Human rights Record No:H047295
van Koppen, Barbara. 2015. Towards voluntary guidelines for people-centred land-water tenure: the untapped synergies between rights-based land and water governance. 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). 8p. More... | Fulltext (259 KB)
Water is absent in the ‘Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of Food Security’ (FAO, 2012). This paper explored whether and how the people-centred approaches and the human rights values that underpin this document can be better applied in the water sector and how more recognition of the land-water interface can support this. This is elaborated for participatory approaches in which people, especially the rural and peri-urban poor, better oversee the many interdependencies of natural resources and their multiple uses than the compartmentalised public sector. Further, human rights values are discussed for the development of land-bound water infrastructure, tracing the upcoming debates about a core minimum water service level that includes small-scale productive uses. Lastly, entitlements to land and to naturally available water resources are compared. While the water sector should replicate the current strong recognition of customary land rights to customary and informal water entitlements, an important difference is discussed as well: states are water regulators in a public interest. In this capacity, they should also to protect water entitlements by the vulnerable in negotiations about large-scale land-based investments through procedural and water prioritization arrangements.
Domestic water / Guidelines / Human rights / Land rights / Land tenure / Multiple use / Water law / Water allocation / Water resources / Water governance / Water rights Record No:H047290
The construction of the Rogun Dam in the Amu Darya Basin to increase upstream energy generation creates potential trade-offs with existing downstream irrigation, due to the different timing of energy and irrigation water demands. The present analysis, based on a hydro-economic optimization model, shows that cooperative basin-wide maximization of benefits would lead to large increases in upstream hydropower production and only minor changes in downstream irrigation benefits. However, if upstream stations, including Rogun, are managed unilaterally to maximize energy production, hydropower benefits might more than double while irrigation benefits greatly decrease, thereby substantially reducing overall basin benefits.
Reservoirs / Water availability / Irrigation water / Water power / Water allocation / Upstream / River basin management / Models / Economic aspects / Hydrology / Energy generation / Energy demand / Water scarcity Record No:H047222
Millions of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia benefit from readily available and affordable irrigation technologies. The rapid uptake of small private irrigation in South Asia had a proven positive effect on poverty alleviation. In sub-Saharan Africa similar trends are emerging and several studies point to considerable upscaling potential. Achieving this potential would substantially boost smallholder incomes and food security. However, the spread of small private irrigation poses several challenges related to equity, efficiency, and sustainability. Women and resource poor farmers face challenges accessing affordable technologies; market inefficiencies and policy frameworks negatively affect farmer decision-making and technology access; and the unregulated spread of private irrigation may lead to over-abstraction, pollution, and conflicts. In this paper we argue that carefully designed intervention strategies and policy engagement are needed for two reasons. First, there is a need to address potential adverse effects of the ongoing, unregulated spread of small private irrigation while safeguarding its proven benefits on food security and poverty alleviation. Second, relatively straightforward measures can extend the benefits to a broader group of smallholders, including women and the poor, while at the same time ensuring sustainable use of the resource. Based on empirical evidence from case studies in six countries, we identified four elements of such an approach: (1) enhancing technology access; (2) catalyzing smallholder value chains; (3) fostering supportive policies; and (4) strengthening institutional capacity to manage potential trade-offs at the watershed scale.
Investments / Farmer-led irrigation / Policy / Pumps / Small scale systems / Irrigation / Farmers / Smallholders Record No:H046038
Small reservoirs in Burkina Faso are constructed for many purposes such as domestic water uses, livestock watering and irrigated rice production downstream of the dam. Increasingly farmers use individually owned motorized pumps to draw water directly from the reservoir and irrigate vegetables upstream of the dam. This practice, while tolerated, is unauthorized and referred to as ‘irrigation pirate’ in French. Upstream vegetable cultivation is successful because it is more profitable than downstream rice cultivation. Often, the ‘unofficial’ irrigated area around the reservoir is much larger than the official command area below the dam. However, in the absence of an overarching authority to manage the water source, this may lead to conflicts and resource degradation. We take the example of the Korsimoro reservoir in Burkina Faso to illustrate the positive and negative impacts of spontaneous individual irrigation around communally managed water bodies.
Farmers / Water users / Water use / Resource management / Small scale systems / Vegetable growing / Irrigated farming / Downstream / Upstream / Rservoirs Record No:H046025
Employment / Poverty / Irrigation / Public health / Sanitation / Local government / Public sector / Public services / Water allocation / Drinking water / Domestic water / Water use efficiency Record No:H046385
Case studies / Rice / Economic aspects / Cassava / Farmers / Households / Living standards / Reservoirs / Water power Record No:H046938
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; FAO; International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2014. Wetlands and agriculture: partners for growth. : Gland, Switzerland: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 16p. More... | Fulltext (2.19 MB)
Farmers / Irrigated farming / Food production / Water resources / Ecosystem services / Biodiversity / Aquaculture / Agricultural production / Agroecosystems / Wetlands Record No:H046396
Recharge dams in Oman detain floods to recharge groundwater. The impact of sedimentation on recharge at Wadi Sahalanowt Recharge Dam, in Salalah, Oman, was evaluated using field data and numerical modelling. Analysis of the thickness of sediments after flood events shows that maximum depositions were at the same locations after each event, coinciding with the lowest positions in the wadi. Numerical modelling suggests that the current practice of periodic removal of sediments will restore the storage capacity of the reservoir, but that ploughing or raking of the underlying native sedimentary rocks could be required to significantly improve infiltration rates.
Environmental flow describes the stream flow (quantity and regime) required to sustain upstream and downstream habitats, riparian vegetation, human livelihoods and wildlife. When natural rivers or tributaries are held back by weirs, anicuts, barrages or dams, for a variety of purposes such as diversion for irrigation, hydropower generation or flood control often the downstream flow requirement is ignored or neglected. Although there is no universally accepted definition, convention or law on environmental flow, it has been now recognized that environmental flow is essential for sustainability of riparian ecosystem and their services, which are essential for our own existence, livelihoods and many more. This paper looks at physical structures constructed across rivers and tributaries in Sri Lanka since ancient times to date (including mini-hydro power stations) with a view to understand whether simple ancient wisdoms are more appropriate than modern structures for nature conservation. There are tangible evidence to defend that the ancient anicuts known as “amuna” surged sufficient water in tributaries and rivers, to sustain the environment than modern engineering works which has created dead river beds immediately downstream in many streams and rivers.
History / Modernization / Diversion / Tributaries / Water power / Reservoirs / Weirs / Dams / Traditional technology / Hydraulic structures / Irrigation systems / Stream flow / River basin development / Environmental flows Record No:H048033
The increasing competition for water resources requires a better understanding of flows, fluxes, stocks, and the services and benefits related to water consumption. This paper explains how public domain Earth Observation data based on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Second Generation Meteosat (MSG), Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and various altimeter measurements can be used to estimate net water production (rainfall (P) gt; evapotranspiration (ET)) and net water consumption (ET gt; P) of Nile Basin agro-ecosystems. Rainfall data from TRMM and the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS-NET) RainFall Estimates (RFE) products were used in conjunction with actual evapotranspiration from the Operational Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEBop) and ETLook models. Water flows laterally between net water production and net water consumption areas as a result of runoff and withdrawals. This lateral flow between the 15 sub-basins of the Nile was estimated, and partitioned into stream flow and non-stream flow using the discharge data. A series of essential water metrics necessary for successful integrated water management are explained and computed. Net water withdrawal estimates (natural and humanly instigated) were assumed to be the difference between net rainfall (Pnet) and actual evapotranspiration (ET) and some first estimates of withdrawals—without flow meters—are provided. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems withdraw large volumes of groundwater, which exceed water withdrawals for the irrigation sector. There is a strong need for the development of more open-access Earth Observation databases, especially for information related to actual ET. The fluxes, flows and storage changes presented form the basis for a global framework to describe monthly and annual water accounts in ungauged river basins.
Rain / Models / Remote sensing / Evapotranspiration / River basins / Agroecosystems / Assessment / Earth observation satellites / Groundwater / Water balance / Water accounting / Water use / Water requirements Record No:H046822
This article examines community-driven multiple use water services (MUS) as pioneered by the Rural Village Water Resources Management Project (RVWRMP) in the Far and Mid-Western development regions of Nepal. These regions are characterised by poverty, remoteness, rugged terrain, food insecurity, water scarcity, and post-conflict legacy. Water provision for domestic and productive uses provides opportunities to address poverty and livelihoods in environments with highly decentralised governance. This study explores the first-hand lessons learned in the RVWRMP in Nepal since 2006. This project is embedded within the local government. Key project entry points are decentralisation, participation and empowerment. This article reflects how the community-managed systems are used for multiple uses whether they were designed for it or not. It focuses on household- and community-level changes and related institution building and participatory planning through Water Use Master Plans and a Step-by-Step approach. Recommendations are made for scaling up multiple use services.
Stakeholders / Participatory approaches / Sustainability / Empowerment / Poverty / Living standards / Households / Villages / Rural areas / Community management / Local government / Drinking water / Water supply / Multiple use / Water management / Water resources Record No:H046841
Since the early 2000s, governance has been at the core of the international water agenda. This has elicited calls for reforms in the irrigation sector, including efforts to address the problem of corruption. Nevertheless, the history of policy reform in the irrigation sector is one of repeated institutional refinements, which have hardly materialized into grounded policy measures and practices. Though international donors, policy makers, irrigation scholars and practitioners have long agreed to invest in the ‘soft issues’ of irrigation, most policy interventions have retained a focus on infrastructure-oriented development. This paper identifies decisive factors that preserve the status quo in irrigation development. We draw our analysis on empirical data from countries with a recent (Ghana, West Africa) and long (Indonesia) irrigation history. Beyond the idiosyncrasies of the two case studies that highlight that everyday practices are embedded in, and constrained by, existing institutional rules and mechanisms, but also contribute to shaping these, we make a broader theoretical point. We argue that the ‘business-as-usual’ trajectory that characterizes the irrigation sector is also rooted in the very concept of governance, which is fundamentally about “governing”, that is a practice aiming at steering people towards defined ends, and through different means such as infrastructure, management practices and policies.
Case studies / Farmers / Reservoirs / Investment / Water user associations / Water resources / Bureaucracy / Policy making / Governance / Development / Irrigation management Record No:H046571
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
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. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (6 MB)
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
While conflict and cooperation in Central Asia are mainly focused on the larger basins (Amu and Syr Darya) and the implementation of the agreement reached directly after independence (1991), here an analysis of the history of water-sharing agreements in the Isfara Basin is presented. The paper reveals that there have been fierce negotiations and renegotiations even during the Soviet Union period between the Central Asian riparian republics; agreement was reached mainly though engineering solutions that brought more water to the basin. The paper highlights that although water-sharing agreements were reached early on, the technical capability of implementing these agreements was lacking. Similarly, even after independence, agreements had been reached but lack of water control hindered their implementation.
Case studies / Cooperation / Conflict / Reservoirs / Valleys / River basins / Water allocation / Agreements / Water sharing / International waters / Water management Record No:H046188
An increasing number of smallholder farmers engage in irrigation using their own resources. They buy or rent irrigation equipment and draw water from nearby sources without depending on or without interference from public agencies or water user associations. The individualization of Agricultural Water Management has been ongoing for several decades in South Asia where most irrigation now takes place from privately owned wells. Recently, small private irrigation is emerging also in sub Saharan Africa. It is farmer-driven, responds to a genuine demand from smallholders and has substantial potential for poverty alleviation and rural development. In many countries the area under privately managed and owned irrigation is larger than under public irrigation schemes. However, the individualization of irrigation and its spontaneous, unchecked spread pose challenges to equitable access to and sustainable management of water resources. Irrigation investments and research efforts have largely focused on the underperforming public irrigation sector, ignoring small private irrigation. This special issue describes and analyzes this thriving but overlooked sector, drawing from examples from five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and two states in India. The authors explore ways to enhance the potential of small private irrigation for all, without jeopardizing the sustainability of the available water resources.
Gender / Farmer-led irrigation / Environmental effects / Income / Investment / Costs / Technology / Conflict / Water resources / Small scale systems / Farmers / Smallholders / Irrigation Record No:H046142
Though there are surprisingly few estimates of the economic benefits of coordinated infrastructure development and operations in international river basins, there is a widespread belief that improved cooperation is beneficial for managing water scarcity and variability. Hydro-economic optimization models are commonly-used for identifying efficient allocation of water across time and space, but such models typically assume full coordination. In the real world, investment and operational decisions for specific projects are often made without full consideration of potential downstream impacts. This paper describes a tractable methodology for evaluating the economic benefits of infrastructure coordination. We demonstrate its application over a range of water availability scenarios in a catchment of the Mekong located in Lao PDR, the Nam Ngum River Basin. Results from this basin suggest that coordination improves system net benefits from irrigation and hydropower by approximately 3–12% (or US$12-53 million/yr) assuming moderate levels of flood control, and that the magnitude of coordination benefits generally increases with the level of water availability and with inflow variability. Similar analyses would be useful for developing a systematic understanding of the factors that increase the costs of non-cooperation in river basin systems worldwide, and would likely help to improve targeting of efforts to stimulate complicated negotiations over water resources.
Dams / Irrigation / Flood control / Infrastructure / Models / Economic aspects / Hydrology / Water power / Water resources / Costs / Reservoirs / River basin management Record No:H046648
With the global expansion of urban areas, competition over both land and water resources is steadily increasing, especially within developing countries(FAO 2012; Kuslu 2007; CER 2009). The expansion of urban areas into agricultural areas, such as in Uzbekistan, has created competition for water between farmers and non-farmers (FAO 2002, 2005). Subsequent growth of urban and peri-urban areas envisages new and expanded demands for water resources, entailing both reproductive and productive uses especially by the poor (Drechsel et al. 2006; van Koppen et al. 2006). The integration of these other, competing uses into the planning or proper design of water provision and management systems has been lacking (van Koppen et al. 2006). The agricultural sector, being the former most dominant sector in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) was the core provider of employment and basic livelihoods. After independence in 1991, Uzbekistan experienced a political and economic transition, which resulted in transformation of water land as well as water management and social and institutional challenges, particularly for the agricultural sector. Here a case study on the urbanizing Ferghana district in Uzbekistan is presented which highlights rising competition for water and the associated gender dimensions of the changing water management structure. While traditionally Water User Associations (WUAs) are set up to govern and manage water resources for farmers, the urban expansion into agricultural areas means that WUAs now must integrate the concerns of nonfarmers and multiple water uses in peri-urban communities. Given the expansion and increased importance of kitchen gardens for the majority of the rural population for livelihood security, it is necessary to reprioritize on their respective water needs and towards better integration in WUAs. Donors as well as the government have to adapt their policies, project and recommendations to these changes.
Case studies / Gender / Water user associations / Water use / Multiple use / Farmers / Urban areas / Water management / Water resources Record No:H046644
Clayton, Terry; Victor, Michael. 2014. From research outputs to development outcomes: selected stories. In Harrington, Larry W.; Fisher, M. J. (Eds.). Water scarcity, livelihoods and food security: research and innovation for development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.178-199. (Earthscan Studies in Water Resource Management) More...
Fisheries / Farmers / Multiple use / Water governance / River basins / Floodplains / Models / Public health / Living standards / Sustainability / Resource management / Community development / Environmental services / Investment / Research policy Record No:H046788
McCartney, Matthew; Finlayson, M.; de Silva, Sanjiv; Amerasinghe, Priyanie; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2014. Sustainable development and ecosystem services. 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.29-32. More... | Fulltext (326 KB)
Reservoirs / Agriculture / Wetlands / Living standards / Ecosystem services / Socioeconomic development / Sustainable development Record No:H046798
Community participation, defined as engaging users of schemes in the decision-making processes for the planning and implementation of irrigation projects, is critical for the sustainability of irrigation schemes. This study was carried out in three regional states of Ethiopia to investigate the contribution of Water User Associations (WUAs) to sustaining participation in irrigation projects. The paper demonstrates that the poor understanding of community participation and institutional development by project staff in donor-supported irrigation projects results in the poor performance of WUAs in enhancing participation in irrigation systems. The interventions of external bodies in setting up the WUA by-laws and in determining the responsibilities of users and WUA committees contributed to the low level of participation. The transfer of schemes to WUAs without building WUA committeesapos; abilities in operation and maintenance constrained their ability to sustainably manage irrigation schemes. The WUA committees are male-dominated and the views of women are hardly represented in the decision-making. Therefore, establishing WUA committees that reflect the interests and inputs of scheme users is crucial to achieve fair decision-making. Local authorities and non-governmental organizations could do more to change perceptions and behavior on the importance of gender equity in sustaining the positive outcomes of irrigation at household and community levels.
Surveys / Living standards / Equity / Gender / Water user associations / Community involvement / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems / Irrigation projects / Irrigation schemes / Water governance / Water management Record No:H046107
Doubling of population, since the 1970s, in the Aral Sea Basin of Central Asia led to the increased demand for water and energy. The shift of the key upstream reservoir on the Naryn River, main tributary of the Syrdarya River, from irrigation to hydropower generation reduced available water for irrigation in the summer and created excessive flows in the winter. The downstream reservoirs do not have free capacities for storing the excessive winter flows. This report examines the possibility of additional subsurface storages of water in a part of the Syrdarya River Basin, the Fergana Valley. The report aims to bring the attention of policymakers to alternative development of basin water management, which requires cooperation of riparian states in the use of water and energy.
Models / Soil profile / Irrigated land / Infiltration / Artificial recharge / Reservoirs / Wells / Water storage / Groundwater extraction / Groundwater development / Canals / Groundwater irrigation / Downstream / Upstream / Flow discharge / River basins / Valleys / Water shortage / Recharge / Aquifers / Water management Record No:H046102
Access to sufficient quantities of water of acceptable quality is a basic need for human beings and a pre-requisite to sustain and develop human welfare. In cases of limited availability, the allocation of water between different sectors can result in conflicts of interests. In this study, a modified version of the Building Block Methodology (BBM) was demonstrated for allocation of waters between different sectors. The methodology is a workshop-based tool for assessing water allocation between competing sectors that requires extensive stakeholder involvement. The tool was demonstrated for allocation of water in the Sri Ram Sagar water reservoir in the Godavari Basin, Andhra Pradesh, India. In this multipurpose reservoir, water is used for irrigation, drinking water supply and hydropower production. Possible water allocation regimes were developed under present hydrological conditions (normal and dry years) and under future climate change, characterized by more rain in the rainy season, more frequent droughts in the dry season and accelerated siltation of the reservoir, thus reducing the storage capacity. The feedback from the stakeholders (mainly water managers representing the various sectors) showed that the modified version of the BBM was a practical and useful tool in water allocation, which means that it may be a viable tool for application also elsewhere.
Political aspects / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Hydrology / Rain / Water user associations / Research projects / Reservoirs / Water storage / Climate change / River basins / Water yield / Water demand / Drinking water / Water allocation / Water resources Record No:H046136
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
Hydrology / Sediment / Erosion / Land use / Reservoirs / Infiltration / Ponds / Water storage / Afforestation / Calibration / Models / Temperature / Rain / Data analysis / Flow discharge / Water balance / Water yield / Watersheds / River basins / Precipitation / Climate change / Assessment / Water management / Water resources Record No:H046130
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... | Fulltext (133 KB)
Research priorities / Institutions / Food security / Landscape / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Water management Record No:H046129
Lloyd, G. J.; Korsgaard, L.; Tharme, R. E.; Boelee, Eline; Clement, Floriane; Barron, J.; Eriyagama, Nishadi. 2013. Water management for ecosystem health and food production. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.142-155. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... | Fulltext (227 KB)
Environmental flows / Food production / Agroecosystems / Water security / Water allocation / Water demand / Water use efficiency / Water resources / Water management Record No:H046128
Jarvis, D. I.; Khaka, E.; Pert, P. L.; Thiombiano, L.; Boelee, Eline. 2013. Managing agroecosystem services. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.124-141. More... | Fulltext (249 KB)
Policy / Biodiversity / Watershed management / Land management / Livestock / Agricultural production / Alternative agriculture / Agroecosystems Record No:H046127
Fleiner, R.; Grace, D.; Pert, P. L.; Bindraban, P.; Tharme, R. E.; Boelee, Eline; Lloyd, G.; Korsgaard, L.; Eriyagama, Nishadi; Molden, D. 2013. Water use in agroecosystems. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.53-67. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... | Fulltext (137 KB)
Poverty / Environmental flows / Waterborne diseases / Health hazards / Agricultural production / Water use / Water availability / Agroecosystems Record No:H046123
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... | Fulltext (186 KB)
Agricultural production / Agricultural systems / Erosion / Land degradation / Livestock / Fisheries / Economic value / Food security / Agroecosystems Record No:H046122
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
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 pro table 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.
Non governmental organizations / Households / Income / Food security / Social aspects / Land use / Farmers / River basins / Water table / Water level / Water use / Water management / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Groundwater irrigation Record No:H046065
Doubling of population, since the 1970s, in the Aral Sea Basin of Central Asia led to the increased demand for water and energy. The shift of the key upstream reservoir on the Naryn River, main tributary of the Syrdarya River, from irrigation to hydropower generation reduced available water for irrigation in the summer and created excessive flows in the winter. The downstream reservoirs do not have free capacities for storing the excessive winter flows. This report examines the possibility of additional subsurface storages of water in a part of the Syrdarya River Basin, the Fergana Valley. The report aims to bring the attention of policymakers to alternative development of basin water management, which requires cooperation of riparian states in the use of water and energy.
Models / Soil profile / Irrigated land / Infiltration / Artificial recharge / Reservoirs / Wells / Water storage / Groundwater extraction / Groundwater development / Canals / Groundwater irrigation / Downstream / Upstream / Flow discharge / River basins / Valleys / Water shortage / Recharge / Aquifers / Water management Record No:H046061
This paper presents a conceptual framework for revitalising small-scale irrigation schemes which are either performing poorly or have partially collapsed due to a combination of infrastructural, social-economic, institutional and governance problems, among others. The framework is based on the understanding that an irrigation scheme consists of four mutually interlinked systems: the physical system, the cropping system, the economic system and the social-organisational system. The conceptual approach has two main elements: defining the methodology for revitalisation and implementation of the revitalisation process. The methodology is defined by conducting diagnostic studies to assess water availability, irrigation system, socio-organisation, economic, and market conditions of the scheme. The implementation process involves rehabilitating physical infrastructure, building the capacity of the farmers and extension workers to sustain the revitalised scheme and developing a framework for monitoring and evaluating the performance of that scheme. The whole revitalisation process is built on the foundations of learning from past experience (historical perspective) and continuous stakeholder consultation. The application of the framework and the hypothesis that improved understanding of existing schemes and improved training for farmers results in improved performance of small-scale irrigation schemes are yet to be investigated. The authors invite readers’ reaction to the proposed framework.
Indicators / Monitoring / Water availability / Water management / Stakeholders / Rehabilitation / Irrigation system / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H045916
By mitigating the vagaries of climate variability, agricultural water storage is widely anticipated to make a key contribution to climate change adaptation in Africa. However, if the planning of water storage is not improved, it is likely that many investments will fail to fully deliver intended benefits. This report describes the agricultural water storage continuum and some of the possible implications of climate change. A simple diagnostic tool which can be used to provide a rapid evaluation of the need and effectiveness of different water storage options, under existing and possible future climate conditions, is presented.
Poverty / Population density / Socioeconomic environment / Soil moisture / River basins / Rain / Climate change / Indicators / Reservoirs / Aquifers / Tanks / Ponds / Water storage / Water resources / Agriculture Record No:H045948
Households / Land use / Economic aspects / Groundwater recharge / Research projects / Impact assessment / Case studies / Runoff / Rainfall patterns / Climate change / Irrigation methods / Irrigation system / Erosion / Rainfed farming / Highlands / Water storage / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Technology / Water harvesting / Water resources development / Water management Record No:H045949
As dam construction dislodges rural communities in countries with rapidly growing economies, rural development experts struggle with how to help the displaced make their livelihoods in new lacustrine environments. One question is whether the dam infrastructure can directly benefit those who remain within the vicinity of the reservoir. This study investigates through reservoir simulation how dam and reservoir management may accommodate fishers and farmers in a resettlement village in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The identified needs are for vegetable farming on the banks of the reservoir and diversified habitat for fish. The interventions investigated are 1) a lower water level during the cultivation period in order to expose the shoreline gardens and 2) constructed wetlands adjacent and connected to the reservoir to enhance fisheries. The proposed measures are evaluated with respect to changes in power generation and the availability of water for extraction from the wetland ponds during the dry season.
Reservoirs / Rural development / Farming systems / Fishing / Dams Record No:H045851
West and East Africa experience high variability of rainfall that is expected to increase with climate change. This results in uctuations in water availability for food production and other socioeconomic activities. Water harvesting and storage can mitigate the adverse effects of rainfall variability. But past studies have shown that when investments in water storage are not guided by environmental health considerations, the increased availability of open water surface may increase the transmission of waterrelated diseases. This is demonstrated for schistosomiasis associated with small reservoirs in Burkina Faso, and for malaria in Ethiopia around large dams, small dams, and water harvesting ponds. The concern is that the rush to develop water harvesting and storage for climate change adaptation may increase the risk for already vulnerable people, in some cases more than canceling out the bene ts of greater water availability. Taking health issues into account in a participatory approach to planning, design, and management of rainwater harvesting and water storage, as well as considering the full range of water storage options would enable better opportunities for enhancing resilience against climate change in vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
Households / Malaria / Impact assessment / Health hazards / Reservoirs / Adaptation / Climate change / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Water storage Record No:H045896
The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) was used to evaluate the impacts of a climate scenario based on IPCC A1B emissions on flows in the Volta River basin in West Africa for 2021–2050 and 2071–2100, using 1983–2012 as the reference period. Overall, the simulation indicates increased variability and a decrease of up to 40% in river flow as a consequence of decreasing rainfall and increasing temperature. In particular, the analysis shows smaller absolute but greater relative changes in the hydrology of the northern (upper) part of the basin, particularly at the end of the century.
Statistical methods / Models / Calibration / Reservoirs / Weather data / Water storage / Groundwater recharge / Water yield / Flow discharge / River basins / Hydrology / Temperature / Rain / Climate change Record No:H045833
Hagos, Fitsum; Yazew, E.; Yohannes, M.; Mulugeta, A.; Abraha, G. G.; Abraha, Z.; Kruseman, G.; Linderhof, V. 2013. Small-scale water harvesting and household poverty in northern Ethiopia. In van Beukering, P. J. H.; Papyrakis, E.; Bouma, J.; Brouwer, R. (Eds.). Natureapos;s wealth: the economics of ecosystem services and poverty. New York, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press. pp.225-282. (Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Series) More...
Socioeconomic environment / Water balance / Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Public health / Rainfed farming / Climate change / Poverty / Income / Households / Ponds / Small scale systems / Water harvesting Record No:H045811
Households / Land use / Economic aspects / Groundwater recharge / Research projects / Impact assessment / Case studies / Runoff / Rainfall patterns / Climate change / Irrigation methods / Irrigation system / Erosion / Rainfed farming / Highlands / Water storage / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Technology / Water harvesting / Water resources development / Water management Record No:H045723
Sharma, Bharat; Ngachan, S. V.; Pant, D. 2013. Multiple use water systems for the hilly areas. In Palanisami, Kuppannan; Sharda, V. N.; Singh, D. V. (Eds.). Water management in the hill regions: evidence from field studies. [Outcome of the IWMI and ICAR Workshop organized by IWMI-TATA Water Policy Research Program]. New Delhi, India: Bloomsbury Publishing India. pp.160-190. More...
Households / Income / Costs / Rain / Rainfed farming / Indicators / Water poverty / Drip irrigation / Irrigation systems / Irrigated sites / Highlands / Multiple use / Water use / Water resources Record No:H045733
Case studies / Farmers / Decision support systems / Catchment areas / Irrigation system / Small scale systems / Aquaculture / Water transfer / Water balance / Water availability / Water management Record No:H046356
[1] Evapotranspiration (ET) accounts for a substantial amount of the water use in river basins particular in the tropics and arid regions. However, accurate estimation still remains a challenge especially in large spatially heterogeneous and data scarce areas including the Upper Pangani River Basin in Eastern Africa. Using multitemporal Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Surface Energy Balance Algorithm of Land (SEBAL) model, 138 images were analyzed at 250 m, 8 day scales to estimate actual ET for 16 land use types for the period 2008–2010. A good agreement was attained for the SEBAL results from various validations. For open water evaporation, the estimated ET for Nyumba ya Mungu (NyM) reservoir showed a good correlations (R = 0.95; R2 = 0.91; Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Means Square Error (RMSE) of less than 5%) to pan evaporation using an optimized pan coefficient of 0.81. An absolute relative error of 2% was also achieved from the mean annual water balance estimates of the reservoir. The estimated ET for various agricultural land uses indicated a consistent pattern with the seasonal variability of the crop coefficient (Kc) based on Penman-Monteith equation. In addition, ET estimates for the mountainous areas has been significantly suppressed at the higher elevations (above 2300 m a.s.l.), which is consistent with the decrease in potential evaporation. The calculated surface outflow (Qs) through a water balance analysis resulted in a bias of 12% to the observed discharge at the outlet of the river basin. The bias was within 13% uncertainty range at 95% confidence interval for Qs. SEBAL ET estimates were also compared with global ET from MODIS 16 algorithm (R = 0.74; R2 = 0.32; RMSE of 34% and MAE of 28%) and comparatively significant in variance at 95% confidence level. The interseasonal and intraseasonal ET fluxes derived have shown the level of water use for various land use types under different climate conditions. The evaporative water use in the river basin accounted for 94% to the annual precipitation for the period of study. The results have a potential for use in hydrological analysis and water accounting.
Precipitation / Reservoirs / Land cover / Land use / River basins / Water accounting / Water balance / Water use / Landscape / Semiarid climate / Data / Algorithms / Models / Evaporation / Evapotranspiration / Mapping Record No:H046302
Limited access to water is a key reason why millions of poor farmers struggle to grow enough food and marketable crops to improve their lives. Public sector agencies, civil society organizations and donors seeking to improve small-scale farmers’ access to water resources face limited data on the location and accessibility of water resources. This paper addresses this gap by providing a tested method to assess water resources that small-scale farmers can access affordably and sustainably. This paper also supports the selection of appropriate water access and application technologies for available water resources. The method described is rapid and relatively inexpensive; it uses a phased approach to assess a broad-scale area (e.g., a country or region); and then gathers more information in locations that have higher potential for affordable water access by small-scale farmers.
Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / Technology assessment / Guidelines / Data collection / Poverty / Non governmental organizations / Private sector / Public sector / Living standards / Soils / Irrigation / Rivers / Reservoirs / Drilling / Wells / Pumps / Farmers / Gender / Water resources / Groundwater / Water management / Agriculture / Small scale farming / Water availability Record No:H046752
Rain / Agricultural production / Environmental degradation / Climate change / Wetlands / Ecosystems / Reservoirs / Kidney diseases / Health hazards / Sanitation / Women / Gender / Poverty / River basins / Mapping / Flooding / Drought / Milk production / Water footprint / Water rights / Water pollution / Water quality / Groundwater resources / Water supply / Tank irrigation / Drinking water / Water resources / Water management Record No:H046157
Rain / Agricultural production / Environmental degradation / Climate change / Wetlands / Ecosystems / Reservoirs / Kidney diseases / Health hazards / Sanitation / Women / Gender / Poverty / River basins / Mapping / Flooding / Drought / Milk production / Water footprint / Water rights / Water pollution / Water quality / Groundwater resources / Water supply / Tank irrigation / Drinking water / Water resources / Water management Record No:H046156
This paper explores a fruitful convergence between the distributive and procedural dimensions of environmental justice theory and current debates in the field of development studies over capitals and capabilities, institutions, and discourse formation to shed new light on natural resource management projects in the developing world. Specifically, we document the planning and implementation of two types of water interventions in two contrasting regions: watershed development programmes in northeast India and small reservoirs in sub-Saharan West Africa.We find that there is a contradiction between the inherently political nature of water interventions and the fact that such projects remain grounded in apolitical, technical and managerial narratives. In contrast to the new semantic of development, this depoliticization results in the near absence of attention paid to procedural (participation and empowerment) and distributive (equity) justice concerns and in local actors having to revert to covert ways to achieve their ends. A constructive dialogue between development studies and environmental justice scholars can offer a fresh look on the society-environment nexus in the developing world.
Developing countries / Watershed management / Reservoirs / Institutions / Water user associations / Water resources / Environmental effects / Natural resources management Record No:H045603
Adequate operation and maintenance (Oamp;M) of irrigation infrastructure sustains irrigation scheme facilities, reduces repair costs, helps the system last longer, and keeps irrigation efficiency at design levels. In cases where farmers do not have sufficient capacity to operate and maintain the irrigation infrastructure sustainably, it is necessary for the farmers to enter into partnerships with external entities. The paper presents assessment of partnerships required for small-scale farmers at Rupike Irrigation scheme, in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, to operate and maintain their irrigation infrastructure sustainably. The Oamp;M domain in the irrigation scheme consisted of five components of water acquisition (WA), water transmission (WT), water pumping (WP), water distribution (WD) and field water application (WAP). Group discussions of the farmers were held to obtain farmers’ input in the identification of components and activities for which partnerships were required. It was proposed that the scheme requires public-community partnership (PUCP) to operate and maintain the dam, public-private-community partnership (PUPVTCP) to operate and maintain the pump house, private-community partnership (PVTCP) to operate and maintain the transmission and mainline and field distribution pipelines, and public-community partnership (PUCP) to operate and maintain field application and crop production systems. It was also proposed that each partnership be formalised through contractual arrangements. It was recommended that the farmers improve funding for Oamp;M through increased contributions as well as through partnerships with the private sector. It was also recommended that, for effective partnerships in irrigation schemes, it is important to analyse the scheme components and identify where and how such partnerships are needed for sustainable Oamp;M of scheme infrastructure.
Case studies / Pumping / Farmers / Sustainability / Infrastructure / Partnerships / Maintenance / Operations / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H046301
This paper presents a methodological framework for revitalising small-scale irrigation schemes which are no longer performing well due to a combination of infrastructural, social-economic, institutional and governance problems, among others. The framework was developed as part of a project to revitalise small-scale irrigation schemes in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. The framework is based on the understanding that an irrigation scheme consists of four mutually interlinked systems: the physical system, the cropping system, the economic system and the social-organisational system. The methodological framework combines both hardware and software rehabilitation processes to lead to a comprehensive revitalisation of an irrigation scheme. The framework consists of systematic steps which lead to achieving predetermined outputs, which then lead to intermediate outcomes and goal outcomes. The framework has indicative timelines for the steps. The application of the proposed framework and the hypothesis that improved understanding of existing scheme and improved training of farmers which result in sustainable and improved performance of revitalised irrigation schemes are yet to be investigated. However, the authors invite reaction of readers on the proposed methodological framework.
Rural communities / Stakeholders / Socioeconomic environment / Cropping systems / Infrastructure / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H046299
Water quality / Hydrogeology / Pumps / Dry season / Evapotranspiration / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Sustainability / Living standards / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater development Record No:H046254
Infrastructure / Irrigation systems / Community development / Pumps / Public services / Domestic water / Water resources / Multiple use Record No:H046259
Les restrictions sur l’acces a l’eau sont la principale raison des difficultes qu’eprouvent des millions d’agriculteurs pauvres a faire pousser suffisamment de cultures alimentaires et commerciales pour ameliorer leurs conditions de vie. Les organismes du secteur prive, les organisations de la societe civile et les bailleurs de fonds qui cherchent a ameliorer l’acces des petits agriculteurs aux ressources en eau sont confrontes a une insuffisance des donnees sur l’emplacement et l’accessibilite des ressources en eau. Cet article comble cette lacune en proposant une methode eprouvee d’evaluation des ressources en eau auxquelles les petits agriculteurs pourraient acceder de maniere durable et abordable. Il facilite egalement le choix de technologies appropriees pour acceder aux ressources en eau disponibles et les appliquer. La methode decrite est rapide et relativement peu onereuse, elle se fonde sur une approche progressive pour l’evaluation d’une zone a grande echelle (ex.: un pays ou une region), puis rassemble davantage d’informations sur les emplacements les plus favorables a un acces abordable a l’eau pour les petits agriculteurs.
Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / Technology assessment / Guidelines / Data collection / Poverty / Non governmental organizations / Private sector / Public sector / Living standards / Soils / Irrigation / Rivers / Reservoirs / Drilling / Wells / Pumps / Farmers / Gender / Water resources / Groundwater / Water management / Agriculture / Small scale farming / Water availability Record No:H046776
This paper describes the value of a computer-based simulation model in the implementation of participatory water allocation policy in Sri Lanka. The model simulates the interconnected networks of 7 basins, including 18 reservoirs, 19 irrigation schemes and 13 hydropower stations. Stakeholders are involved in data collection for the simulation runs, review of the technically acceptable water allocation plan, implementation of the plan and post-implementation review. The modelled nexus captures 72% of the available surface water resources of the island. The result helps to achieve the food and energy security of the country, serving the livelihoods of millions of people.
Government agencies / Institutions / Drinking water / Electricity generation / Energy generation / Stakeholders / Water power / Irrigation schemes / Reservoirs / River basins / Decision making / Water policy / Simulation models / Water allocation Record No:H045028
Objectives: To identify entomological determinants of increased malaria transmission in the vicinity of the Koka reservoir in Central Ethiopia.Methods: Larval and adult mosquitoes were collected between August 2006 and December 2007 in villages close to (lt;1 km) and farther away from (gt;6 km) the Koka reservoir. Adult mosquitoes were tested for the source of blood meal and sporozoites.Results: In reservoir villages, shoreline puddles and seepage at the base of the dam were the most productive Anopheles-breeding habitats. In villages farther from the dam (control villages), rain pools were important breeding habitats. About five times more mature anopheline larvae and six times more adult anophelines were found in the villages near the reservoir. Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles pharoensis were the most abundant species in the reservoir villages throughout the study period. The majority of adult and larval anophelines were collected during the peak malaria transmission season (September–October). Blood meal tests suggested that A. arabiensis fed on humans more commonly (74.6%) than A. pharoensis (62.3%). Plasmodium falciparum-infected A. arabiensis (0.97–1.32%) and A. pharoensis (0.47–0.70%) were present in the reservoir villages. No P. falciparum-infected anophelines were present in the control villages.Conclusions: The Koka reservoir contributes to increased numbers of productive Anopheles-breeding sites. This is the likely the cause for the greater abundance of malaria vectors and higher number of malaria cases evidenced in the reservoir villages. Complementing current malaria control strategies with source reduction interventions should be considered to reduce malaria in the vicinity of the reservoir.
Reservoirs / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Income / Farmers / Smallholders / Investment / Food security / Agricultural production / Water management / Research projects Record No:H045055
Hydraulic redistribution is the process of passive water movement from deeper moist soil to shallower dry soil layers using plant roots as conduits. Results from this study indicate that this phenomenon exists among two shrub species (Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum) that co-exist with annual food crops in Sahelian agro-ecosystems. Real-time measurements were conducted for soil water content, soil water potential and microclimate variables notably; air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, precipitation and solar irradiance. Additionally, sap flow measurements were conducted in shrub roots using the thermal dissipation technique on intact and coppiced shrubs. Monthly predawn leaf water potential was measured using a portable pressure chamber. Soil water potential (Js) at the 20 cm depth declined significantly during the dry season with diel changes in Js of 0.6 to 1.1 MPa. These variations were attributed to passive water release from shrub roots resulting in overnight rewetting of drier upper soil layers. Sap flow measurements on tap and lateral shrub roots indicated daily reversals in the direction of flow. During the peak of the dry season, both positive (toward shrub) and negative (toward soil) flows were observed in lateral shrub roots with sap flow in the lateral roots frequently negative at night and rapidly becoming positive soon after sunrise. The negative sap flow at night in superficial lateral roots and the periodic positive flow in the descending tap roots were indicative of hydraulic redistribution. Hydraulic redistribution may be an important mechanism for drought stress avoidance while maintaining plant physiological functions in both shrubs and neighboring annuals in water-limited environments.
Microclimate / Food crops / Soil moisture / Soil water content / Agroecosystems Record No:H044987
OASIS, an irrigation diagnosis model, is applied to the Zhanghe Irrigation System in central China to investigate the contribution of smaller local storages (in “melons on the vine” configuration) as compared with the main reservoir. Results show that local storages are more important in normal-to-wet years, while the main reservoir is critical in dry years, which implies a strong policy correction relevant to many parts of the world. Balanced investment in various storage infrastructures with associated management practices is a cost-effective strategy for irrigation development.
Rain / Remote sensing / Crop yield / Ponds / Models / Policy making / Drainage / Water balance / Water reuse / Water storage / Reservoirs / Irrigation development / Irrigation systems / Hydrology Record No:H045026
Storing flow of the Syrdarya River in the aquifers of the upstream Fergana Valley in winter and recovery of this water in summer is examined as a solution for competing demands between upstream hydropower and downstream irrigation. Modelling of the Isfara and Sokh aquifers suggests the potential of reducing the Syrdarya River flow to the Fergana Valley downstream by 540 Mm3 in winter and increasing it by 540 Mm3 in summer. Implementing the proposed strategy in only these two aquifers would cover over 25% of the summer water deficit in the Syrdarya River downstream.
Reservoirs / Irrigation water / Water use / Conjunctive use / Water supply / Water management / Water power / Policy making / Models / Upstream / Downstream / Rivers / Valleys / Groundwater recharge / Aquifers Record No:H045025
Reservoirs / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Income / Farmers / Smallholders / Investment / Food security / Agricultural production / Water management / Research projects Record No:H045022
This report investigates the dynamics of one of the most common agricultural water management practices of sub-Saharan Africa, i.e., small reservoirs. Small reservoirs dam permanent or temporary river flows and support multiple livelihood activities (livestock watering, crop cultivation, fisheries, small handicrafts, etc.) while providing water-related ecosystem services (soil and water conservation, flood and drought mitigation, etc.). Gathering evidence from four sub-Saharan countries, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Ethiopia and Zambia, this report calls for revisiting our understanding and assessment of the costs, performance and institutions for the management of small reservoirs. A more holistic analytical approach is the first step towards an integrative governance framework. This, in turn, holds the promise of sustainable management of small reservoirs.
Remote sensing / Irrigation / Small scale systems / Water user associations / Rural development / Multiple use / Costs / Investments / History / Institutions / Reservoirs Record No:H045006
Ecosystem based approach (EBA) for resource management is a concerted, environmentally tuned and an integrated framework that holistically addresses the ecological character of the natural resource, its societal benefit spectrum and its environmental functions. In this paper, the EBA concept is closely linked with the emerging concept of multiple use systems (MUS) while taking account of environmental, economic, and social factors that govern the ecosystems services and benefits. We elucidate a multi-scalar approach and multiple case studies to understand EBA particularly in context of a wetlandscape. At the global scale, Ramsar sites of international importance are geospatially analyzed with reference to their agro-ecology and biodiversity. At regional scale, the agrarian use of inland wetlands in India was re-evaluated taking account of database from a recent inland wetland inventory. At the local scale, drawing on the landscape characterization and the ecological economics for fresh water Lake Kolleru in India and the Muthurajawela Marsh-Negombo Lagoon coastal marsh in Sri Lanka, we illustrate some of the practical challenges in balancing wetland conservation, development needs and the overall well-being of local people. We also discuss how variability in the scale, geophysical characteristics of the site and the data availability confines the ability to simplify a single complete approach to address issues in complex ecosystem such as wetlands. All levels of the study are supported by a variety of earth observation data and the geographical information system (GIS) tools. The site level analysis also draws on socio-economic assessment tools.
Social aspects / Remote sensing / GIS / Agroecology / Multiple use / Landscape / Wetlands / Ecosystems Record No:H044044
Cestti, R.; Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh. 2012. Indirect economic impacts of dams. In Tortajada, C.; Altinbilek, D.; Biswas, A. K. (Eds). Impacts of large dams: a global assessment. Berlin, Germany: Springer. pp.19-35. More...
Labour / Water supply / Electricity supplies / Water power / Irrigation / Case studies / Income / Households / Value added / Models / Reservoirs / Dams / Economic impact Record No:H044915
During the past decade, smallholder groundwater irrigation with motor pumps has increased considerably in Zambia. The present study analyzes an important, but hitherto ignored, factor for adoption: the supply chain of imported motor pumps. Findings include types of pumps; organization of import, wholesale and retail, including after-sales services; fiscal measures (import duty waiver and VAT zero rating); prices of pumps; and financing facilities to the farmers. The main obstacles for farmers were found to be: the highly centralized supply chain and financing facilities in urban hubs; lack of information, also about prices, which vary significantly even for the same make and model of pump; lack of information and training about proper use and maintenance; and lack of financing facilities. The Zambia National Farmers Union seems best placed to remove these obstacles.
Non governmental organizations / Financing / Prices / Farmers / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Irrigation equipment / Pump irrigation Record No:H045855
This Working Paper presents methodological and substantive findings of gender-differentiated quantitative farm household surveys about smallholders’ private irrigation technology adoption in Ghana and Zambia. Focusing on three gender variables, household headship, labor provision and plot management, the paper examines adoption rates, types of technologies and gendered labor provision in female- and male-headed households; compares adoption rates on women’s own plots with overall rates; compares women’s decision-making on irrigated plots and rainfed plots; and examines impacts of targeting strategies. Findings suggest that women are proactive irrigation adopters in spite of the many obstacles they face. Removing those obstacles serves both gender equality and irrigation policies.
Labor / Farm size / Fields / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Surveys / Decision making / Income / Households / Pumps / Irrigated sites / Technology / Lift irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation projects / Gender Record No:H045854
Monitoring / Technology / Stakeholders / Capacity building / Funding / Irrigation schemes / Domestic water / Costs / Research projects / Water users / Water demand / Water supply / Water management / Water resources / Guidelines / Multiple use Record No:H044738
Media stories often speak of a future dominated by large-scale water wars. Rather less attention has been paid to the way water conflicts play out at local levels and form part of people’s everyday lives. Based on case study studies from Vietnam, Bolivia and Zambia, this paper examines the strategies of poor households in local water conflicts. It is shown how such households may not only engage actively in collaborative water management but may also apply risk aversion strategies when faced with powerful adversaries in conflict situations. It is further shown how dependency relations between poor and wealthy households can reduce the scope of action for the poor in water conflicts. As a result, poor households can be forced to abstain from defending their water resources in order to maintain socio-economic and political ties with the very same households that oppose them in water conflicts. The paper concludes by briefly discussing how the poorest can be supported in local water conflicts. This includes ensuring that alternative spaces for expressing grievances exist and are accessible; facilitating that water sharing agreements and rights are clearly stipulated and monitored; and working beyond water governance to reduce the socio-economic dependency-relations of poor households.
Natural resources management / Villages / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Pipes / Households / Case studies / Non governmental organizations / Cooperation / Conflicts / Water sharing / Water governance / Water resources / Poverty Record No:H045505
Governments, NGOs and financers invest considerable resources in rural domestic water supplies and irrigation development. However, elite capture and underuse, if not complete abandonment, are frequent. While the blame is often put on apos;corrupt, lazy and indisciplinedapos; communities, this article explores the question of how the public water sector itself contributes to this state of affairs. Four case studies, which are part of the research project Cooperation and Conflict in Local Water Governance, are examined: two domestic water supply projects (Mali, Vietnam); one participatory multiple use project (Zambia); and one large-scale irrigation project (Bolivia). It was found that accountability of water projects was upward and tended to lie in construction targets for single uses with already allocated funding. This rendered project implementers dependent upon the village elite for timely spending. Yet, the elite appeared hardly motivated to maintain communal schemes, unless they themselves benefited. The dependency of projects on the elite can be reduced by ensuring participatory and inclusive planning that meets the project’s conditions before budget allocation. Although such approaches are common outside the water sector, a barrier in the water sector is that central public funds are negotiated by each sector by profiling unique expertise and single livelihood goals, which trickle down as single use silos. The article concludes with reflections on plausible benefits of participatory multiple use services for equity and sustainability.
Case studies / Women / Canals / Pumps / Equity / Irrigation programs / Irrigation schemes / Non governmental organizations / Pipes / Multiple use / Water supply / Domestic water Record No:H045503
Declining natural forests and growing demands for wood products are encouraging the rapid expansion of eucalypt farm forestry in Ethiopia, and Arsi Negelle district represents areas with recent plantation expansion in the Rift Valley area of Ethiopia. This study assessed trends in eucalypt planting over the last five decades, identified the determinants, and examined perceptions of local stakeholders towards this expansion in the district. Quantitative data were gathered through a household survey and farm level inventory. About 90% of the respondents had planted eucalypts, and 52% of them were engaged in planting since the late 1990s. About 11% converted cropland to eucalypt woodlots, which is also a growing trend in the area. Proximity to Arsi-Forest Enterprise (P .01) and area of land holding (P .01) positively and significantly affected both decision to plant and land area allocated to eucalypts plantings. Active labour in the family negatively and significantly (P .05) affected planting decisions, while education level of the household head positively and significantly (P .05) affected land area allocated to eucalypts plantings. Despite strong policy discouragement and perceived adverse ecological effects by the farmers themselves, 96% of them and 90% of the district experts support the expansion. Eucalyptus has become the most desired and planted tree genus, and economics not ecology appears to drive its expansion. Unless better alternative sources of cash income and substitutes for energy and construction materials are found, its expansion is likely to continue even at the expense of cropland. It is concluded that research is needed to fine-tune current eucalypt farm forestry practices to reduce the associated ecological externalities, rather than grossly banning eucalypt planting by smallholders.
Water table / Models / Surveys / Labour / Households / Wood products / Farm income / Small scale systems / History / Eucalyptus / Forestry Record No:H044638
Reservoirs / Farmer-led irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Income / Farmers / Smallholders / Investment / Food security / Agricultural production / Water management / Research projects Record No:H045552
The Volta River is one of the major rivers in Africa. In this study, a dynamic regional climate model (CCLM), a hydrological model (SWAT) and a water resource model (WEAP) were used to provide an assessment of one downscaled ‘middle impact’ climate change scenario on the performance of existing and planned irrigation and hydropower schemes. The results indicate that, by the middle of the twenty-first century, altered climate is likely to undermine the technical performance of existing and planned reservoirs, which will, in turn, affect development outcomes. Future water resources development in the basin requires interventions that bolster resilience and water security. Much more systematic planning of water storage, greater cooperation between the riparian states and consideration of innovative approaches to water storage are needed.
Livestock / Water demand / Irrigation water / Irrigation schemes / Water power / Simulation models / Water storage / Surface water / Groundwater recharge / Flow discharge / Hydrology / Evapotranspiration / Rain / Temperature / Water demand / Reservoirs / Water resources development / Climate change / River basins Record No:H045520
Funding / Sanitation / Models / Non governmental organizations / Poverty / Communities / Urban areas / Periurban areas / Equity / Irrigation development / Drinking water / Water quality / Water allocation / Water resources / Water management / Research projects / Multiple use Record No:H045518
Research projects / Development projects / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Political aspects / Corporate culture / Rain water management / Senses / Farmers / Livestock / Rainfed farming / Water availability / Poverty / River basins / Water productivity / Water management / Agricultural production Record No:H045269
Climate change / Models / Electricity generation / Water power / Irrigation water / Runoff / Flow discharge / Evaporation / Water availability / Water storage / Dams / Reservoirs / Water resources development / River basins Record No:H045321
The AgWater Solutions Project, carried out between 2009 and 2012, focused on resolving water issues faced by smallholder farmers. The project examined existing Agricultural Water Management (AWM) solutions, together with factors that influence their adoption and scaling up. The project aimed to identify investment opportunities in AWM that have high potential to improve the incomes and food security of poor farmers. The work was undertaken in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and in the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. This Working Paper series summarizes results and recommendations from the research carried out in each of these countries and states.
Community involvement / Farmer-led irrigation / Watershed management / Pumps / Drilling / Wells / Reservoirs / Water storage / Groundwater management / Technology / Water lifting / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Investment / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045245
Water policies tend to misrecognize the complexity of community-managed irrigation systems. This paper focuses on water allocation practices in peasant communities of the Bolivian interandean valleys. These communities manage complex irrigation systems, and tap water from several surface sources, many of them located outside the watershed boundaries, resulting in complex hydro-social networks. Historical claims, organizational capacity, resources availability, and geographical position and infrastructure are identified as the main factors influencing current water allocation. Examining the historical background and context-based conceptualizations of space, place and water system development are crucial to understanding local management practices and to improving water policies.
Water rights / Reservoirs / Rivers / Socioeconomic environment / Water transfer / Water allocation / Water management / Community involvement / Irrigation management / Irrigation systems / Watersheds Record No:H045243
Steenhuis, T. S.; Easton, Z. M.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Ahmed, A. A.; Bashar, K. E.; Adgo, E.; Selassie, Y. G.; Tilahun, S. A. 2012. The Nile Basin sediment loss and degradation, with emphasis on the Blue Nile. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Molden, David; Peden D. (Eds.). The Nile River Basin: water, agriculture, governance and livelihoods. Abingdon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.112-132. More... | Fulltext (1.40MB)
Spatial distribution / Water balance / Assessment / Watersheds / Reservoirs / Simulation models / Gully erosion / Highlands / Runoff / Sediment pollution / Sedimentation / River basins Record No:H045314
Le projet AgWater Solutions, mis a execution entre 2009 et 2012, sapos;est interesse a la resolution des problmes dapos;eau auxquels sont confrontes les petits exploitants agricoles. Le projet a examine les solutions existantes de Gestion de lapos;eau en agriculture (GEA), ainsi que les facteurs qui influent sur leur adoption et lapos;elargissement de leur utilisation. Son objectif etait de definir les opportunites dapos;investissement dans la GEA les plus prometteuses pour ameliorer les revenus et la securite alimentaire des agriculteurs pauvres. Les travaux ont ete entrepris dans plusieurs pays africains, Burkina Faso, Ethiopie, Ghana, Tanzanie et Zambie, et dans les etats indiens du Madhya Pradesh et du Bengale occidental. Ce document de travail resume les resultats et recommandations decoulant des recherches menees dans chacun de ces pays et etats.
Stakeholders / Pumps / Irrigation systems / Assessment / Environmental effects / Social aspects / Reservoirs / Watersheds / Vegetable growing / Dry season / Water storage / Surface water / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Investment / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045324
The AgWater Solutions Project, carried out between 2009 and 2012, focused on resolving water issues faced by smallholder farmers. The project examined existing Agricultural Water Management (AWM) solutions, together with factors that influence their adoption and scaling up. The project aimed to identify investment opportunities in AWM that have high potential to improve the incomes and food security of poor farmers. The work was undertaken in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and in the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. This Working Paper series summarizes results and recommendations from the research carried out in each of these countries and states.
Environmental effects / Farmer-led irrigation / Social aspects / Gender / Food security / Markets / Horticulture / Soil conservation / Water conservation / Irrigated land / Watersheds / Dams / Reservoirs / Costs / Pumps / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Investment / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045195
The AgWater Solutions Project, carried out between 2009 and 2012, focused on resolving water issues faced by smallholder farmers. The project examined existing Agricultural Water Management (AWM) solutions, together with factors that influence their adoption and scaling up. The project aimed to identify investment opportunities in AWM that have high potential to improve the incomes and food security of poor farmers. The work was undertaken in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and in the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. This Working Paper series summarizes results and recommendations from the research carried out in each of these countries and states.
Stakeholders / Pumps / Irrigation systems / Assessment / Environmental effects / Social aspects / Reservoirs / Watersheds / Vegetable growing / Dry season / Water storage / Surface water / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Investment / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045183
The AgWater Solutions Project, carried out between 2009 and 2012, focused on resolving water issues faced by smallholder farmers. The project examined existing Agricultural Water Management (AWM) solutions, together with factors that influence their adoption and scaling up. The project aimed to identify investment opportunities in AWM that have high potential to improve the incomes and food security of poor farmers. The work was undertaken in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and in the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. This Working Paper series summarizes results and recommendations from the research carried out in each of these countries and states.
Technology / Farmer-led irrigation / Irrigation / Water harvesting / Rain water management / Pumps / Electrification / Watersheds / Reservoirs / Water use / Groundwater resources / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Investment / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045180
The AgWater Solutions Project, carried out between 2009 and 2012, focused on resolving water issues faced by smallholder farmers. The project examined existing Agricultural Water Management (AWM) solutions, together with factors that influence their adoption and scaling up. The project aimed to identify investment opportunities in AWM that have high potential to improve the incomes and food security of poor farmers. The work was undertaken in the African countries of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, and in the Indian States of Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. This Working Paper series summarizes results and recommendations from the research carried out in each of these countries and states.
Gender / Farmer-led irrigation / Reservoirs / Technology / Water lifting / Pumps / Irrigation systems / Groundwater irrigation / Farmers / Smallholders / Research projects / Cost benefit analysis / Investment / Rice / Agricultural production / Water management Record No:H045179
The diversity of small-scale irrigation in the Ethiopian Blue Nile basin comprises small dams, wells, ponds and river diversion. The diversity of irrigation infrastructure is partly a consequence of the topographic heterogeneity of the Fogera plains. Despite similar social-political conditions and the same administrative framework, irrigation facilities are established, used and managed differently, ranging from informal arrangements of households and apos;water fathersapos; to water user associations, as well as from open access to irrigation schedules. Fogera belongs to Ethiopian landscapes that will soon transform as a consequence of large dams and huge irrigation schemes. Property rights to land and water are negotiated among a variety of old and new actors. This study, based on ethnographic, hydrological and survey data, synthesises four case studies to analyse the current state of small-scale irrigation. It argues that all water storage options have not only certain comparative advantages but also social constraints, and supports a policy of extending water storage apos;systemsapos; that combine and build on complementarities of different storage types instead of fully replacing diversity by large dams.
Gender / Farmer-led irrigation / Agricultural production / Water allocation / Water user associations / Case studies / Plains / Ponds / Wells / Dams / Land use / Land rights / Water rights / Water storage / River basins / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigation schemes / Small scale systems Record No:H045113
While best practice in water management typically calls for the use of a basin-level approach, specific guidance in the absence of basin-level management is fairly scant. This paper reviews the experience of the Syr Darya basin to identify insights related to second best practices for water management at scales below the basin level. This paper first presents the causes for the disintegration of river basin management within the Syr Darya, which include both changes in operation of the Toktogul reservoir and rising water demands due to shifts in agricultural production and land ownership. Focus is then devoted specifically to small transboundary tributaries, where bottom-up cooperation has continued or reemerged in recent times. This paper concludes by highlighting the limitations to singular focus on sub-basins and tributaries, suggesting a balance between more intense cooperation and water control on tributaries and a loose overarching framework at the basin level.
Agricultural production / International waters / Water use / Water allocation / Institutions / Hydrology / Reservoirs / River basin management / Water management Record No:H044659
Crop production / River basins / Case studies / History / Public-private cooperation / Developing countries / Agricultural production / Public policy / Water supply / Water harvesting / Water resources development / Water management / Income / Economic growth / Economic aspects / Socioeconomic development / Small scale systems / Groundwater / Rural poverty / Government policy / Case studies / Investment / Land use / Land management / Supplemental irrigation / Irrigation systems / Irrigated farming / Irrigation water / Irrigation management / Sustainable development Record No:H044259
Loulseged, Makonnen; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Jayasinghe, Gayathree; Hagos, Fitsum; Erkossa, Teklu. 2011. Inventory, sustainability assessment, and upscaling of best agricultural water management practices. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Balcha, Y. (Comps.). Irrigation and water for sustainable development: proceedings of the Second Forum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15-16 December 2008. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.153-183. More... | Fulltext (0.66 MB)
It is the belief of many analysts that agrarian countries like Ethiopia that depend on rain-fed agriculture are significantly vulnerable to rainfall variability, the risk which tends to aggravate with global climate change. Consequently, it is believed that future increases in food supplies and economic prosperity depend heavily on effective agricultural water management. It is with this in mind that the use of low-cost technologies for rainwater and runoff control, storage, water lifting, conveyance and application have become more widespread in Ethiopia since the recent drought of 2002/2003. A range of technologies are currently used with varying levels of impacts. This paper outlines an inventory, characterization, suitability and upscaling aspects of Agricultural Water Management Technologies (AWMT) in Ethiopia. Particular characteristics of each of the technologies, their suitability for a given environment, and the necessary conditions for their successful adoption and scaling up are identified. Furthermore, a variety of combinations of technologies used for control or storage, lifting, conveyance and application of rainwater are documented. Suitability of a technology in a particular environment depends on many factors, such as, the nature of technical complexity, the existing institutional and individual capacity to implement, the costs and benefits, etc. Technical considerations include implementation (set up), operation and maintenance, affordability and environmental impact. The results of a ranking exercise of the technical complexity of a given technology are presented. Concerns related to waterborne and water-related diseases due to stagnation, water quality and possibility of mosquito breeding are discussed. Households in some parts of Ethiopia, who have practiced improved agricultural water management suitable to their local conditions, have managed to diversify their incomes through beekeeping, livestock, intercropping cash crops with food crops and setting up shops, hotels and flour mills in the nearby towns or villages. Therefore, AWMT at smallholder level meet the intended purpose, provided that they are suitable and adaptable to the local circumstances. The question is which of the technologies are suitable to which area under what socioeconomic conditions?
Health / Social aspects / Environmental effects / Soil conservation / Water conservation / Wells / Groundwater / Resource depletion / Dams / Farmers / Spate irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems / Case studies / Income / Runoff / Technology / Water harvesting / Rain / Irrigated farming / Water management Record No:H044262
Strategies for overcoming the lack of agricultural groundwater development over much of SSA are urgently needed. Expansion of small-scale groundwater irrigation offers an attractive option to smallholder farmers to overcome poor wet-season rainfall and enhance dry season production. This paper presents a simple, generic methodology that involves a set of type-curves to aid with decision making on the scope of opportunities for developing sustainable irrigation supplies, and to help understand how cropping choices influence the areal extent of irrigation. Guidance to avoid over-exploitation of the resource is also provided. The methodology was applied to two sites in West Africa with contrasting climate and subsurface conditions and at both sites there is potential for further groundwater development for irrigation whilst allowing provisions for other sectorial uses, including the environment.
Case studies / River basins / Monitoring / Dry season / Farmers / Smallholders / Rain / Small scale systems / Water storage / Groundwater irrigation / Groundwater development / Water balance Record No:H044349
This paper investigates the water resources implications of using a method of hydrological control to reduce malaria around the Koka reservoir in central Ethiopia. This method is based on recent ndings that malaria is transmitted from the shoreline of the Koka reservoir, and on a similar method that was used to control malaria some 80 yr ago in the United States. To assess the feasibility of implementing hydrological control at Koka, we considered the potential impact of the modi ed management regime on the bene ts derived from current uses of the reservoir water (i.e., hydropower, irrigation, ood control, water supply, and downstream environmental ows). We used the HEC-ResSim model to simulate lowering the reservoir by a rate designed to disrupt larval development, which is expected to reduce the abundance of adult mosquito vectors and therefore reduce malaria transmission during the season in which transmission of the disease peaks. A comparison was made of major reservoir uses with and without the malaria control measure. In the 26-yr simulation, application of the malaria control measure increased total average annual electricity generation from 87.6 GWh x y -1 to 92.2 GWh x y -1 (i.e., a 5.3% increase) but resulted in a small decline in rm power generation (i.e., guaranteed at 99.5% reliability) from 4.16 MW to 4.15 MW (i.e., a 0.2% decrease). Application of the malaria control measure did not impact the ability of the reservoir to meet downstream irrigation demand and reduced the number of days of downstream ooding from 28 to 24 d. These results indicate that targeted use of hydrological control for malaria vector management could be undertaken without sacri cing the key bene ts of reservoir operation.
Irrigation / Flood control / Flooding / Downstream / Environmental flows / Electricity generation / Energy generation / Water power / Simulation models / Reservoirs / Dams / Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Water resources Record No:H044345
Water storage is widely promoted as an effective method for mitigating some of the adverse impacts of climate change. Cost benefit analysis is one approach to evaluate which is the most appropriate water storage type under any specific biophysical and socio-economic conditions. However, this often result in loss of significant information for those characteristics which cannot be easily assessed using monetary values. Against this background, the study reported in this paper developed an outranking-based methodology, designed with threshold systems and weighting values, in order to overcome some of the constraints of traditional cost-benefit analysis. The method has been applied in three representative catchments in central and northern Ghana. The results present a preponderance of upstream areas linked with small reservoirs because of the considerably high income, the sufficient water supply, the low costs given for water related illnesses and the low costs for domestic water use.
Case studies / Economic thresholds / Models / Reservoirs / Downstream / Upstream / Cost benefit analysis / Climate change / Economic aspects / Water storage Record No:H044292
Development aid / Small farms / Smallholders / Farmers / Multiple use / Irrigation water / Pumps / Water security / Water storage / Water harvesting / Employment / Rural poverty Record No:H044149
Agriculture is the most significant contributor to Ethiopia’s economy. Most of the agricultural production is under rainfed conditions and thus extremely sensitive to rainfall variability. Irrigation development, including smallholder irrigation, is used by the Ethiopian Government to attempt to mitigate the effects of rainfall variability. In this study, we look at smallholder irrigation - modern and traditional irrigation systems. A detailed description of the cropping patterns is given. The stochastic frontier production function approach is used to estimate technical inefficiency, and constraints to production are analyzed. Since the traditional system is found to be efficient but on a lower production frontier, the study shows that significant gains can be made by raising the frontier of the traditional systems and increasing the efficiency of the modern systems. Among the production constraints studied were land preparation, soil fertility, weed control, pests and diseases, soil erosion, input access and moisture deficiency. The most significant constraints on the irrigated systems were input access and moisture deficiency.
Statistical analysis / Economic aspects / Crop production / Cropping patterns / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Efficiency / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming Record No:H044123
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2011. Multiple-use water schemes. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 2p. (IWMI Success Stories 011)[DOI] More... | Fulltext (266.64KB)
Women / Households / Water supply / Multiple use Record No:H043974
Small reservoirs are a reality of rural sub-Saharan Africa. They trigger technical and institutional innovations, appear to be in high demand among local communities, and remain popular on the agendas of national policy-makers and international development partners in spite of recurrent analyses highlighting that these systems function well below the expectations of their promoters. This paper proposes an analytical framework to understand this apparent contradiction. Local communities do make use of small reservoirs inmany ways but not always as implied by policy discourses and development strategies. Social, eco-technical and managerial analyses would then not disclose the real use-value of these innovations at either the local or the regional (watershed) scales. Understanding the opportunities and risks linked to an intensificationof themultipleuses of small reservoirs requires considering them as rural development and planning interventions. They induce changes in the relations that societies nurture with their environment and catalyze new and multiple claims and uses that sometimes appear conflictual and irreconcilable.
Innovation / Rural areas / Evaluation / Planning / Land use / Reservoirs Record No:H044583
Public sector / Rehabilitation / Construction / Contracts / Cash flow / Development projects / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H044585
AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project). 2011. Small reservoirs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Based on a report by Jean-Philippe Venot. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project) 2p. (AgWater Solutions, Agricultural Water Management Learning and Discussion Brief) More... | Fulltext (117.1KB)
Governance / Water user associations / Water use / Investment / Irrigation projects / Development projects / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H044584
Agricultural (water) development is once again at the fore of the development agenda of sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, corruption is seen as a major obstacle to the sustainability of future investments in the sector but there is still little empirical evidence on the ways corruption pervades development projects. This paper documents the planning and implementation processes of two specific small reservoir programmes in the north of Ghana. We specifically delve into the dynamics of corruption and interrogate the ways they add to the inherent unpredictability of development planning. We argue that operational limitations of small reservoirs such as poor infrastructure, lack of managerial and organisational capacity at the community level and weak market integration and public support are the symptoms – rather than inherent problems – of wider lapses in the planning processes that govern the development of small reservoirs in Ghana and plausibly worldwide. A suite of petty misconduct and corrupt practices during the planning, tendering, supervision, and administration of contracts for the rehabilitation and construction of small reservoirs results in delays in implementation, poor construction, escalating costs, and ultimately failures of small reservoirs vis--vis their intended goals and a widely shared frustration among donor agencies, civil servants, contractors, and communities. Such practices hang on and can only be addressed through a better understanding of the complex web of formal decisions and informal rules that shape the understanding and actions of the state.
Policy / Irrigation programs / Investment / Economic aspects / Bureaucracy / Monitoring / Corruption / Water governance / Case studies / Dams / Reservoirs / Agricultural development / Water resources development Record No:H044582
Of the various types of irrigation system in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka and South India small tank systems are the least well-endowed in terms of the quantity and reliability of water. Yet, these systems have existed for centuries and continue to support a sizeable proportion of the population. The Tank systems generally provide or regulate water for multiple uses: irrigation, domestic needs, livestock, inland fishery and sub-surface moisture for upland crops The multiple use of resources was facilitated by moderating the strategic behavior of agents in a semicommons setting where the tank and water conveyance structures were held as common property and a system of private property rights exercised over scattered parcels of land in the command area. The resilience the system was further strengthened strengthened by operating the system within the framework of a moral economy. In recent decades the economic significance of minor tanks is on the wane. Important performance indicators such as area irrigated, cropping intensities, productivity levels, efficiency in water use are below potential. Farmers are increasingly compelled to rely on off farm employment and rainfed cultivation for their subsistence needs. Underlying many of the problems is a set of circumstances creating a vicious cycle which starts with pollution pressure, sub-division of land, fragmentation of in property rights regimes from semi-commons to private property, degradation of the catchment area, deterioration of the water conveyance systems and the proliferation of groundwater development resulting in differential access to water and consequently significant socio-economic differentiation in a traditionally egalitarian society and weakening the moral economy. This paper is an attempt to grasp the complex dynamics that characterize the transitional nature of agrarian systems and the fragmentation of property rights in tanks systems in Sri Lanka and Tamilnadu due to changes in social, economic, political, cultural processes and technological innovations, This paper identifies potential vulnerable areas in the management of commons property resources in the villages especially in the context of less reliance l on local resources; change in the individual preferences; enhanced economic, social, and geographical mobility of people; the high transaction costs of social arrangements to manage local resources; gradual loss of common interests and group identity, and greater integration to the market, The paper attempts to examine the shape and the role of the institutions managing the small tank systems under such changing circumstance and propose institutional arrangements for the effective governance of the tank systems.
Rainfed farming / Indicators / Multiple use / Arid zones / Irrigation systems / Institutions / Water governance / Tanks / Property rights Record No:H044579
Kuppannan, Palanisami. 2011. Enhancing tank multiple uses for improved livelihood opportunities in rural India. [Abstract only]. In International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC). 13th IASC Biennial International Conference on Sustaining Commons: Sustaining Our Future, Hyderabad, India, 10 - 14 January 2011. Book of abstracts. Mexico City, DF, Mexico: International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC); Gujarat, India: Foundation for Ecological Security (FES). pp.182-183. More... | Fulltext (2.09MB)
Irrigation tanks in India are common property resources. In South India, tank irrigation has a millennial history, and many currently used tanks were constructed centuries ago. Some 8.5 million small and marginal farmers who own less than 0.4 hectare account for about 80 percent of the tank irrigated area and produce about 5 million tons of rice per year. Of the 3.2 million hectares of tank irrigated area in India, the three southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for about 60 percent. The performance of tank irrigation has generally declined in recent decades and rehabilitation is often no longer economic when irrigation benefits alone are considered. However, tanks provide not only irrigation, but also other services including those related to trees, fishing, domestic water supply, livestock, and silt for fields. This paper examines tank performance taking into account these multiple uses based on an empirical study of 80 tanks in Tamil Nadu, South India. In order to see the changes in the nature and magnitude of multiple uses from these tanks data from 1993 and 2008 are compared.
Multiple use / Rice / Rural areas / Tank irrigation Record No:H044578
Venot, Jean-Philippe. 2011. What Commons? rethinking participation in the Sub-Saharan African water sector. [Abstract only]. In International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC). 13th IASC Biennial International Conference on Sustaining Commons: Sustaining Our Future, Hyderabad, India, 10 - 14 January 2011. Book of abstracts. Mexico City, DF, Mexico: International Association for the Study of the Commons (IASC); Gujarat, India: Foundation for Ecological Security (FES). pp.266. More... | Fulltext (2.09MB)
Global reports and major funding agencies herald the comeback of agriculture on the international development agenda as a means of achieving the Millenium Development Goals. Within this renewed interest, irrigation is presented as pivotal to increasing food production and alleviating poverty. This is especially the case in subSaharan Africa, where macro indicators point to an underdeveloped and underperforming agriculture-cum-irrigation sector. While large dam projects are still prevalent, small-scale irrigation has also become the focus of increased attention from researchers, national decision-makers and the international development community. Indeed, small-scale irrigation fits well within the development narratives of decentralization and participation. This paper questions such perceptions. It uses the example of small reservoirs in sub-Saharan Africa to highlight that small scale irrigation projects are, firstly, based on narrow visions of the ‘commons’ and participation that rarely consider the experiences and perceptions of local populations; secondly do not account for the de-facto institutional “bricolage” and the diverse land and water claims that they contribute to; thirdly, and in contrast to the new vocabulary of development, continue to regard intended beneficiaries as ‘recipients’ rather than participants with agency; and, finally, largely ignore power distribution issues that characterize decentralization reforms within and outside of communities. Further investments and reforms are said to be the remedy. These are unlikely to succeed, so long as they adhere to a narrowly-defined notion of development. This paper calls for a new approach, which acknowledges the multiple claims and uses of natural resources, and which recognizes that projects contribute to shaping new meanings of space and relationships to environments, whose fairness depends on the vantage point considered.
Irrigation programs / Water user associations / Reservoirs / Water governance / Water resources Record No:H044574
Development projects / Agriculture / Aquaculture / Impact assessment / River basins / Case studies / Reservoirs / Water power / Decision support systems Record No:H044565
Smits, S.; Atengdem, J.; Darteh, B.; van Koppen, Barbara; Moriarty, P.; Nyarko, K.; Obuoubisa-Darko, A.; Ofosu, E.; Venot, Jean-Philippe; Williams, T. 2011. Multiple use water services in Ghana scoping study. : Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); New York, NY, USA: Rockefeller Foundation; Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) 73p. More... | Fulltext (1.61MB)
Policy / Water user associations / Non governmental organizations / Wells / Dams / Community management / Living standards / Costs / Investment / Models / Reservoirs / Suburban agriculture / Rural areas / Rainfed farming / Development projects / Rural development / Research projects / Water users / Water reuse / Surface water / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation water / Water supply / Domestic water / Water management / Water resources development / Multiple use Record No:H045519
The diversity of small-scale irrigation on the Fogera plains, in the Ethiopian Blue Nile river basin, includes small dams, hand-dug wells, ponds and river diversion systems. These facilities, however, receive little political attention in negotiations over Nile resources, which focus primarily on large dams. Nevertheless, they are important in relation to their impact on local livelihoods, as well as their potential to contribute to adaptive capacity in the light of anticipated climate change. The diversity of irrigation infrastructure is partly a consequence of the topographic heterogeneity of the plains, as well as a range of other biophysical factors. Communities within the region cope with similar social-political conditions, the same administrative framework and similar access to markets, yet facilities are still acquired, used and managed differently. Production systems as well as the social dynamics accompanying them are far from homogeneous, though, which calls for critical evaluation, especially as small scale irrigation is managed by beneficiaries; a policy paradigm just starting to be implemented for large dams in Ethiopia. The article also discusses the impact of large dams on the hydrological regime of the plains, as well as the possible impact of anticipated climate change.
Gender / Farmer-led irrigation / Conflict / Agricultural production / Water user associations / Water allocation / Land cover / Land use / Climate change / Social aspects / Ponds / Wells / Dams / River basins / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigation schemes / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H044597
Farmers / Sustainability / Groundwater recharge / Reservoirs / Climate change / Water resources / Water tanks / Water storage / Water management Record No:H047270
Global reports and major funding agencies herald the comeback of agriculture on the international development agenda as a means of achieving the Millenium Development Goals. Within this renewed interest, irrigation is presented as pivotal to increasing food production and alleviating poverty. This is especially the case in sub-Saharan Africa, where macro indicators point to an underdeveloped and underperforming agriculturecum-irrigation sector. While large dam projects are still prevalent, small-scale irrigation has also become the focus of increased attention from researchers, national decisionmakers, and the international development community. Indeed, small-scale irrigation fits well within the development narrative of participation. This paper engages with such a view. It uses the example of small reservoirs in northern Ghana to highlight that small scale irrigation projects are, firstly, based on narrow visions of the ‘commons’ and participation that rarely consider the experiences and perceptions of local populations; secondly do not account for the de-facto institutional “bricolage” and the diverse land and water claims that they contribute to shape; thirdly, and in ontrast to the new vocabulary of development, continue to regard intended beneficiaries as ‘recipients’ rather than participants with agency; and, finally, largely ignore broader institutional issues that characterize the water sector in the country. Further investments and reforms are said to be the remedy. These are unlikely to succeed, so long as they adhere to a narrowly-defined notion of development. This paper calls for an approach that which acknowledges the multiple claims and uses of natural resources, and which recognizes that projects contribute to shaping new meanings of space and relationships to environments, whose fairness depends on the vantage point considered.
Irrigation programs / Water user associations / Reservoirs / Water governance / Water resources Record No:H044426
Burkina Faso is actively pursuing the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in its development plans. Several policy and institutional mechanisms have been put in place, including the adoption of a national IWRM action plan (PAGIRE) and the establishment so far of 30 local water management committees (Comits Locaux de l’Eau, or CLE). The stated purpose of the CLE is to take responsibility for managing water at sub-basin level. The two case studies discussed in this paper illustrate gaps between the policy objective of promoting IWRM on the one hand, and the realities associated with its practical on-the-ground implementation on the other. A significant adjustment that occurred in practice is the fact that the two CLE studied have been set up as entities focused on reservoir management, whereas it is envisioned that a CLE would constitute a platform for sub-basin management. This reflects a concern to minimise conflict and optimally manage the country’s primary water resource and illustrates the type of pragmatic actions that have to be taken to make IWRM a reality. It is also observed that the local water management committees have not been able to satisfactorily address questions regarding access to, and allocation of, water, which are crucial for the satisfactory functioning of the reservoirs. Water resources in the reservoirs appear to be controlled by the dominant user. In order to correct this trend, measures to build mutual trust and confidence among water users apos;condemnedapos; to work together to manage their common resource are suggested, foremost of which is the need to collect and share reliable data. Awareness of power relationships among water user groups and building on functioning, already existing formal or informal arrangements for water sharing are key determinants for successful implementation of the water reform process underway.
Irrigation schemes / Downstream / Rice / River basins / Case studies / Conflicts / Water use / Water storage / Water allocation / Water user associations / Reservoirs / Water resources / Water management Record No:H044385
Butterworth, J.; Visscher, J. T.; van Steenbergen, F.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2011. Multiple use water services in Ethiopia scoping study. : Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); New York, NY, USA: Rockefeller Foundation; Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) 52p. More... | Fulltext (1.32MB)
Food security / Costs / Non governmental organizations / Indicators / Socioeconomic environment / Spate irrigation / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Community involvement / Rain water management / Pumps / Water supply / Water management / Water resources / Research projects / Water use / Multiple use Record No:H045596
Basnet, G.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2011. Multiple use water services in Nepal scoping study. : Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); New York, NY, USA: Rockefeller Foundation; Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) 47p. More... | Fulltext (1.6MB)
Irrigation systems / Poverty / Community involvement / Water conservation / Water storage / Domestic water / Water supply / Non governmental organizations / Government departments / Institutions / Research projects / Water policy / Water resources development / Water use / Multiple Use Record No:H045595
van Koppen, Barbara; Keraita, Bernhard. 2011. Multiple use water services in Tanzania scoping study. : Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); New York, NY, USA: Rockefeller Foundation; Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) 68p. More... | Fulltext (1.29MB)
Irrigation schemes / Decentralization / River basin management / Water allocation / Water policy / Poverty / Research projects / Water supply / Water management / Water resources / Domestic water / Water users / Water use / Multiple use Record No:H045594
In recent years, great emphasis has been placed on the need to improve the management of the environmental and social impacts of large dams. This is particularly important in the Mekong River Basin where the construction of a large number of new dams are planned and yet a large proportion of the population depend on fisheries and other natural resources, which may be adversely affected by their construction. The environmental and consequent social impacts of large dams are often complex and extremely difficult to predict. Dam planners and operators often have to consider a huge number of factors and often conflicting objectives, which makes decision making difficult. In such situations, computer models that can be used to simulate and optimize dam operations are a useful tool. However, to date, most models have focused on the physical aspects of systems and rarely (if ever) explicitly incorporate environmental and social issues. This report presents a brief review of different models and their application to water resource management, both in the Mekong and elsewhere and outlines a modelling strategy for the MK1 project.
Decision making / Poverty / Research projects / River basins / Simulation models / Dams / Reservoirs / Water resources Record No:H044652
Investment / Living standards / Reservoirs / Social aspects / Development projects / Fishery management / Forest management / Electricity / Energy policies / Legal frameworks / Legislation / Government departments / Public sector / Decision making / Land management / Natural resources management / Environmental impact assessment / Environmental protection / Water management / Water pollution / Policy making / Institutional development / Planning / Water power Record No:H046291
Irrigation tanks in India are common property resources. Tanks provide not only for irrigation, but also forestry, fishing, domestic water supply, livestock, and other uses. Using empirical results from a study of tank performance from 80 tanks in Tamil Nadu, South India in two time period: 1996-97 and 2009-10, this paper evaluates tank irrigation system performance in terms of economic output and revenue generation forirrigation and other uses. The results indicate that irrigation and other productive uses put together raised the total value of output at tank level by 12%in 1996-97 and just 6%in 2009-10. This may suggest that tank multiple use values are small and getting smaller, and therefore not worth consideration. However, it was also found that, while declining in absolute terms, non-irrigation uses provided the majority of tax revenues and still more than cover governmentapos;s operation and maintenance expenditure (Oamp;M) budget. This finding provides another reason to consider multiple use values and their linkage with overall system viability.
Drinking water / Livestock / Taxes / Multiple use / Tank irrigation Record No:H044673
Water power / Irrigation / USSR / Downstream / Upstream / Surveys / Reservoirs / Canals / River basins / Political aspects / International relations / International waters Record No:H044665
With its an estimated human population of 85 million which increases annually at about 2.7 per cent, Ethiopia is the second most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) only after Nigeria. Agriculture contributes about 45% and 85% to the GDP and the export earnings, respectively. However, agriculture largely depends on the highly variable rainfall. Accentuated with the rampant land degradation, the seasonal and annual variation in rainfall severely impedes agricultural productivity. In the face of soaring global food prices, importing agricultural products is becoming more challenging. This entails a substantial increase in water and land productivity through investment in both rainfed and irrigated agriculture. Irrigation projects often require huge financial and capital investment. As a result, rain fed agriculture may continue to play a major role in the near future, especially in areas with sufficient rainfall. Therefore, prioritization and resources allocation to the rainfed and irrigated agriculture should ensure the efficient use of the limited resources. This study compared the efficiency of the small-scale irrigation (SSI) and the large-scale irrigated agricultural schemes in different river basins against the rain fed system. The study indicated that irrigated agriculture is more efficient both in terms of water use and economics regardless of the typology or the basins considered. The large-scale schemes are more efficient than the small-scale ones. This may be attributed to the use of other complementary crop management technologies such as fertilizers and the use of improved crop varieties. Although rainfed agriculture remains important for a long period to come, gradual transformation to irrigation particularly to largescale schemes may lead to efficient use of resources for economic development.
Economic aspects / Water use efficiency / River basins / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming Record No:H044656
Rainfall variability is a key constraint to agricultural production and economic growth in many developing countries. This is likely to be exacerbated in many places as rainfall variability is amplified (even where the total amount of rain increases) as a result of climate change. Changes in rainfall will also increase variability in groundwater recharge and river flow, thus affecting all water sources. Water storage, in its various forms, provides a mechanism for dealing with variability which, if planned and managed correctly, increases water security, agricultural productivity and adaptive capacity. As such, water storage can make an important contribution to safeguarding livelihoods and reducing rural poverty. However, ill-conceived water storage is a waste of financial resources and, rather than mitigate, may aggravate unpleasant climate change impacts. Systems that combine complementary storage options are likely to be more adaptable and acceptable than those based on a single storage type. More systematic planning and management is required to avoid the mistakes of the past and to ensure more effective and suitable storage systems for the future.
Reservoirs / Dams / Rain / Climate change / Water storage Record No:H043122
Water use / Water pollution / Assessment / Water quality / Reservoirs Record No:H043115
AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project). 2010. Burkina Faso National Consultation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project) 2p. (AgWater Solutions, Project Stakeholder Consultation Summary Series) More... | Fulltext (128.02KB)
Smallholders / Pumps / Reservoirs Record No:H044929
Weligamage, Parakrama; Butcher, W. R.; Blatner, K. A.; Shumway, C. R.; Giordano, Mark. 2010. Non-user benefits emanating from enhanced water flow to the Yala Protected Area Complex. In Evans, Alexandra; Jinapala, K. (Eds). Proceedings of the National Conference on Water, Food Security and Climate Change in Sri Lanka, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9-11 June 2009. Vol. 2. Water quality, environment and climate change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.37-47 More... | Fulltext
Water is a multiple use resource. Increasing scarcity and competition from various sectors is an important dimension to be considered in its management. Understanding the value of water to different water uses is, therefore, necessary to assist decision-making in water allocation among sectors. Although water used in agriculture can be valued using production function approaches, such direct valuation methods are not available for the environmental uses of water. This paper uses non-market valuation methods to estimate the economic value of a committed flow through a unique ecosystem, the Yala Protected Area Complex (YPC). The Yala Protected Area Complex is an important wildlife refuge situated in south-eastern Sri Lanka. Its large land extent, undisturbed nature, and abundance and diversity of fauna contribute to its uniqueness. The fact that the YPC is also the most visited national park in Sri Lanka is partially a result of this uniqueness. However, maintenance of the park’s ecosystem depends on the flow of the Menik Ganga. This flow is regulated by the Veheragala Reservoir Project, and there is now discussion of reducing flow into the park by about half of the current level. The proposed plan ensures dry season flow into the YPC and, therefore, has been deemed acceptable. However, there is a possibility that farmers will demand further water releases during the dry season which could in turn endanger the planned downstream water releases. So there is a potential trade-off between environmental and irrigation uses of water. A willingness to pay (WTP) survey was conducted in ten districts in Sri Lanka during the fourth quarter of 2008 to estimate the WTP of the general population of the country towards maintaining this important environmental resource. In the hypothetical market presented, participants were told of the need for financial contributions from the general public to ensure the release of a minimum downstream flow commitment of 50 MCM. Participants were also informed of how this flow would enhance the ecosystem of the YPC. A single bound dichotomous choice contingent valuation approach was used as the elicitation format. Nonobligatory voluntary contributions were solicited towards a trust fund that could be used to ensure release of the required quantity of water downstream during dry months. According to the results of a binary logistic regression, income, age, and religious attachments are important factors affecting the decision to contribute to environmental flow maintenance to the YPC. Sixty-five percent of respondents were willing to pay something to ensure the maintenance of an adequate environmental flow in the YPC. The estimated mean WTP for water releases to enhance the YPC is Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR) 435 per year. Over the requested payment horizon of 10 years, the present value of aggregate WTP from the Sri Lankan population to enhance the ecosystem of the YPC is SLR 12 billion. This quantity greatly surpasses the present
Water allocation / Irrigation water / Ecosystems / Habitats / Wildlife / Multiple use / Water use Record No:H042857
Dissanayake, Priyanka; Weragala, Neelanga; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2010. Environmental flow assessment: recent examples from Sri Lanka. In Evans, Alexandra; Jinapala, K. (Eds). Proceedings of the National Conference on Water, Food Security and Climate Change in Sri Lanka, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9-11 June 2009. Vol. 2. Water quality, environment and climate change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.23-35 More... | Fulltext
Assessment and provision of Environmental Flows (EF) is important for the protection of aquatic ecosystems. EF are a set of discharges of a particular magnitude, frequency and timing that are necessary to ensure a certain range of benefits from a river. Such flows need to be scientifically determined and economically justified. Limited exposure to the concept of EF exists in developing countries. This paper gives two recent relevant example studies, which were conducted by IWMI, with foci on EF Assessment (EFA) and valuation of EF benefits in the Walawe and Menik Ganga river basins located in a semi-arid zone of southern Sri Lanka. The Walawe example illustrates the simple method for estimation of EF. The EF are approximated at two sites along the main stream of the Walawe River, which are located below the two main reservoirs. A desktop method is used, which is based on simulated, unregulated daily flow time series and their flow duration curves. The study also illustrates how the required hydrological information can be generated for the locations where EF assessment is intended – quickly and in conditions of limited observed data. The second Menik Ganga example is used as a case study to evaluate the costs and benefits of environmental water allocations. The EF components evaluated include the water needs for religious festivals, and the requirements of the Yala National Park, the Pilinnawa coastal wetland and grasslands, and the Yala Fisheries Management Area (YFMA) off the coast. Almost all estimates are based on use values of EF such as marketed goods and recreation. The paper intends to stimulate discussion and further research in the fields of EF assessment and economic valuation.
Case studies / Water requirements / Multiple use / Water use / Rivers / Assessment / Environmental flows Record No:H042856
This report synthesizes findings from the CPWF project number 71 titled “Commune Agroecosystem Analysis to Support Decision Making for Water Allocation for Fisheries and Agriculture in the Tonle Sap Wetland System.”
The Project on Commune Agroecosystem Analysis to Support Decision Making for Water Allocation for Fisheries and Agriculture in the Tonle Sap Wetland System was undertaken with the aim of improving fisheries considerations in the Commune Agroecosystem Analysis (CAEA) process undertaken in Cambodia, to facilitate better planning at the commune level. Under this project a number of changes were made to the CAEA tools and process and pilot tested in an adaptive, iterative manner in four communes – two that had conducted a CAEA previously and two that had not. Results and analyses indicated that the project had significantly strengthened the manner in which livelihoods, water resources and fisheries are now addressed by CAEA. The revised CAEA guidance manual has also shown potential for having wider uptake, and a number of tools have been used by several other projects within Cambodia.
Gender / Community involvement / Development projects / Wetlands / Decision making / Water allocation / Analysis / Fisheries / Agroecosystems Record No:H043638
This paper scrutinizes water rights and the processes of negotiation among irrigators diverting water fr01n Indris Scheme. The scheme marked three phases in its historical development. apos;Multiple water use rights reflecting the theoretical orientation of legal pluralism have co-existed governing the behaviors of users. Conflicts have been attributed to institutional malfunctioning, weak observance on water right rules and increasing statistics of users. Negotiations have been initiated to settle conflicts. The formulation of water guidelines stipulating specific irrigation water use entitlements, awareness butlding, promotion of negotiated approaches, and enforcement of customary rules constituted the dimensions that seek meticulous consideration in prospect.
Multiple use / Water use / Case studies / History / Irrigation development / Irrigation schemes / Water rights Record No:H045760
The underlying causes of rural poverty are many in Ethiopia, however, the persistent fluctuation in the amount and distribution of rainfall is considered as a major contributing factor. Cognizant of this reality the successive Ethiopian governments, NGOs and farmers have made considerable investments in small-scale irrigation systems. This paper analyzes the efficacy of these investments in reducing poverty based on data obtained from a survey of 1024 farmers drawn from four major regional states of Ethiopia. The Foster, Greer and Thorbecke poverty indices were used to compare the incidence, depth and severity of poverty among groups of farmers defined by relevant policy variables including access to irrigation. Logistic regression model was fitted to explore the correlates of rural poverty. The main conclusion of the study is that poverty is affected more by the intensity of irrigation use than mere access to irrigation and there seem to be an economy of scale in the poverty-irrigation nexus.
Policy / Socioeconomic environment / Cropping patterns / Livestock / Farm size / Income / Households / Indicators / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Rural poverty Record No:H045759
This article presents findings of the action-research project on the what, why and how of ‘multiple-use water services’ or MUS, supported by the Challenge Program on Water and Food (active in 30 sites in 8 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia). The consortium of partners from the domestic and productive water sectors pioneered the implementation of two models of MUS on the ground: homestead-scale MUS and community-scale MUS. Further, through learning alliances of 150 institutions, the project pilot-tested ways to scale-up MUS among intermediate- and national-level water service providers. Key lessons for scaling up by water users’ movements, NGOs, the domestic sector, the productive sector and local government are discussed. Also in the light of the growing recognition of MUS across the globe, further innovation and implementation at scale are warranted to tap the many identifi ed opportunities of MUS compared with single-use approaches.
Local government / Non-governmental organizations / Irrigation programs / Domestic water / Participatory management / Community involvement / Water use / Multiple use Record No:H042746
Farmers in mixed crop-livestock systems produce about half of the world’s food. In small holdings around the world, livestock are reared mostly on grass, browse, and nonfood biomass from maize, millet, rice, and sorghum crops and in their turn supply manure and traction for future crops. Animals act as insurance against hard times, and supply farmers with a source of regular income from sales of milk, eggs, and other products. Thus, faced with population growth and climate change, small-holder farmers should be the first target for policies to intensify production by carefully managed inputs of fertilizer, water, and feed to minimize waste and environmental impact, supported by improved access to markets, new varieties, and technologies.
Agroecosystems / Livestock / Cereals / Crops / Farming systems / Food production / Investment Record No:H042705
Soil erosion vulnerability and extreme rainfall characteristics over the Mediterranean semi-arid region of Tunisia are crucial input for estimation of siltation rate in artificial reservoirs. A comprehensive high resolution database on erosive rainfall, together with siltation records for 28 small reservoirs, were analysed for this region, the Tunisian Dorsal (the easternmost part of the Atlas Mountains). The general life-span of these reservoirs is only about 14 years. Depending on the soil degradation in the different catchments, the corresponding reservoirs display a wide range of soil erosion rates. The average soil loss was 14.5 t ha-1 year-1but some catchments display values of up to 36.4 t ha-1 year-1. The maximum 15-min duration rainfall intensity was used to determine the spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity. The northwestern parts of the Tunisian Dorsal display the most extreme rainfall erosivity. Spatial erosion patterns are to some extent similar; however, they vary greatly according to their location in the “soil degradation cycle”. This cycle determines the soil particle delivery potential of the catchment. In general, the northwestern parts of the Dorsal display modest soil erosion patterns due to the already severely degraded soil structure. Here, the soil surface is often the original bedrock. However, the greatest soil erosion occurs in the mid-eastern parts of the Dorsal, which represents the “degradation front”. The latter corresponds to the area with highest erosion, which is continuously progressing westward in the Dorsal. The large variation between the erosive rainfall events and the annual soil loss rates was explained by two important factors. The first relates to the soil degradation cycle. The second factor corresponds to the degradation front with the highest soil loss rates. At present this front is located at 300 m altitude and appears to be moving along an 80-km westward path starting from the east coast. A better understanding of the above can be used to better manage soils and soil covers in the Tunisian Dorsal area and, eventually, to decrease the soil erosion and reservoir siltation risk.
Water erosion / Siltation / Reservoirs Record No:H042747
Namara, Regassa E.; Hanjra, M. A.; Castillo, G. E.; Ravnborg, H. M.; Smith, L.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2010. Agricultural water management and poverty linkages.Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):520–527. Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors [DOI] More...
Water is critically important to the livelihoods of more than 1 billion people living on less than $1 a day, particularly for the 850 million rural poor primarily engaged in agriculture. In many developing countries, water is a major factor constraining agricultural output, and income of the world’s rural poor. Improved agricultural water management can contribute to poverty reduction through several pathways. First, access to reliable water improves production and productivity, enhances employment opportunities and stabilizes income and consumption. Secondly, it encourages the utilization of other yield-enhancing inputs and allows diversification into high-value products, enhances nonfarm outputs and employment, and fulfills multiple needs of households. Third, it may contribute either negatively or positively to nutritional status, health, societal equity and environment. The net impact of agricultural water management interventions on poverty may depend individually and/or synergistically on the working of these pathways. Improved access to water is essential, but not sufficient for sustained poverty reduction. Investments are needed in agricultural science and technology, policies and institutions, economic reform, addressing global agricultural trade inequities, etc. But how best to match the agricultural water management technologies, institutions and policies to the needs of the heterogeneous poor living in diverse agro-ecological settings remains unclear. This article provides a menu of promising pathways through which agricultural water management can contribute to sustained poverty reduction.
Water rights / Rural poverty / Multiple use / Irrigation water / Water management / Agriculture Record No:H042743
Thanks to farmers’ resistance to provide land for constructing watercourses below the outlets, India’s famous Sardar Sarovar Project is stuck in an impasse. Against a potential to serve 1.8 million hectares, the Project was irrigating just 100,000 hectares five years after the dam and main canals were ready. Indications are that full project benefits will get delayed by years, even decades. In this paper, IWMI researchers advance ten reasons why the Project should abandon its original plan of constructing open channels and license private service providers to invest in pumps and buried pipeline networks to sell irrigation service to farmers.
Water conservation / Reservoirs / Pipes / Water distribution / Canals / Irrigation projects Record No:H043567
Many farms in tropical countries suffer from droughts in the dry season and sometimes even in the rainy season. In order to significantly increase the capacity to store water, the grassroots Farmer Wisdom movement in Northeast Thailand innovated pond construction on homesteads. This Working Paper first documents how pond water is mainly used to irrigate crops and fruit trees, and is also used for livestock or fish, and for domestic uses, even if ample piped water is available. Households were also found to harvest rainwater from roofs; take water from canals and streams; lift water manually from shallow wells and with electric pumps from deep wells; channel run-off from roads to paddy fields; use precipitation as green water on fields; and buy bottled water. Most households combine at least six of these nine water sources. The second part describes scenarios and some outcomes of a new simulation model, BoNam. This model provides guidelines for the optimal size and site of such ponds according to biophysical factors (weather, soil and crops), socioeconomic factors (prices, availability of labor and off-farm income) and household aspirations.
Supplemental irrigation / Decision making / Simulation models / Surveys / Rural development / Farm size / Households / Farmers attitudes / Farm ponds / Water supply / Multiple use / Water use Record No:H043565
Multiple-use services (MUS) have recently gained increased attention as an alternative form of providing rural water services in an integrated manner. This stems from the growing recognition that users anyway tend to use water systems for multiple purposes. This paper aims to characterise this practice on the basis of case evidence collected in eight countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The cases show that people almost universally use water for both domestic and productive activities at and around the homestead. Although seldom the main source of people’s income or food production, these activities are of considerable importance for people’s livelihoods. The extent to which people use water for multiple purposes is closely related to the level of access to water expressed in the form of a water ladder in this paper. The case studies presented demonstrate how access is created by different types and combinations of well-known technologies. Additional financial and management measures are required to ensure sustainability of services. Despite the practical feasibility of the MUS approach, it is not yet widely applied by service providers and sector agencies due to observed barriers in institutional uptake. A better characterisation of MUS, alongside a learning-driven stakeholder process was able to overcome some of these barriers and improve the consideration of multiple uses of water in policy and practice.
Case studies / Livestock / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Multiple use / Water supply / Rural areas Record No:H043587
Small reservoirs punctuate the landscapes of rural sub-Saharan (West) Africa. It has become an established development truth that such water infrastructures offer benefits in terms of food production and poverty alleviation –this despite the fact that performance and adoption study show, at best, patchy records. This paper uses the notion of boundary object to understand this apparent contradiction. It argues, firstly, that small reservoirs can be cast in a variety of ways that speak to various communities of practice; they intersect multiple narratives and fulfil a plurality of interests. This explains their omnipresence. Secondly, small reservoir projects embed assumptions of societies as closed systems that can be altered to predefined ends by technological means and institutional reforms. These assumptions also inform the monitoring and evaluation procedures of small reservoirs. The latter assess the outcomes and impacts of small reservoirs against techno-economic visions of development, and in so doing, identify the ‘failure’ of small reservoirs due to economic and institutional shortcomings. We argue that local communities do make use of small reservoirs, but seldom in the ways implied by policy discourse and development strategies. Small reservoirs, we argue, induce new and multiple claims and uses of natural resources, new meanings of space and relationships to environments. As such, they do act as motors of social change, but in considerably more complex ways than is conventionally claimed. Alternative explanatory frameworks are needed to better comprehend the value they bestow for multiple actors in order to design more responsive and flexible policies for sustainable agricultural development.
Rural areas / Agricultural development / Participatory management / Water user associations / Small scale systems / Reservoirs Record No:H043586
Wastewater irrigation is becoming a global phenomenon, as a result of global water scarcity and increased pollution of water sources. While this practice offers many opportunities, human health risks from contaminated soils and crops irrigated with wastewater pose the greatest challenges to this practice. In this chapter, contaminants in wastewater of most relevance to soil and crop, such as pathogens, heavy metals and other organic contaminants as well as the related human health and environmental risks are discussed. There is a general consensus that untreated wastewater contaminates soils and crops and poses health risks, however the threats vary widely. While wastewater treatment is the best choice to address this problem, a number of low-cost technological options and health protection measures exist to address the contamination challenges especially in developing countries. These include irrigation methods, farm-based measures for improving water quality, choice of crop, water application techniques, soil phytoremediation, zoning and post-harvest measures. For comprehensive risk reduction, a combination of these measures is recommended especially where comprehensive wastewater treatment is not feasible.
Filtration / Reservoirs / Water storage / Inorganic compounds / Organic compounds / Heavy metals / Crops / Pathogens / Health hazards / Public health / Wastewater irrigation Record No:H042644
Objective To assess the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme in Ziway area, a semi-arid area in the Central Ethiopian Rift Valley, on malaria transmission. method Parasitological, entomological and socio-economic studies were conducted in a village with and a village without irrigation. Blood smear samples were taken from individuals during the dry and wet seasons of 2005 / 2006. Socio-economic data were collected from household heads and key agricultural and health informants through interviews and questionnaires. Larval and adult mosquitoes were sampled during the dry and short wet seasons of 2006. Female anopheline mosquitoes were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for blood meal sources and sporozoite infections. results Malaria prevalence was higher in the irrigated village (19%, P lt; 0.05) than the non-irrigated village (16%). In the irrigated village, malaria prevalence was higher in the dry season than in the wet season while the reverse occurred in the non-irrigated village. Households with access to irrigation had larger farm land sizes and higher incomes, but also higher prevalence of malaria. Larval and adult abundance of the malaria vectors, Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles pharoensis, was higher in the irrigated than in the non-irrigated village throughout the study period. Furthermore, the abundance of An. pharoensis was significantly higher than that of An. arabiensis during the dry irrigated period of the year. Canal leakage pools, irrigated fields and irrigation canals were the major breeding habitats of the two vector mosquitoes. Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection rates of 1.18% and 0.66% were determined for An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis in the irrigated village. Peak biting activities of the vectors occurred before 22:00 h, which is a source of concern that the effectiveness of ITNs may be compromised as the mosquitoes feed on blood before people go to bed. conclusion Irrigation schemes along the Ethiopian Rift Valley may intensify malaria by increasing the level of prevalence during the dry season. To reduce the intensity of malaria transmission in the smallscale irrigation schemes currently in operation in Ethiopia, year-round source reduction by using proper irrigation water management, coupled with health education, needs to be incorporated into the existing malaria control strategies.
Villages / Habitats / Surveys / Entomology / Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Irrigation schemes / Small scale systems Record No:H042532
The development of water storage schemes is considered a major aid for agricultural regions in Sub-Saharan Africa with scarce water. The selection of storage options is often conducted through the valuation of direct costs and benefits. Such an approach, based solely on monetary values, often leads to reductionism in the assessment process and loss of valuable information. This in turn can result in less than optimal decision-making. Against this background, this paper proposes an alternative approach based on a range of different criteria. Though based on the underlying principle of economic efficiency, the approach proposed avoids some of the weaknesses of simple cost-benefit analyses. The new approach has been evaluated through application to case studies in Ethiopia.
Irrigation water / Small scale systems / Case studies / Cost benefit analysis / Economic analysis / Water storage Record No:H043379
Facon, T.; Mukherji, Aditi. 2010. Small-scale irrigation: is this the future? Paper presented at the Water Crisis and Choices, ADB and Partners Conference, ADB HQ, Manila, Philippines, 11-15 October 2010. 43p. More... | Fulltext (0.30 MB)
The authors were asked to answer the question ‘small-scale irrigation: is this the future?’. Taking as a starting point the analyses and of the IWMI-FAO-ADB study on Revitalizing Asia’s Irrigation and its key strategies, the paper compares atomistic irrigation, traditional small-scale and large-scale irrigation options, outcomes and potentials in their socio-economic and river basin environments. Atomistic irrigation has exploded, river basins are closing and energy prices are soaring. This new reality, its benefits, its sustainability crisis, but also the potential for new strategies that this phenomenon has demonstrated must first be acknowledged.; In most countries and river basins, additional development of irrigation at whatever scale is not an option and the focus will be on improving the productivity and sustainability of existing systems. In areas where irrigation development is still possible, options remain open. Demography, market pull, water constraints and energy will largely determine the mix of atomistic, small-scale and large-scale irrigation and their evolution, expansion and decline over time.; The paper explores tactics and strategies for the modernization of existing and the potential for new large-scale systems and for supporting and sustaining atomistic and small-scale irrigation, institutional and policy innovations, and tools to facilitate dynamic planning and management of the sector, the evolution of different systems and the design of measures to support an enabling environment.; A considerable body of knowledge exists on how to support these strategies, transform large-scale irrigation systems and promote various forms of atomistic, small-scale and large-scale irrigation systems. Tools that support long-term sectoral planning and management for future investment and the design of measures to support an enabling environment are proposed. The deployment of sound water accounting and auditing systems will be critical. Planning and policy mechanisms will require looking outside the irrigation sector and this is often where effective interventions will be found.; We need to move from competition and conflict between atomistic, small-scale and large-scale irrigation to a fluid logic of complementarily, combination and convergence. For this to happen, the virtual reality of official agency outlooks, imported frameworks, and descriptions of the sectors and the basins will often need to be reformed, as a preliminary to the reform of the institutions and programmes that embody them. Then, the mobilization of resources from the public sector, the private sector and water users can be greatly enhanced and result in positive outcomes and more sustainable results, and enable new solutions to old problems that have long nagged the sector.; Changing the outlook of the sector and effecting the necessary structural and policy reforms, which are required to change decision-making on future investments in the sector will be difficult. Cap
Environmental effects / Economic aspects / Modernization / Irrigation management / Large scale systems / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H043372
Entomological studies to determine the effect of the physical characteristics of mosquito larval breeding water bodies and reservoir water level changes on the occurrence of Anopheles mosquito larvae were conducted in two villages at Koka reservoir in central Ethiopia between August and December 2007. Of the two study villages, Ejersa is located close to the reservoir, and Kuma is 5 km away from it. Data on the type, number and physical characteristics of Anopheles larval breeding habitat, species composition and densities of anopheles mosquitoes in and around the study villages were investigated and recorded. Meteorological and reservoir water level data were compared with availability of Anopheles larval breeding sites and densities. Entomological data, derived from weekly larval collections, showed that Anopheles pharoensis Theobald, Anopheles gambiae s.l. Giles, Anopheles coustani Laveran and Anopheles squamosus Theobald were breeding in the study area. The mean larval density of An. gambiae s.l. in this study was higher in slightly turbid and shallow aquatic habitat than in turbid and relatively deep aquatic habitat. The density of An. pharoensis in habitat with floating vegetation and with relatively shady conditions was significantly higher than that of less shaded aquatic habitat and greater emergent vegetation. There was also a positive correlation between the occurrence of Anopheles larvae with the water and daily minimum atmospheric temperature. Similarly at Ejersa, over the sampling period, there was a positive correlation between falling reservoir water levels and the number of positive breeding habitats. These results confirm that physical characteristics of the water bodies play an important role in the species composition, total Anopheles larval count, and the density of Anopheles mosquitoes. Suitable breeding habitat in the vicinity of the reservoir village was strongly associated with the reservoir. This is particularly important for An. pharoensis and An. gambiae s.l. which are important vectors of malaria in the area.
This paper explores two examples from the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food research on resilience along the green-to-blue water continuum. A threatened floodplain wetland of the Mekong Basin has been shown to provide many direct and indirect benefits and services that are more resilient and less vulnerable to shocks than externally introduced agricultural systems of various types and intensity occupying the same land–water interface. Multiple-use water systems (MUS) assessed in five large basins show that, wherever water is available, people use water for greater resilience, domestic and productive purposes, including livestock watering, horticulture, irrigation, tree growing or small-scale enterprise.
Floodplains / Wetlands / Multiple use / Water productivity / Water scarcity Record No:H043341
The ACRU agrohydrological model, in the form of ACRU2000 and its salinity module, ACRUSalinity, was employed in catchment-scale assessment of widespread irrigation with low quality mine-water in undisturbed (un-mined) and rehabilitated soils in the Upper Olifants basin of South Africa. The study area comprised a small catchment of 4.7 km2 located in a coal-mine environment, known as the Tweefontein Pan catchment. The catchment drained to a surface reservoir (Tweefontein Reservoir) of maximum capacity and surface area 4 000 Ml and 1.5 km2, respectively. The catchment was instrumented to measure hydrodynamic responses and simulated as a hydrological system. Consideration was given to runoff, groundwater storage, evapotranspiration, baseflow, interception, irrigation water supply and rainfall, thereby accounting for all the dominant hydrological components of the system. Three scenarios were simulated using the available records for 5 years (1999 to 2004). The first was a baseline scenario representing the prevailing condition in the study area and the other 2 scenarios represented widespread irrigation with the mine-water on undisturbed and rehabilitated soils. In simulating the widespread irrigation on rehabilitated soils, a distinction was made between a rehabilitated irrigated area before and after the re-establishment of the equilibrium water table. Comparison of the results from the simulated scenarios indicated that a greater undisturbed area (max of 160 ha) than rehabilitated area (max of 120 ha) could be irrigated with mine-water from the Tweefontein Reservoir. Irrigation on rehabilitated soils depleted the water in the reservoir more rapidly than irrigation on undisturbed soils, due to lower runoff and higher ingress to groundwater in rehabilitated areas.
Reservoirs / Soil water balance / Coal mined land / Wastewater irrigation / Simulation models / Salinity / Water quality Record No:H043306
The Red River (China/Vietnam, A=155,000 km²) is a typical humid tropics river originating from the mountainous area of Yunnan Province in China. Based on information on daily discharge (Q) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration between 1960–2008 for the SonTay gauging station (outlet of the River and entry to the Delta) provided by the National Institute IMHE-MONRE, the mean annual SPM flux was estimated at 90 Mt/yr, corresponding to a sediment yield of 600 t/km²/yr. The temporal variability of annual SPM fluxes (ranging from 24 to 200 Mt/yr) is strongly related to the interannual hydrological conditions. However, some years of high water flow were not associated with high sediment fluxes, especially after 1989 when the HoaBinh dam came into operation. Therefore, the median discharge pre- (3389 m3/s) and post 1989 (3495 m3/s) are similar indicating there was little or no change between both periods. Sediment rating curves (power law-type; SPM=aQb) were fitted for both periods (1960–1989; 1990–2008). The analysis of the pre- and post-1989 sediment rating parameters (a, b) suggests a downshift of b-parameter values after 1989, attributed to a decrease of the sediment supply due to the commissioning of the HoaBinh dam. A single sediment rating curve derived from 1960–1989 data was used to simulate the annual variability of former sediment delivery, generating excellent cumulative flux estimates (error ~1%). In contrast, applying the same rating curve to the 1990–2008 data resulted in systematic and substantial (up to 109%) overestimation. This suggests that the HoaBinh dam reduces annual SPM delivery to the delta by half, implying important metal/metalloid storage behind the HoaBinh dam.
Reservoirs / Dams / Monitoring / Sediment transport / Watersheds / Erosion / Rivers Record No:H043301
For agriculture there is a continuum of water storage options, ranging from groundwater aquifers, soil water, natural wetlands and small ponds and tanks to large reservoirs. In any situation each of these has its own niche in terms of technical feasibility, socioeconomic sustainability and impact on public health and the environment. Planning storage requires insight into impending needs and also a good understanding of what already exists and what was, and was not, successful, in the past. This report provides an inventory of existing and prospective water storage in the Ghanaian Volta and the Ethiopian Blue Nile basins. It provides as much quantitative data as possible, but highlights both the dearth of readily available information and the lack of integrated planning of storage in both basins. Recommendations are made for improved planning in the future.
Wetlands / Soil moisture / Groundwater / Tanks / Ponds / Reservoirs / River basins / Water storage Record No:H043220
Focus group discussions and a modeling approach were applied to determine policy and regulatory refinements for current water allocation practices in Kyrgyzstan. Lessons from the Lower Colorado River basin, Texas and New South Wales, Australia were taken into consideration. The paper analyzes the impact of adopting some of these interventions within the socio-environmental context that currently prevails in Kyrgyzstan. The optimization model for water distribution at the river-basin scale was developed using GAMS 2.25 software. Application of the model to the Akbura River basin indicated efficiencies in the proposed institutional rules especially in low water years.
Case studies / Reservoirs / Irrigation requirements / River basins / Models / Water allocation Record No:H043191
Simulation models / Electricity generation / Irrigation water / Climate change / Water storage / Performance evaluation / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H043275
Sharma, Bharat R.; Amarasinghe, Upali; Cai, Xueliang; de Condappa, D.; Shah, Tushaar; Mukherji, Aditi; Bharati, Luna; Ambili, G.; Qureshi, Asad Sarwar; Pant, Dhruba; Xenarios, Stefanos; Singh, R.; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2010. The Indus and the Ganges: river basins under extreme pressure.Water International, 35(5):493-521. (Special Issue on quot;Water, Food and Poverty in River Basins, Part 1quot; with contributions by IWMI authors). [DOI] More... | Fulltext (1.77MB)
The basins of the Indus and Ganges rivers cover 2.20 million km2 and are inhabited by more than a billion people. The region is under extreme pressures of population and poverty, unregulated utilization of the resources and low levels of productivity. The needs are: (1) development policies that are regionally differentiated to ensure resource sustainability and high productivity; (2) immediate development and implementation of policies for sound groundwater management and energy use; (3) improvement of the fragile food security and to broaden its base; and (4) policy changes to address land fragmentation and improved infrastructure. Meeting these needs will help to improve productivity, reduce rural poverty and improve overall human development.
Rural poverty / Multiple use / Water policy / Water costs / Water conservation / Watercourses / Water governance / Cropping systems / Evapotranspiration / Wheat / Rice / Irrigation water / Water productivity / Electrical energy / Groundwater management / River basins Record No:H043246
Acheampong, Ernest Nti; Venot, Jean-Philippe. 2010. Water user associations in northern Ghana: from institutional panacea to reality check. Paper presented at the ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) Annual Seminar, Closing the Knowledge Gap: Integrated Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture, Johannesburg, South Africa, 22–26 November 2010. 9p. More... | Fulltext (0.28 MB)
Small reservoirs development in Ghana dates back to the post-independence era. Small reservoirs were meant at providing water for livestock, mitigating the impacts of recurrent drought, increasing food security, and reducing poverty. These small reservoirs are mostly located in Northern Ghana and have become an integral component of the communities they serve by supporting multiple livelihood strategies (livestock, fishing, irrigation and domestic use). In the mid-1990s and early 2000s, several donor-led development projects invested in rehabilitating and upgrading these small reservoirs through the inclusion of canal irrigation infrastructures. Most projects established water users associations (WUAs) that were aimed at ensuring sustainable management of the upgraded schemes. The underlying hypothesis was that local communities tend to have greater incentives than external actors to maintain their natural resources base. Organizing local farmers in a WUA would then increase their sense of ownership, leading to better performance of the system. Evidence from northern Ghana showed that WUAs have had mixed results. There is evidence of some WUAs having positive impacts. However, it is also clear that most WUAs fail to live up to expectation. This paper argues that the relative failure of WUAs is mostly due to the implementation approach that was adopted for their establishment during past development projects, specifically, the lack of attention given to the complex social fabric and the multiple actors and livelihood strategies that organized around small reservoirs. Past development projects re-iterated the model of “technology transfer” but, this time, by promoting an “institutional fix”. Government and donors should not only invest in infrastructure rehabilitation but also in soft components (organization, capacity, extension) that need to be embedded in the local social fabric.
Water user associations / Technology transfer / Irrigation programs / Reservoirs / Development projects Record No:H043480
The construction of dams in Africa is often associated with adverse malaria impacts in surrounding communities. However, the degree and nature of these impacts are rarely quantified and the feasibility of manipulating reservoir water levels to control mosquito breeding has not been previously investigated in Africa. This report describes entomological and epidemiological studies conducted around the Koka Dam and Reservoir in Ethiopia. The research findings confirm the role of the reservoir in increasing malaria transmission and provide evidence that there is potential to use dam operation in integrated malaria control strategies.
Case studies / Villages / Reservoirs / Dams / Surveys / Epidemiology / Entomology / Disease control / Habitats / Disease vectors / Waterborne diseases / Malaria Record No:H042338
van Koppen, Barbara; Smits, S.; Moriarty, P.; Penning de Vries, F.; Mikhail, M.; Boelee, Eline. 2009. Climbing the water ladder: multiple-use water services for poverty reduction. : Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 215p. (IRC TP Series 52) More... | Fulltext
In low- and middle-income countries, people need water for drinking, personal hygiene and other domestic use. But they also use it for livestock, horticulture, irrigation, fisheries, brickmaking, and other small-scale enterprises. Multiple-use water services (MUS) are best suited to meeting people’s needs. However, most water services are designed only for domestic water or only for agriculture, and fail to reflect its real-life use. The action research project ‘Models for implementing multiple-use water supply systems for enhanced land and water productivity, rural livelihoods and gender equity’ developed case studies in eight countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand and Zimbabwe) involving 150 institutions. The project analysed two models: homestead-scale and community-scale MUS and developed a ‘multiple-use water ladderapos; to show how better livelihoods flow from increased access to water. This book shows how livelihoods act as the main driver for water services and how access to water is determined by sustainable water resources, appropriate technologies and equitable ways of managing communal systems. Climbing the water ladder requires a small fraction of total water resources, yet has the potential to help people climb out of poverty. Local government can be the pivot to make this happen. But, it needs support to implement its mandate to meet multiple-use demand and to become more accountable to people in communities.
Case studies / Non governmental organizations / Local government / Costs / Appropriate technology / Water purification / Water storage / Runoff / Water harvesting / Wells / Rural areas / Gender / Poverty / Water governance / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water supply / Research projects / Water productivity / Models / Multiple use Record No:H042336
Water allocation rules are put in place to ensure that various parties receive a portion of developed water supplies. Allocation of river water to cities, industries and agriculture has been a common practice but now there is an increasing recognition of the need to also allocate water for environmental purposes. Furthermore, it is now recognized that such environmental water demands need to be considered explicitly alongside those of other users early on, at the planning and design stages of water resource development projects. This paper describes a desktop hydrology-based environmental flow assessment method developed at the International Water Management Institute and it’s applicability in river basin management. A case study from India is presented where the feasibility of a proposed water transfer scheme from the Godawari River at Polavaram to the Krishna river is analyzed. The characteristic feature of the study is the simulation of the impact of various feasible cropping patterns on water demands as well as the explicit inclusion, of environmental water requirements in the simulations. The WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) model was applied to simulate water supply versus demand under the current water use and under water use anticipated after the construction of the Polavaram reservoir and link canal. Results suggest that the proposed Polavaram reservoir and canal system will reduce the seasonal pressure on water for the command area of the project. However, this may result in increased water deficits from December to June in the Lower Godavari Delta, downstream of the Polavaram reservoir. The importance of explicit accounting for monthly variability in description of water supply and demands in the conditions of monsoon-driven climate of the region is advocated. Similarly, the need to ensure environmental flows should also be considered in the context of seasonal variability, as it is mostly in the dry months that water allocation problems become critical. Such detailed scenario analysis can help to create awareness of potential future problems, inform water management practices and suggest management alternatives.
Case studies / Reservoirs / Canals / Water use / Water transfer / Simulation models / Water allocation / River basin management / Environmental flows Record No:H043123
Sharma, Bharat R. 2009. Rainwater harvesting in the management of agro-ecosystems. In Barron, J. (Ed.). Rainwater harvesting: a lifeline for human well-being. Nairobi, Kenya: UNEP Division of Environmental Policy Implementation; Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute. pp.23-33 More... | Fulltext
Case studies / Dams / Runoff / Livestock / Supplemental irrigation / Rainfed farming / Agroecosystems / Rainwater / Water harvesting Record No:H042285
Based on two case studies conducted at local sites in Northern Thailand and Lao PDR, the objectives of this paper are (i) to assess whether conditions for the establishment of PES at the watershed level exist in the uplands of mainland SE Asia and (ii) to examine and discuss limitations that are likely to impinge on direct transfer of the PES concept as well as the institutional adaptations and support that are required for the successful implementation of PES markets in this regional context. The study’s main findings are that: (i) acceptance of PES principles and constraints are directly related to stakeholders’ perception of their land rights irrespective of their actual rights; (ii) willingness to pay (WTP) is very low among local stakeholders, making any PES market unlikely to emerge without external support; (iii) the classical scheme for watershed services hardly applies in its original form because environmental service (ES) providers and buyers are generally the same people; (iv) where potential ES buyers feel that ES providers are better-off or wealthier than them, they do not have any WTP for ES; (v) good governance, including a strong liaising at various levels between people and the authorities is a strong prerequisite for the successful establishment of PES markets, even without direct government funding.
Institutions / Case studies / Surveys / Water users / Highlands / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Poverty / Farmers / User charges / Environmental management / Erosion / Water quality / Reservoirs / Watershed management Record No:H042327
Paddy fields in north-eastern Thailand are heterogeneous agro-ecosystems that can be described as mosaics of paddy rice plots, dykes and termitemounds. The aim of this study was to determine if this heterogeneity influences soil macrofauna biodiversity. While biodiversity did not vary as a result of different rice management practices (direct seeding and transplanting), dykes and mounds were vital to the maintenance of soil macrofauna biodiversity. Diversity and density were higher in termite mounds and field dykes, compared to rice plots, especially during the rainy season. Consequently, termitemounds and dykes can be considered to be biodiversity hotspots that behave as refuges for other soilmacrofauna during the rainy and dry seasons, providing protection against flooding and dryness. The importance of these patches of biological activity in terms of ecosystem functioning and services are discussed.
Agroecosystems / Land management / Habitats / Isoptera / Biodiversity / Paddy fields Record No:H042316
The first version of a decision-support tool (DST) for the management of the transboundary water resource of the Volta Basin is presented in this article. The DST coupled a hydrologic model with the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) water-allocation model. It was calibrated and validated by reproducing observed river flows and water stored in the hydropower reservoirs, respectively. It considered the impact of possible future climate changes (potentially critical) and the development of upstream small reservoirs (leading to upstream–downstream trade-offs) on the Akosombo hydropower scheme. This DST may foster transboundary dialogue for the integrated management of the basin’s water resources.
Climate change / Electrical energy / Water power / Irrigation water / Reservoirs / Water use / Water allocation / Calibration / Models / Decision support tools / Hydrology / River basins Record No:H042311
Water conservation / Farmer-led irrigation / Climate change / Irrigation programs / Tanks / Canals / Reservoirs / Models / Water productivity / Groundwater irrigation / Pumps / Surface irrigation / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Private sector / Public sector / Water user associations / Participatory management / Irrigation management / Food security / Irrigated farming Record No:H042273
Gumma, Murali Krishna; Thenkabail, P. S.; Velpuri, N. M. 2009. Vegetation phenology to partition groundwater- from surface water-irrigated areas using MODIS 250-m time-series data for the Krishna River basin. In Bloschl, G.; van de Giesen, N.; Muralidharan, D.; Ren, L.; Seyler, F.; Sharma, U.; Vrba, J. (Eds.). Improving integrated surface and groundwater resources management in a vulnerable and changing world: proceedings of Symposium JS.3 at the Joint Convention of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), Hyderabad, India, 6-12 September 2009. Wallingford, UK: International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS). pp.271-281 (IAHS Publication 330) More...
This paper describes a remote sensing based vegetation-phenology approach to accurately separate out and quantify groundwater irrigated areas from surface-water irrigated areas in the Krishna River basin (265 752 km2), India, using MODIS 250-m every 8-day near continuous time series for 2000–2001. Temporal variations in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) pattern, depicting phenology, obtained for the irrigated classes enabled demarcation between: (a) irrigated surface-water double crop, (b) irrigated surface-water continuous crop, and (c) irrigated groundwater mixed crops. The NDVI patterns were found to be more consistent in areas irrigated with groundwater due to the continuity of water supply. Surface water availability, however, was dependent on canal water release that affected time of crop sowing and growth stages, which was in turn reflected in the NDVI pattern. Double-cropped (IDBL) and light irrigation (IL) have relatively late onset of greenness, because they use canal water from reservoirs that drain large catchments and take weeks to fill. Minor irrigation and groundwater-irrigated areas have early onset of greenness because they drain smaller catchments where aquifers and reservoirs fill more quickly. Vegetation phonologies of nine distinct classes consisting of irrigated, rainfed, and other land-use classes were derived using MODIS 250-m near continuous time-series data that were tested and verified using groundtruth data, Google Earth very high resolution (sub-metre to 4 m) imagery, and state-level census data. Fuzzy classification accuracies for most classes were around 80% with class mixing mainly between various irrigated classes. The areas estimated from MODIS were highly correlated with census data (R-squared value of 0.86).
Remote sensing / Time series analysis / Irrigated land / Reservoirs / Canals / Surface irrigation / Groundwater irrigation / Land use / Land cover / Maps / Vegetation / River basins / Phenology / Vegetation Record No:H042217
Case studies / Maps / Water scarcity / Wastewater irrigation / Productivity / Irrigated farming / Groundwater management / Domestic water / Drinking water / Land management / Tanks / Water storage / Water harvesting / Farmers / Poverty / Soil conservation / Food security / Multiple use / Water use / Water resource management / Development projects / Research projects / Research institutes Record No:H042257
These guidelines are based on the IWRM Demonstration Projects in Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, implemented by the SADC Regional Water Sector Programme supported by Danida, and synthesized by Barbara van Koppen. It provides a practical step-by-step guide on how to apply community-driven water resource management for improved livelihoods and sustainable water systems for multiple uses. The guideline is aimed at implementers of community water development projects, in particular the local government.
Development projects / Impact assessment / Evaluation / Monitoring / Participatory management / Rural communities / Social participation / Community involvement / Water use / Multiple use / Water supply / Water resource management / Best practices / Guidelines Record No:H042174
Water productivity / Multiple use / Water demand / Development projects / Water transfer / River basin development Record No:H044045
Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Senzanje, A.; Rodriguez, L.; Andah, W.; Cecchi, P.; Boelee, Eline; van de Giesen, N.; Kemp-Benedikt, E.; Liebe, J. 2009. Small multi-purpose reservoir ensemble planning. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 55p. (CPWF Project Report 46) More...
Public health / Ecosystems / Water allocation / Research projects / Development projects / Planning / Multiple use / Small scale systems / Reservoirs Record No:H044043
Case studies / Non governmental organizations / Local government / Costs / Appropriate technology / Water purification / Water storage / Runoff / Water harvesting / Wells / Rural areas / Gender / Poverty / Water governance / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water supply / Research projects / Water productivity / Models / Multiple use Record No:H042917
This report explores the theory and practice of Adaptive Water Management (AWM) based on a detailed field study in the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. A five-step framework is used to analyze the extent to which AWM is practiced and how it could be improved. The analysis shows that the LBP system has increasingly fulfilled the criteria of a complex adaptive system over the years. The main uncertainty factor, rainfall variability, has been considered in a stepwise way during the system change cycles and has been included in the LBP system design. The study shows that in spite of contending with an imperfect irrigation system design and intense competition for water resources, water resource managers and farmers are able to adapt and continue to reap benefits from a productive agricultural system.
Supplemental irrigation / Groundwater / Irrigated farming / Rice / History / Case studies / Crop management / Reservoirs / Irrigation canals / Water scarcity / River basins / Water resource management / Irrigation programs Record No:H042208
Woolley, Jonathan; Harrington, Larry; Huber-Lee, Annette; Douthwaite, Boru; Geheb, Kim; Vidal, Alain; George, Pamela; Nguyen Khoa, Sophie. 2009. Integrated food and water research for development. In Chartres, Colin (Ed.). Words into action: delegate publication for the 5th World Water Forum, Istanbul, Turkey, 16-22 March 2009. London, UK: Faircount Media Group. pp.84-88 More...
Research projects / Livestock / Cropping systems / Reservoirs / River basins / Water productivity / Water scarcity / Water security / Water use Record No:H042189
Project planning / Households / Livestock / Fisheries / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Drinking water / Multiple use / Water use / Poverty / Public health / Gender / Women Record No:H042179
The Government of India’s National River-Linking Plan (NRLP) aims to alleviate emerging water scarcity problems by transferring water from well endowed to more deficient areas. This study evaluated the plausible future scenarios of water availability and use under conditions of various cropping patterns, and with the explicit inclusion (for the first time) of environmental water requirements for one of the links of the NRLP: from the Godavari River at Polavaram to the Krishna River at Vijayawada—the ‘Polavaram Project’. The scenarios were evaluated using the WEAP (Water Evaluation and Planning) model. The study generates information for use in managing emerging trade-offs. The importance of explicit accounting for monthly variability in description of water supply and demand, in the monsoon-driven climate conditions of the region, is advocated. Such detailed scenario simulations and inclusion of previously unaccounted for factors/uses can help to create awareness of potential future problems, inform water management practices and suggest management alternatives. Results show that the proposed water storage and transfer will reduce water deficit within the project command area and significantly reduce dry slow river flow into the Lower Godavari Delta.
Models / Rice / Crop management / Groundwater / Tanks / Canals / Reservoirs / Water transfer / River basin management / Irrigation water / Water demand / Water scarcity Record No:H042177
AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project). 2009. Ghana National Consultation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project) 2p. (AgWater Solutions, Project Stakeholder Consultation Summary Series) More... | Fulltext (134.36KB)
Reservoirs / Water lifting / Smallholders / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation development Record No:H044931
Since the early 2000s, a new participatory approach to water services delivery is emerging: multiple-use water services (MUS). By overcoming sectoral boundaries within the water sector, new opportunities are opened up that better align with people’s practice of using water from multiple sources for multiple uses. Two opportunities are discussed in this paper on the basis of past research by the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, among others. One new opportunity is homestead-scale MUS. Providing double or triple the quantities of the design norms in the domestic subsector in poor rural and periurban areas allows water users to take up significant productive activities besides meeting domestic needs. Cost–benefit ratios are favourable. Homestead-scale MUS is the most effective way of using water to contribute to all Millennium Development Goals. A related second new opportunity is community-scale MUS. This participatory approach to water services considers communities’ holistic water-and landscapes and supports incremental improvements in infrastructure according to people’s own priorities and needs, which are often in favour of homestead-scale MUS. New synergies in infrastructure intakes, storage and conveyance are tapped.
Case studies / Cost benefit analysis / Poverty / Gender / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water supply / Multiple use / Water use Record No:H042166
The aim of the set of modules is to cover useful elements of AWM from estimating runoff at micro and small watershed level up to irrigated field water management. The modules thus aim at covering water availability estimnation, water control and management, soil-water-plant relationship, water lifting and conveyance and irrigation methods. Each module is divided into a number of chapters and illustrated with figures, tables charts and examples. The modules are also useful as a reference and teaching material at technical, vocational, educational, and training centres and as a field guide. The publication extensively use existing knowledge in the form of texts, figures, demonstration materials derived from various sources such as books, grey literature such as web material, reports, manuals etc. specifically they have immensely used materials from FAO, ICRISAT and IWMI documentations with or without citation to the specific references.
Costs / Energy sources / Soil management / Capacity / Reservoirs / Terrace cropping / Bunding / Planting / Yields / Crops / Catchment areas / Rainfall-runoff relationships / Pumps / Basin irrigation / Furrow irrigation / Drip irrigation / Surface irrigation / Irrigation methods / Irrigation scheduling / Small scale systems / Soil water / Water storage / Tanks / Techniques / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Watershed management / Smallholders / Water management / Agricultural development / Training materials Record No:H044898
With the urbanisation drive comes steady growth in urban water demand. Although in the past this new demand could often be met by tapping unclaimed water sources, this option is increasingly untenable in many regions where little if any unclaimed water remains. The result is that urban water capture, and the appropriation of associated physical and institutional infrastructure, now often implies conflict with other existing uses and users. While the urbanisation process has been studied in great depth, the processes and, critically, impacts of urban water capture and appropriation are not well researched or understood. This paper undertakes a critical examination of the specific case of Hyderabad, one of Indiaapos;s fastest growing cities, to shed light more generally on the process of water capture by cities and the resultant impacts on pre-existing claims, particularly agriculture. It does this by examining the history and institutional response to Hyderabadapos;s urban-rural water contest; how the results of that contest are reflected in surface and groundwater hydrology; and the eventual impacts on agriculture. The findings show that the magnitude, and sometimes even direction, of impact from urban water transfer vary in space and time and depend on location-specific rainfall patterns, the nature of existing water infrastructure and institutions, and farmersapos; adaptive capacities and options, notably recourse to groundwater. Broader consideration of the specific findings provides insights into policy mechanisms to reduce the possible negative impacts from the global, and seemingly inexorable, flow of water to the worldapos;s growing cities.
Irrigation water / Reservoirs / Water balance / Rivers / Water supply / Water allocation / Adaptation / Water demand / Urban agriculture Record No:H042873
Irrigation efficiency / Water balance / Environmental flows / Water storage / Reservoirs / Evapotranspiration / Runoff / Water use / Water transfer / Models / Hydrology / Estimation / Flow / River basins Record No:H042048
The construction of multiple dams and barrages in many Indian River basins over the last few decades significantly reduced river flow to the sea and affected the sediment regime. More reservoir construction is planned through the proposed National River Linking Project (NRLP), which will transfer massive amounts of water from the North to the South of India. The impacts of these developments on fertile and ecologically sensitive deltaic environments are poorly understood and quantified at present. In this paper an attempt is made to identify, locate and quantify coastal erosion and deposition processes in one of the major river basins in India—the Krishna—using a time series of Landsat images for 1977, 1990 and 2001 with a spatial resolution ranging from 57.0 m to 28.5 m. The dynamics of these processes are analyzed together with the time series of river flow, sediment discharge and sediment storage in the basin. Comparisons are made with similar processes identified and quantified earlier in the delta of a neighboring similarly large river basin—the Godavari. The results suggest that coastal erosion in the Krishna Delta progressed over the last 25 years at the average rate of 77.6 ha yr- 1, dominating the entire delta coastline and exceeding the deposition rate threefold. The retreat of the Krishna Delta may be explained primarily by the reduced river inflow to the delta (which is three times less at present than 50 years ago) and the associated reduction of sediment load. Both are invariably related to upstream reservoir storage development.
Deltas / Case studies / Sedimentation / Reservoirs / Environmental effects / Coastal area / Erosion Record No:H042785
Water resource development has played a key role in the expansion of agriculture, mining and industry in the Olifants River catchment, but the colonial and apartheid regimes have left a legacy of inequity. Currently water deficit is one of the major constraints hampering further development and demand for water continues to grow. Against this background, the Water Evaluation And Planning model was used to provide a preliminary assessment of both the current situation and three plausible future scenarios. For each scenario the model was used to simulate water-use in five sectors (i.e., rural, urban, mining, irrigation and commercial forestry) over a 70-year period of varying rainfall and flow. Levels of assured supply were estimated and the economic cost of failing to supply water was predicted. Current shortfalls are estimated to be costing between US$ 6 and 50 million per year, depending on rainfall and, hence, river flows. If increases in demand are not checked this will increase significantly. Under a high demand scenario, the economic benefits increase greatly but, even with infrastructure development and improvements in demand management, the economic cost of insufficient water supply rises to US$ 10.5 million in most years and, in exceptionally dry years, up to US$ 312 million.
Water supply / Water allocation / Economic analysis / Multiple use / Water use / Simulation models / Infrastructure / Catchment areas / River basins / Water resource management / River basin management / Evaluation / Water demand Record No:H042662
CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF). 2009. Small reservoirs tool kit. A project of the Challenge Program on Water and Food. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University 1 CD More...
Water governance / Models / Public health / Ecosystems / Siltation / Erosion / Remote sensing / Monitoring / Reservoir storage / Hydrology / Mapping / Reservoirs Record No:H043627
CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF). 2009. Small reservoirs tool kit. A project of the Challenge Program on Water and Food. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University 1 CD More...
Water governance / Models / Public health / Ecosystems / Siltation / Erosion / Remote sensing / Monitoring / Reservoir storage / Hydrology / Mapping / Reservoirs Record No:H043626
Sullivan, Amy. 2009. Institutions and governance of small reservoir water resources. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 4b: institutions and governance. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 9p. More... | Fulltext
Before indigenous practices and institutions can be evaluated, they first have to be identified, described and characterized. This tool describes the methods used to answer a specific question: “Which indigenous practices, legal frameworks and institutions are most conducive to equitable, win-win, and pro-poor investments within sub-Saharan African transboundary basins”? It describes case studies on transboundary issues and local water governance institutions from the Volta amp; Limpopo Basins.
Community involvement / Institutions / Water use / Reservoirs / Water governance Record No:H042672
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou; Lhaj, A. A. 2009. Impacts of reservoirs: participatory definition of indicators for health and environment. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 13p. More... | Fulltext
Using mutually agreed indicators facilitates communication among the key stakeholders and is helpful when planning new small reservoirs. Indicator definitions chosen from the literature should be tailored to local conditions to take into account of the field experience of local experts. Planners should pay special attention to the development and use of impact indicators, including those defined together with the community as being most efficient in measuring change. This tool based on a case study conducted in Morocco demonstrates how this may be done.
Indicators / Public health / Reservoirs Record No:H042671
Boelee, Eline; Senzanje, A.; Munamati, M.; Parron, L.; Rodrigues, L.; Laamrani, Hammou; Cecchi, P. 2009. Water quality assessment. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 13p. More... | Fulltext
Some rural populations are dependent on small reservoirs for their water supply and are concerned about the quality of this water for direct consumption and other uses. Chemical and biological water quality measurements can be made to ascertain the suitability of water for different uses. Water “suitability” of course, depends on the use for which it is intended. This tool describes selected methods for assessing the suitability of reservoir water quality.
Sampling / Parasites / Monitoring / Assessment / Water quality / Reservoirs Record No:H042670
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou; Yohannes, M.; Poda, J. N.; Ouedraogo, J. B.; Zongo, D. 2009. Vector studies for water related diseases. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 13p. More... | Fulltext
One of the health risks of small reservoirs is the potential for increased transmission of water-related diseases, in particular, parasitic infections dependent on water-based “vectors”. The design, use, and management of reservoirs all influence their suitability as breeding grounds for disease vectors. This tool describes the use of selected methods to help stakeholders understand the ecological preferences of vector organisms in relation to small reservoirs. This is an important step in identifying management options for environmental disease control.
Freshwater snails / Mosquitoes / Disease vectors / Waterborne diseases / Health hazards / Reservoirs Record No:H042669
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou. 2009. Epidemiological survey. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 9p. More... | Fulltext
This tool uses standard biomedical methodologies to determine infection rates for key water-related (or “reservoir-related”) diseases including schistosomiasis and other intestinal parasites, and malaria. In any particular locale there may be a completely different set of priorities with regard to reservoir-related health issues. Therefore, it is always wise to check with local health personnel about priorities, and to sample local communities’ perceptions with respect to reservoir-related problems. For diseases and infections not described in this tool, local health professionals, literature, and the internet provide good starting points.
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou. 2009. Health questionnaires. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 10p. More... | Fulltext
This tool describes the use of school surveys, an important tool that supports both participatory and biomedical research. When epidemiological studies are carried out at the same time, a local quantitative relationship between measured and reported infection rates can be established and the questionnaire can be applied in a larger area to assess prevalence at the level of the reservoir cluster or river basin. Such questionnaires can be adapted for other diseases and to fit varying local circumstances.
Data collection / Questionnaires / Surveys / Reservoirs Record No:H042667
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou. 2009. Participatory health impact assessment. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: ecosystems and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 17p. More... | Fulltext
This tool contains guidelines intended to reduce the health risks and increase the health benefits from small reservoirs. Guidelines are structured in a step-wise manner, beginning with the identification of relevant health issues and concluding with small reservoir design and operation for improved human health. The guidelines focus on: major water-related diseases associated with small reservoirs in Africa, the added value of community participation in health impact assessment, opportunities to mitigate risks and improve human health through better planning and operation of small reservoirs, and improved planning, design, and management options.
GIS / Malaria / Ecology / Guidelines / Impact assessment / Public health / Health hazards / Waterborne diseases / Reservoirs Record No:H042666
Schuetz, Tonya; Poolman, M.; Sheriff, N. 2009. Monitoring the impact of small reservoirs tools application with outcome mapping. In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 3: intervention planning. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 15p. More... | Fulltext
The outcome mapping tool presents an approach to assist planners to monitor the implementation, adoption, and changes in attitude and behaviour of the stakeholders. Outcome Mapping is a participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation methodology which focuses on the contribution of a program to changes in the actions and behaviours of the ‘boundary partners’. Applied to knowledge and learning strategies, Outcome Mapping facilitates communication and has a number of potential other benefits.
Performance evaluation / Monitoring / Training / Communication / Water users / Stakeholders / Projects / Reservoirs Record No:H042664
Schuetz, Tonya; Douthwaite, B.; Alvarez, S. 2009. Participatory impact pathways analysis (PIPA). In Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry (Eds.). Small reservoirs toolkit, theme 1: intervention planning. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University. 11p. More... | Fulltext
This tool will assist those planning research on or interventions for small reservoirs systems to use Impact Pathways Analysis to develop a plan to better bring about desired outputs, outcomes and impacts. By helping make explicit the links between project activities or program interventions on the one hand, and partner roles and inter- relationships on the other. The likelihood of achieving greater better impacts may be improved. How the Impact Pathway Analysis was found useful in the Small Reservoirs Project is presented.
Hydrology / Mapping / Reservoirs Record No:H042663
This report presents seven innovations in Local-level Integrated Water Resource Management, based on lessons learnt in the IWRM Demonstration Projects in Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia.
Public health / Poverty / Local government / Empowerment / Community involvement / Participatory management / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Multiple use / Financing / Project planning / Guidelines / Water resource management Record No:H042713
In Burkina Faso, at least 1,700 small reservoirs have been constructed, most of them during the last 30 years. Numerous and scattered, these beneficial multipurpose systems combine productive with domestic water uses. However, their environmental and health impacts remain insufficiently documented. This report combines data from different sources into syntheses and national maps, with a focus on water-related diseases. The mitigation of negative impacts requires an integrated approach to specifically identify the enhancing and limiting factors that influence environmental impacts and the transmission of diseases around reservoirs. Public awareness campaigns need to accompany the promotion of preventive and curative measures and the development of alternative water sources for domestic supply.
Water policy / Control methods / Schistosomiasis / Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Environmental effects / Water resources development / River basins / Health hazards / Reservoirs Record No:H042654
Reservoirs / Irrigation programs Record No:H042708
Betrie, G. D.; Mohamed, Yasir Abbas; van Griensven, A.; Popescu, I.; Mynett, A. 2009. Modeling of soil erosion and sediment transport in the Blue Nile Basin using the Open Model Interface approach. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.132-140 More... | Fulltext
Rapid land use change due to intensive agricultural practices in the Ethiopian Highlands, results in increasing rates of soil erosion. This manifested in significant impacts downstream by reducing the storage capacity of reservoirs (e.g., Roseires, Sennar), and high desilting costs of irrigation canals. Therefore, this paper aims to provide a better understanding of the process at basin scale. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model soil erosion in the upper catchments of the Blue Nile over the Ethiopian Plateau. The SWAT output forms the input sediment load for SOBEK, a river morphology model. The two models integrated using the principles of the Open Model Interface (OpenMI) at the Ethiopia-Sudan border. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient was found to be 0.72 and 0.66 for results of SWAT daily sediment calibration and validation, respectively. The SOBEK results also show a good fit of the simulated river flows at Roseires and Sennar reservoirs, both for calibration and validation. The results of the integrated modeling system showed 86 million tonnes/year of sediment load from the Upper Blue Nile, while SOBEK computes on average 19 Mm3/year of sediment deposition in the Roseires Reservoir. The spatial variability of soil erosion computed with SWAT showed more erosion over the northeastern part of the Upper Blue Nile, followed by the northern part. The overall exercise indicates that the integrated modeling is a promising approach to understand soil erosion, sediment transport, and sediment deposition in the Blue Nile Basin. This will improve the understanding of the upstream-downstream interdependencies, for better land and water management at basin scale.
Reservoirs / River basin management / Simulation models / Sedimentary materials / Highlands / Erosion Record No:H042513
Molden, David; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Atapattu, Sithara S.; Smith, L. 2009. Unit seven - Water use in agriculture: large-scale irrigation. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 51p. More...
This unit provides an introduction to large-scale and formal irrigation systems. The first section introduces large-scale irrigation systems and looks at their role in poverty alleviation. The section analyses the positive and negative implications in the context of social, economic and environmental needs. Section 2 describes the types of irrigation systems based on governance and water sources and key implications of various irrigation system types. The following section deals with irrigation management by providing guidance on the management steps, design and assessment tools. It also looks at different options for irrigation financing such as water pricing. Section 4 explores investments in irrigation – types of investments, drivers for investments, priorities and social and environmental considerations. Unit aims: To introduce the linkages between investments in large-scale irrigation and poverty and to discuss possible positive and negative outcomes; To introduce standard irrigation system typologies based on governance and to understand the different types of water resources utilised; To introduce the steps and considerations involved in irrigation management, introduce basic assessment tools and discuss the main issues behind irrigation financing and water pricing; To provide an understanding of the different types of investment, when and where they are applied and how they are prioritised.
Conjunctive use / Surface water / Groundwater / Environmental impact assessment / Multiple use / Water use / Rural economy / Farmers / Households / Poverty / Performance evaluation / Irrigation management Record No:H043423
Molden, David; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Atapattu, Sithara S.; Smith, L. 2009. Unit six - Water use in agriculture: small-scale irrigation and rainwater harvesting. [Training/Course material]. In Smith, L. (Ed.). C126 - Water resources management. 10 units. [Training/Course material]. London, UK: University of London. School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS); Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (CeDEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 35p. More...
This unit provides an introduction to some of the key elements of the role and importance of water resources in smallholder agriculture. The first section introduces the basic concepts at the farm level by looking at farm productivity and the role of men and women which is essential in understanding the linkages between the livelihoods of the people and poverty alleviation. Section 2 explores water management concepts and issues in smallholder rainfed agriculture, including a range of practices that show promise in best supporting livelihoods and utilising available resources. Rainfed agriculture is critically important, as most rural poor depend solely on rain as their water source and there are many means to upgrade the performance of these systems. Some of these ways require a small amount of irrigation. Section 3 leads into small-scale irrigation. This section summarises and provides the differences between individual versus community based systems including management styles and key considerations in the design and management of these systems. In Section 4, the multiple uses of water, the use of water for household and industrial uses as well as farming, at the farm and household level are presented. Multiple uses of water provide an ideal way of obtaining more benefits per unit of water. Unit aims: To introduce and explain the linkages between small-scale water resource management in agriculture, food security, livelihoods and poverty; To identify the important roles of both men and women in small-scale farming and water management systems; To introduce key concepts of rainfed agriculture in the context of the ‘blue–green water’ continuum and identify the strengths of and constraints to different methods of rainwater water management; To introduce the concept of irrigation in small-scale agriculture and to look at the two main ways of managing it: individual compared to community based management; To introduce the concept of multiple uses for water by rural households and to describe some of the key uses in detail; To provide a basic understanding of multiple uses of water and the approaches available to manage them; To assess the importance of fisheries and livestock production as competitors for water with irrigated crop production.
Water conservation / Farmer-led irrigation / Soil conservation / Rainfed farming / Gender / Livestock / Fisheries / Multiple use / Water use / Communal irrigation systems / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Water harvesting Record No:H043422
This proceeding provides the papers and discussion results of a two-day workshop that was organized at International Water Management Institute (IWMI) office in Addis Ababa during the period of February 6-8, 2009 in relation to CPWF Project 19 – Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian Highlands and its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Short title: Upstream Downstream (USDS) in the Nile. The project is being under implementation during the last one and half years in partnership with various institutions that include International Livestock Research Institute, Cornell University, Omdurman Islamic University-UNESCO Chair in Water Resources, Addis Ababa University, Bahir Dar University, Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute and Forum for Social Studies. The main aims of the workshop had been: Bring together key stakeholders relevant to the project; Present, debate and validate the intermediate results of the project; Disseminate key results to wider audiences through workshop participating stakeholders; Follow up on the progress of the project and plan remaining tasks of the project. The workshop focus themes were: General characterization of the Blue Nile Basin; Watershed modeling and analysis; Water demand and allocation modeling and simulation; Policy and institutions of the water management in the Blue Nile basin.
International waters / Water governance / Policy / Organizations / Institutions / Soil conservation / Water balance / Soil water / Erosion / Rainfall-Runoff relationships / Sedimentation / Simulation models / Irrigation programs / Irrigation requirements / Water supply / Reservoirs / Water balance / Farming systems / Watershed management / River basin management Record No:H042503
McCartney, Matthew; Ibrahim, Y. A.; Sileshi, Y.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2009. Application of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) Model to simulate current and future water demand in the Blue Nile. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.78-88 More... | Fulltext
The riparian countries of the Nile have agreed to collaborate in the development of its water resources for sustainable socioeconomic growth. Currently there is significant potential for expansion of hydropower and irrigation in the Blue Nile River in both Ethiopia and Sudan. However, the likely consequences of upstream development on downstream flows have not been fully assessed and the water resource implications of development in both countries are unclear. Against this background, the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) model was used to provide an assessment of both the current situation and a future (2015) scenario. The future scenario incorporated new irrigation and hydropower schemes on the main stem of the Nile and its principal tributaries. Data for all existing and planned schemes were obtained from the basin master plans as well as from scheme feasibility studies. Water use was simulated over a 32-year period of varying rainfall and flow. Preliminary results indicate that currently irrigation demand in Sudan is approximately 8.5 Bm3y-1 for 1.16 million hectares (mha). This compares to a total irrigation demand in Ethiopia of just 0.2 Bm3y-1. By 2015, with many existing schemes being extended in Sudan and new schemes being developed in both countries, irrigation demand is estimated to increase to 13.4 Bm3y-1 for 2.13 mha in Sudan and 1.1 Bm3y-1 for 210 thousand hectares (tha) in Ethiopia. The flow of the Blue Nile is estimated to decline from an average of 46.9 Bm3y-1 to 44.8 Bm3y-1 at the Ethiopia-Sudan border and from a current average of 43.2 Bm3y-1 to 36.2 Bm3y-1 at Khartoum (including evaporation from all reservoirs). Although total flows are reduced, greater regulation results in higher dry season flows at both locations.
Dams / Reservoirs / Water demand / Evaluation / Planning / Simulation models / River basin development Record No:H042509
Water conservation / Farmer-led irrigation / Climate change / Irrigation programs / Tanks / Canals / Reservoirs / Models / Water productivity / Groundwater irrigation / Pumps / Surface irrigation / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Private sector / Public sector / Water user associations / Participatory management / Irrigation management / Food security / Irrigated farming Record No:H042448
Andreini, Marc; Schuetz, Tonya; Harrington, Larry. 2009. Small reservoirs toolkit. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Brasilia, DF, Brasil: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa Cerrados Center); Harare, Zimbabwe: University of Zimbabwe (UZ); Accra, Ghana: Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI); Delft, The Netherlands: Delft University of Technology (TUD); Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); Marseille, France: Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement (IRD); Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Ithaca, NY, USA: Cornell University More... | Fulltext
People living in arid areas often experience highly variable rainfall, droughts, floods and have insecure livelihoods. Small multi-purpose reservoirs are a widely used form of infrastructure for the provision of water. They supply water for domestic use, livestock watering, small scale irrigation, and other beneficial uses. Although clusters of reservoirs store significant quantities of water and effect on downstream flows, they have rarely been considered as systems, with synergies and tradeoffs resulting from their numbers and their density.
Often reservoirs were constructed in a series of projects funded by different agencies, at different times, with little or no coordination among the implementing partners. That a significant number are functioning sub-optimally and/or are falling into disrepair indicates that there is room for improvement in the planning, management, operation, and maintenance of small reservoirs. This first version of the Small Reservoirs Toolkit was produced by the Small Reservoirs Project. It is a project of the Challenge Program for Water and Food, sponsored by the German Technical Cooperation (Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit, GTZ), led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) with six partners: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Embrapa), L’Institute de recherch pour le development (IRD), Stockholm Environment Institution (SEI), Delft University of Technology (TUD), University of Zimbabwe (UZ), Ghana Water Research Institution (WRI). In 2005 the project began with two paired objectives. The basin/watershed level objective is to promote and support the planning, development, and management of small reservoir ensembles. The local/community level objective is to support use of small multi-purpose reservoirs that are properly located, well designed, well maintained and operated to improve the livelihoods of the local residents. A multi-disciplinary team was assembled to develop a set of tools based on socio-economic and biophysical research. The hydrologic, economic, ecological, health, and institutional dimensions of small reservoirs were considered. By harmonizing the interests of individuals served by small multi-purpose reservoirs and other people living in the basin we will come closer to our paired goals: 1) to maintain water related ecosystem services, the long-term sustainability of local water supplies, and adequate downstream flows as we make use of small reservoirs and 2) to improve food security and increase sustainable livelihoods through the use of those small multi-purpose reservoirs.
There are approximately 30 tools and techniques presented in four topic areas: i) Intervention Planning; ii) Storage and Hydrology; iii) Ecosystems and Health; iv) Institutions and Economics.
This tool kit is intended for the use of NGOs, research institutes, universities, donor agencies, multilateral organizations, and government agencies. These tools are not meant to replace other methods o
Water governance / Models / Public health / Ecosystems / Siltation / Erosion / Remote sensing / Monitoring / Reservoir storage / Hydrology / Mapping / Reservoirs Record No:H042501
Wells / Costs / Modernization / Maintenance / Operations / Performance evaluation / Multiple use / Tank irrigation Record No:H042399
Jayakody, Priyantha; Rajah, Mohamed; Gunasinghe, Sarath. 2009. Assessment of sedimentation of Uda Walawe Reservoir in Walawe River Basin. In Dayawansa, N. D. K.; Pathmarajah, S.; Mowjood, M. I. M. (Eds.). Symposium Proceedings of the Water Professionalsapos; Day, Water Resources Research in Sri Lanka, held at the University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1 October 2009. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: Geo-Informatics Society of Sri Lanka (GISSL). pp.37-44 More...
GIS / Remote sensing / Assessment / Sedimentation / Reservoirs / River basins Record No:H042641
Economic aspects / Milk production / Livestock / Crop yield / Cereals / Water allocation / Water quality / Irrigation systems / Irrigation practices / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Water productivity Record No:H042633
Weligamage, Parakrama; Butcher, W. R.; Blatner, K. A.; Shumway, C. R.; Giordano, Mark. 2009. Non-user benefits emanating from enhanced water flow to Yala Protected Area Complex. [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the Water for Food Conference: national conference addressing water management issues, food security, environment and climate change in Sri Lanka, organized by the International Water Management Institute, Irrigation Department (Sri Lanka), Department of Agriculture (Sri Lanka), Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 9 - 11 June 2009. 2p. More... | Fulltext
Environmental flows / Water allocation / Decision making / Multiple use / Water resource management / Ecosystems Record No:H042632
Performance of process-based hydrological models is usually assessed through comparison between simulated and measured streamflow. Although necessary, this analysis is not sufficient to estimate the quality and realism of the modelling since streamflow integrates all processes of the water cycle, including intermediate production or redistribution processes such as snowmelt or groundwater flow. Assessing the performance of hydrological models in simulating accurately intermediate processes is often difficult and requires heavy experimental investments. In this study, conceptual hydrological modelling (using SWAT) of a semi-arid mountainous watershed in the High Atlas in Morocco is attempted. Our objective is to analyse whether good intermediate processes simulation is reached when global-satisfying streamflow simulation is possible. First, parameters presenting intercorrelation issues are identified: from the soil, the groundwater and, to a lesser extent, from the snow. Second, methodologies are developed to retrieve information from accessible intermediate hydrological processes. A geochemical method is used to quantify the contribution of a superficial and a deep reservoir to streamflow. It is shown that, for this specific process, the model formalism is not adapted to our study area and thus leads to poor simulation results. A remote-sensing methodology is proposed to retrieve the snow surfaces. Comparison with the simulation shows that this process can be satisfyingly simulated by the model. The multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study, although supported by the hydrological community, is still uncommon.
Percolation / Infiltration / Runoff / Evapotranspiration / Groundwater / Soil types / Land use / Topography / Geology / Snow cover / Reservoirs / Watersheds / Mountains / Highlands / Water balance / Precipitation / Remote sensing / Time series analysis / Measurement / Stream flow / Calibration / Simulation models / Hydrology Record No:H042330
University of Peradeniya, Faculty of Science. 2008. .Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences). Issue dedicated to late Dr F. P. Amerasinghe, 37(1). 128p. More...
Estuaries / Wetlands / Forests / Wastewater irrigation / Salinity / River basins / Agroecosystems / Public health / Malaria / Waterborne diseases / Disease vectors / Ecology Record No:H041541
As a consequence of increasing urbanization and shortage of good quality water, wastewater irrigation is a growing phenomenon in many arid and semi-arid countries. A common characteristic of wastewater is high salinity, with cities typically adding 200 – 500 mg l-1 of total dissolved solids compared to the source water supplied to the city. Wastewater from the city of Hyderabad in southern India is discharged to the Musi river. Downstream of the city this water, supplemented with groundwater and runoff captured in small reservoirs, is an important source for irrigation. Comparisons between upstream and downstream monitoring sites, over a distance of 39.7 km, revealed changes in the salinity of the river water. A simple mass-balance model was developed to simulate the observed differences. Results indicate that 94% of the salt load originates in the city. Downstream salinity increased by about 9%. In fields irrigated with wastewater, soil salinity increased with time with salt retention of approximately 34 kg ha-1 y-1. This represents approximately 0.1% of the total salt load applied to the land. In many places the soils have salinity in excess of recommended tolerance levels for rice, once the principal crop, but which is now increasingly being converted to fodder grass.
Soil salinity / Water balance / Models / Feed grasses / Rice / Dams / Reservoirs / Water quality / Salinity / Wastewater irrigation / Catchment areas / River basins Record No:H041459
To evaluate the impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on the level of malaria transmission in a semi-arid area, entomological studies were conducted in Zeway area, Central Ethiopia. Larval and adult anophelines were sampled during the dry and short-rainy seasons from irrigated and non-irrigated villages. Overall, significantly higher density of Anopheles larvae were found during the dry season in the irrigated village (Mean = 38.3 larvae/100 dips) than the non-irrigated village (7.4 larvae/100 dips). Canal leakage pools, irrigated fields and irrigation canals were the major sources of Anopheles mosquitoes. Larval and adult Anopheles pharoensis and An. arabiensis, principal malaria vectors in Ethiopia, were more abundant in the irrigated village than the non-irrigated village throughout the study period. Hourly light trap catches revealed that peak indoor and outdoor biting activities of An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis occurred during the early period of the night before the local inhabitants retire to bed. The majority of blood-engorged An. arabiensis (0.78) and An. pharoensis (0.69) had fed on humans, suggesting that their highly anthropophilic nature in Zeway area. Plasmodium falciparum infection rates of 1.02% and 0.54% were determined for An. arabiensis and An. pharoensis, respectively, in the irrigated village. This study demonstrated that due to poorly maintained irrigation structures, the irrigation scheme created conducive breeding grounds for malaria vector species, particularly during the dry season. Consequently, the period of malaria transmission might possibly extend from seasonal to year-round, involving the dry season. Proper water management coupled with environmental management such as source reduction could reduce vector abundance and hence malaria transmission in the irrigation schemes.
Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Surveys / Entomology / Anopheles arabiensis / Anopheles pharoensis / Malaria Record No:H044138
Irrigated production is far from satisfactory in the country. The countryapos;s irrigation potential is estimated at 3.7 million hectare, of which only about 190,000 hectare (4.3 percent of the potential) is actually irrigated. The aim of this paper is to identify the impact of small-scale irrigation on household food security based on data obtained from 200 farmers in Ada Liben district of Ethiopia. Different studies revealed that access to reliable irrigation water can enable farmers to adopt new technologies and intensify cultivation, leading to increased productivity, overall higher production, and greater returns from farming. In the study area also about 70 percent of the irrigation users are food secure while only 20 percent of the non-users are found to be food secure. Access to irrigation enabled the sample households to grow crops more than once a year; to insure increased and stable production, income and consumption; and improve their food security status. The study concludes that small-scale irrigation is one of the viable solutions to secure household food needs in the study area but it did not eliminate the food insecurity problem.
Food insecurity / Case studies / Models / Food security / Households / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H044135
Irrigation management / Water law / Water policy / Wastewater / Water reuse / Farming systems / Irrigation methods / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Water productivity Record No:H042969
This paper examines the institutional arrangements that facilitate irrigation management and the present state of irrigation management and establishes where problems have occurred in the operation of Gibe-Lemu and Gambela-Terre Small-scale irrigation systems. The study employed the case study approach to tackle the research. Key informant and expert interview, desk review of different documents produced about the projects, group discussion, direct observation and structured interview schedule were used to collect data. The study proved the proposition that the government has uncritically supported the irrigation systems. Enabling legal system of land and water rights, strong woreda level state irrigation agency, support services (irrigation extension) and wellestablished water users associations through which purposes of irrigation are achieved were not adequately planned and put in place. These shortcomings undermined irrigation management, ultimately risked feasibility and sustainability of irrigated agriculture. Findings revealed poor record of accomplishment, in spite of the difference between the two systems, in managing water distribution in terms of the three most important performance indicators: adequacy, reliability and equity in water distribution. Water related conflicts are rampant but not settled yet. In addition, results indicated that irrigation had positively impacted irrigators’ livelihoods in terms of diversification and intensification of crop production, household income, housing and employment generation and this social effect of irrigation was significantly different between irrigation systems (due to difference in the institutional and socioeconomic context of the two irrigation systems) and locations within irrigation systems. Nonetheless, many irrigators did not maintain these positive changes for long. The constraints were scarcity and unreliability of water and management and socioeconomic problems. These, in turn, were mediated by lack of: a) clearly defined and well enforced institutions of land and water rights; b) technical problems in design and construction; c) inadequate institutional capacity of the local state irrigation agency to coordinate and support decentralized management of irrigation; d) policy related problems; e) inadequate organization of users for self management; and f) problematic social relation of power among water users. Finally, the paper draws a number of conclusions, using the theoretical notions like context, social requirement for use, social effects and social construction, about policy options and requirements in the readjustment of the surveyed irrigation systems and in the design of irrigation projects of these types.
Income / Households / Irrigated farming / Institutions / Water scarcity / Water distribution / Farmers / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management Record No:H044096
Water scarcity became a common phenomenon in Ethiopia with drought frequency of at least once in three years while the country owns a large irrigation potential that should be exploited sustainably. Various national and international institutions are currently engaged in developing small scale irrigation (SSI) schemes for poverty alleviation. A monitoring and evaluation exercise was conducted in 2004 and in 2006 in four administrative regions of Ethiopia, namely Tigray, Southern regions, Oromia and Amhara, to assess the benefits and associated environmental effects of SSI investments of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). A combination of participatory Mamp;E tools namely, individual interviews, group discussions, key informants, review of relevant documents and field observations were used. The mission was supported by an in depth pre-mission socio-economic survey in three representative irrigation schemes. Data from the sites indicated that 50 % of the respondents had improved food security and higher income, while 26% of the respondents did not see any change on their livelihoods. Crop yield under irrigation was by 35% to 200% higher than under rain fed conditions, with much higher benefit obtained from high potential areas and in farms where external inputs (fertilizer, improved seeds and pesticides) are accessible. The positive effect was more visible with horticultural crops. There has been also a shift towards improved varieties with access to irrigation. Farmers replaced early maturing but low yielding varieties with high yielding varieties. Crop diversification increased significantly, in some sites from three to about 15 species, although this decision making process did not favour legumes. The apparent effect was on crop rotation, intercropping and land management with in the order of 79, 42 and 35%, respectively. On the other hand, there is a decline in number of livestock per household, but an increased number of draught oxen. The decline is associated with reduced grazing area due to conversion of dry season fallow to vegetable fields and an increase in area enclosure in the sloppy landscapes. The shift from cereal to vegetable-dominated cropping increased the competition for water between downstream and upstream users and between resource rich and poor farmers. The impact of irrigation schemes should be evaluated better on long term benefits than short term fixes, as farmers initiated long term investments like planting perennial fruits, bought calves and other retail trade investments. The communities would benefit most from further integration of livestock into the schemes by adopting feed sourcing strategies for dairy and fattening. The paper also presented best-bets for improved irrigation management in Ethiopia.
Natural resources management / Livestock / Crop production / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes Record No:H044081
Makombe, Godswill; Hagos, Fitsum; Namara, Regassa; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2008. An Assessment of the financial viability and income impact of small scale irrigation in Ethiopia. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Loulseged, Makonnen; Yilma, Aster Denekew (Comps.). Impact of irrigation on poverty and environment in Ethiopia: draft proceedings of the symposium and exhibition, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27-29 November 2007. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.117-126 More... | Fulltext (0.09 MB)
Recently, there has been very little irrigation development in sub-Saharan Africa. The main reasons cited for this lack of interest in developing irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa is that irrigation projects are expensive and perform poorly compared to projects from other regions. However, when classified into success and failure projects, the sub-Saharan Africa success projects’ investment costs are not significantly higher than from other regions. African countries like Ethiopia, which has embarked on an agricultural led development program, aspire to use irrigation as a development strategy with small scale irrigation playing a key role in rural development. This study evaluates the financial performance of small scale irrigation using O amp; M and investment recovery, and the ability to replicate the investments. It is concluded that the systems are financially viable and provide a low cost development option for rural areas.
Investment / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H044073
Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Huber-Lee, A.; van Koppen, Barbara; Peden, D.; Andreini, Marc; Smits, S. 2008. Multi-purpose water systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 13p. More...
Water governance / Multiple use / Water use Record No:H044059
We describe the development, calibration and preliminary application of a dynamically coupled economic–hydrologic simulation–optimization model ensemble for evaluating the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in small reservoir-based irrigation systems characteristic of the Volta Basin, Africa. We focus on a representative small reservoir irrigation system located in the Antakwidi catchment in Ghana. The model ensemble consists of the physical hydrology model WaSiM-ETH and an economic optimization model written in GAMS. Results include optimal water storage and allocation regimes for irrigated production, given conjunctive surface water and groundwater systems. The goal of our research, conducted within the GLOWA Volta project, is to develop a decision support system for improving the management of land and water resources in the face of potential environmental change in the Volta Basin.
Water storage / Reservoirs / Catchment areas / River basins / Groundwater / Surface water / Conjunctive use / Optimization / Simulation models / Decision support tools Record No:H041379
In many river basins, upstream development and interannual variations in rainfall can cause both episodic and chronic shortages in water supplies downstream. Continued rapid development of surface and groundwater throughout the Krishna Basin in southern India resulted in historically low inflows to the main canals of the Nagarjuna Sagar irrigation project _8,955 km2_ during a recent drought _2002–2004_. This paper presents an integrated approach to assess how cropping patterns and the spatial equity of canal flow changed with water supply shocks in the left canal command area _3,592 km2_ of Nagarjuna Sagar. We combined 3 years _2000– 2003_ of canal release data with census statistics and high temporal resolution _8–10 days_ moderate resolution imaging spectrometer _MODIS_ 500-m resolution satellite imagery. The impact of water scarcity on land use pattern, delineated by MODIS images with moderate spatial resolution, was comparable with the census statistics, while the MODIS data also identified areas with changes and delays in the rice crop area, which is critical in assessing the impact of canal operations. A 60% reduction in water availability during the drought resulted in 40% land being fallowed in the left-bank canal command area. The results suggest that head reach areas receiving high supply rates during a normal year experienced the highest risks of fluctuations in water supply and cropped area during a water short year compared to downstream areas, which had chronically low water supply, and better adaptive responses by farmers. Contrary to expectations, the spatial distribution of canal flows among the three major zones of the command area was more equitable during low-flow years due to decreased flow at the head reach of the canal and relatively smaller decreases in tail-end areas. The findings suggested that equitable allocations could be achieved by improving the water distribution efficiency of the canal network during normal years and by crop diversification and introduction of alternative water sources during water shortage years. The study identified areas susceptible to decreases in water supplies by using modern techniques, which can help in decision-making processes for equitable water allocation and distribution and in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of water supply shocks on cropping patterns and rural livelihoods.
Case studies / Crop production / Irrigation programs / Water distribution / Canals / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H041182
To examine the impact of small reservoir irrigation development in Africa, the performance and productivity of two small reservoirs and irrigation schemes in the Upper East Region of Ghana were investigated in this study. Hydrologic data measured included daily irrigation volumes and daily evaporation. Farmer cost inputs, excluding labor, and harvest data were also recorded. There was a strong contrast in water availability between the two systems, the Tanga system having a higher amount of available water than did the Weega system. The concept of relative water supply was used to confirm this disparity; Tanga was an inefficient system with a relative water supply of 5.7, compared to a value of 2.4 for the efficient Weega system. It was also concluded that the dissimilar water availabilities resulted in the evolution of very different irrigation methods and coincided with different management structures. Where there was more water available per unit land (Tanga), management was relaxed and the irrigation inefficient. Where there was less water available per unit land (Weega), management was well structured and irrigation efficient. The productivity of water (US$ m_3) of the Tanga system was half that of the Weega system, when analyzed at a high market price for crops grown. In terms of productivity of cultivated land (US$ ha_1), however, the Tanga system was 49% more productive than the Weega system. The difference in the productivity of land is primarily a result of increased farmer cash inputs in the Tanga system as compared to the Weega system. The difference in the productivity of water can be attributed to the varying irrigation methods and management structures, and ultimately to the contrasting water availability.
Irrigation practices / Irrigation canals / Irrigation programs / Irrigated farming / Water availability / Productivity / Reservoirs Record No:H041063
Marketing / Funding / Financing / Costs / Economic aspects / Technology / Capacity building / Tanks / Water storage / Sprinkler irrigation / Drip irrigation / Microirrigation / Irrigation systems / Socioeconomic environment / Food security / Food production / Cropping systems / Vegetable growing / Agriculture / Income / Government agencies / Non governmental organizations / Institutions / Case studies / Community development / Women / Gender / Research projects / Households / Soil conservation / Water conservation / Water quality / Water rights / Sanitation / Drinking water / Domestic water / Water use / Water scarcity / Multiple use / Water resources development / Water management Record No:H044752
Studies on the impacts of environmental rehabilitation in semi-arid areas are often conducted over limited space and time scales, and do typically not include detailed biophysical components. This study makes a multi-scale assessment over a time span of 30 years of environmental rehabilitation in one of the worldapos;s most degraded areas: the Tigray highlands of Northern Ethiopia. The study shows that in Tigray sheet and rill erosion rates have decreased by approximately 68%, infiltration and spring discharge are enhanced and vegetation cover has improved. These impacts are evidenced and quantified by a comprehensive comparison of the current landscape with a coverage of 30-year old photographs and substantiated by field investigations. The positive changes in ecosystem service supply that result from these conservation activities in the Tigray highlands are an issue of global concern.
Sedimentation / Reservoirs / Bunds / Erosion / Highlands / Water conservation / Soil conservation Record No:H041844
This working paper has been prepared as one of the outputs of the apos;Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian Highlands and its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nileapos; project, supported by the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF). It provides a comprehensive literature review; identifies types, sources and provides geo-referencing of data in the basin; compiles information of hydrology, sediment, and water resources and its uses. It also provides a review of applicable models for watershed and water allocation simulation, research methods, past studies and published material related to the Blue Nile. Extensive reference material and previous studies are compiled.
Water power / Irrigation programs / Evapotranspiration / Rain / Climate / Water supply / Water demand / Water use / Models / Flow / Hydrology / Reservoirs / Sedimentation / Erosion / River basin management Record No:H041833
Social aspects / Public investment / Political aspects / Reservoirs / Dams / Water transfer / Irrigation programs / Symptoms / Water demand / River basin development / River basin management Record No:H041827
Crop production / Water allocation / Irrigation programs / Conjunctive use / Wells / Groundwater / Reservoirs / Dams / River basins / Water scarcity / Drought Record No:H041829
van Koppen, Barbara; Smits, S.; Moriarty, P.; Penning de Vries, F. 2008. Community-level multiple-use water services: MUS to climb the water ladder. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.2. Increasing rainwater productivity; Multi-purpose water systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.217-221 More... | Fulltext (7.09MB)
River basins / Wells / Water supply / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Multiple use Record No:H041822
Raschid-Sally, Liqa. 2008. Research, development and capacity building for dams sustainability: the Bui Dam Project. In Raschid Sally, LiqaTwum-Korangteng, R.Akoto-Danso, Edmund Kyei. Bringing research findings on dams closer to the people: proceedings of the Second Ghana Dams Forum and Workshop on the Impact of Climate Change on the Bui Hydropower Project, Accra, Ghana, 26-27 February 2008. Final proceeding. Accra, Ghana: National Coordinating Committee (NCC) of the Ghana Dams Dialogue; Accra, Ghana: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Accra, Ghana: Volta Basin Development Foundation. pp.18-24 More... | Fulltext (2.23MB)
Capacity building / Institutions / Compensation / Social impact / Environmental impact assessment / Electricity supplies / Electrical energy / Water power / Development projects / Reservoirs / Dams Record No:H041907
Institutions / Social impact / Environmental effects / Electricity supplies / Electrical energy / Water power / Development projects / Reservoirs / Dams / Capacity building Record No:H041903
Mukherjee, Sacchidananda; Shah, Zankhana. 2008. Large reservoirs: are they the last oasis for the survival of cities in India? In Kumar, M. Dinesh (Ed.). Managing water in the face of growing scarcity, inequity and declining returns: exploring fresh approaches. Proceedings of the 7th Annual Partners Meet, IWMI TATA Water Policy Research Program, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India, 2-4 April 2008. Vol.2. Hyderabad, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Asia Sub Regional Office. pp.907-922 More... | Fulltext
River basins / Water supply / Water demand / Urbanization / Reservoirs Record No:H041897
Wastewater / Water reuse / Irrigated farming / Groundwater irrigation / Wetlands / Farming systems / Water storage / Case studies / Irrigation methods / Irrigation programs / Irrigation systems / Water conservation / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Water productivity Record No:H041869
Mukherjee, Sacchidananda. 2008. Economic valuation of a wetland in West Bengal, India. In Kumar, M. Dinesh (Ed.). Managing water in the face of growing scarcity, inequity and declining returns: exploring fresh approaches. Proceedings of the 7th Annual Partners Meet, IWMI TATA Water Policy Research Program, ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India, 2-4 April 2008. Vol.1. Hyderabad, India: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Asia Sub Regional Office. pp.254-266 More... | Fulltext
Although hydropower does not directly consume water, its generation frequently conflicts with other uses, notably irrigation, because its release schedule does not always correspond to the timing of water use by other activities. This article analyses a case from the Walawe river basin, Sri Lanka, where economic efficiency can be raised by reducing releases from the dam for irrigation for the benefit of hydropower generation. The tradeoff is analysed in financial and managerial terms and different options for reducing irrigation diversions are reviewed. Although the high level of current diversions for irrigation warrants the possibility of improvement in management, it is shown that finding ways to reduce supply faces technical and socio-political constraints that make the realization of economic benefits costly and difficult.
Economic evaluation / Water rights / Irrigation scheduling / Reservoirs / Dams / River basins / Irrigation water / Hydroelectric Schemes / Conflict / Water power Record No:H040818
Khan, Abdul Hakeem; McCornick, Peter; Khan, Asim Rauf. 2008. Evolution of managing water for agriculture in the Indus River Basin. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.120-123 More... | Fulltext
Reservoirs / Constrains / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation canals / Crop production / Irrigated farming / River basins / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H041859
Kanyoka, Phillipa; Farolfi, S.; Morardet, Sylvie. 2008. Household preferences for multiple use water services in rural areas of South Africa: an analysis based on choice modeling. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.95-98 More... | Fulltext
Rural areas / Households / User charges / Cost recovery / Financing / Domestic water / Water supply / Multiple use Record No:H041858
Nagabhatla, Nidhi; Saimone, F.; Juizo, D.; Masiyandima, Mutsa. 2008. Seasonality dynamics for investigating wetland agriculture nexus and its ecosystems service values in Chibuto, Mozambique. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.41-45 More... | Fulltext
Land use / Grazing lands / Crop production / Cultivation / Floodplains / Poverty / Agroecosystems / Wetlands Record No:H041851
van de Giesen, N.; Liebe, J.; Andah, W.; Andreini, Marc. 2008. Assessing the hydrological impact of ensembles of small reservoirs. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.27-31 More... | Fulltext
de Condappa, D.; Chaponniere, Anne; Andah, W.; Lemoalle, J. 2008. Application of WEAP in the Volta Basin to model water allocation to the Akosombo Hydropower Scheme under different scenarios. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.11-14 More... | Fulltext
Reservoirs / Dams / Irrigation water / Water power / Water allocation / Simulation models / Hydrology / River basin management Record No:H041846
Verma, Shilp; van der Zaag, P.; Uhlenbrook, S. 2008. Small reservoirs, big impacts?: exploring alternate models of river basin development. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.1-5 More... | Fulltext
Irrigation management / Water harvesting / Reservoirs / Dams / Hydrology / River basin management Record No:H041845
Net irrigated area in the Krishna River Basin is varying quite frequently due to water scarcity. Data on accurate area and extent of irrigated area in this basin are not available. There are discrepancies in the statistics provided by agencies like the State Irrigation Department, State Agriculture Department, and Census of India. The State Irrigation Department projects a large irrigated area in the Krishna River Basin, attributed to its prestigious irrigation projects. However, the irrigation projects do not fulfill the demands in the basin so that the tail enders grow dry crops.
Remote sensing replaces costly and tedious data collection on the ground, which is nondestructive. The aim of the present study is to prepare a comprehensive land use/land cover (LULC) map including irrigated areas using continuous time series of multiple resolutions by using AVHRR and MODIS. Methodologies were developed to map irrigated area categories using LANDSAT ETM+ along with coarse resolution data sets which are MODIS time series, SRTM elevation and other secondary data.
There is a need to bridge the gap between the use of high resolution satellite data and coarse resolution satellite data and to modify the existing methodology to derive irrigated areas using high resolution satellite data. Space-time spiral curves; resolving the mixed classes; decision tree algorithms; spatial modeling; Google Earth data; irrigated area fractions; Landsat-based estimates of the irrigated fractions were used in this study.
It is well established that LULC change has significant effects on many processes in basins including soil erosion, global warming and biodiversity, and that LULC is expected to cause greater impact on human habitability than climate change. Irrigated area fraction (IAF) in coarser resolution data cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, in this dissertation research my focus will be addressing these gaps in mapping irrigated areas using remote sensing.
Dug-wells, shallow tube wells, and deep tube wells are used for groundwater irrigation while tanks may be used for both surface water irrigation and groundwater recharge. Highly significant agricultural land use changes have taken place as a result of inter annual variations in water availability.
One of the objectives of this study was to investigate the changes in cropland areas as a result of water availability using MODIS 250 m time series and spectral matching techniques. The study was conducted in a very large river basin (Krishna) in India considering a water-surplus year (2000-01) and a water-deficit year (2002-03).
Cropping systems / Groundwater irrigation / Surface irrigation / Time series / Remote sensing / Mapping / Tanks / Reservoirs / Canals / Irrigated sites / Land use / River basins Record No:H042567
Tulu, M.; Boelee, Eline; Taddesse, G.; Peden, D.; Aredo, D. 2008. Estimation of livestock, domestic use, and crop water productivities of SG-2000 Water Harvesting Pilot Projects in Ethiopia. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.2. Increasing rainwater productivity; Multi-purpose water systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.88-91 More... | Fulltext (7.092MB)
Farming systems / Water productivity / Crop production / Livestock / Domestic water / Households / Multiple use / Water use / Pilot projects / Water harvesting Record No:H041726
The history of dam construction in Zimbabwe dates back to the 1920s and since then over 7,000 small dams have been constructed countrywide. Small dams are multipurpose structures used for improving rural livelihoods. The multipurpose nature of these dams has largely gone unquantified in terms of importance of the uses to the community and influence of management practises. The current study made use of a questionnaire among small dam users, key informant interviews, secondary data and observation on four communal dams in the Limpopo basin to establish the uses, volume of water abstracted and water productivity for some uses and the interrelationship between various organisations and the community in the management of small dams. Uses on all dams in order of importance were livestock watering, domestic use, irrigation, fishing, brick making, and collection of reeds used for roofing. Livestock consume on average over 70% of water for consumptive uses. Water productivity in terms of yield per volume unit of water used ranged from 0.025 kg m-3 for vegetables to 7,575 kg m-3 for bricks, and monetary values per volume unit of water used were Z$ 389,434 m-3 for brick making and Z$ 1,874 m-3 for irrigation. Traditional leadership and the community are pivotal in the management of the small dams, with some organisations giving technical, financial and input assistance. The management and conservation of small dams needs to be well coordinated between the communities, NGOs and government if the full benefits of these national resources are to be realised in the long term.
River basins / Dams / Social participation / Participatory management / Water productivity / Multiple use / Water use Record No:H041677
Kibret, Solomon; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, J. 2008. Mosquitoes and malaria in the vicinity of the Koka Reservoir, Ethiopia. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.1. Keynotes; Cross-cutting topics. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.34-37 More... | Fulltext (7.964MB)
This paper investigates the impacts of farm ponds in a context of declining supplies in a major canal command within the Zhanghe Irrigation System (ZIS), in Central China. As dam supplies have been diverted to higher-valued uses (hydropower, cities and industry), farmers have responded by constructing small storages within their fields. These farm ponds have given them sufficient flexibility in water supply to practice varying forms of alternate wetting and drying irrigation for rice without compromising yields and incomes. Ponds are recharged by a combination of return flows from irrigation and runoff from catchment areas within the irrigated perimeter. Various scenarios of water supply incorporating the main reservoir, in-system reservoirs, farm ponds and irrigation practices were simulated using the OASIS model. OASIS integrates surface and groundwater flows, and contains a crop growth module to aggregate the impacts of different water management regimes. The modelling and sensitivity analysis show that further reductions in main reservoir supplies will have a negative effect on rice production in dry and average years, and that ponds have played a crucial role in adapting agriculture to reduced canal supplies. The flexibility allowed by the ponds has resulted in increased water productivity, except in high rainfall years, but net depletion has not decreased, as local supplies have substituted for water from the main reservoir. The study demonstrates the importance of properly accounting for return flows and the necessity to understand crop production in relation to the actual depletion of water (as evapotranspiration) within an irrigation system.
Water distribution / Evapotranspiration / Drainage / Groundwater / Irrigation canals / Crop production / Rice / Simulation models / Water balance / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Farm ponds Record No:H040569
The Zhanghe Irrigation System (ZIS), in Central China, has drawn attention internationally because it managed to sustain its rice production in the face of a dramatic reallocation of water to cities, industries and hydropower uses. Ponds, the small reservoirs ubiquitous in the area, are hypothesized to have been instrumental in this. Ponds are recharged by a combination of return flows from irrigation and runoff from catchment areas within the irrigated perimeter. They provide a flexible, local source of irrigation water to farmers. This paper assesses the storage capacity and some key hydrological properties of ponds in a major canal command within ZIS. Using remote sensing data (Landsat and IKONOS) and an area–volume relationship based on a field survey, we obtained an overall pond storage capacity of 96 mm (per unit irrigated area). A comparative analysis between 1978 and 2001reveals that part of this capacity results from a very significant development of ponds (particularly in the smaller range of sizes) in the time interval, probably as a response to rapidly declining canal supplies. We developed a high-resolution digital elevation model from 1:10,000 topographic maps to support a GIS-based hydrological analysis. Pond catchments were delineated and found to extensively overlap, forming hydrological cascades of up to 15 units. In a 76-km2 area within the irrigation system, we found an average of close to five ‘connected’ ponds downstream of each irrigated pixel. This high level of connectivity provides opportunities for multiple reuses of water as it flows along toposequences. A fundamental implication is that field ‘losses’ such as seepage and percolation do not necessarily represent losses at a larger scale. Such scale effects need to be adequately taken into account to avoid making wrong assumptions about water-saving interventions in irrigation.
Water allocation / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Irrigation canals / Remote sensing / Water reuse / Water storage / Hydrology / Recharge / Farm ponds Record No:H040568
Kumar, M. Dinesh; Patel, Ankit; Singh, O. P. 2008. Rainwater harvesting in the water-scarce regions of India: potential and pitfalls. In Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Sharma, Bharat R. (Eds.) Strategic Analyses of the National River Linking Project (NRLP) of India, Series 2. Proceedings of the Workshop on Analyses of Hydrological, Social and Ecological Issues of the NRLP, New Delhi, India, 9-10 October 2007. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.289-314 More... | Fulltext (675.70 KB)
Rainfall-runoff relationships / Recharge / Infiltration / Evapotranspiration / Water demand / Reservoirs / River basins / Groundwater / Wells / Water harvesting Record No:H041809
Lakes / Watershed management / Models / Irrigation systems / Floodplains / Irrigation systems / Reservoirs / Fisheries / Fertilizers / Soil salinity / Gender / Agroecosystems / Livestock / Water harvesting / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Water conservation / Rice / Irrigation management / Groundwater / Water quality / River basins / Water productivity / Water resource management Record No:H041790
Liebe, J.; van de Giesen, N.; Andah, W.; Andreini, Marc; Walter, T.; Steenhuis, T. 2008. Calibrating runoff models in ungauged basins using small reservoirs as satellite observed runoff gauges. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.1. Keynotes; Cross-cutting topics. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.135-142 More... | Fulltext
Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; van Brakel, M.; Beveridge, M. 2008. Is water productivity relevant in fisheries and aquaculture? In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.1. Keynotes; Cross-cutting topics. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.22-27 More...
River basins / Reservoirs / Water storage / Ecology / Water productivity / Fisheries Record No:H041769
The agro-ecosystems of semi-arid and dry sub-humid SSA are inherently dynamic. At this point in time they are also experiencing a series of complex social–ecological changes that make their future even more uncertain. To ensure that development investments made today in the small-scale farming systems that dominate these regions make sense also in a long-term perspective they should benefit the local communities over a range of potential futures. We applied a participatory scenario planning approach to a smallholder farming community in semi-arid Tanzania, exploring four alternative development trajectories for the area, to increase the robustness of current investments in small-scale water system technologies. We found that water system technologies will be important across a number of possible futures, but that the most relevant target of these innovations, e.g., staple- versus cash-crop production, or individual- versus community-managed systems, differs. We argue that building capacity for experimentation among farmers is key to upgrading their farming systems, as this will generate benefits over a range of alternative futures. Furthermore, we found it to be essential across a range of scenarios to analyze the system-level impact of proposed interventions for successful investments in water system technologies. We conclude that although the method presents some challenges, participatory scenario planning is a useful tool for integrating research and development projects in the larger context, asit increases the understanding of events and processes that may either challenge the project or provide opportunities for it.
Planning / Participatory approaches / Farmers / Case studies / Arid zones / Catchment areas / Agroecosystems / Farming systems / Small scale farming / Investment Record No:H041765
Climate / Reservoirs / Dams / Analysis / Health hazards / Risks / Malaria Record No:H040357
Mekala, Gayathri Devi; Davidson, B. A.; Boland, A. 2007. Multiple uses of wastewater: a methodology for cost-effective recycling. In Khan, S. J.; Stuetz, R. M.; Anderson, J. M. (Eds.). Water reuse and recycling. Sydney, Australia: University of New South Wales (UNSW) Publishing and Printing Services. pp.335-343 More...
While wastewater recycling is being promoted to serve varied objectives, little or no research has been done on its economics. Given the fact that wastewater can be used in various sectors: agriculture, households, industry and recreation, the questions that need to be answered are – to what extent should wastewater be recycled, in which sectors and at what cost? A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of wastewater recycling across the sectors will be done to assess the relative desirability of recycling in one sector over the other depending upon the objectives of stakeholders and budget constraints. Then a choice modelling technique will be used to weight the different objectives and to determine appropriate sectoral use of recycled wastewater. The methodology is currently in development stage and the research will be conducted using the case study of Melbourne where, wastewater is currently being recycled from the Western Treatment Plant and has been mandated to increase to 20 % by year 2010 through increased recycling in sectors other than agriculture. The results of the research can be used to develop a decision support tool which will help to determine the amount of wastewater that should be allocated to each sector depending upon the objective one wants to achieve. A further step in the research depending upon the objective i.e if the objective is to complement the urban water sources, would be to compare the cost-effectiveness of wastewater recycling versus other options like buying water on the market from the agricultural sector, tapping ground water resources, storm water, new catchments and rainwater recycling.
Multiple use / Pricing / Costs / Decision support tools / Cost benefit analysis / Water reuse / Recycling / Wastewater Record No:H042328
Water conservation / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Reservoirs / Simulation models / Water allocation / Water demand / Stream flow / Catchment areas / River basins Record No:H040224
Rain / Surface water / Groundwater / Semiarid zones / Rural areas / Economic development / Water availability / Research projects / Reservoirs Record No:H044806
The Volta Basin covers 400 000 km of the West-African Savanna. Agriculture is the dominant ecnomic activity. Given the extremely unreliable rainfall, irrigation development is seen as an obvious strategy to increase agricultural production. Irrigation development is mainly linked to the construction of small and medium sized reservoirs. The potential use of groundwater for irrigation is a very important issue. In this study, we present an evaluation of the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in a representative small reservoir-irrigation system. The physical processes are modelled with WaSiM-ETH. The physical boundary conditions needed for the optimization model are then passed on to the optimization model written in GAMS, which then simulates the capture and utilization of runoff in small reservoirs. Water can be withdrawn for irrigation, or stored. Irrigation water can also be pumped from the underlying aquifer, and pumping costs are modelled as proportional to the distance to the water table.
Costs / Pumping / River basins / Water table / Water balance / Simulation models / Runoff / Irrigation systems / Reservoirs / Conjunctive use / Groundwater / Surface water Record No:H040851
Pant, Dhruba; Gautam, K.; Shakya, S. D. 2007. Water management in smallholders’ community: a case of multiple use schemes. In Pradhan, P.; Uprety, L. P.; Parajuli, U. N.; Gautam, U. (Eds.). Irrigation in transition: interacting with internal and external factors and setting the strategic actions. Proceedings of the Fourth International Seminar. Kathmandu, Nepal: Farmer Managed Irrigation Systems (FMIS) Promotion Trust. 9p. More...
Farmers attitudes / Constraints / Marketing / Crop production / Vegetables / Sprinkler irrigation / Drip irrigation / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Drinking water / Domestic water / Households / Water use Record No:H040816
Depuis les annees 80, le Maroc comme de nombreux pays du continent Africain s’est lance dans une politique de petits barrages en parallele aux grands ouvrages de mobilisation des ressources en eaux de surface. Cette politique repond aux defis des secheresses recurrentes qui ont secoue le pays. Mais aussi, aux besoins de developpement des zones qui ne se pretent pas a des projets de plus grande envergure. Le nombre de sites de ce type de barrages techniquement faisables est estime a cinq cents. Le but de ces ouvrages est de collecter les eaux destinees a des usages multiples, notamment l’irrigation, l’abreuvement du betail, la recharge de la nappe, la prevention des inondation et dans certains cas l’alimentation en eau de boisson. Plus recemment, la politique des petits barrages a ete reiteree par le gouvernement. Ce qui laisse entendre que leur construction va se poursuivre dans le futur. A present, le nombre de petits barrages tous types confondus a depasse la centaine. Cependant, leur impact sur la sante et le bien etre des populations beneficiaires, sur l’environnement ainsi que leur valeur ajoutee au niveau local et national reste a determiner. L’experience de certains petits barrages au Maroc et dans d’autres pays africains demontre qu’ils peuvent dans certains cas poser des problemes lies au faible impact social et economique, favoriser l’introduction de maladies eaux dependantes et posent parfois des problemes techniques lies au choix du site, a l’envasement ou aux fuites et ruissellement de l’eau du reservoir. Le manque de mesures d’accompagnement peut dans certains cas limiter l’elan de developpement escompte. La presente communication a pour objectif de discuter, sur la base d’etudes de cas, les solutions envisageables et pouvant optimiser l’impact des petits barrages pour en faire un levier de developpement durable dans les zones enclavees notamment de montagne.
Impact assessment / Mountains / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H034796
Reservoirs / Dams / Wetlands / Water management / Impact assessment / Research institutes / Research policy / Research projects / Agricultural research Record No:H040543
An integrated planning activity was undertaken for the Amman-Zarqa Basin in Jordan to account for present and future uses of water resources including reclaimed water. Upgrades to existing wastewater treatment plants mean new reclaimed water resources will be available in the future. To evaluate the impact of current and potential future uses, a spreadsheet-based model was developed to predict water quantity and quality at several key locations within the basin. The model consists of a flow component and a water quality component. The model was used to screen various water-use scenarios and to formulate feasible alternatives including the sequencing of future water demands.
Reservoirs / Water quality / Simulation models / Flow / River basins / Water allocation / Water resource management Record No:H040513
Water policy / Water rights / Drinking water / Dams / Reservoirs / Irrigation water / Farmers / Water allocation / River basins / Assessment / Drought Record No:H040512
McCartney, Matthew; Sally, Hilmy. 2007. Managing the environmental impact of dams. In Ranade, P. S. (Ed.). Rivers, dams and development: Issues and Dilemmas. Punjagutta, Hyderabad, India: Icfai University Press. pp.88-104 More... | Fulltext
Biodiversity / Sedimentation / Water quality / Water storage / Reservoirs / Water temperature / Flow / Rivers / Environmental effects / Dams Record No:H040455
Hyderabad is one of the fastest growing cities in India. To meet its rapidly expanding water needs, it constructed and began withdrawals from the Singur reservoir, located on a tributary of the Godavari River, in 1991. Administrative rules define allocation of water from the reservoir but prioritize Hyderabad urban needs over much longer established agricultural uses. Furthermore, the agricultural sector receives less water than even these rules allow, and urban withdrawals have changed the quantity and the timing of the water, which is available to agriculture. An increase in groundwater use by farmers may have been one response to these changes, with possible implications for surface and groundwater users further downstream. While proposals have been put forth to compensate the agricultural sector in general and the farmers directly affected by reallocation, for example by improving access to wastewater for irrigation downstream from Hyderabad or by conveying wastewater for irrigation purposes downstream Singur reservoir, compensation has not been implemented to date. The Hyderabad case study clearly highlights the advantages for devising and implementing arrangements to regulate the transfer of water from agriculture to cities, allowing a move from sectoral competition for water to efficient management of a scarce resource.
Reservoirs / Wastewater / Constraints / Farmers / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Climate / Urbanization / Water transfer / Water scarcity / Water allocation / Water supply Record No:H040783
This study attempts to examine those unique aspects of interbasin water transfer planning, which are of critical importance to the sustainable water resources development in India. It focuses on the crucial aspect of accurate quantification of surface water availability, which determines the entire feasibility of a water transfer. It also illustrates the impacts of upstream water resources development on the deltasapos; environment thus justifying the deltasapos; environmental flow requirements. The report targets government departments, research institutions and NGOs - primarily in India and other countries of the region - which are engaged or interested in issues of interbasin water transfer and environmental water management. The research intends to: contribute to the effectiveness of water resources planning and management in India; emphasize the need for urgent improvement of access to hydrometeorological data in the country; and aim to stimulate further debate on water transfers.
Case studies / Irrigation requirements / Water resources development / Reservoirs / Dams / Environmental effects / Water transfer / River basins Record No:H040733
Research projects / Smallholders / Farming systems / Food production / Crop production / Water harvesting / Water balance / Water productivity / Models / Hydrology / River basins / Catchment areas / Environmental effects / Social aspects / Agroecosystems / Water resources / Watershed management Record No:H039095
International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South Africa Office. 2006. Resources on micro-agricultural water management in Southern Africa. A literature study to support the implementation of micro-AWM technologies in the SADC region; supported by USAID, OFDA, SARO and FAO Investment Centre. 1 CD More...
This study was carried out using funds received from the Investment Center of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Office of Disaster Assistance of the United States Agency for International Development. In the former case it is intended to support the preparation of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Agricultural Water Management Project to be supported by the African Development Bank, and in the latter case it is intended to provide guidance for improving the effectiveness of current programs on micro-agricultural water management (micro-AWM) technologies implemented largely through NGOs.
Surveys / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038862
An input to the Study on Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Africa: An inventory and assessment of experiences, good practices and costs
Surveys / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038875
An input to the Study on Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Africa: An inventory and assessment of experiences, good practices and costs
Cost benefit analysis / Wells / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038874
An input to the Study on Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Africa: An inventory and assessment of experiences, good practices and costs
Surveys / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038866
An input to the Study on Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Africa: An inventory and assessment of experiences, good practices and costs
Cost benefit analysis / Dams / Livestock / Food security / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038865
An input to the Study on Agricultural Water Management Technologies for Small Scale Farmers in Southern Africa: An inventory and assessment of experiences, good practices and costs
Water harvesting / Wells / Dams / Pitcher irrigation / Drip irrigation / Manual pumps / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H038864
Sri Lanka. Central Environmental Authority (CEA); IUCN Sri Lanka; IWMI. 2006. National wetland directory of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Central Environmental Authority (CEA); International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 342p. More...
A pre-conference to Humid Tropical Ecosystems, 5 -9 December, 2006, Kandy, Sri Lanka, commemorating the 50th anniversary of UNESCO Humid Tropics Programme Organized by United Nations University and the International Water Management Institute.
Water quality / Reservoirs / Water availability / Models / Runoff / River basins / Ecosystems / Rain / Water management Record No:H041415
This briefing was produced by International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre, the Technical Committee of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the GWP Advisory Center at IWMI. It draws primarily on research from the Multiple Use Systems (MUS) project and the Productive Uses of Water Thematic Group (Prodwat) (see references for further reading). The brief complements Catalyzing Change, the GWP handbook for developing IWRM and water efficiency strategies and plans, and the associated policy and technical briefs. Single-use approaches to water development and management do not reflect the realities of poor people’s water use. People use domestic water supplies for activities such as irrigating backyard gardens, keeping livestock, fishing, processing crops and running small-scale enterprises. In areas without adequate domestic water supply, they use irrigation water to meet household needs, such as drinking and bathing, as well as to support a range of incomegenerating activities in addition to crop production. A more integrated, multiple-use approach can maximize the health benefits and productive potential of available water supplies–leading to increased incomes, improved health and reduced workloads for women and children. Systems that cater to multiple uses are also more likely to be sustainable, because users benefit more from them, have a greater stake in them, and are more willing and better able to pay for them. policy-makers, planners, and project designers need to enable and support a multiple-use approach by developing the necessary policies, capacities, and institutions. Incorporating provision for multiple uses into plans for meeting the Millennium Development Goals, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, and IWRM and water efficiency plans and strategies is a start.
Drinking water / Water supply / Poverty / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water use Record No:H038813
Reservoirs / Canals / Irrigation systems / Tube wells / Wells / Public health / Diseases / Cryptosporidium / Giardia / Diarrhoea / Water quality / Water pollution / Water supply / Domestic water / Drinking water Record No:H038774
This research report presents the findings of the first phase of the action-research project quot;Models for implementing multiple-use water supply systems for enhanced land and water productivity, rural livelihoods and gender equity.quot; Multipleuse water services, or quot;musquot; in short, is a participatory, integrated and poverty-reduction focused approach in poor rural and peri-urban areas, which takes peopleapos;s multiple water needs as a starting point for providing integrated services, moving beyond the conventional sectoral barriers of the domestic and productive sectors.
Legislation / Social participation / Participatory management / Environmental sustainability / Water quality / Cost recovery / Gender / Drinking water / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Models / Poverty / Water supply Record No:H038377
Drinking water / Conjunctive use / Groundwater / Surface water / Simulation models / Decision support tools / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Water management / River basins Record No:H039716
Credit / Income / Households / Social aspects / Water users / Farmer participation / Participatory management / Land ownership / Women / Cereals / Vegetables / Sprinkler irrigation / Drip irrigation / Irrigation water / Drinking water / Domestic water / Water supply / Irrigation programs Record No:H039611
Barker, R.; Molle, Francois. 2005. Perspectives on Asian irrigation. In Shivakoti, G. P.; Vermillion, D. L.; Lam, W. F.; Ostrom, E.; Pradhan, U.; Yoder, R. ( Eds.). Asian irrigation in transition: responding to challenges. New Delhi, India: Sage. pp.45-78. More... | Fulltext (2 MB)
Cost recovery / Water market / Water user associations / Development aid / Farmers’ attitudes / Environmental effects / Groundwater / Water scarcity / Poverty / Water supply / Water demand / Reservoirs / Dams / History / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigation management / Irrigated farming / Water resource management Record No:H044963
Penning de Vries, Frits; Boelee, Eline; Butterworth, J.; Cousins, T.; Duran, A.; Hagmann, J.; Mintesinot, B.; Morardet, Sylvie; Moriarty, P. B.; Restrepo, I.; Ruaysoongnern, S.; Scott, Christopher; Suryarwanshi, S.; Smits, S.; van Koppen, Barbara; Yoder, B. 2005. Learning alliances for the broad implementation of an integrated approach to multiple sources, multiple uses and multiple users of water. Manuscript for presentation at the International Conference on apos;Integrated Assessment of Water Resources and Global Change: A North-South Analysisapos;, February 2005, Bonn, Germany (http://www.zef.de/watershed2005). Submitted 25/2/2005 revised 31/8/2005. 17p. More...
Water use / Domestic water / Water resource management Record No:H038734
Case studies / Non-governmental organizations / Indicators / Development projects / Water supply / Reservoirs / Conflict / Water scarcity / Watershed management Record No:H037673
This report analyzes a case from southern Sri Lanka, where the Samanalawewa dam and the Kaltota Irrigation Scheme (KIS) compete for the water of the Walawe river. At the catchment level, it is shown that dam releases are well attuned to the needs of KIS and to the occurrences of natural runoff, and that little of the dam water is quot;lostquot; to the river.
Case studies / Cropping systems / Irrigation scheduling / Canals / Economic analysis / Hydroelectric schemes / Dams / Reservoirs Record No:H037591
McCartney, Matthew; Sally, Hilmy. 2005. Managing the environmental impact of large dams in Africa. In Lankford, B. A.; Mahoo, H. F. (Eds.). Proceedings of East Africa Integrated River Basin Management Conference, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania, 7 – 9 March 2005. Theme four: water governance and institutions. Morogoro, Tanzania: Soil-Water Management Research Group, Sokoine University of Agriculture Agriculture. pp.151-159 More...
Mammals / Birds / Fish / Ecosystems / Environmental protection / Sedimentation / Reservoirs / Dams / Water resource management Record No:H037500
The Uda Walawe Irrigation and Resettlement Project (UWIRP) located in the Southern dry zone of Sri Lanka was initiated in the early 1950s. The original plan for the UWIRP was a highly ambitious social, economic and physical engineering project aimed at creating a modern, profitable agriculture sector. This report examines the history of water resources development and investment decisions for the UWIRP over a period of 50 years and uncovers underlying processes that shaped the evolution of the project and highlights the limitation of viewing development as a mere set of technical and social engineering endeavors.
Water demand / Water requirements / Cost recovery / Cost benefit analysis / Decision making / Fisheries / Reservoirs / Water use / Domestic water / Crop production / Costs / Rehabilitation / River basins / History / Irrigation programs / Water resources development Record No:H036418
Water storage / Institutions / Water availability / Water requirements / Dams / Drainage / Social participation / Decision making / Governance / Water resource management / Reservoirs Record No:H037655
Reservoirs / Natural disasters / Public health / Waterborne diseases / Disease vectors / Maps / Malaria Record No:H036727
van de Giesen, Nick; Liebe, Jens; Andreini, Marc; Steenhuis, Tammo. 2005. Use of small reservoirs in West Africa as remotely-sensed cumulative runoff gauges. In Teuling, A. J.; Leijnse, H.; Troch, P. A.; Sheffield, J.; Wood, E. F. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2nd International CAH-MDA Workshop on The Terrestrial Water Cycle: Modelling and Data Assimilation Across Catchment Scales, Princeton, NJ, USA, 25-27 October 2005. pp.28-31 More...
Models / Hydrology / Water balance / Runoff / Reservoirs Record No:H037656
Case studies / Drinking water / Runoff / Recharge / Groundwater / Aquifers / Water storage / Water balance / Tanks / Reservoirs / River basins / Water harvesting / Water conservation / Flood water / Drought Record No:H038089
Small scale systems / Irrigation programs / Poverty / Assessment / Agricultural development / Water harvesting / Investment / Irrigation water Record No:H036410
Biggs, Trent; Ahmad, Mobin-ud-Din. 2004. ET Krishna Basin. Print out of powerpoint presentation made at the Observing river basins from space: why is it important for IWMI - A Remote Sensing and GIS (RS/GIS) Workshop held at the International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 28 June 2004. RS/GIS training materials. 11p. More... | Fulltext
Reservoirs / Estimation / Evapotranspiration / Satellite surveys / Remote sensing / River basins Record No:H036224
Drip irrigation, in its various forms, is the dominant mode of micro-irrigation in India. The benefits of these technologies in water scarce regions have been widely studied all over the world. A review of literature on drip-irrigation technologies strongly suggests that there are significant financial, economic and social benefits in the adoption of these technolgoies. In the Maikaal region of Central India, a grassroots innovation called apos;Pepseeapos; has become a popular choice for farmers. At less than half the cost of conventional drip systems, this innovation promises comparable returns. What is most interesting is that while government and non-government agencies have struggled to promote water-saving technologies across the country, the people in this area have adapted and adopted these technologies on their own. This paper looks at the various aspects of this grassroots innovation, its spread, adoption behavior and impacts. The authors find that while Pepsee and other water-saving technolgoies do lead to farm level improvements in water efficiency, they will not contribute to system level apos;realapos; water saving unless a favorable policy environment encourages their adoptin on a large scale.
Water conservation / Small scale systems / Drip irrigation Record No:H035978
Food security / Women / Drip irrigation / Water conservation / Domestic water / Water reuse / Wastewater / Water harvesting / Appropriate technology / Small scale systems / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H034852
Irrigation practices / Canals / Groundwater / Water use / Water supply / Water demand / Reservoirs / River basins / Water resource management Record No:H034365
Ecosystems / Rice / Irrigated farming / Public health / Disease vectors / Waterborne diseases / Malaria Record No:H034022
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, H. 2004. Multiple use of irrigation water in Northeastern Morocco. In Moriarty, P.; Butterworth, J.; van Koppen, B. (Eds.), Beyond domestic: Case studies on poverty and productive uses of water a t the household level. Delft, Netherlands: IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre; IWMI. pp.119-135 More... | Fulltext (2.67 MB)
Water quality / Tanks / Water storage / Farmers / Irrigated farming / Water use / Irrigation water Record No:H035335
River basins / Equity / Water allocation / Surface irrigation / Irrigation requirements / Water demand / Conjunctive use / Reservoirs / Groundwater / Drainage / Water distribution / Land use / Crop yield / Irrigation efficiency / Evapotranspiration / Water balance / Soil water / Productivity / Water use efficiency / Performance indexes / Irrigation scheduling / Seepage / Irrigation canals / Flow control / Water delivery / Irrigation programs / Simulation models / Irrigation management Record No:H043655
Janeau, Jean; Maglinao, Amado, R.; Lorent, C.; Bricquet, Jean P.; Boonsaner, A. 2003. The off-site effect of soil erosion: a case study of the Mae Thang Reservoir in Northern Thailand. In Maglinao, Amado R.; Valentin, Christian; Penning de Vries, Frits (Eds.), From soil research to land and water management: Harmonizing people and nature – Proceedings of the IWMI-ADB Project Annual Meeting and 7th MSEC Assembly. Bangkok, Thailand: IWMI. pp.191-202 More... | Fulltext (0.7 MB)
Ecosystems / Land use / Mapping / Satellite surveys / Remote sensing Record No:H035213
Roost, Nicolas; Cui, Y. L.; Xie, C. B.; Huang, B. 2003. Water supply simulation for improved allocation and management. In Pereira, L. S.; Cai, L. G.; Musy, A.; Minhas, P. S. (Eds.), Water savings in the Yellow River Basin: Issues and decision support tools in irrigation. Beijing, China: China Agriculture Press. pp.275-290 More...
Reservoirs / Groundwater / Conjunctive use / Policy / Water allocation / Water conveyance / Water delivery / Irrigation systems / Water supply / Computer models / Simulation models Record No:H040073
Based on research presented in “Institutional Alternatives in African Smallholder Irrigation: :Lessons from International Experience with Irrigation Management Transfer (IWMI Research Report 60)” by Tushaar Shah, Barbara van Koppen, Marna de Lange, Madar Samad, and Douglas Merrey. An international review of IMT experiences shows that for transfer to work, the irrigation system must be central to a wealth-creating agriculture within which IMT makes good economic sense to farmers. This is not the case in a majority of Africa’s smallholder schemes. Making IMT work in this context means addressing a number of challenges: smallholder dependency resulting from years of state intervention in farm operations and management, farmers’ inability to depend on irrigated agriculture as their primary income source, insecure land tenure arrangements, and lack of access to credit and input and output markets Current IMT strategies which focus on investments in capacity-building and infrastructure rehabilitation alone are destined to fail. For IMT to succeed, it must be accompanied by interventions that extend beyond the irrigation sector to significantly enhance African smallholder productivity and incomes. Potential avenues for accomplishing this include strengthening access to markets and credit, promoting high-value crops, improving systems for extension and technical support, making investments in smallholder technologies, clarifying land tenure arrangements, encouraging the development of farm equity schemes, and providing necessary supports through farmers’ associations.
Small holders / Small scale systems / Privatization / Water management Record No:H034113
Crop production / Canals / Productivity / Land use / Wastewater / Water quality / Domestic water / Electricity supplies / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation requirements / Water use / Evapotranspiration / Groundwater / Reservoirs / Surface runoff / Rain / Income / Households / Labor / Population growth / Irrigation programs / Ecology / Climate / Topography / Land management / Water demand / Water supply / Water balance / Hydrology / Decision support tools / Models / Water resource management / River basin development Record No:H034029
The development of societies is shaped to a large extent by their resources base, notably water resources. Access to and control of water depend primarily on the available technology and engineering feats, such as river-diversion structures, canals, dams and dikes. As growing human pressure on water resources brings actual water use closer to potential ceilings, supply-augmentation options get scarcer, and societies, therefore, usually respond by adopting conservation measures and by reallocating water towards more beneficial uses.
Pumping / Aquifers / Water use efficiency / Irrigation management / Reservoirs / Tanks / Farm ponds / Water conservation / Water allocation / Water scarcity / Water supply / Water demand / Water use / River basin development Record No:H033886
Reservoirs / Institutions / Performance evaluation / Crop production / Poverty / Economic analysis / Water use / Water management / River basins Record No:H032947
Small scale systems / Investment / Government managed irrigation systems / Groundwater management / Environmental effects / Water policy / Land management / Water management Record No:H031817
Verma, S. 2003. More crop per drop: can micro-irrigation help alleviate groundwater depletion? In World Water Forum 3: Water, Food and Environment. Groundwater Governance in Asia: The Challenge of Taming a Colossal Anarchy, Kyoto, Japan, 17 March 2003. Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India. International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.11 More... | Fulltext (2.34 MB)
Small scale systems / Irrigation efficiency / Groundwater depletion Record No:H031379
History / Villages / Small scale systems / Governmental interrelations / Farming systems / Maintenance / Irrigation design / Watersheds / Water distribution / Water management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Hydrology / Tank irrigation Record No:H036586
Farming systems / Water quality / Groundwater / Hydrology / Maintenance / Design / Legislation / History / Villages / Small scale systems / Tanks Record No:H034761
Regression analysis / Social aspects / Farmers / Economic aspects / Privatization / Irrigation management / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H033593
Barker, R.; Molle, F. 2002. Perspectives on Asian irrigation. Paper presented at the Conference on Asian Irrigation in Transition-Responding to the Challenges Ahead, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, 22-23 April 2002. 30p. More... | Fulltext (497.15 KB)
Cost recovery / Water market / Water user associations / Development aid / Farmers’ attitudes / Environmental effects / Groundwater / Water scarcity / Poverty / Water supply / Water demand / Reservoirs / Dams / History / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigation management / Irrigated farming / Water resource management Record No:H031444
Malaria / Gender / Poverty / Domestic water / Fisheries / Reservoirs / Irrigated farming / Public policy / Agricultural development / Irrigation management / Productivity / Water resource management / Institutional development / Research priorities / Agricultural research / Research institutes Record No:H031292
Published in “Tropical Medicine and International Health, Vol.6, No.1, pp.46-54, January 2001.” The complete article is available on the CD-ROM version of this Annual Report.
Sanitation / Water storage / Filtration / Seepage / Pipes / Water supply / Salinity / Water quality / Public health / Reservoirs / Irrigation canals / Arid lands / Water use / Domestic water / Irrigation water Record No:H031295
Conflict / Water balance / Hydrology / Water quality / Water use / Living conditions / indicators / Poverty / Research projects / Agricultural research / Watershed management / Catchment areas Record No:H031288
Performance indexes / Economic aspects / Policy / Private sector / Farmers associations / Government managed irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Irrigation programs / Irrigated farming Record No:H030888
Shah, T.; Keller, J. 2002. Micro-irrigation and the poor: A marketing challenge in smallholder irrigation development. In Sally, H.; Abernethy, C. L. (Eds.), Private irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Regional Seminar on Private Sector Participation and Irrigation Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, Accra, Ghana, 22-26 October 2001. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IWMI; FAO; ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation. pp.165-183 More... | Fulltext (0.24 MB)
Income / Water scarcity / Women / Farmers / Poverty / Sprinkler irrigation / Drip irrigation / Small scale systems Record No:H030880
Pumps / Farmer-led irrigation / Financing / Horticulture / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Government managed irrigation systems / Case studies / Performance evaluation / Privatization / Maintenance / Operations / Women / Gender / Private sector / Small scale systems / Irrigated farming Record No:H030864
Merrey, D. J.; Shah, T.; van Koppen, B.; de Lange, M.; Samad, M. 2002. Can irrigation management transfer revitalize African agriculture?: A review of African and international experiences. In Sally, H.; Abernethy, C. L. (Eds.), Private irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: Regional Seminar on Private Sector Participation and Irrigation Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa, Accra, Ghana, 22-26 October 2001. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IWMI; FAO; ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation. pp.95-104 More... | Fulltext (0.11 MB)
Pumps / Farmer-led irrigation / Land tenure / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Privatization / Irrigation management Record No:H030873
Cooperatives / Farmer-led irrigation / Land tenure / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Legislation / Small scale systems / Rice / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H030840
Water lifting / Manual pumps / Appropriate technology / Research institutes / Private sector / Small scale systems / Irrigated farming / Constraints / Investment / Poverty / Land management / Land use / Water scarcity / Groundwater / Water pollution / Salinity / Waterlogging / Drought / River basins / Water use / Rain / Rural development / Water use Record No:H030809
Water harvesting / Small scale systems / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation programs / Poverty / Farmers / Water use / Investment / Irrigation water Record No:H030748
Wastewater / Water reuse / Development projects / Tanks / Watersheds / Water harvesting / Drip irrigation / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H030686
This report reviews several decades of global experience in transferring management of government-run irrigation systems to farmer associations or other nongovernmental agencies in an attempt to apply the lessons of success to the African smallholder irrigation context.
Pumps / Farmer-led irrigation / Land tenure / Water user associations / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Privatization / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H030202
The core of this study involved an examination and analysis of certain key features of the traditional small tank cascade systems: a) the location and design of the systems in the past b) the hydro-system which considers the overall hydrological balance and groundwater conditions c) maintenance and tank use d) tank management and integration with local farming systems
History / Villages / Small scale systems / Governmental interrelations / Farming systems / Maintenance / Irrigation design / Watersheds / Water distribution / Water management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Hydrology / Tank irrigation Record No:H029980
This study uses both farmer surveys and physical measurements to understand the impact RCTs have had on water use and water savings in the irrigated Rice-Wheat Zone of Pakistanapos;s Punjab province. The findings show that field scale water savings achieved from RCTs is not necessarily equivalent to water savings at broader scales and may even result in an increase in overall water depletion.
Hydraulics / Farmer-led irrigation / Water conveyance / Rice / Farm size / Water scarcity / Equity / Productivity / Water distribution / Water delivery / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigation operation / Irrigation design / Small scale systems / Watercourses / Irrigation canals / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H029685
Social aspects / Constraints / Infrastructure / Farmers / Villages / Income / Crop production / Water potential / Rain / Living standards / Poverty / Rain-fed farming / Irrigated farming / Small scale systems / Communal irrigation systems Record No:H029641
Water demand / Irrigation water / Stochastic process / Simulation models / Optimization / Operating policies / Reservoir operation / Irrigation programs Record No:H030768
Salemi, H. R.; Murray-Rust, H. 2002. Water supply and demand forecasting in the Zayandeh Rud Basin, Iran. : Karaj, Iran: Iranian Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (IAERI); Esfahan, Iran: Esfahan Agricultural Research Center (EARC); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 22p. (IAERI-EARC-IWMI Research Report 13) More... | Fulltext
This paper examines present and future demand for water in the Zayandeh Rud basin, and determines the extent to which water will be available for agricultural use by the year 2020. Current demand and supply were more or less in balance in 2000 but by 2010 there will be an increase in supply of some 28% due to the completion of a third transbasin diversion and development of other local water sources. If growth in all sectors is assumed to be 2% p.a. then demand will exceed supply by 2010 and the basin will go into severe deficit by 2020. The same is true if demand only grows at 1% a year. As it is unlikely that urban, industrial and environmental demands will decrease, the only way to keep supply and demand in balance is to reduce allocations to agriculture. By 2020 agriculture will only have 5% more water than at present despite the transbasin diversions, and will shrink from 2025 onwards. However, in years when water supply is only 90% of normal then agriculture will have to shrink in order to keep other sectors supplied.
Reservoirs / River basins / Water use / Forecasting / Water supply / Water demand Record No:H040773
Multiple use / Water use / User charges / Legal aspects / Irrigation systems / Institutional development / Water resource management / Irrigation management Record No:H030856
In the arid and semi-arid Indian state of Rajasthan, tanks and ponds have been a mainstay of rural communities for centuries. There are over 4600 large minor irrigation tanks, plus numerous johads, bandhs and pals (small water harvesting structures). This paper assesses a strategy proposed for rehabilitating 1200 of the larger tanks. It argues that treating tanks only as flow irrigation systems—which lies at the center of the mainstream thinking on rehabilitating surface irrigation systems--is very likely to result in a flawed strategy when applied to tanks. Instead, reviewing the successful experience of NGOs like PRADAN and Tarun Bharat Sangh in reviving and rehabilitating clusters of small traditional water harvesting structures at a watershed level, it posits that Rajasthan’s tanks belong more to the watershed development domain than to the irrigation domain and that a strategy that views tanks as multi-use socio-ecological constructs, and which recognizes varied stakeholder groups is more likely to enhance the social value of tanks.
Non governmental organizations / Catchment areas / Stakeholders / Cultivation / Cropping systems / Collective action / Natural resources management / Multiple use / Watershed management / Rehabilitation / Tank irrigation / Tanks / Water harvesting Record No:H044238
Reservoirs / Dams / Water balance / Water use / Land use / Irrigation programs / Assessment / Evaporation / Remote sensing / Watershed management Record No:H029415
In the Senegal river floodplain, irrigated agriculture and traditional flood recession crops (mainly sorghum) coexist. The latter depends upon the extent of the annual flood, which is partly a function of the amount of water released from the upstream Manantali reservoir. Even though recession sorghum yield is clearly smaller than that of irrigated rice, this production system, because it covers a large area, is a major contributor to total food production in Podor and Matam departments. It is therefore important to quantify areas and yields. In collaboration with the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), SAED has carried out a survey of the 2000-2001 agricultural campaign based on remote sensing and GIS analysis. In 2000, inundations in the Podor department covered 37.635 hectares. 3.277 million m3 of water were released from the Manantali reservoir specifically to support the natural flooding due to uncontrolled tributaries of the Senegal river. However, over the entire rainy season, the inflow into the reservoir exceeded the water released from it. In the Podor department, 18.998 hectares were cultivated, corresponding to 51% of the inundated area. In total, in both departments, the total area under sorghum cultivation amounted to 25.745 hectares in 2000-2001, that is only 44% of the area of the previous season, particularly wet. The total production of recession sorghum grain in the Matam department is about 4.075 tons and the average yield 638 kg/hectare. The method used gives reliable results, particularly a good relationship between yield and spectral response. It requires not more than 3 weeks of fieldwork but timing is crucial. Coupled with SAED’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and complementary to the survey of rice production using remote sensing analysis, this work provides a more accurate estimation of food production at the level of each Rural Community. It also provides objective information to assess the mutual influence of recession sorghum and irrigated rice cropping systems.
This paper on Water for Rural Development is divided into two parts. The first part outlines the most important issues from IWMIapos;s point of view on water for rural development, with a focus on developing countries. This part identifies, discusses and provides recommendations for key areas for interventions in water resources development and management in the context of rural development. The second part of the document provides analyses of present and future water resources in the World Bankapos;s defined regions.
Population growth / Crop production / Food security / Food production / Water scarcity / Cereals / Crop yield / Water allocation / Water demand / Water supply / Food consumption / Institutions / Water policy / Health / Environment / Groundwater / Land management / Small scale systems / Water resources development / Rural development / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H029260
Mller, A.; Kaiser, K.; Wilcke, W.; Maglinao, A.; Kanchanakool, N.; Jirasuktaveekul, W.; Zech, W. 2001. Organically bound nutrients in soils of small water catchments under different forest and agroecosystems in Northern Thailand. In Maglinao, A. R.; Leslie, R. N. (Eds.), Soil erosion management research in Asian catchments: Methodological approaches and initial results - Proceedings of the 5th Management of Soil Erosion Consortium (MSEC) Assembly, held at Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia, 7-11 November 2000. Bangkok, Thailand: IWMI. Southeast Asia Regional Office. pp.73-84 More... | Fulltext (0.76MB)
Soil analysis / Afforestation / Forests / Mountains / Ecosystems / Catchment areas / Soil properties Record No:H029248
Water accounting / Percolation / Seepage / Drainage / Nitrogen / Crop yield / Irrigation canals / Decision making / Reservoirs / Water use efficiency / Crop production / Irrigation effects / Water scarcity / Water allocation / Productivity / Rice / Irrigated farming / Irrigation systems / Water management Record No:H029238
Svendsen, M.; Murray-Rust, D. H.; Alpaslan, N. 2001. Governing closing basins: the case of the Gediz River in Turkey. In Abernethy, C. L. (Ed.). Intersectoral management of river basins. Proceedings of an International Workshop on Integrated Water Management in Water-Stressed River Basins in Developing Countries: Strategies for Poverty Alleviation and Agricultural Growth, Loskop Dam, South Africa, 16-21 October 2000. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Feldafing, Germany: German Foundation for International Development (DSE). pp.183-214 More... | Fulltext (1.48)
Political aspects / Water user associations / Institutions / Water law / Water rights / Hydrology / Water supply / Groundwater / Small scale systems / Large-scale systems / Irrigated farming / Water allocation / Drought / Non-governmental organizations / Private sector / Environmental effects / Monitoring / Water quality / Wastewater / Water pollution / Water demand / River basins Record No:H029120
This working paper contains the proceedings of the workshop that was organized on 14 March 2001 in Hanoi, gathering experts from the various disciplines such as health, environment,water resources management, irrigation, agriculture, soil sciences, water quality, etc. to discuss the findings of 16 papers on different aspects of wastewater reuse. The proceedings of this workshop are presented here in summary form, which we hope will provide a birdapos;s-eye view of the current knowledge in Vietnam on this subject to a wide spectrum of interested persons.
Coffee / Ponds / Reservoirs / Domestic water / Groundwater extraction / Software / Models / Sanitation / Water supply / Rural development / Water resources / Water law / Agricultural development / Wells / Waterborne diseases / Disease vectors / Risks / Public health / Aquaculture / Paddy fields / Rice / Water quality / Irrigated farming / Water reuse / Wastewater / Water management Record No:H029032
Also published: In Jensen, P. K. Domestic users of irrigation water: Water quality and health impacts. Copenhagen, Denmark: Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University. pp.116-128
Developing countries / Crop production / Water quality / Sanitation / Water supply / Irrigation water Record No:H028856
Coping with scarcity of water supply for managing irrigation under uncertain and inadequate conditions has become part and parcel of many irrigation systems in the semiarid tropics of Asia. Based on a case study of the Kirindi Oya Irrigation and Settlement Project (KOISP) in southern Sri Lanka, this report provides evidence of the uncertain and inadequate inflow into the reservoir and its impact on the seasonal planning.
Water distribution / Seasonal variation / associations / Farmersapos / Farmer-agency interactions / Farmer participation / Flow / Reservoirs / Water demand / Water shortage / Water scarcity / Water use efficiency / Water allocation / Irrigation scheduling / Catchment areas / River basins / Case studies / Rice / Crop yield / Crop production / Rain / Irrigated farming / Irrigation programs / Water management / Irrigation management Record No:H028785
In the arid and semi-arid Indian state of Rajasthan, tanks and ponds have been a mainstay of rural communities for centuries. This paper assesses a rehabilitation strategy proposed for 1200 large tanks. It argues that treating tanks only as flow irrigation systems is very likely to result in a flawed strategy. As the experience of NGOs work shows, Rajasthanapos;s tanks belong more to the watershed development domain than to the irrigation domain and a strategy that views tanks as multi-use socio-ecological constructs, and which recognizes varied stakeholder groups is more likely to enhance the social value of tanks.
Cultivation / Cropping systems / Collective action / Non governmental organizations / Stakeholders / Tank irrigation / Irrigation systems / Multiple use / Rehabilitation / Watershed management / Tanks Record No:H028760
This research assesses the widespread transfer of government-run smallholder irrigation schemes in Africa to the management of organized groups of farmers in the light of decades of experience by various countries . The comparative study of the Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) suggests that it can work if certain preconditions are met. This research finds that IMT is unlikely to work for African smallholders. Here, the institutional alternatives most likely to succeed are those that address the whole complex set of constraints that African smallholders face.
Privatization / Farmer-led irrigation / Reform / Institutional constraints / Small scale systems / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H028393
Volume 1 of the study on Hydro-Institutional Mapping of the Olifants River Basin. This study aims to give an overview of water users and influences on water use by institutions in the Steelpoort river basin, a sub-basin of the Olifants. Describes a general methodology and framework for setting out the HIM for a river basin and presents findings from case studies in the basin. The hydro-institutional interactions among all types of water users in a South African river basin are also described.
Rural development / Water supply / Policy / Farmer-agency interactions / Conflict / Canals / Maintenance / Operations / Case studies / Industrialization / Irrigation management / Large-scale systems / Reservoirs / Dams / Water users / Water use / Water quality / Surface water / Groundwater / Constraints / Rural women / Legislation / Water policy / Water resource management / Mapping / Local government / Public sector / Private sector / Organizations / Institutions / River basins Record No:H028252
Although irrigation projects often provide water for more than crop irrigation, water allocation and management decisions often do not account for nonirrigation uses of water. Failure to account for the multiple uses of irrigation water may result in inefficient and inequitable water allocation decisions. Decision-makers often lack information on the relative economic contributions of water in irrigation and nonirrigation uses. This report addresses this problem. It examines the relative economic contributions of irrigated agriculture and reservoir fisheries in the Kirindi Oya irrigation system, located in southeastern Sri Lanka. The results of the analysis indicate the importance of both irrigated paddy production and reservoir fisheries to the local economy. They also demonstrate significant potential financial and economic gains to irrigated agriculture from improvements in water management practices.
Family labor / Models / Crop production / Productivity / Reservoirs / Fisheries / Water delivery / Water allocation / Economic evaluation / Income / Production costs / Rice / Irrigated farming / Irrigation programs / Water management / Irrigation management Record No:H028213
Dong, B.; Loeve, R.; Li, Y. H.; Chen, C. D.; Deng, L.; Molden, D. 2001. Water productivity in Zhanghe Irrigation System: issues of scale. Barker, R.; Loeve, R.; Li, Y. H.; Tuong, T. P. (Eds.). Water-saving irrigation for rice: proceedings of an international workshop held in Wuhan, China, 23-25 March 2001. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.97-115 More... | Fulltext
Crop yield / Paddy fields / Rice / Water conservation / Water stress / Water use / Reservoirs / Water productivity / Irrigation systems Record No:H027865
Analyses the participation of female farmers in the farmer organizations (FO) of minor irrigation systems and identifies factors that hamper the participation of women in decision-making processes with regard to land, cultivation and irrigation. The paper argues that participation does not necessarily result in equity and that other forms of equity interact with gender inequity in the FOs.
Constraints / Rehabilitation / Paddy Fields / Land ownership / Leadership / Decision making / associations / Farmersapos / Households / Gender / Women / Participatory management / Water scarcity / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H027767
Provides a socioeconomic analysis of Minor Irrigation (MI) investments in North Bengal. The study addresses the following questions: whether there is justification and rationale for MI subsidies in North Bengal; whether the North Bengal Terai Development Projectapos;s current subsidy policy achieves the Projectapos;s MI objectives in an efficient, sustainable and livelihood intensive manner, and if there is scope for modifying the current policies for better impact.
Credit / Farmer-led irrigation / Pumping / Shallow tube wells / Water policy / Water lifting / Small scale systems / Project appraisal / Development projects / Irrigation programs Record No:H024272
Water scarcity and salinization are major threats to sustainable irrigation in Iran as well as other parts of the world. Irrigation schemes are part of a basin and as such, irrigation research must be conducted in a basin context. For the Zayandeh Rud basin in central Iran, a simplified water and salinity basin model (WSBM) was developed for a quick analysis of river basin processes. First the model was calibrated and used for current and past water resources analyses. Despite the simplicity of the model, observed and simulated streamflows were similar, proving that the model could be used for scenario analyses. The first senario was set up to analyze the effect of more efficient irrigation techniques on the basin water resources, where it was assumed that farmers would never accept lower water allocations if they invest in these more efficient techniques. As a consequence of this, return flows will decrease, resulting in less water available for downstream users. It was concluded that the effect on the downstream irrigation schemes was dramatic, with a 22% decrease in yield. Obviously, upstream yields will increase. A second scenario was defined where the effect of an increase of water extraction for the town of Esfahan was evaluated. In terms of basin-scale water quantity aspects this increased extraction is negligible as extractions are relatively low and return flows are high. The last scenario was developed to study the additional releases required from the reservoir to provide sufficient water for expansion of the tail-end Rudasht irrigation scheme. If no restriction is imposed on water quality, additional releases from the reservoir are limited. However, if salinity levels are not to exceed 2 dS m-1, mean annual water release requirements from the reservoir will increase from 52 to 64 m3 s-1, and peak requirements during the irrigation season will increase from 85 to 112 m3 s-1. Finally, it was concluded that the methodology and the model developed were useful for a swift and transparent analysis of past, current and future water and salt resources, and to perform scenario analyses.
Reservoirs / Stream flow / Irrigation programs / Hydrology / River Basins / Simulation models / Salinity Record No:H040652
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, Hammou; van der Hoek, Wim. 2000. Multiple use of irrigation water in dry regions of Africa and South-Asia. Paper presented at the International Conference “Water and Health – Ouaga 2000. Health and Nutritional Impacts of Water Development Projects in Africa,” Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 21-24 November 2000. Communication texts, Volume I, Session 1B - 51-58. 9p. More...
Risks / Public health / Water storage / Reservoirs / Arid zones / Irrigation canals / Tanks / Water scarcity / Domestic water / Water use / Irrigation water Record No:H036033
Boelee, Eline; Laamrani, H; van der Hoek, Wim. 2000. Usage multiple de l’eau d’irrigation en zones arides d’Afrique et d’Asie du Sud. Paper presented at the International Conference “Water and Health – Ouaga 2000. Health and Nutritional Impacts of Water Development Projects in Africa,” Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 21-24 November 2000. Communication texts, Volume I, Session 1B - 51-58. 7p. More...
Risks / Public health / Water storage / Reservoirs / Arid zones / Irrigation canals / Domestic water / Water use / Irrigation water Record No:H036030
Monograph prepared as part of a long-term research program in IWMI and as a contribution to the World Water Vision of the World Water Commission (WWC 2000)
Models / Water use / Reservoirs / Water storage / Productivity / Irrigation water / Pricing / Water rates / Groundwater depletion / Rain-fed farming / Irrigation efficiency / Agricultural policy / Food supply / Agricultural policy / Water demand / Water supply / Water scarcity Record No:H035067
Arid zones / Food production / Vegetables / Poverty / Gender / Women / Water use / Water availability / attitudes / Farmersapos / Small scale systems / Drip irrigation Record No:H028677
Water scarcity and salinization are major threats to sustainable irrigation in Iran as well as other parts of the world. Irrigation schemes are part of a basin and as such, irrigation research must be conducted in a basin context. For the Zayandeh Rud basin in central Iran, a simplified Water and Salinity Basin Model (WSBM) was developed for a quick analysis of river basin processes. First the model was calibrated and used for current and past water resources analyses. Despite the simplicity of the model, observed and simulated stream flows were similar, proving that the model could be used for scenario analyses. The first scenario was setup to analyze the effect of more efficient irrigation techniques on the basin water resources. As a consequence of these efficient irrigation practices, return flows will decrease, resulting in less water available for downstream users. It was concluded that the effect on the downstream irrigation schemes was dramatic, with a 22% decrease in yield. A second scenario was defined where the effect of an increase of water extraction for Esfahan was evaluated. In terms of basin scale water quantity aspects this increased extraction is negligible as extractions are relatively low and return flows are high. The last scenario was developed to study the additional releases required from the reservoir to provide sufficient water for expansion of the tail-end Rudasht irrigation scheme. If no restriction is imposed on water quality, additional releases from the reservoir are limited. However, if salinity levels are not to exceed 2 dS m-1, mean annual water release requirements from the reservoir will increase from 52 m3 s-1 to 64 m3 s-1, and peak reuirements during the irrigation season will increase from 85 to 112 m3 s-1. Finally, it was concluded that the methodology and the model developed were useful for a swift and transparent analysis of past, current and future water and salt resources, and to perform scenario analyses.
Water quality / Reservoirs / Stream flow / Irrigation programs / Hydrology / River Basins / Simulation models / Salinity Record No:H028243
Murray-Rust, H.; Sally, H.; Salemi, H. R.; Mamanpoush, A. 2000. An overview of the hydrology of the Zayandeh Rud Basin. : Karaj, Iran: Iranian Agricultural Engineering Research Institute (IAERI); Esfahan, Iran: Esfahan Agricultural Research Center (EARC); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 19p. (IAERI-IWMI Research Report 3) More... | Fulltext (308.27KB)
Irrigation systems / Climate / Water balance / Reservoirs / Water use / Hydrology / River basins Record No:H028241
Molden, D. J.; Sakthivadivel, R.; Keller, J. 2000. The use of hydronomic zones for interpreting irrigation performance in a basin context. In Davids, G. G.; Anderson, S. S. (Eds.), Benchmarking irrigation system performance using water measurement and water balances: Proceedings from the 1999 USCID Water Management Conference, San Luis Obispo, California, March 10-13, 1999. Denver, CO, USA: USCID. pp.55-70 More...
Reservoirs / Salinity / Groundwater / Drainage / Percolation / Seepage / Runoff / Performance evaluation / Irrigation water / Water conservation / Water management / Water balance / River basin development Record No:H027945
Kite, G. 2000. Application of the SLURP basin model. In Al-Soufi, R. W. (Ed.), Proceedings of the Workshop on Hydrologic and Environmental Modelling in the Mekong Basin, 11-12 September 2000, Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Mekong River Commission. Technical Support Division. pp.22-29 More...
Fisheries / Climate / Reservoirs / Stream flow / Evapotranspiration / Water balance / Runoff / Precipitation / Hydrology / River basins / Simulation models Record No:H027280
Examines the extent to which the Government of Indonesiaapos;s aspirations were realized through turnover program adopted in 1987. The impacts of management turnover on irrigation management and irrigated agriculture in selected systems in West and Central Java are analyzed. This study is part of a comparative research program to examine the impacts of irrigation management transfer in several countries using a common methodology.
Costs / Economic impact / Crop yield / Productivity / Maintenance / Operations / Performance / Water distribution / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Privatization / Irrigation management Record No:H026189
Water user associations / Financing / Rehabilitation / Water rights / Land tenure / Policy / Small scale systems / Irrigated farming Record No:H036682
Bakker, M. 2000. Multiple uses of water in the Kirindi Oya Irrigation System, Sri Lanka. In Samad, M.; Wijesekera, N. T. S.; Birch, A. (Eds.). Status and future direction of water research in Sri Lanka: proceedings of the National Conference held at the BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4-6 November, 1998. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.29-37 More... | Fulltext (0.54 MB)
Water policy / Water scarcity / Sustainability / Equity / Conflict / Fisheries / Livestock / Crop production / Water use efficiency / Irrigation programs Record No:H023553
Gunaratne, K. M. 2000. Economic impacts of irrigation water management: Huruluwewa Major Irrigation Scheme. In Samad, M.; Wijesekera, N. T. S.; Birch, A. (Eds.). Status and future direction of water research in Sri Lanka: proceedings of the National Conference held at the BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4-6 November, 1998. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.49-57 More... | Fulltext (0.77 MB)
Case studies / Water use / Diversification / Crops / associations / Farmersapos / Reservoirs / Irrigation programs / Economic impact / Irrigation management Record No:H023546
Matsuno, Y.; Elkaduwa, W. K. B.; Shinogi, Y. 2000. Irrigation water quality in the southeastern dry zone of Sri Lanka: the Kirindi Oya Scheme. In Samad, M.; Wijesekera, N. T. S.; Birch, A. (Eds.). Status and future direction of water research in Sri Lanka: proceedings of the National Conference held at the BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4-6 November, 1998. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.89-100 More... | Fulltext (0.67 MB)
Case studies / Salinity control / Conjunctive use / Reservoirs / Drainage / Groundwater / Arid zones / Water quality / Irrigation water Record No:H023529
Jensen, P. K.; Matsuno, Y.; van der Hoek, W. 1999. Limitations of irrigation water quality guidelines from a multiple use perspective. In International Water Management Institute (IWMI). Collaborative research on the improvement of irrigation operation and management: water quality investigations. Final report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.31-38 More...
Water supply / Domestic water / Multiple use / Irrigation water / Guidelines / Water quality Record No:H024795
Costs / Economic impact / Crop yield / Productivity / Maintenance / Operations / Performance / Water distribution / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Privatization / Irrigation management Record No:H026715
Sakthivadivel, R.; Thiruvengadachari, S.; Amarasinghe, U. A. 1999. Intervention analysis of an irrigation system using a structured system concept. In FAO; International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Research Centre for Agriculture and Environmental Engineering (Cemagref); Water and Land Management Institute Maharashtra (WALMI). Modernization of irrigation system operations: proceedings of the Fifth International ITIS [Information Techniques for Irrigation Systems] Network Meeting, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, 28-30 October 1998. Bangkok, Thailand: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. pp.53-80 (FAO RAP Publication 99/43) More... | Fulltext
Credit / attitudes / Farmersapos / Farmer participation / Remote sensing / Water management / Water deficit / Water use / Water distribution / Performance evaluation / Reservoirs / Modernization / Irrigation programs Record No:H026200
Participatory management / Irrigation management / Irrigation scheduling / Water lifting / Water measurement / Training / Maintenance / Operations / associations / Farmersapos / Social organization / Irrigation systems / Reservoirs / Design / Dam construction Record No:H024893
Sedimentation / Soil salinity / Water pollution / Discharges / Effluents / Water quality / Erosion / Deforestation / Institutions / Reservoirs / Hydrology / Water users / Soils / Climate / Environmental effects Record No:H025328
Godaliyadda, G. G. A.; Renault, D. 1999. Improved irrigation system operation through subsystem approach. In ICID, 17th Congress on Irrigation and Drainage, Granada, Spain, 1999: Water for Agriculture in the Next Millennium - Transactions, Vol.1A, Q.48: Irrigation under conditions of water scarcity; Q.48.1: Management of irrigation systems and strategies to optimize the use of irrigation water; 48.2: Techniques to promote water saving in irrigation. New Delhi, India: ICID. pp.67-83 More...
Frequently there is a gap between national guidelines for irrigation operations and field practices. National guidelines are often too general and imprecise for application to site specific conditions. Analysis of current national level recommendations in Sri Lanka supports these observations. A methodology is proposed to close this gap based on the analysis of the main characteristics affecting system operations. A generic typology for canal operation is proposed and applied for the operation of Major/Medium irrigation systems in Sri Lanka. The analysis shows that the schemes are homogeneous in terms of apos;Waterapos; characteristics. Systems are also homogeneous in their service objectives as described by the apos;Consumerapos; characteristics of the typology. Considering the physical operational characteristics apos;System amp; Structuresapos;, Sri Lankan systems are differentiated by the presence or absence of internal storage with respect to the apos;Storageapos; criterion. The maximum partitioning of schemes is found at the apos;Networksapos; level, where source of supply, Return-flows, canal topography, and Runoff criteria enable identification of characteristics with operational significance. A survey of 64 irrigation systems in Sri Lanka led to their classification into four main types. Irrigation systems can be divided using the same criteria as in the typology, in order to identify homogeneous subsystems for operation. An application of the subsystem approach is given for one particular project, and various considerations on strategies on how to improve the performance has been investigated. Improving normal operations produces limited results in terms of increasing the water management efficiency. Inversely volume controlled techniques aiming at, to properly manage positive fluctuations of flows present a high potential of improvements.
Irrigation canals / Irrigation programs / Recycling / Reservoirs / Irrigation operation / Irrigation systems Record No:H025064
Describes the application of a standard methodology developed by IWMI to assess the impact of irrigation management transfer on the performance of irrigation schemes. Includes detailed analysis of the effects of participatory management on the performance of irrigation schemes in Sri Lanka.
Models / Regression analysis / Large-scale systems / Small scale systems / Government managed irrigation systems / Farmer participation / Participatory management / Returns / Economic aspects / Irrigation management / Operating costs / Indicators / Performance evaluation / Policy / Privatization Record No:H025058
Households / Gender / Water supply / Water delivery / Fisheries / Livestock / Policy / Farmer participation / Water allocation / Water distribution / Farmer-agency interactions / associations / Farmersapos / Field crops / Irrigated farming / Water users / Water rights / Irrigation management / Water use / Irrigation programs Record No:H024969
International cooperation / GIS / Training / Data collection / Water delivery / Dams / Reservoirs / River basin development / Project planning / Canals / Irrigation programs Record No:H024853
The final report of this project documents the lessons learned by researchers, social organizers, agency personnel and farmers. The project has demonstrated the willingness and ability of farmers and agency personnel to manage the land and water resources of the area jointly. The view of the researchers is that the small dams offer an excellent opportunity for the promotion of reforms in the irrigation sector.
Water user associations / Social organization / Organizational development / Diagnostic techniques / Research institutes / Crop yield / Cropping systems / Land tenure / Irrigation programs / Small scale systems / Dams / Sustainability / Irrigated farming / Farmer participation / Participatory management / Irrigation management Record No:H024724
Sakthivadivel, R.; Thiruvengadachari, S.; Amarasinghe, U. A. 1999. Intervention analysis of an irrigation system using a structured system concept. In Renault, D. (Ed.). Modernization of irrigation system operations: proceedings of the Fifth International ITIS [Information Techniques for Irrigation Systems] Network Meeting, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, 28-30 October 1998. Meeting organized by International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Research Center for Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (Cemagref); FAO; Water and Land Management Institute Maharashtra (WALMI). [Later published by FAO in 1999]. pp.43-65 More... | Fulltext (118085 bytes)
Agricultural credit / Farmer participation / Productivity / Rice / Performance evaluation / Satellite surveys / Remote sensing / Irrigation systems / Modernization / Development projects / Water management / Reservoirs Record No:H024644
Water is being transferred out of agriculture to meet the growing demand in other areas, often without an agreement of or compensation to farmers with irrigated land and water rights. Furthermore, there is a failure to recognize that irrigation systems supply water not only for the main fields, but also for domestic uses, home gardens, trees and other permanent vegetation, and livestock. Other productive uses include fishing, harvesting of aquatic plants and animals, and a variety of other enterprises such as brick making. In addition, irrigation systems can have a positive or negative effect on wildlife habitats. Thus, the withdrawal of water affects the rural household, rural economy, and the environment in a number of ways. This paper argues that to ensure efficient, equitable, and sustainable water use, to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of the community, irrigation and water resources policies need to take into account all uses and users of water within the irrigation system. The multiple uses of water in the Kirindi Oya irrigation system are examined in this paper. An interdisciplinary group of scientists have investigated a number of areas including water accounting, water quality, household water use, the valuing of water for alternative uses, and the complementarities, competition, and conflicts among uses and users.
Case studies / Water costs / Pricing / Households / Gender / Water rights / Water user associations / Domestic water / Water quality / Water policy / Water resources development / Irrigated farming / Water use efficiency / Water allocation / Water management Record No:H024568
Fish farming / Gender / Women / Water rates / Health / Waterborne diseases / Water pollution / Water quality / Livestock / Households / Water use / Water allocation / Distributary canals / Irrigation canals Record No:H023176
Case studies / Institutions / Fisheries / Livestock / Social aspects / Health / Water quality / Irrigation water / Irrigation canals / Water use / Irrigation programs Record No:H023450
Bakker. M. 1998. Valuing the multiple uses of water. In Matsuno, Y.; van der Hoek, W.; Ranawake, M. (Eds.), Irrigation water management and the Bundala National Park: Proceedings of the Workshop on Water Quality of the Bundala Lagoons, held at IIMI, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 03 April 1998. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IWMI. pp.33-37 More...
Ecosystems / Lagoons / Drainage / Water use / Irrigation programs Record No:H023710
Panabokke, C. R. 1998. Hydrology of KOISP and the Bundala National Park. In Matsuno, Y.; van der Hoek, W.; Ranawake, M. (Eds.), Irrigation water management and the Bundala National Park: Proceedings of the Workshop on Water Quality of the Bundala Lagoons, held at IIMI, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 03 April 1998. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IWMI. pp.7-10 More... | Fulltext
Water quality / Reservoirs / Lagoons / Hydrology Record No:H023708
Sustainability / Water resource management / Water conservation / Water use / Environmental effects / Watershed management / Rehabilitation / Small scale systems / Tank irrigation / Irrigation management / Participatory management / Water user associations / Water policy / Privatization Record No:H023510
Shinogi, Y.; Makin, I. W.; Witharana, D. D. P. 1998. Simulation of the water balance in a dry zone tank cascade. Paper 68 of Session 2. In International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI). National Water Conference on Status and Future Directions of Water Research in Sri Lanka, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 4-6 November 1998. Session 1: Rainwater harvesting; Session 2: Planning and managing water resource systems; Session 3: Rural and urban water supply. Research papers presented. 21p. More... | Fulltext (0.96 MB)
Villages / Calibrations / Simulation models / Hydrology / Water balance / Reservoirs / Tanks Record No:H023493
Explores the theoretical and actual responses of farmers faced with irrigation supplies that are limited in relation to available land and labor resources, and where the actual schedule and available volume for delivery are uncertain.
Yield / Uncertainty / Reservoirs / Water delivery / Water scarcity / Water supply / Water allocation / Irrigation scheduling / Irrigated farming / Agricultural production / Evapotranspiration / Water use efficiency / Water resource management Record No:H022447
Konradsen, F.; Amerasinghe, F. P.; Amerasinghe, P. H.; Matsuno, Y.; van der Hoek, W. 1998. Vector control linked to small-scale irrigation in Sri Lanka. In Konradsen, F.; van der Hoek, W. (Eds.), Health and irrigation: Proceedings of the Copenhagen Workshop on Health and Irrigation held in Eigtvedapos;s Pakhus, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Asiatisk Plads 2, DK, 1448 Copenhagen, Denmark, 18-20 August 1997. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IIMI. pp.3-4 More...
Public health / Waterborne diseases / Malaria / Disease vectors / Small scale systems / Tank irrigation Record No:H022053
Indicators / Water pollution / Reservoirs / Water quality / Canals / Irrigation scheduling / Water user associations / Water rates / Water rights / Water law / Irrigation management / Irrigation efficiency / Performance indexes Record No:H040339
Indicators / Water pollution / Reservoirs / Water quality / Canals / Irrigation scheduling / Water user associations / Water rates / Water rights / Water law / Irrigation management / Irrigation efficiency / Performance indexes Record No:H021660
Presents a methodology for planning the rehabilitation and improvement of small-scale irrigation systems within the context of the water basin when information on hydrology and water use is inadequate. The methodology is useful to those undertaking irrigation rehabilitation projects in similar circumstances, and it may also be extended to water resources planning in many other circumstances.
Arid zones / Water resources development / River Basin development / Farmer participation / Conflict / Reservoirs / Small-scale systems / Tank irrigation / Rehabilitation / Irrigation systems Record No:H021491
Deforestation / Sedimentation / Reservoirs / Production costs / Irrigated farming / Maintenance / Operations / Water distribution / Analysis / Privatization / Irrigation systems / Irrigation programs / Irrigation management Record No:H021270
Panabokke, C. R. 1997. Mitigating salinity problems in the Old Ellegala Irrigation System. In Panabokke, C. R.; Haq, K. A.; Samarasekera, B. M. S. (Eds.), Seasonal planning procedures to improve irrigation management performance: How Kirindi Oya experience can be transferred to NIRP schemes. Proceedings of the Workshop on Seasonal Planning Procedures to Improve Irrigation Management Performance: How Kirindi Oya experience of IIMI/ID can be transferred to NIRP schemes, held at the Irrigation Department, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 16 May 1994. Colombo, Sri Lanka: IIMI. pp.43-54 More...
Drainage / Rice / Salinity / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Irrigation programs Record No:H020988
Ouattara, S.; Dembele, Y.; Zida, Z. 1997. Les pratiques culturales dans les petits perimetres irrigues. Sally, H. (Ed.), Ameliorer les performances des perimetres irrigues: Les actes du Seminaire Regional du Project Management de lapos;Irrigation au Burkina Faso, 24-26 Juillet 1996, Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: IIMI. Burkina Faso. pp.171-195 More...
Fertilizers / Crop production / Rice / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H020280
Zida,Z.; Dembele, Y.; Ouattara, S. 1997. Les systemes de culture dans les petits perimetres irrigues. Sally, H. (Ed.), Ameliorer les performances des perimetres irrigues: Les actes du Seminaire Regional du Project Management de lapos;Irrigation au Burkina Faso, 24-26 Juillet 1996, Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: IIMI. Burkina Faso. pp.137-170 More...
Crop production / Rice / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H020279
Water rights / Water rates / Costs / Maintenance / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H020278
Sandwidi, J. P.; Keita, A. 1997. La gestion de l'eau et des infrastructures des petits perimetres irrigues. Sally, H. (Ed.), Ameliorer les performances des perimetres irrigues: Les actes du Seminaire Regional du Project Management de lapos;Irrigation au Burkina Faso, 24-26 Juillet 1996, Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: IIMI. Burkina Faso. pp.89-120 More...
Irrigation management / Water management / Irrigated farming / Rice / Infrastructure / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H020277
Ouattara, M. 1997. La viabilite des petits perimetres irrigues. Sally, H. (Ed.), Ameliorer les performances des perimetres irrigues: Les actes du Seminaire Regional du Project Management de lapos;Irrigation au Burkina Faso, 24-26 Juillet 1996, Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: IIMI. Burkina Faso. pp.69-88 More...
Economic aspects / Irrigated farming / Small scale systems / Irrigation systems Record No:H020276
Agricultural research / Farmer-led irrigation / Social organization / Water user associations / Research institutes / Maintenance / Irrigation operation / Water users / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Dams / Sustainability / Irrigated farming / Participatory management / Irrigation management Record No:H019732
Report, Projet dapos;appui institutionnel au Ministere de lapos;eau pour la recherche-developpement en management de lapos;irrigation au Burkina Faso. Projet no.F/BUF/DIN-AI/DMI/90/3
Operations / Reservoirs / Water management / Indicators / Irrigation systems / Diagnostic techniques / Irrigation management / Performance evaluation Record No:H009196
This report presents a methodology for planning the rehabilitation and improvement of small-scale irrigation systems within the context of the water basin when information on hydrology and water use is inadequate. It was developed for planning the rehabilitation and improvement of small tank systems in the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The methodology is useful to those undertaking irrigation rehabilitation projects in similar circumstances and it may also be extended to water resources planning in many other circumstances.
Rehabilitation / Groundwater / Surface water / Hydrology / Small scale systems / Irrigated farming / Water resource management / Tank irrigation Record No:H018073
The last few decades Sri Lanka has made detennined efforts for crop diversification to raise farm production and improve the quality of life of the farmers. Significant progress has also been made and a large area has been brought under different crops, especially, chili and big onion, two very important cash crops. Most of these developments have occurred in medium and major schemes resulting in significant increases in the cropping intensity as well as in the participation of farmers. Minor schemes which command around 42 percent of the total irrigated area of the country, however did not benefit much from the crop diversification program and their cropping intensity to fluctuate between 80 percent and 90 percent for nearly half a century. At the same time, because of increasingly reduced return from rice farming, many farmers in these schemes are looking for off farm employment to make a living. To understand the technical and socioeconomic dynamics and develop strategies for crop diversification in minor schemes, the Irrigation Research Management Unit (IRMU) of the Irrigation Department (ID) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka National Program (SLNP) of the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) organized a consultation workshop on strategies for Crop diversification in Minor Irrigation Schemes. This volume is the report of the proceedings of the above workshop held at the Irrigation Department, Colombo, Sri Lanka on 20 February, 1996. The workshop provided an opportunity to the participants from different organizations to exchange experiences and identify new approaches to crop diversification.
Groundwater / Water management / attitudes / Farmersapos / Labor / Crop production / Field crops / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Constraints / Cropping systems / Rice / Diversification / Crops / Small scale systems / Irrigation management / Irrigation programs Record No:H019767
Flow control / Simulation models / Computer models / Tank irrigation / Conjunctive use / Wells / Water lifting / Downstream control / associations / Farmersapos / Women / Performance evaluation / Maintenance / Distributary canals / Privatization / Monitoring / Farmer participation / Rehabilitation / Development projects / Small scale systems / Irrigation programs / Technology transfer / Training / Research priorities / Research policy / Agricultural research / Infrastructure / Research institutes / Institution building / Irrigation management Record No:H023104
Since time immemorial, people in South Asia have collected rainfall runoff in small storage reservoirs (called tanks) for later use in agricultural production, for domestic use and watering of livestock. A unique feature of the tanks in Sri Lanka is that often several of the tanks are linked together through a canal. The resulting cascade of tanks should then be managed as one system. The Thirappane cascade, which is the topic of this study, falls within the catchment area of a much bigger reservoir, Nachchaduwa. The latter was built around 900 AD, and restored in 1906, when many of the tanks still in use now were surveyed and restored to use. Cascade management, however, was not always carried out properly and restoration work not done, that the skills to do so were lost. The management of these interconnected tanks presents many interesting questions, the answers to which hitherto have not been fully explored. The effectiveness of storage-based irrigation systems was such that over time more and more people were attracted to the command areas of the tanks and many of the systems became unsustainable due to overcrowding. The objective of this study was a limited one, i.e., to explore through simple water balance modelling several improved management options for a particular set of tanks in the Thirappane Cascade and to examine how the tank cascade can be stabilized through structural modifications. The water balance model developed for this purpose has deliberately been kept simple, requiring only data that can be easily collected in the field.
Tank irrigation / Reservoirs / Watershed management / Agricultural production / Rehabilitation / Simulation models / Water balance / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management Record No:H018427
The KOISP Project Impact Evaluation Study was a collaborative research effort between the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) and the Agrarian Research and Institute (ARTI) with the former having the overall responsibility. The two institutes shared responsibility of hiring and fielding the research team. Consultants Ruhunu University have also been engaged by IIMI through a research contract. The broad objective of the project was to attempt to assess the overall effects of the interventions as implemented under the KOISP. More specifically, the objectives of the were to i) identify and measure KOISP outputs and trends; (ii) to measure the benefits and evaluate the impacts of the project and (iii) to conduct a cost-benefit of the KOISP.
associations / Farmersapos / Institution building / Erosion / Irrigation systems / Salinity / Ecology / Environment / Forestry / Livestock / Agricultural extension / Farm economics / Rice / Crop production / Households / Transport / Nutrition / Education / Public health / Living conditions / Social aspects / Economic aspects / Land use / attitudes / Farmersapos / Reservoirs / Irrigation systems / Land use / Settlement / Land development / River basins / Cost benefit analysis / Project management / Project appraisal / Irrigation programs Record No:H017073
A salinity management model is developed for analysing an irrigation system (small or large), which consists of a hydro-salinity submodel, a soil moisture chemistry submodel, and a groundwater salinity submodel. The hydro -salinity submodel calculates water and salt budgets for an irrigation system in order to determine the recharge rate into the groundwater reservoir. The soil moisture chemistry submodel predicts soil moisture movement and transport of solutes in the unsaturated soil profile considering the cation exchange, precipitation and dissolution of gypsum and lime in the soil solution. The three-dimensional groundwater salinity submodel predicts the spatial and temporal changes in groundwater salinity, as well as temporal variations in the salinity of pumped water.
Soil moisture / Water budget / Reservoirs / Recharge / Groundwater / Irrigation systems / Models / Salinity control Record No:H017564
In this workshop the participants identified five priority areas of concern relative to sustainable management of groundwater irrigation by farmers:1) aquifer drawdown; 2) FMIS groundwaterwater support services, 3) management problems under water-surplus conditions; 4) management problems under water-deficit conditions; 5) management problems in conjunctive use areas .
Water user associations / Farmer-led irrigation / Sprinkler irrigation / Surface irrigation / Case studies / Small scale systems / Agricultural development / Aquifers / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Sustainability / Tube well irrigation / Conjunctive use / Groundwater management / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H015148
The efforts of IIMI/PMI-BF to assess irrigation water use from small reservoirs in Burkina Faso led to the development of a software called DIG. This program, written in Quick Basic 4.5, is a simple data processing tool which respects the international norm CUA (Common User Access) that greatly facilitates learning new software.; The version 1.1 of DIG, presented in this paper, allows the calculation of discharges and volumes of water from chronological measurements of water depths over rectangular orifices and weirs. The results are generated either as quot;elementary volumesquot; (i.e. function of the chronological structure of input data), or any other time step e.g. daily, 2 days, 5 days...; All the input data and the output results can be easily printed. Furthermore, it is possible to export the results towards spreadsheet software like Quattro Pro or Lotus 123 for producing graphics or performing other calculations.
Reservoirs / Water measurement / Weirs / Flow discharge / Water distribution / Computer software Record No:H014519
Legoupil, J. C. 1994. Prospects for farmer management of small irrigation schemes: The West African experience. In Thomas, J. A.; Stilwell, W. J. (Eds./Comps.), Proceedings of the International Workshop on Smallholder Irrigation: Community participation and Sustainable Development, Kruger National Park, South Africa, April 1993. Pretoria, South Africa: Water Research Commission. pp.26-49 More...
Legislation / Farmer-led irrigation / Colonialism / Land management / Land tenure / associations / Farmersapos / Cooperatives / Irrigated farming / Economic development / Social development / Food production / Small scale systems / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Irrigation programs Record No:H017760
Reservoirs / Drainage / Training / Agricultural production / Farmer participation / Rice / Irrigation management Record No:H015712
Mandal, M. A. S.; Parker, D. E. 1994. The evolution and implications of decreased public involvement in minor irrigation management in Bangladesh. In IIMI; Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electrical Engineering. International Conference on Irrigation Management Transfer, Wuhan, China, 20-24 September 1994. Draft conference papers. Vol.2. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI); Wuhan, China: Wuhan University of Hydraulic and Electrical Engineering. pp.155-170. More... | Fulltext
Public ownership / Irrigation management / Privatization / Performance / Small scale systems Record No:H015455
IRRIGATION Management Institute (IIMI) and the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARC), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, initiated a collaborative study in August 1991. This joint study is focused on small-scale tank irrigation systems which are spread over the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, and is conducted with the assistance of Sri Lankaapos;s Department of Agrarian Services.
Water conveyance / Water balance / Crop-based irrigation / Irrigation management / Small scale systems / Tank irrigation / Water management Record No:H013356
Brewer, J. D. 1991. Lessons from small scale irrigation systems in Indonesia. In Parlin, B. W.; Lusk, M. W. (Eds.) Farmer participation and irrigation organization. Boulder, CO, USA: Westview Press. pp.217-225 (Studies in water policy and management, no.17) More...
Maintenance / Water allocation / Water distribution / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems Record No:H012138
Experiences from Hambantota District tank settlement project, Sri Lanka where the author did research on the contributions of a non-governmental organization in improving small-scale irrigation systems.
Tank irrigation / Farmer agency interactions / Water users / Governmental interrelations / Social participation / Non-governmental organizations / Small scale systems / Irrigation management Record No:H006321
Water conveyance / Farmer-led irrigation / Water rights / Small scale systems / Hydraulic structures / Water distribution / Irrigation canals / Farmer participation / Design / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H007273
Small scale systems / Farmer participation / Rural development / Rehabilitation / Irrigation systems / Non-governmental organizations Record No:H006330
This paper presents a set of guidelines for rapid evaluation of an irrigation system, developed by IIMI staff in cooperation with staff from the Regional Development Division and Badulla District office of the Integrated Development Projects. A one-day workshop on rapid assessment methodologies suitable for minor (small-scale) irrigation systems in Sri Lanka was held at IIMI Headquarters in August 1988. Representatives who participated in ongoing projects to improve minor irrigation systems were from the three Sri Lankan agencies, the Irrigation Department, the Department of Agrarian Services, and the Regional Development Division of the Ministry of Plan Implementation, which oversees the district-level Integrated Rural Development Projects.
Rapid methods / Project appraisal / Evaluation / Monitoring / Irrigation / Small scale systems Record No:H005743
Small scale systems / Evaluation / Monitoring / Irrigation programs Record No:H06605
International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI); Nepal. Ministry of Water Resources. Water and Energy Commission Secretariat. 1989. Public intervention in farmer-managed irrigation systems. Digana Village, Sri Lanka: International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) 310p. More... | Fulltext (0.16 MB)
Papers presented at the Conference on Public Intervention in Farmer-Managed Irrigation Systems, Kathmandu, Nepal, 3-6 August 1986, sponsored by the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) in collaboration with the Water amp; Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS) of the Ministry of Water Resources of Government of Nepal.
Farmer-agency interactions / Farmer-led irrigation / Rehabilitation / Evaluation / Farmer participation / Resource management / Small scale systems / Farmer managed irrigation systems Record No:H005413
Rehabilitation / Farmer-led irrigation / Farmer managed irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Irrigation design / Land ownership / Water rights Record No:H004835
This report concerns the requirements for replicating the capability for hydraulic modeling of irrigation main systems with the USU Main System Hydraulic Model at different project sites and different countries. The computerized model was developed at Utah State University (USU) under the Water Management Synthesis II Project, funded and assisted by USAID through the Consortium for International Development. The information contained herein complements that which is found in the userapos;s manual for the model
Small scale systems / Water control / Flow regulators / Computer techniques / Irrigation canals / Irrigation programs / Mathematical models / Hydraulics / Simulation models Record No:H03422
Several forms of participatory management are either experimented with, in use, or have been in use in Sri Lanka by various agencies (government, semi-government, and voluntary). An overview of village irrigation systems in Sri Lanka, with reference to ongoing irrigation development efforts and particular irrigation management needs is presented, as well as priority research issues relevant to small-scale irrigation systems.
Small scale systems / Farmer participation / Irrigation management Record No:H001712