Displaying 656 publications
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
Negash, E. D.; Asfaw, Wegayehu; Walsh, C. L.; Mengistie, G. K.; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru. 2023.
Effects of land use land cover change on streamflow of Akaki Catchment, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 9(3):78.
[DOI] More... |
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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
Oke, Adebayo Olubukola; Cofie, Olufunke O.; Merrey, D. J. 2023.
The link between small reservoir infrastructure and farmer-led irrigation: case study of Ogun Watershed in southwestern Nigeria. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 28p.
(IWMI Working Paper 206) [DOI] More... |
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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
Foudi , S.; McCartney, Matthew; Markandya, A.; Pascual, U. 2023.
The impact of multipurpose dams on the values of nature’s contributions to people under a water-energy-food nexus framing. Ecological Economics, 206:107758.
[DOI] More... 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
Akpoti, K.; Higginbottom, T. P.; Foster, T.; Adhikari, R.; Zwart, Sander J. 2022.
Mapping land suitability for informal, small-scale irrigation development using spatial modelling and machine learning in the Upper East Region, Ghana. Science of the Total Environment, 803:149959.
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation has gained momentum in recent years as one of the development priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, farmer-led irrigation is often informal with little support from extension services and a paucity of data on land suitability for irrigation. To map the spatial explicit suitability for dry season small-scale irrigation, we developed a method using an ensemble of boosted regression trees, random forest, and maximum entropy machine learning models for the Upper East Region of Ghana. Both biophysical predictors including surface and groundwater availability, climate, topography and soil properties, and socio-economic predictors which represent demography and infrastructure development such as accessibility to cities and proximity to roads were considered. We assessed that 179,584 49,853 ha is suitable for dry-season small-scale irrigation development when only biophysical variables are considered, and 158,470 27,222 ha when socio-economic variables are included alongside the biophysical predictors, representing 77-89% of the current rainfed-croplands. Travel time to cities, accessibility to small reservoirs, exchangeable sodium percentage, surface runoff that can be potentially stored in reservoirs, population density, proximity to roads, and elevation percentile were the top predictors of small-scale irrigation suitability. These results suggested that the availability of water alone is not a sufficient indicator for area suitability for small-scale irrigation. This calls for strategic road infrastructure development and an improvement in the support to farmers for market accessibility. The suitability for small-scale irrigation should be put in the local context of market availability, demographic indicators, and infrastructure development.
Socioeconomic aspects / Population density / Reservoirs / Forecasting / Dry season / Soil properties / Land cover / Land use / Water availability / Groundwater / Semiarid zones / Food security / Machine learning / Modelling / Land suitability / Small scale systems / Farmer-led irrigation
Record No:H050670
Ghansah, B.; Foster, T.; Higginbottom, T. P.; Adhikari, R.; Zwart, Sander J. 2022.
Monitoring spatial-temporal variations of surface areas of small reservoirs in Ghana’s Upper East Region using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and machine learning. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 125:103082.
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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.
Machine learning / Satellite imagery / Climate variability / Remote sensing / Reservoirs
Record No:H050847
Bellwood-Howard, I.; Thompson, J.; Shamsudduha, M.; Taylor, R. G.; Mosha, D. B.; Gebrezgi, Gebrehaweria; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; Kashaigili, J. J.; Nazoumou, Y.; Tiekoura, O. 2022.
A multicriteria analysis of groundwater development pathways in three river basins in Sub-Saharan Africa. Environmental Science and Policy, 138:26-43.
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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
Obahoundje, S.; Diedhiou, A.; Dubus, L.; Alamou, E. A.; Amoussou, E.; Akpoti, Komlavi; Ofosu, Eric Antwi. 2022.
Modeling climate change impact on inflow and hydropower generation of Nangbeto Dam in West Africa using multi-model CORDEX ensemble and ensemble machine learning. Applied Energy, 325:119795.
[DOI] More... 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
van Koppen, Barbara. 2022.
Living customary water tenure in rights-based water management in Sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 41p.
(IWMI Research Report 183) [DOI] More... |
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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
Li, D.; Lu, X.; Walling, D. E.; Zhang, T.; Steiner, J. F.; Wasson, R. J.; Harrison, S.; Nepal, Santosh; Nie, Y.; Immerzeel, W. W.; Shugar, D. H.; Koppes, M.; Lane, S.; Zeng, Z.; Sun, X.; Yegorov, A.; Bolch, T. 2022.
High Mountain Asia hydropower systems threatened by climate-driven landscape instability. Nature Geoscience, 15(7):520-530.
[DOI] More... 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.
Lakes / Reservoirs / Dams / Resilience / Erosion / Sediment load / Rain / Floods / Extreme weather events / Snowmelt / Glaciers / Landscape / Mountains / Climate change / Hydropower
Record No:H051234
Re, V.; Manzione, R. L.; Abiye, T. A.; Mukherji, Aditi; MacDonald, A. 2022.
Groundwater for sustainable livelihoods and equitable growth. Leiden, Netherlands: CRC Press - Balkema 367p.
(IAH - International Contributions to Hydrogeology 30) [DOI] More... 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
Taye, Meron Teferi; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Genet, A.; Geremew, Y.; Wassie, S.; Abebe, B.; Alemayehu, B. 2022.
Data quality deterioration in the Lake Tana Sub-basin, Ethiopia: scoping study to provide streamflow and water withdrawal data. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 32p.
(IWMI Working Paper 204) [DOI] More... |
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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
Akpoti, Komlavi; Groen, T.; Dossou-Yovo, E.; Kabo-bah, A. T.; Zwart, Sander J. 2022.
Climate change-induced reduction in agricultural land suitability of West-Africa’s inland valley landscapes. Agricultural Systems, 200:103429.
[DOI] More... 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.
Uncertainty / Machine learning / Ecological niche modelling / Forecasting / Precipitation / Temperature / Self-sufficiency / Agroecosystems / Rice / Rainfed farming / Agricultural landscape / Valleys / Climate change / Land suitability / Farmland
Record No:H051146
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... |
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Raut, Manita; Rajouria, Alok; Khadka, Manohara; Pradhan, P.; GC, R. K.; Colavito, L.; O’Hara, C.; Rautanen, S.-L.; Nepal, P. R.; Shrestha, P. K. 2022.
Gender equality and social inclusion in community-led multiple use water services in Nepal. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
(IWMI Working Paper 203) [DOI] More... |
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The Constitution of Nepal 2015 enshrines everyone’s right of access to clean water for drinking and the right to food. The common operationalization of the right to water for drinking is providing access to infrastructure that brings water for drinking and other basic domestic uses near and at homesteads. Challenges to achieving this goal in rural areas include: low functionality of water systems; expansion of informal self supply for multiple uses; widespread de facto productive uses of water systems designed for domestic uses; growing competition for finite water resources; and male elite capture in polycentric decision-making. This paper traces how the Nepali government and nongovernmental organizations in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), irrigation and other sectors have joined forces since the early 2000s to address these challenges by innovating community-led multiple use water services (MUS). The present literature review of these processes complemented by field research supported by the Water for Women Fund focuses on women in vulnerable households.
Overcoming sectoral silos, these organizations support what is often seen as the sole responsibility of the WASH sector: targeting infrastructure development to bring sufficient water near and at homesteads of those left behind. Women’s priorities for using this water are respected and supported, which often includes productive uses, also at basic volumes. In line with decentralized federalism, inclusive community-led MUS planning processes build on vulnerable households’ self supply, commonly for multiple uses, and follow their priorities for local incremental infrastructure improvements. Further, community-led MUS builds on community-based arrangements for ‘sharing in’ and ‘sharing out’ the finite water resources in and under communities’ social territories. This realizes the constitutional right to food in line with the Nepal Water Resources Act, 1992, which prioritizes core minimum volumes of water for everyone’s domestic uses and many households’ irrigation. Evidence shows how the alleviation of domestic chores, women’s stronger control over food production for nutrition and income, and more sustainable infrastructure mutually reinforce each other in virtuous circles out of gendered poverty. However, the main challenge remains the inclusion of women and vulnerable households in participatory processes.
Competition / Income / Financing / Benefit-cost ratio / Sustainability / Small scale systems / Irrigation / Infrastructure / Water systems / Rural areas / Nexus / Food security / Solar energy / Water sharing / Vulnerability / Livelihoods / Women / Households / Non-governmental organizations / Governmental organizations / Decision making / Participatory approaches / Water, sanitation and hygiene / Domestic water / Drinking water / Water availability / Right to water / Supply chains / Water supply / Water resources / Community involvement / Social inclusion / Gender equality / Multiple use water services
Record No:H050908
Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Bangira, T.; Sibanda, M.; Cofie, Olufunke. 2022.
Use of drones to monitor water availability and quality in irrigation canals and reservoirs for improving water productivity and enhancing precision agriculture in smallholder farms. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation 36p.
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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
Eriyagama, Nishadi; Smakhtin, V.; Udamulla, L. 2022.
Sustainable surface water storage development: measuring economic benefits and ecological and social impacts of reservoir system configurations. Water, 14(3):307. (Special issue: Relationship of Energy and Water Resource Availability)
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Fulltext (5.43 MB)
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
Asirifi, I.; Kaetzl, K.; Werner, S.; Saba, C. K. S.; Abagale, F. K.; Amoah, Philip; Marschner, B. 2021.
Pathogen and heavy metal contamination in urban agroecosystems of northern Ghana: influence of biochar application and wastewater irrigation. Journal of Environmental Quality, 50(5):1097-1109.
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Fulltext (993 KB)
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.
Biochar / Vegetables / Escherichia coli / Faecal coliforms / Helminth eggs / Wastewater irrigation / Agroecosystems / Urban agriculture / Contamination / Heavy metals / Pathogens
Record No:H050674
O’Brien, G. C.; Dickens, Chris W. S.; Mor, C.; England, M. I. 2021.
Towards good e-flows practices in the small-scale hydropower sector in Uganda. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9:579878.
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Fulltext (2.72 MB)
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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2021.
Agricultural water management innovations to build resilient food systems in West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Water Issue Brief 14) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.88 MB)
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
Gebrezgabher, Solomie; Leh, Mansoor; Merrey, D. J.; Kodua, T. T.; Schmitter, Petra. 2021.
Solar photovoltaic technology for small-scale irrigation in Ghana: suitability mapping and business models. Agricultural Water Management – Making a Business Case for Smallholders. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 50p.
(IWMI Research Report 178) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (7.40 MB)
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.
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
Worqlul, A. W.; Dile, Y. T.; Schmitter, Petra; Bezabih, M.; Adie, A.; Bizimana, J.-C.; Srinivasan, R.; Lefore, N.; Clarke, N. 2021.
Constraints of small-scale irrigated fodder production and nutrition assessment for livestock feed, a case study in Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management, 254:106973.
[DOI] More... 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
Kibret, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Nhamo, Luxon; Yan, G. 2021.
The impact of large and small dams on malaria transmission in four basins in Africa. Scientific Reports, 11:13355.
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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
Kafle, Kashi; Songsermsawas, T.; Winters, P. 2021.
Impacts of agricultural value chain development in a mountainous region: evidence from Nepal. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 33p.
(IFAD Research Series 65) More... |
Fulltext (1.65 MB)
This analysis investigates the potential mechanism and the practical significance of the impacts of agricultural value chain development in a geographically challenging rural area of a developing country. We use data from a carefully designed primary survey administered in the hill and mountainous region in Western Nepal. Using the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment method, we show that linking small-scale producers with regional and local traders can help increase agricultural income. We unpack the potential mechanism of the impact pathway and show that the increase in agricultural income is a consequence of higher agricultural revenues, owing to a higher volume of sales at lower prices. We argue that value chain intervention in rural areas, where land is not fully exploited, can lead to acreage expansion or crop switching, which eventually results in higher supply at lower output prices. The positive impact on household income is practically significant in that it translated into improved food security, dietary diversity and household resilience. These findings are robust to various specifications. Targeted value chain interventions that strengthen and stabilize small-scale producers’ access to markets can contribute to rural poverty reduction via an increase in agricultural income.
Econometric models / Women / Minority groups / Villages / Highlands / Livestock / Food insecurity / Price indices / Agricultural prices / Commodities / Rural poverty / Resilience / Dietary diversity / Food security / Household income / Market access / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Farm income / Agricultural value chains
Record No:H050432
de Souza, M.; Koo-Oshima, S.; Kahil, T.; Wada, Y.; Qadir, M.; Jewitt, G.; Cudennec, C.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Zhang, L. 2021.
Food and agriculture. In UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP); UN-Water. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2021: valuing water. Paris, France: UNESCO. pp.67-78.
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Costs / Diets / Poverty alleviation / Groundwater / Ecosystems / Water quality / Wastewater irrigation / Intensification / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Water pricing / Water supply / Water productivity / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Water management / Water resources / Multiple use water services / Food production / Sustainable agriculture / Food security
Record No:H050380
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.
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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
Bhatti, Muhammad Tousif; Ashraf, M.; Anwar, Arif A. 2021.
Soil erosion and sediment load management strategies for sustainable irrigation in arid regions. Sustainability, 13(6):3547. (Special issue: Sustainable Agricultural, Biological, and Environmental Engineering Applications)
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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
Eriyagama, Nishadi; Smakhtin, V.; Udamulla, L. 2021.
Sustainable surface water storage development pathways and acceptable limits for river basins. Water, 13(5):645.
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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
Thakur, P. K.; Garg, V.; Kalura, P.; Agrawal, B.; Sharma, V.; Mohapatra, M.; Kalia, M.; Aggarwal, S. P.; Calmant, S.; Ghosh, Surajit; Dhote, P. R.; Sharma, R.; Chauhan, P. 2021.
Water level status of Indian reservoirs: a synoptic view from altimeter observations. Advances in Space Research, 68(2):619-640.
[DOI] More... 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
Taye, Meron Teferi; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Fekadu, A. G.; Nakawuka, P. 2021.
Effect of irrigation water withdrawal on the hydrology of the Lake Tana sub-basin. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 38:100961.
[DOI] More... |
Fulltext (7.37 MB)
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
Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Amarnath, Giriraj; Alahacoon, Niranga; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Chandrasekharan, Kiran; Ghosh, Surajit; Nakada, Toru. 2021.
Adaptation to climate variability in Sri Lanka: a case study of the Huruluwewa Irrigation System in the Dry Zone. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 30p.
(IWMI Working Paper 200) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (7.75 MB)
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
Khadka, Manohara; Uprety, Labisha; Shrestha, Gitta; Minh, Thai Thi; Nepal, Shambhawi; Raut, Manita; Dhungana, Shashwat; Shahrin, S.; Krupnik, T. J.; Schmitter, Petra. 2021.
Understanding barriers and opportunities for scaling sustainable and inclusive farmer-led irrigation development in Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal: Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) 92p.
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Policies / COVID-19 / Public-private partnerships / Multiple use water services / Water management / Supply chains / Irrigation equipment / Livelihoods / Inclusion / Gender equality / Agricultural value chains / Small scale systems / Smallholders / Sustainability / Farmer-led irrigation
Record No:H050731
Fabricius, C.; Novellie, P.; Ringler, C.; Uhlenbrook, Stefan; Wright, D. 2021.
Resilience in agro-ecological landscapes: process principles and outcome indicators. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 36p.
(WLE Legacy Series 4) [DOI] More... |
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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
Schreiner, B.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2020.
Hybrid water rights systems for pro-poor water governance in Africa. Water, 12(1):155. (Special issue: Selected Papers from 2019 World Water Week)
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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
Hurford, A. P.; McCartney, Matthew P.; Harou, J. J.; Dalton, J.; Smith, D. Mark; Odada, E. 2020.
Balancing services from built and natural assets via river basin trade-off analysis. Ecosystem Services, 45:101144.
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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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2020.
IWMI Gender and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2023: new landscapes of water equality and inclusion. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 16p.
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Hofstetter, Moritz; Nesamvuni, A. E.; Chiluwe, Q. 2020.
Integrated management of multiple water sources for multiple uses: rural communities in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Water SA, 46(1):1-11.
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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
Eriyagama, Nishadi; Smakhtin, V.; Udamulla, L. 2020.
How much artificial surface storage is acceptable in a river basin and where should it be located: a review. Earth-Science Reviews, 208:103294.
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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
Cecchi, P.; Forkuor, G.; Cofie, Olufunke; Lalanne, F.; Poussin, J.-C.; Jamin, J.-Y. 2020.
Small reservoirs, landscape changes and water quality in Sub-Saharan West Africa. Water, 12(7):1967.
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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
Hanjra, Munir A.; Williams, Timothy O. 2020.
Global change and investments in smallholder irrigation for food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Gomez y Paloma, S.; Riesgo, L.; Louhichi, K. (Eds.). The role of smallholder farms in food and nutrition security. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. pp.99-131.
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Investments in irrigation contribute to poverty reduction and enhance food security. This paper considers irrigation investments more broadly in the context of rural–urban linkages and thus examines rural irrigation schemes and peri-urban and urban agriculture using freshwater, groundwater and wastewater. We present case studies from East, West and Southern Africa, while focusing on the imperative of smallholders and of food security and nutrition. Evidence from Big Data and telecoupling show that, amid global change and sustainability issues, irrigation development strengthens connections between humans and nature with notable benefits to food security. Transforming investments to feed the future generation require priority investments in irrigation, solar energy for groundwater pumping, groundwater development policy, and integration of peri-urban and urban agriculture into food systems. Equally important will be no-regret interventions in wastewater reuse, water storage and groundwater buffer, micro-irrigation, and wholesale reconfiguration of farming systems, through anticipatory investments, to safeguard food security and sustainability into the distant future.
Sustainability / Groundwater development / Surface water / Solar energy / Water policy / Water reuse / Wastewater irrigation / Public-private partnerships / Business models / Poverty / Small scale systems / Intensification / Peri-urban agriculture / Urban agriculture / Rural urban relations / Public investment / Irrigation schemes / Smallholders / Nutrition security / Food security
Record No:H049733
Habtu, S.; Erkossa, Teklu; Froebrich, J.; Tquabo, F.; Fissehaye, D.; Kidanemariam, T.; Xueliang, Cai. 2020.
Integrating participatory data acquisition and modelling of irrigation strategies to enhance water productivity in a small-scale irrigation scheme in Tigray, Ethiopia. Irrigation and Drainage, 69(S1):23-37. (Special issue: Innovations in Irrigation Systems in Africa)
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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
Balana, Bedru B.; Bizimana, J.-C.; Richardson, J. W.; Lefore, Nicole; Adimassu, Zenebe; Herbst, B. K. 2020.
Economic and food security effects of small-scale irrigation technologies in northern Ghana. Water Resources and Economics, 29:100141
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation (SSI) technologies can be useful not only to increase crop productivity and income but also as a viable adaptation practice to climate variability. A farm simulation model (FARMSIM) and data from selected SSI technologies piloted in northern Ghana under the ‘Feed the Future-Innovation Lab for Small Scale Irrigation’ (ILSSI) project were used to assess the economic feasibility of the SSI technologies and their potential to improve income and nutrition of smallholder farm households. Three dry season irrigated crops (onion, corchorus, amaranthus) grown under three agricultural water management regimes were analysed. Results show that adoption of the SSI technologies could increase the net farm profit by 154%–608% against the baseline depending on the ‘crop type - SSI technology’ combination. Nutrition levels also improved significantly as a result of the improvements in crop yields due to irrigation and use of complementary inputs. However, the results further reveal that the options that utilize capital-intensive SSI technologies such as solar-powered water pumps to grow high value cash crops are constrained by the high investment cost. Currently, farmers tend to choose low-cost SSI technologies such as a traditional watering-cans, which generate low economic returns. Improving access to credit or alternative financing schemes could mitigate the capital constraints and enable smallholders to gain more benefits from participating in market-oriented high-value irrigated production.
Food consumption / Household consumption / Feasibility studies / Climate change / Pumps / Profit / Water availability / Water management / Agricultural production / Seasonal cropping / Crop yield / Crop production / Nutrition / Smallholders / Farm income / Economic situation / Irrigation systems / Small scale systems / Household food security
Record No:H049159
Tilahun, S. A.; Yilak, D. L.; Schmitter, Petra; Zimale, F. A.; Langan, Simon; Barron, Jennie; Parlange, J.-Y.; Steenhuis, T. S. 2020.
Establishing irrigation potential of a hillside aquifer in the African highlands. Hydrological Processes, 34(8):1741-1753.
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Molose, V.; Phasha, K.; Bophela, T.; Modiba, I.; White, M.; Magombeyi, Manuel S.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga. 2020.
Guidelines for community-led multiple use water services: evidence from rural South Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 36p.
(IWMI Working Paper 194) [DOI] More... |
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Magombeyi, Manuel S.; Jacobs-Mata, Inga; Molose, V.; Phasha, K.; Bophela, T.; Modiba, I.; White, M. 2020.
Process and benefits of community-led multiple use water services: comparing two communities in South Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Working Paper 193) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (4.75 MB)
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
Balana, B.; Mekonnen, D.; Haile, B.; Hagos, Fitsum; Yimam, S.; Ringler, C. 2020.
Are smallholder farmers credit constrained? evidence on demand and supply constraints of credit in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) 28p.
(IFPRI Discussion Paper 01974) [DOI] More... |
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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
Bryan, E.; Hagos, Fitsum; Mekonnen, D.; Gemeda, D. A.; Yimam, S. 2020.
The diffusion of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia: stakeholder analysis using Net-Map. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) 42p.
(IFPRI Discussion Paper 01950) [DOI] More... |
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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
Nguyen-Khoa, S.; McCartney, Matthew; Funge-Smith, S.; Smith, L.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Dubois, M. 2020.
Increasing the benefits and sustainability of irrigation through the integration of fisheries: a guide for water planners, managers and engineers. : Rome, Italy: FAO; Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 92p.
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There is increasing recognition of the need to bring about changes across the full spectrum of agricultural practices to ensure that, in future, food production systems are more diverse, sustainable and resilient. In this context, the objectives of irrigation need to be much more ambitious, shifting away from simply maximizing crop yields to maximizing net benefits across a range of uses of irrigation water, including ecosystems and nature-based solutions. One important way to achieve this is by better integrating fisheries into the planning, design, construction, operation and management of irrigation systems. Irrigation – a major contributor to the Green Revolution – has significantly improved agricultural production worldwide, with consequent benefits for food security, livelihoods and poverty alleviation. Today, irrigated agriculture represents about 21 percent of cultivated land, but contributes approximately 40% of the total global crop production. Many governments continue to invest in irrigation as a cornerstone of food security and rural development. Investments in irrigation often represent a pragmatic form of adaptation to changing climatic conditions. This guide focuses on how to sustainably optimize and broaden the range of benefits from irrigation development - not only economic but also social and environmental benefits. It emphasizes the opportunities that fisheries could provide to increase food production and economic returns, enhance livelihoods and public health outcomes, and maintain key ecosystem services. The guide considers possible trade-offs between irrigation and fisheries, and provides recommendations on how these could be minimized.
Floodplains / Rivers / Water reservoirs / Rural areas / Conflicts / Stakeholders / Institutions / Water governance / Participatory approaches / Community management / Sustainable Development Goals / Trends / Environmental Impact Assessment / Monitoring and evaluation / Socioeconomic environment / Nutrition security / Food security / Livelihoods / Infrastructure / Irrigated farming / Aquaculture / Habitats / Aquatic ecosystems / Irrigation management / Guidelines / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Irrigation systems / Sustainability / Fishery production
Record No:H050111
Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Gowing, J.; Walker, D.; Parkin, G. 2020.
Citizen science in community-based watershed management: an institutional analysis in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 25p.
(IWMI Working Paper 191) [DOI] More... |
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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
Endrie, B.; Schmitter, Petra; Haileslassie, Amare; Desalegn, Y.; Chali, A.; Tilahun, S.; Barron, Jennie. 2019.
Feeding hungry and thirsty soils increases yield and protects the environment: some results of a Wetting Front Detectors (WFD) experiment in LIVES [Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders]. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.13-17.
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Agricultural practices / Farmers / Soils / Crop yield / Fertilizer application / Reservoirs / Experimentation / Wetting front / Water management / Irrigation schemes
Record No:H049335
Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Nhamo, Luxon; Yan, G. 2019.
Malaria around large dams in Africa: effect of environmental and transmission endemicity factors. Malaria Journal, 18:1-12.
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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
Saruchera, D.; Lautze, Jonathan. 2019.
Small reservoirs in Africa: a review and synthesis to strengthen future investment. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 45p.
(IWMI Working Paper 189) [DOI] More... |
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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
Clement, Floriane; Pradhan, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2019.
Understanding the non-institutionalization of a socio-technical innovation: the case of multiple-use water services (MUS) in Nepal. Water International, 44(4):408-426.
[DOI] More... 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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2019.
Revolutionizing smallholder irrigation in Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 4p.
(IWMI Success Stories 024) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (336 KB)
Technology / Research projects / Water management / Agricultural development / Farmer-led irrigation / Smallholders / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes
Record No:H049191
McCartney, Matthew; Foudi, S.; Muthuwatta, Lal; Sood, Aditya; Simons, G.; Hunink, J.; Vercruysse, K.; Omuombo, C. 2019.
Quantifying the services of natural and built infrastructure in the context of climate change: the case of the Tana River Basin, Kenya. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 61p.
(IWMI Research Report 174) [DOI] More... |
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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
Mabhaudhi, T.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Hlahla, S.; Massawe, F.; Mayes, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Modi, A. T. 2019.
Prospects of orphan crops in climate change. Planta, 250(3):695-708.
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Orphan crops play an important role in global food and nutrition security, and may have potential to contribute to sustainable food systems under climate change. Owing to reports of their potential under water scarcity, there is an argument to promote them to sustainably address challenges such as increasing drought and water scarcity, food and nutrition insecurity, environmental degradation, and employment creation under climate change. We conducted a scoping review using online databases to identify the prospects of orphan crops to contribute to (1) sustainable and healthy food systems, (2) genetic resources for future crop improvement, and (3) improving agricultural sustainability under climate change. The review found that, as a product of generations of landrace agriculture, several orphan crops are nutritious, resilient, and adapted to niche marginal agricultural environments. Including such orphan crops in the existing monocultural cropping systems could support more sustainable, nutritious, and diverse food systems in marginalised agricultural environments. Orphan crops also represent a broad gene pool for future crop improvement. The reduction in arable land due to climate change offers opportunities to expand the area under their production. Their suitability to marginal niche and low-input environments offers opportunities for low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from an agro-ecosystems, production, and processing perspective. This, together with their status as a sub-set of agro-biodiversity, offers opportunities to address socio-economic and environmental challenges under climate change. With research and development, and policy to support them, orphan crops could play an important role in climate-change adaptation, especially in the global south.
Land use / Diversification / Research and development / Socioeconomic environment / Agrobiodiversity / Agroecosystems / Greenhouse gas emissions / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Cropping systems / Sustainability / Genetic diversity / Nutrition / Food systems / Food insecurity / Food security / Climate change adaptation
Record No:H049145
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.
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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.
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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
Keovilignavong, Oulavanh. 2019.
Mining governance dilemma and impacts: a case of gold mining in Phu-Hae, Lao PDR. Resources Policy, 61:141-150.
[DOI] More... 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
Wijekoon, W. M. S. M.; Gunawardena, E. R. N.; Aheeyar, Mohamed M. M. 2018.
Resilience of farmers at water shortage situations in minor irrigation systems: a case study in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. Tropical Agricultural Research, 29(4):242-257.
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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
Vanham, D.; Hoekstra, A. Y.; Wada, Y.; Bouraoui, F.; de Roo, A.; Mekonnen, M. M.; van de Bund, W. J.; Batelaan, O.; Pavelic, Paul; Bastiaanssen, W. G. M.; Kummu, M.; Rockstrom, J.; Liu, J.; Bisselink, B.; Ronco, P.; Pistocchi, A.; Bidoglio, G. 2018.
Physical water scarcity metrics for monitoring progress towards SDG target 6.4: An evaluation of indicator 6.4.2 “Level of water stress”. Science of the Total Environment, 613amp;614:218-232
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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
Hagos, Fitsum; van Rooijen, Daniel; Haileslassie, Amare; Yehualashet, H.; Indries, H. 2018.
Investigation of the modalities for an innovative financing mechanism for participatory natural resource management in the Bale Eco-region, Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 36p.
(IWMI Working Paper 181) [DOI] More... |
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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
Acheampong, D.; Balana, Bedru B.; Nimoh, F.; Abaidoo, R. C. 2018.
Assessing the effectiveness and impact of agricultural water management interventions: the case of small reservoirs in northern Ghana. Agricultural Water Management, 209: 163-170.
[DOI] More... Agricultural water management, particularly management of multi-purpose small reservoirs (SRs) in drier savanna areas of the northern Ghana, is being promoted as a key solution to improve agricultural production, enhance food security and livelihoods of smallholder farm households. However, little empirical evidence exist on how effective these small water infrastructures are in terms of delivering multiple benefits and their impact on the livelihood of smallholder farmers. This study assessed the effectiveness and impact of the small reservoirs on smallholder vegetable farmers in northern Ghana. A participatory rating method using a 5-point Likert-scale was used to assess the effectiveness of SRs in delivering multiple livelihood benefits and an endogenous switching regression model was applied to assess the SRs’ impact using a primary data collected from 328 randomly sampled vegetable farmers. Results from the Likert scale analysis show that most of the SRs are either dysfunctional or underutilized and not effective in delivering multiple benefits. Results from the endogenous switching regression model show that there is only about 3% increase in the income of vegetable farmers participating in irrigated vegetable production using SRs against the counterfactual situation but this change is insignificant statistically. The current low level effectiveness and impact of SRs could be enhanced by improving their management, for example, through the provision of incentive mechanisms such as subsidies to the private sector involvement in rehabilitation, management and irrigation service provision and strengthening the capacity of existing water users associations. Furthermore, small reserviors should be recognized not only as water sources for small scale irrigation but also as providers of multiple livelihood benefits to local communities and consequently should attract due attention in public resource allocation in their rehabilitation and management/institutional capacity building.
Community involvement / Farm income / Irrigated farming / Farmers / Households / Living standards / Food security / Vegetable growing / Smallholders / Reservoir operation / Water management / Agriculture
Record No:H048872
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.
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Rivers / Reservoirs / Chemical contamination / Turbidity / Sediment yield / Aquatic environment / Surface water / Erosion / Soils / Agriculture / Sediment pollution
Record No:H048860
Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Zadeh, S. M.; Turral, H. 2018.
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) 224p.
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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
Theis, S.; Lefore, Nicole; Meinzen-Dick, R.; Bryan, E. 2018.
What happens after technology adoption?: gendered aspects of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Tanzania. Agriculture and Human Values, 35(3):671-684.
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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
Eriyagama, Nishadi; Smakhtin, V.; Udamulla, L. 2018.
Centralized versus distributed reservoirs: an investigation of their implications on environmental flows and sustainable water resources management. Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, 378:43-47.
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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
Kadyampakeni, Davie; Appoh, Richard; Barron, Jennie; Boakye-Acheampong, Enoch. 2018.
Analysis of water quality of selected irrigation water sources in northern Ghana. Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 18(4):1308-1317.
[DOI] More... Small-scale irrigation continues to cushion the food security gap in sub-Saharan Africa. Irrigation is largely governed by water availability, soil type and crop water requirements, among other factors. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the suitability of various water sources for irrigation in northern Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to assess quality of water sources in the Savelugu, Kasena-Nankana East, and Nabdam districts for small-scale irrigation development. The water quality parameters used were: pH, electrical conductivity (ECw), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percent (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Kelleyapos;s ratio (KR), total hardness (TH), Chloride (Cl), E. coli, and Faecal coliforms. While we found most of the irrigation water sources, including small reservoirs, dams, wells and rivers suitable, few unsuitable irrigation water sources were also identified. Overall, the study found that opportunities for scaling small-scale irrigation exist in all the sites. The knowledge generated from this study will guide irrigation water use, and agricultural policy for sustainable smallholder irrigation development in the region.
Biological contamination / pH / Rivers / Agricultural policy / Chemical compounds / Electrical conductivity / Food security / Small scale systems / Wells / Salinity / Reservoir operation / Irrigation operation / Irrigation water / Water requirements / Water availability / Water storage / Water quality
Record No:H048787
Schmitter, Petra; Kibret, K. S.; Lefore, Nicole; Barron, Jennie. 2018.
Suitability mapping framework for solar photovoltaic pumps for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Applied Geography, 94:41-57.
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Fulltext 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
Otoo, Miriam; Lefore, Nicole; Schmitter, Petra; Barron, Jennie; Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria. 2018.
Business model scenarios and suitability: smallholder solar pump-based irrigation in Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management – Making a Business Case for Smallholders. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 67p.
(IWMI Research Report 172) [DOI] More... |
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This report outlines a business model approach to assessing the feasibility and for encouraging investment in smallholder solar pump irrigation. It also proposes a new methodology for mapping the suitability of solar energy-based irrigation pumps. The proposed business model framework and the methodology for suitability mapping are applied to Ethiopia as a case study, based on data from existing case studies and reports. A brief analysis outlines the regulatory and institutional context for investment in solar pump irrigation, and the ways in which it both constrains and attempts to support investment. The report identifies and outlines three business model scenarios that present opportunities for investing in smallholder solar pump-based irrigation, which would contribute towards sustainable intensification for food and nutrition security. The business model scenarios are based on the value proposition of supplying water to smallholder farmers for irrigated agricultural production. Analysis of potential gains and benefits suggests that direct purchase of solar pumps by farmers is feasible, and that out-grower schemes and pump supplier options with bundled financing offer promising solutions. The potential constraints that different investors may face in up-scaling the business models are also discussed, particularly within institutional, regulatory and financial contexts. The report provides development actors and investors with evidence-based information on the suitability and sustainability of solar pump irrigation in Ethiopia, as well as suggestions for helping to enable smallholders to invest in individually-owned, smallholder photovoltaic (PV) solar pumps.
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
Mendez-Barrientos, L. E.; Kemerink, J. S.; Wester, P.; Molle, Francois. 2018.
Commercial farmers’ strategies to control water resources in South Africa: an empirical view of reform. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 34(2):245-258.
[DOI] More... 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
Yoshimoto, Shuhei; Amarnath, Giriraj. 2018.
Application of a flood inundation model to analyze the potential impacts of a flood control plan in Mundeni Aru River Basin, Sri Lanka. Natural Hazards, 91(2):491-513.
[DOI] More... 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
Merrey, D. J.; Lefore, Nicole. 2018.
Improving the availability and effectiveness of rural and “Micro” finance for small-scale irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review of lessons learned. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 46p.
(IWMI Working Paper 185) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (718 KB)
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
Merrey, D. J.; Lefore, Nicole. 2018.
How to support effective and inclusive irrigation water users’ associations: a guide for practitioners. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 16p.
(WLE Research for Development (R4D) Learning Series 9) [DOI] More... |
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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
Thapa, Bhesh Raj; Ishidaira, H.; Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Bhandari, T. M.; Shakya, N. M. 2018.
Evaluation of water security in Kathmandu Valley before and after water transfer from another basin. Water, 10(2):1-12.
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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
Amarnath, Giriraj. 2018.
New techniques avoid a Kerala like disaster. Geography and You, 18(8):5-11.
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Urban areas / Institutional reform / Dams / Reservoirs / Infrastructure / Ecosystems / Satellite imagery / Crop damage / Climate change adaptation / Rainfall patterns / Flood control / Natural disasters
Record No:H048962
van Koppen, Barbara; Schreiner, B. 2018.
A hybrid approach to decolonize formal water law in Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 45p.
(IWMI Research Report 173) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (639 KB)
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
van Koppen, Barbara; Tapela, B. N.; Mapedza, Everisto. 2018.
Joint ventures in the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa: a history of smallholders, states and business. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 43p.
(IWMI Research Report 171) [DOI] More... |
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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
Buisson, Marie-Charlotte; Curnow, J.; Naz, F. 2017.
The gender gap between water management and water users: evidence from Southwest Bangladesh. SAWAS (South Asian Water Studies), 5(4):28-41.
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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
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2017.
Re-conceptualizing dam design and management for enhanced water and food security. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 12p.
(WLE Towards Sustainable Intensification: Insights and Solutions Brief 3) [DOI] More... |
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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
Leder, Stephanie; Clement, Floriane; Karki, Emma. 2017.
Reframing women’s empowerment in water security programmes in western Nepal. Gender and Development, 25(2):235-251.
[DOI] More... 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... |
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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
Shah, Manisha; Bharti; Verma, Shilp. 2017.
Reviving minor irrigation in Telangana: midterm assessment of Mission Kakatiya. IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Highlight, 8. 8p.
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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
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.
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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
Ghosh, S.; Thakur, P. K.; Sharma, R.; Nandy, S.; Garg, V.; Amarnath, Giriraj; Bhattacharyya, S. 2017.
The potential applications of satellite altimetry with SARAL [Satellite with ARGOS and ALTIKA]/AltiKa for Indian inland waters. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences India Section A-Physical Sciences, 19p. (Online first).
[DOI] More... 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
van Koppen, Barbara. 2017.
Water allocation, customary practice and the right to water: rethinking the regulatory model. In Langford, M.; Russell, A. F. S. (Eds.). The human right to water: theory, practice and prospects. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. pp.57-83.
[DOI] More...
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
Dickens, Chris; Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; Nhamo, Luxon. 2017.
Guidelines and indicators for Target 6.6 of the SDGs: “change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time”. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 56p.
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Environmental health / Reservoirs / Stream flow / Flow discharge / Water quality / Remote sensing / Earth observation satellites / Groundwater / Rivers / Ponds / Lakes / Mangroves / Peatlands / Paddy fields / Forests / Wetlands / Swamps / Marshes / Monitoring / Indicators / Guidelines / Ecosystem services / Sustainable development
Record No:H048340
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.
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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
Slaets, J. I. F.; Piepho, H.-P.; Schmitter, Petra; Hilger, T.; Cadisch, G. 2017.
Quantifying uncertainty on sediment loads using bootstrap confidence intervals. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 21:571-588.
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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.
Hydrological factors / Uncertainty / Rain / Catchment areas / Discharges / Water quality / Watersheds / Reservoirs / Soil fertility / Nutrients / Pollutants / Uncertainty / Sediment
Record No:H047983
Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Nhamo, Luxon; Wilson, G. G. 2016.
Malaria and large dams in sub-Saharan Africa: future impacts in a changing climate. Malaria Journal, 15:1-14.
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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
Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, Amare; Getnet, Kindie; Hoekstra, D.; Gebremedhin, B.; Bogale, A.; Getahun, Y. 2016.
Does investment in motor pump-based smallholder irrigation lead to financially viable input intensification and production?: an economic assessment. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 28p.
(Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders (LIVES) Working Paper 13) More... |
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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
Slaets, J. I. F.; Schmitter, Petra; Hilger, T.; Hue, D. T. T.; Piepho, H. P.; Vien, T. D.; Cadisch, G. 2016.
Sediment-associated organic carbon and nitrogen inputs from erosion and irrigation to rice fields in a mountainous watershed in Northwest Vietnam. Biogeochemistry, 129(1):93-113
[DOI] More... 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
Bastakoti, Ram C.; Prathapar, S. A.; Okwany, Romulus O. 2016.
Community pond rehabilitation to deal with climate variability: a case study in Nepal Terai. Water Resources and Rural Development, 7:20-35.
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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
Sarwar, M. K.; Chaudary, Z. A.; Bhatti, Muhammad Tousif; Khan, D. 2016.
Evaluation of air vents and ramp angles on the performance of orifice spillway aerators. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 35(1):85-93.
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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.
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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
Ayantunde, A. A.; Karambiri, M.; Yameogo, V.; Cofie, Olufunke O. 2016.
Multiple uses of small reservoirs in crop-livestock agro-ecosystems of the Volta River Basin with an emphasis on livestock management. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
(IWMI Working Paper 171) [DOI] More... |
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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
Mapedza, Everisto; van Koppen, Barbara; Sithole, P.; Bourblanc, M. 2016.
Joint venture schemes in Limpopo Province and their outcomes on smallholder farmers livelihoods. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 92:92-98.
[DOI] More... 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
Curnow, J.; de Silva, Sanjiv. 2016.
Traditional Knowledge Applied to the Management of Small Tank Wetland Systems in Sri Lanka. In Finlayson, C. M.; Everard, M.; Irvine, K.; McInnes, R. J.; Middleton, B. A.; van Dam, A. A.; Davidson, N. C. (Eds.). The wetland book I: structure and function, management, and methods. Dresden, Germany: Springer. pp.1-5
[DOI] More... 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
Van Koppen , Barbara; Hellum , A.; Mehta, L.; Derman, B.; Schreiner, B. 2016.
Rights-based freshwater governance for the twenty-first century: beyond an exclusionary focus on domestic water uses. In Karar, E. (Ed). Freshwater governance for the 21st century. London, UK: SpringerOpen. pp.129-143.
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The UN recognition of a human right to water for drinking, personal and other domestic uses and sanitation in 2010 was a political breakthrough in states’ commitments to adopt a human rights framework in carrying out part of their mandate. This chapter explores other domains of freshwater governance in which human rights frameworks provide a robust and widely accepted set of normative values to such governance. The basis is General Comment No. 15 of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2002, which states that water is needed to realise a range of indivisible human rights to non-starvation, food, health, work and an adequate standard of living and also procedural rights to participation and information in water interventions. On that basis, the chapter explores concrete implications of the Comment for states’ broader infrastructure-based water services implied in the recognised need to access to infrastructure, rights to non-discrimination in public service delivery and respect of people’s own prioritisation. This implies a right to water for livelihoods with core minimum service levels for water to homesteads that meet both domestic and small-scale productive uses, so at least 50–100 l per capita per day. Turning to the state’s mandates and authority in allocating water resources, the chapter identifi es three forms of unfair treatment of smallscale users in current licence systems. As illustrated by the case of South Africa, the legal tool of “Priority General Authorisations” is proposed. This prioritises water allocation to small-scale water users while targeting and enforcing regulatory licences to the few high-impact users.
Infrastructure / Living standards / Food security / Licences / Multiple use / Human rights / Sanitation / Drinking water / Water allocation / Water supply / Water use / Domestic water / Water governance / Freshwater
Record No:H047925
Fernando, Sudarshana; Semasinghe, Christina; Jayathilake, Nilanthi; Wijayamunie, R.; Wickramasinghe, N.; Dissanayake, S. 2016.
City region food system situational analysis, Colombo, Sri Lanka. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE); Rome, Italy: FAO; Accra, Ghana: Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF) 251p.
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Sanitation / Health hazards / Public health / Waste management / Waste disposal / Market prices / Crops / Milk production / Livestock / Fruits / Vegetables / Small scale systems / Economic aspects / Land use / Climate change / Natural resources management / Poverty / Sociocultural environment / Malnutrition / Human nutrition / Decision making / Policy making / Regulations / Legislation / Legal aspects / International organizations / Private sector / Municipal authorities / Government departments / Institutions / Corporate culture / Stakeholders / Food security / Food chains / Food production / Food policies / Food safety / Food supply / Food consumption
Record No:H047774
Schmitter, Petra; Haileslassie, Amare; Desalegn, Y.; Tilahun, S.; Langan, Simon; Barron, Jennie. 2016.
Improving on-farm water management by introducing wetting front detectors to small scale irrigators in Ethiopia [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the Annual Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural and Natural Resource Management (Tropentag) Conference on Solidarity in a Competing World - Fair Use of Resources, Vienna, Austria, 18-21 September 2016. 1p.
More... 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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2016.
Watershed moments: a photographic anthology celebrating 30 years of research for a water-secure world (1985–2015 and beyond). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 96p.
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Dams / Rural communities / Food security / Urbanization / Rain / Environmental effects / Soils / Equity / s participation / Womenapos / Gender / Floodplains / Households / Living standards / River basins / Farmers / Pumps / Sprinkler irrigation / Irrigation systems / Multiple use / Wastewater / Groundwater / Water security / Water governance / Water reuse / Water quality / Water balance / Water use / Water management / Water resources / Watersheds / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H047829
Makin, Ian W. 2016.
Irrigation infrastructure for sustainable and improved agricultural productivity. Topic Guide. Hertfordshire, UK: Evidence on Demand 64p.
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Case studies / Farmer-led irrigation / Land resources / Land ownership / Participatory management / Solar energy / Stakeholders / Smallholders / Multiple use / Climate change / Water resources / Gender / Food supply / Food security / Food production / Population growth / Investment / Productivity / Sustainable agriculture / Irrigated farming / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Irrigation management
Record No:H047802
van Koppen, Barbara; Tarimo, A. K. P. R.; van Eeden, A.; Manzungu, E.; Sumuni, P. M. 2016.
Winners and losers of IWRM [Integrated Water Resources Management] in Tanzania. Water Alternatives, 9(3):588-607.
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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
Reis, J.; Culver, T. B.; Lacombe, Guillaume; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2015.
Reservoir operation for recession agriculture in Mekong basin, Laos. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 141(7):1-9.
[DOI] More... 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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2015.
Improving water management in Myanmar’s dry zone for food security, livelihoods and health. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 52p.
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Information management / Soil conservation / Farmers / Rainfed farming / Land degradation / Landscape / Investment / Pumping / Irrigation schemes / Irrigated land / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater irrigation / Multiple use / Domestic water / Wells / Ponds / Reservoir storage / Water accounting / Water conservation / Water use / Water resources / Runoff / Rivers / Agroecosystems / Health / Living standards / Food security / Arid zones / Water management
Record No:H047190
Kibret, S.; Lautze, Jonathan; McCartney, Matthew; Wilson, G. G.; Nhamo, Luxon. 2015.
Malaria impact of large dams in sub-Saharan Africa: maps, estimates and predictions. Malaria Journal, 14:1-12.
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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
Lopez, R. R.; Vincent, L.; Rap, Edwin. 2015.
Re-engineering closing watersheds: the negotiated expansion of a dam-based irrigation system in Bolivia. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 31(1):50-63.
[DOI] More... 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
Ebrahim, Girma Yimer; Villholth, Karen Grothe. 2015.
Assessment of groundwater availability from recession flows and instream flow requirements of rivers in South Africa. Gezina, Pretoria, South Africa: Water Research Commission 60p.
(Water Research Commission Report KV 339/15) More... 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.
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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
Douxchamps, Sabine; Ayantunde, A.; Panyan, E. K.; Ouattara, K.; Kabore, A.; Karbo, N.; Sawadogo, B. 2015.
Agricultural water management and livelihoods in the crop - livestock systems of the Volta Basin. Water Resources and Rural Development, 6:92-104. (Special issue: Managing Rainwater and Small Reservoirs in Sub-Saharan Africa).
[DOI] More... 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
Balana, Bedru Babulo. 2015.
Trade-offs or synergies?: assessment of ecosystem services in multi-use small reservoirs in Burkina Faso [Abstract only]. In Nyssen J., Enyew A., Poesen J et al. (Eds.). International Conference on Tropical Lakes in a Changing Environment: Water, Land, Biology, Climate and Humans (TropiLakes), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 23-29 September 2015. Book of Abstracts. Bahir Dar, Ethiopia: Bahir Dar University. pp.42-43.
More... Small reservoirs (SRs) development, as a strategy to enhance food and water security in water-scarce regions, has long attracted the interests of governments and development agents. The main argument put forward was that by providing water for small-scale agriculture, they can cushion the impacts of drought and rainfall variability on vulnerable and less-developed regions. Because of the dominance of interests in small-scale irrigation, performance assessments of SRs have concentrated on irrigation outcomes. The multiple non-irrigation uses/benefits and potential negative externalities were largely neglected in the measurement of their performance. The publication of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment in 2005 triggered the concept of ‘ecosystem services’ and prompted both academia and policy decisions to consider multiple effects/impacts of human activities on natural capital, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing. Along the lines of the surge in thoughts in ‘ecosystem services’, SRs, besides irrigation use, could generate multiple benefits such as improved access to domestic water, enhance women’s position, recreation, livelihood diversification, fisheries, water availability for livestock, limiting floods, and increased biodiversity. On the other hand, SRs may have unwanted side-effects such as environmental deterioration, decrease in water quality, adverse health impacts (e.g., harbour mosquitos), and reduce environmental flows and ground water recharge. Thus, SRs’ performance need to be assessed against these multiple benefits/dis-benefits and whether there exist trade-offs or synergetic relationship.
In the context of ecosystem services (ES), trade-offs between ES arise from management and/or utilization choices made by humans, which can change the type, magnitude, quality and relative mix of ES. Trade-offs occur when the provision of one or more ES is reduced as a consequence of increased use of another ES. In some cases, trade-offs may be an explicit choice; in others, it may take place without explicit account or even without awareness of the decision makers. As human activities transform ecosystems to obtain more of specific services, other services tend to diminish (trade-offs). Understanding how trade-offs operate temporally and spatially in various ecosystems and analysis of either to minimize the trade-offs or find synergetic solutions could provide decision support evidence for sustainable management of natural resources and human wellbeing.
Most parts of Burkina Faso (BF) suffer from physical water scarcity and irregular distribution of groundwater. SR development has been promoted as a key strategy aiming at enhancing water and food security in BF. A conservative estimate shows that there are about 1500 SRs in BF. These are used for small-scale irrigations, livestock, and domestic purposes. From 2002 BF has initiated a program to develop village irrigation, which facilitates the exploitation of all the irrigable areas around the SR
Water quality / Domestic water / Small scale farming / Food security / Water security / Health hazards / Assessment / Reservoirs / Multiple use / Ecosystem services
Record No:H047415
Cofie, Olufunke; Amede, T. 2015.
Managing rainwater and small reservoirs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Water Resources and Rural Development, 6:1-104. (Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors).
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Case studies / Livestock / Living standards / Smallholders / Institutional constraints / Performance evaluation / Small scale systems / Irrigation schemes / Reservoirs / Tillage / Productivity / Crop yield / Maize / Intensification / Agricultural production / Sustainable agriculture / Water conservation / Water harvesting / Rain water management
Record No:H047520
Karimov, Akmal; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Mavlonov, A.; Borisov, V.; Gracheva, I.; Miryusupov, F.; Akhmedov, A.; Anzelm, K.; Yakubov, S.; Karimov, A. A. 2015.
Managed aquifer recharge: potential component of water management in the Syrdarya River Basin. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, Special Issue: 8th International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge. 20(3):1-12.
[DOI] More... 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
Savoskul, Oxana; Shevnina, E. 2015.
Irrigated crop production in the Syr Darya Basin: climate change rehearsal in the 1990s. In Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnston, Robyn; Smakhtin, Vladimir. Climate change and agricultural water management in developing countries. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.176-192.
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River basins / Reservoirs / Agriculture / Water availability / Water use / Water management / Water demand / Water allocation / Climate change / Crop production / Irrigated farming
Record No:H047378
Villholth, Karen. 2015.
Groundwater for food production and livelihoods - the nexus with climate change and transboundary water management. In Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnston, Robyn; Smakhtin, Vladimir. Climate change and agricultural water management in developing countries. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.154-175.
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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
Makin, Ian W.; Manthrithilake, Herath. 2015.
Sustainable intensification of agriculture with sustainable irrigated agroecosystem services. Paper presented at the International Network for Water and Ecosystems in Paddy Fields (INWEPF) Symposium 2015 on Achieving the Goals of Food security in Sustainable Paddy Water Ecosystems, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 3-5 November 2015. 13p.
More... Irrigated agriculture is undeniably a significant modification to natural ecosystems, and one which has not been without significant adverse impacts on the ecology and hydrology of the landscapes and river basins in which irrigation systems are located. A lack of consideration for broader ecosystem service values during planning, implementation and subsequent operation of irrigation projects may explain the underperformance of investments in irrigation systems. In many cases, this has arisen because irrigation schemes have been designed for a single purpose (intensification or increase) of agricultural production without due consideration being given to other ecosystem functions, and in isolation from the landscape of the entire catchment.
Large-scale irrigation systems (LSIS) and smaller, often community managed, systems have been a central component in the food security of the population in much of Asia3, and these systems are expected to make increased contributions to food security and improved livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Irrigation has been an essential input to agriculture to meet the fast-increasing demand for food and is also a contributor to poverty reduction. Future population growth and economic development means that the increasing demand for food must be expected to continue, and it is projected that intensified irrigated agriculture will have to provide about 60% of the extra food needed (World Bank, 2007). Yet, the expansion of irrigated areas has slowed, rates of productivity improvement are slowing, and water availability for irrigation is being constrained by alternate demands for water. Simultaneously, concerns over loss of biodiversity and disruption of ecosystems have increased, resulting in the increasing examination of the sustainability of agricultural value chains and the role of agriculture in the landscape.
The core objective of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE), led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), is to promote the sustainable intensification of agriculture through evidence-based research and policy development. Fundamental to the achievement of this goal is the application and uptake of an ecosystem services and resilience-based approach.
This paper presents an ecosystem service-based approach to sustainable intensification of irrigated agriculture, highlighting approaches to guide research, policy development and strategies to stimulate ecosystem-inclusive management of irrigated agriculture. The concepts of ecosystem services are reasonably well established. However, attempts to develop ecosystem-inclusive management of LSIS is new.
Rice / Poverty / Living standards / Food security / Investment / Landscape / Irrigation systems / Irrigated land / Irrigated farming / Intensification / Ecosystem services / Agroecosystems / Sustainable agriculture
Record No:H047277
van Koppen, Barbara; Tapela, B.; Mapedza, Everisto. 2015.
Gender, rights, and the politics of productivity: the case of the Flag Boshielo Irrigation Scheme, South Africa. In Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. (Eds.) Water is life: women’s human rights in national and local water governance in southern and eastern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press. pp.535-574.
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Case studies / Training / Labor / Farmers / Smallholders / Local government / Food security / Multiple use / Domestic water / Water management / Water resources / Water rights / Irrigation schemes / Political aspects / Human rights / Women / Men / Gender
Record No:H047310
Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2015.
Water is life: women’s human rights in national and local water governance in southern and eastern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press 620p.
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Case studies / Living standards / Households / Food security / Multiple use / Community organizations / Corporate culture / Institutions / Standards / Small farms / Irrigation schemes / Suburban areas / Urban areas / Rural areas / Local authorities / Social aspects / Colonialism / Political aspects / Economic aspects / Legislation / Legal aspects / Common lands / Land reform / Land ownership / Landscape / Sanitation / Freshwater / Water user associations / Water quality / Water availability / Water use / Domestic water / Water policy / Water law / Water rights / Water scarcity / Water governance / Water resources / Ethnic groups / Equity / Women / Gender / Human rights
Record No:H047293
Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2015.
The human right to water and sanitation in a legal pluralist landscape: perspectives of southern and eastern African women. In Hellum, A.; Kameri-Mbote, P.; van Koppen, Barbara. (Eds.) Water is life: women’s human rights in national and local water governance in southern and eastern Africa. Harare, Zimbabwe: Weaver Press. pp.1-31.
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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.
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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
Bekchanov, Maksud; Ringler, C.; Bhaduri, A.; Jeuland, M. 2015.
How would the Rogun Dam affect water and energy scarcity in Central Asia? Water International, 40(5-6):856-876.
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Fulltext 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
Giordano, Meredith; de Fraiture, C. 2014.
Small private irrigation: enhancing benefits and managing trade-offs. Agricultural Water Management, 131:175-182.
[DOI] More... 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
de Fraiture, C.; Kouali, Gael Ndanga; Sally, Hilmy; Kabre, P. 2014.
Pirates or pioneers?: unplanned irrigation around small reservoirs in Burkina Faso. Agricultural Water Management, 131:212-220.
[DOI] More... 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
Keraita, B.; Drechsel, Pay; Klutse, A.; Cofie, Olufunke O. 2014.
On-farm treatment options for wastewater, greywater and fecal sludge with special reference to West Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 36p.
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Moringa / Helminths / Sedimentation / Farmers / Health hazards / Wetlands / Wells / Ponds / Weirs / Filtration / Reservoirs / Contamination / Sewage sludge / Faecal coliforms / Irrigation water / Water storage / Water quality / Wastewater treatment / On-farm research
Record No:H046382
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Phuong, N. D.; Bouahom, B.; Joffre, O.; Pant, J.; Keophoxay, Anousith. 2014.
Hydropower development and livelihoods: a quest for a balanced approach through research and partnerships. In Aqua-Media International. Fifth International Conference on Water Resources and Hydropower Development in Asia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 11-13 March 2014. Wallington, Surrey, UK: Aqua-Media International. 9p.
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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.
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Farmers / Irrigated farming / Food production / Water resources / Ecosystem services / Biodiversity / Aquaculture / Agricultural production / Agroecosystems / Wetlands
Record No:H046396
Prathapar, Sanmugam A.; Bawain, A. A. 2014.
Impact of sedimentation on groundwater recharge at Sahalanowt Dam, Salalah, Oman. Technical note. Water International, 39(3):381-393.
[DOI] More... 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.
Flooding / Water levels / Models / Infiltration / Reservoirs / Dams / Hydraulic conductivity / Sedimentation / Groundwater recharge
Record No:H046392
Silva, E. I. L.; Manthrithilake, Herath; Pitigala, D.; Silva, E. N. S. 2014.
Environmental flow in Sri Lanka: ancient anicuts versus modern dams. Sri Lanka Journal of Aquatic Sciences, 19:3-14.
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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
Bastiaanssen, Wim G. M.; Karimi, Poolad; Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; Duan, Z.; Senay, G.; Muthuwatta, Lal; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2014.
Earth observation based assessment of the water production and water consumption of Nile Basin agro-ecosystems. Remote Sensing, 6(11):10306-10334.
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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
Rautanen, S-L.; van Koppen, Barbara; Wagle, N. 2014.
Community-driven multiple use water services: lessons learned by the rural village water resources management project in Nepal. Water Alternatives, 7(1):160-177.
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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
Venot, J.-P.; Suhardiman, Diana. 2014.
Governing the ungovernable: practices and circumstances of governance in the irrigation sector. International Journal of Water Governance, 2:41-60
More... 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
Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Haileslassie, A. 2014.
Assessments of key small-scale irrigation technologies, agricultural water management options and integrated irrigated fodder in Ethiopia. Unpublished Discussion Paper prepared by Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation Project for Stakeholder Consultation Workshop. 30p.
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Smallholders / Landscape / Rural areas / River basins / Living standards / Food security / Adaptation / Climate change / Water storage / Poverty / Projects / Groundwater irrigation / Cost benefit analysis / Multiple use / Water use / Groundwater / Watershed management / Assessment / Waste management / Agriculture / Technology / Irrigation methods / Small scale farming
Record No:H046756
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2014.
Ecosystem services and resilience framework. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 46p.
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Case studies / Decision making / Monitoring / Impact assessment / Planning / Soil conservation / Farmers / Stakeholders / Investment / Income / Public health / Nutrition / Food security / Poverty / Living standards / Rural areas / Communities / Sustainability / Governance / Rice / Productivity / Agroecosystems / Landscape / Agriculture / Ecosystem services
Record No:H046683
Pak, M.; Wegerich, Kai; Kazbekov, Jusipbek. 2014.
Re-examining conflict and cooperation in Central Asia: a case study from the Isfara River, Ferghana Valley. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 30(2):230-245.
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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
de Fraiture, C.; Giordano, Meredith. 2014.
Small private irrigation: a thriving but overlooked sector. Agricultural Water Management, 131:167-174.
[DOI] More... 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
Jeuland, M.; Baker, J.; Bartlett, R.; Lacombe, Guillaume. 2014.
The costs of uncoordinated infrastructure management in multi-reservoir river basins. Environmental Research Letters, 9(10):1-10.
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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
Mukhamedova, Nozilakhon; Wegerich, Kai. 2014.
The rising challenge of water resources management at the urban fringes - evidence from Ferghana district of Uzbekistan [Abstract only]. In Samarkand State University. 2nd International Conference on Arid Lands Studies on Innovations for Sustainability and Food Security in Arid and Semiarid Lands. Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 10-14 September 2014 . Book of Abstracts. Samarkand, Uzbekistan: Samarkand State University. pp.88.
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Fulltext 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.
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Reservoirs / Agriculture / Wetlands / Living standards / Ecosystem services / Socioeconomic development / Sustainable development
Record No:H046798
Yami, Mastewal. 2013.
Sustaining participation in irrigation systems of Ethiopia: what have we learned about water user associations? Water Policy, 15(6):961-984.
[DOI] More... 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
Karimov, Akmal; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Mavlonov, A.; Borisov, V.; Gracheva, I.; Miryusupov, F.; Djumanov, J.; Khamzina, T.; Ibragimov, R.; Abdurahmanov, B. 2013.
Managed aquifer recharge: the solution for water shortages in the Fergana Valley. In Russian. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 62p. (Also in English).
(IWMI Research Report 151) [DOI] More... |
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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
Bakken, T. H.; Skarbovik, E.; Gosain, A. K.; Kuppannan, Palanisami; Sauterleute, J.; Egeland, Helene; Kakumanu, Krishna Reddy; Sekhar, N. U.; Harby, A.; Tirupataiah, T.; Stalnacke, P. 2013.
Water allocation with use of the Building Block Methodology (BBM) in the Godavari Basin, India. Journal of Sustainable Development, 6(8):93-107.
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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
Johnston, Robyn; Rajah, Ameer; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Lacombe, Guillaume; McCartney, Matthew; Pavelic, Paul; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Sotoukee, Touleelor; Suhardiman, Diana; Joffre, O. 2013.
Identifying priority investments in water in Myanmar’s dry zone: final report for component 3. [Project report of the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Dry Zone Program]. Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 53p.
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Social aspects / Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Farmland / Food security / Watershed management / Wells / Dams / Reservoirs / Water storage / Water harvesting / Rainwater / Supplemental irrigation / Groundwater irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Agroecosystems / Arid zones / Living standards / Investment / Research projects / Water supply / Water management / Water resources development
Record No:H046135
McCartney, Matthew; Pavelic, Paul; Lacombe, Guillaume; Latt, K.; Zan, A. K.; Thein, K.; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Balasubramanya, Soumya; Rajah, Ameer; Myint, A.; Cho, C.; Johnston, Robyn; Sotoukee, Touleelor. 2013.
Water resources assessment of the dry zone of Myanmar: final report for component 1. [Project report of the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) Dry Zone Program]. : Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Yangon, Myanmar: National Engineering and Planning Services (EPS) 52p.
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Research projects / Geology / Data / Rain / Living standards / Food security / Arid zones / Assessment / Irrigation schemes / Water supply / Evapotranspiration / Aquifers / Reservoirs / Water storage / Water quality / Groundwater recharge / Groundwater resources / Runoff / Flow discharge / Water use / Surface water / Water resources
Record No:H046133
Boelee, Eline; Scherr, S. J.; Pert, P. L.; Barron, J.; Finlayson, M.; Descheemaeker, K.; Milder, J. C.; Fleiner, R.; Nguyen-Khoa, S.; Barchiesi, S.; Bunting, S. W.; Tharme, R. E.; Khaka, E.; Coates, D.; Solowey, E. M.; Lloyd, G. J.; Molden, D.; Cook, Simon. 2013.
Management of water and agroecosystems in landscapes for sustainable food security. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.156-170.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
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Research priorities / Institutions / Food security / Landscape / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Water management
Record No:H046129
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... |
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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.
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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... |
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Agricultural production / Agricultural systems / Erosion / Land degradation / Livestock / Fisheries / Economic value / Food security / Agroecosystems
Record No:H046122
Boelee, Eline. 2013.
Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI 192p.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (2.38 MB)
Health hazards / Fodder / Water power / Tillage / Soil management / Landscape / Runoff / Rain / Land degradation / Flooding / Environmental flows / Climate change / Biofuels / Biodiversity / Aquifers / Fisheries / Livestock / River basins / Wetlands / Arid zones / Poverty / Food production / Agriculture / Food security / Nutrient cycling in ecosystems / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Hydrological cycle / Water quality / Water demand / Water use / Water management
Record No:H046118
Boelee, Eline; Coates, D.; Khaka, E.; Pert, P. L.; Thiombiano, L.; Scherr, S. J.; Cook, Simon; Sanford, Luke. 2013.
Introduction. In Boelee, Eline. (Ed.). Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI. pp.1-6.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
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Food production / Food security / Agroecosystems / Water management
Record No:H046119
Torou, Bio Mohamadou; Favreau, G.; Barbier, B.; Pavelic, Paul; Illou, Mahamadou; Sidibe, F. 2013.
Constraints and opportunities for groundwater irrigation arising from hydrologic shifts in the Iullemmeden Basin, South-Western Niger. Water International, 38(4):465-479. (Special issue on quot;Sustainable groundwater development for improved livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa, Part 1quot; with contributions by IWMI authors).
[DOI] More... Land-use-change-induced increases in shallow groundwater levels across parts of the Sahel in recent years have coincided with expanded use of groundwater for irrigation. This study was conducted to assess the potential linkages and livelihood implications based on a field survey of nine villages building on previous hydrological studies. The results show that irrigators lack effective means of production and mostly rely on manual methods. Borehole usage is more 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
Karimov, Akmal; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Mavlonov, A.; Borisov, V.; Gracheva, I.; Miryusupov, F.; Djumanov, J.; Khamzina, T.; Ibragimov, R.; Abdurahmanov, B. 2013.
Managed aquifer recharge: the solution for water shortages in the Fergana Valley. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 51p. (Also in Russian).
(IWMI Research Report 151) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (2.18MB)
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
Mwendera, Emmanuel; Chilonda, Pius. 2013.
Conceptual framework for revitalisation of small-scale irrigation schemes in southern Africa. Irrigation and Drainage, 62(2):208-220.
[DOI] More... 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
McCartney, Matthew; Rebelo, Lisa-Maria; Xenarios, S.; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2013.
Agricultural water storage in an era of climate change: assessing need and effectiveness in Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 37p.
(IWMI Research Report 152) [DOI] More... |
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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
Reis, J.; Culver, T.; Lacombe, Guillaume; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali. 2013.
Integrating interventions for shoreline farming and fishing into dam operation [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, 19-23 May 2013. 1p.
More... 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
Boelee, Eline; Yohannes, M.; Poda, J.-N.; McCartney, Matthew; Hagos, Fitsum; Cecchi, P.; Kibret, S.; Laamrani, H. 2013.
Options for water storage and rainwater harvesting to improve health and resilience against climate change in Africa. Regional Environmental Change, 13(3):509-519.
[DOI] More... 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
Sood, Aditya; Muthuwatta, Lal; McCartney, Matthew. 2013.
A SWAT evaluation of the effect of climate change on the hydrology of the Volta River Basin. Water International, 38(3):297-311.
[DOI] More... 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
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.
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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
Kiptala, J. K.; Mohamed, Y.; Mul, Marloes L.; Van der Zaag, P. 2013.
Mapping evapotranspiration trends using MODIS and SEBAL model in a data scarce and heterogeneous landscape in eastern Africa. Water Resources Research, 49(12):8495-8510.
[DOI] More... [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
Wegerich, Kai. 2013.
Politics of water in post-Soviet Central Asia. In Europa Publications. (Ed). Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2014. 14th Ed. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. pp.30-35.
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Electricity / Irrigated land / Reservoirs / Flow discharge / USSR / Political aspects / International waters / River basins
Record No:H046309
Keller, A.; Weight, Elizabeth; Taylor, S. 2013.
Rapid assessment of water availability and appropriate technologies for small-scale farming: guidelines for practitioners. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 61p.
(IWMI Working Paper 156) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext 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
Sri Lanka Water Partnership (Lanka Jalani); International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Unilever-Pureit. 2013.
Proceedings of the First Young Water Professionals Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22-23 November 2012. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Water Partnership (Lanka Jalani); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: Unilever-Pureit 228p.
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Fulltext (5.26 MB)
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
Sri Lanka Water Partnership (Lanka Jalani); International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Unilever-Pureit. 2013.
Proceedings of the First Young Water Professionals Symposium, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22-23 November 2012. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Water Partnership (Lanka Jalani); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: Unilever-Pureit 228p.
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Fulltext (5.26 MB)
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
Boelee, Eline. 2013.
Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Wallingford, UK: CABI 192p.
(Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10) More... |
Fulltext (2.38 MB)
Health hazards / Fodder / Water power / Tillage / Soil management / Landscape / Runoff / Rain / Land degradation / Flooding / Environmental flows / Climate change / Biofuels / Biodiversity / Aquifers / Fisheries / Livestock / River basins / Wetlands / Arid zones / Poverty / Food production / Agriculture / Food security / Nutrient cycling in ecosystems / Agroecosystems / Water productivity / Hydrological cycle / Water quality / Water demand / Water use / Water management
Record No:H046175
Venot, Jean-Philippe; Clement, Floriane. 2013.
Justice in development?: an analysis of water interventions in the rural south. Natural Resources Forum, 37(1):19-30.
[DOI] More... 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
Mwendera, Emmanuel; Chilonda, Pius; Chigura, Patrick. 2013.
Options for operation and maintenance partnerships - a case study of Rupike Irrigation Scheme, Zimbabwe. Sustainable Agriculture Research, 2(3):136-147.
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Fulltext 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
Mwendera, Emmanuel; Chilonda, Pius. 2013.
Methodological framework for revitalisation of small-scale irrigation schemes in Southern Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Science Research, 2(3):67-73.
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Fulltext 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
Keller, A.; Weight, Elizabeth; Taylor, S. 2013.
Evaluation rapide de la disponibilite en eau et des technologies appropriees pour la petite agriculture: directives pour les acteurs de terrain. In French. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 64p. (Also in English)
(IWMI Working Paper 156 / Document de travail IWMI 156) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (2 MB)
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
Manthrithilake, Herath; Liyanagama, S. 2012.
Simulation model for participatory decision making: water allocation policy implementation in Sri Lanka. Water International, 37(4):478-491. (Special issue on quot;How hydrological models support informed decision making in developing countriesquot; with contributions by IWMI authors).
[DOI] More... 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
Kibret, Solomon; Lautze, Jonathan; Boelee, Eline; McCartney, Matthew. 2012.
How does an Ethiopian dam increase malaria?: entomological determinants around the Koka Reservoir. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 17(11):1320-1328.
[DOI] More... 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.
Breeding / Mosquitoes / Anopheles / Malaria / Reservoirs / Dams
Record No:H045057
Kizito, Fred; Dragila, M. I.; Sene, M.; Brooks, J. R.; Meinzer, F. C.; Diedhiou, I.; Diouf, M.; Lufafa, A.; Dick, R. P.; Selker, J.; Cuenca, R. 2012.
Hydraulic redistribution by two semi-arid shrub species: implications for Sahelian agro-ecosystems. Journal of Arid Environments, 83:69-77.
[DOI] More... 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
Cai, Xueliang; Cui, Y.; Dai, J.; Luo, Y. 2012.
Local storages: the impact on hydrology and implications for policy making in irrigation systems. Water International, 37(4):395-407. (Special issue on quot;How hydrological models support informed decision making in developing countriesquot; with contributions by IWMI authors).
[DOI] More... 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
Karimov, Akmal; Mavlonov, A.; Miryusupov, F.; Gracheva, I.; Borisov, V.; Abdurahmonov, B. 2012.
Modelling policy alternatives toward managed aquifer recharge in the Fergana Valley, Central Asia. Water International, 37(4):380-394. (Special issue on quot;How hydrological models support informed decision making in developing countriesquot; with contributions by IWMI authors).
[DOI] More... 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
Venot, Jean-Philippe; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Nti Acheampong, Ernest. 2012.
Revisiting dominant notions: a review of costs, performance and institutions of small reservoirs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 39p.
(IWMI Research Report 144) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.50MB)
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
Nagabhatla, N.; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Bobba, A. G.; Finlayson, M.; Wickramasuriya, R.; van Brakel, Martin; Prasad, S. N.; Pattanaik, C. 2012.
Insight to Ecosystem Based Approach (EBA) at landscape level using a geospatial medium. Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 40(1):47-64.
[DOI] More... 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.
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Labour / Water supply / Electricity supplies / Water power / Irrigation / Case studies / Income / Households / Value added / Models / Reservoirs / Dams / Economic impact
Record No:H044915
Colenbrander, W.; van Koppen, Barbara. 2012.
Improving the supply chain of motor pumps to expand small-scale private irrigation in Zambia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 14p.
(IWMI Working Paper 154) [DOI] More... |
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Hope, Lesley; Colenbrander, W. 2012.
Gender aspects of small-scale private irrigation in Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 17p.
(IWMI Working Paper 153) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (608.67KB)
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
Funder, M.; Bustamante, R.; Cossio, V.; Huong, P. T. M.; van Koppen, Barbara; Mweemba, C.; Nyambe, I.; Phuong, L. T. T.; Skielboe, T. 2012.
Strategies of the poorest in local water conflict and cooperation – evidence from Vietnam, Bolivia and Zambia. Water Alternatives, 5(1): 20-36.
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Rojas, V. C.; Skielboe, T. 2012.
Project politics, priorities and participation in rural water schemes. Water Alternatives, 5(1):37-51.
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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
Jenbere, D.; Lemenih, Mulugeta; Kassa, H. 2012.
Expansion of eucalypt farm forestry and its determinants in Arsi Negelle District, South Central Ethiopia. Small-scale Forestry, 11(3):389-405.
[DOI] More... 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
McCartney, Matthew; Forkuor, Gerald; Sood, Aditya; Amisigo, B.; Hattermann, F.; Muthuwatta, Lal. 2012.
The water resource implications of changing climate in the Volta River Basin [Africa]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 33p.
(IWMI Research Report 146) [DOI] More... |
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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
van Koppen, Barbara; Smits, S. 2012.
Multiple use water services: scoping study synthesis. Final report [MUS project]. : Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); New York, NY, USA: Rockefeller Foundation; Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) 59p.
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Fulltext (1.01MB)
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
Douxchamps, Sabine; Ayantunde, A.; Barron, J. 2012.
Evolution of agricultural water management in rainfed crop-livestock systems of the Volta Basin. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 64p.
(CPWF Research for Development (R4D) Series 4) More... |
Fulltext (0.90MB)
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
McCartney, Matthew; Alemayehu, T.; Easton, Z. M.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2012.
Simulating current and future water resources development in the Blue Nile River Basin. 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.269-291.
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Fulltext (1.39MB)
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
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 27p.
(IWMI Working Paper 152) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.10MB)
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
Saldias, C.; Boelens, R.; Wegerich, Kai; Speelman, S. 2012.
Losing the watershed focus: a look at complex community-managed irrigation systems in Bolivia. Water International, 37(7):744-759.
[DOI] More... 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.
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Spatial distribution / Water balance / Assessment / Watersheds / Reservoirs / Simulation models / Gully erosion / Highlands / Runoff / Sediment pollution / Sedimentation / River basins
Record No:H045314
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investir dans la gestion de l’eau en agriculture au profit des petits exploitants agricoles du Burkina Faso. Rapport national de synthese du projet AgWater Solutions. In French. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 24p. (Also in English).
(IWMI Working Paper 149; Document de travail IWMI 149) [DOI] More... |
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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
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in Zambia. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
(IWMI Working Paper 150) [DOI] More... |
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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
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 22p. (Also in French).
(IWMI Working Paper 149) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (958.5KB)
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
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in West Bengal, India. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 20p.
(IWMI Working Paper 148) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.20MB)
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
Evans, Alexandra E. V.; Giordano, Meredith; Clayton, Terry. 2012.
Investing in agricultural water management to benefit smallholder farmers in Ghana. AgWater Solutions Project country synthesis report. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
(IWMI Working Paper 147) [DOI] More... |
Fulltext (1.50MB)
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
Eguavoen, I.; Derib, S. D.; Deneke, T. T.; McCartney, Matthew; Otto, B. A.; Billa, S. S. 2012.
Digging, damming or diverting?: small-scale irrigation in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Water Alternatives, 5(3):678-699.
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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
Wegerich, Kai. 2012.
Politics of water in Post-Soviet Central Asia. In Europa Publications. (Ed). Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2013. 13th Ed. Abingdon, UK: Routledge. pp.44-49.
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Downstream / Upstream / Reservoirs / Irrigated sites / Flow discharge / USSR / Political aspects / International waters / River basins
Record No:H045622
Wegerich, Kai; Kazbekov, Jusipbek; Lautze, Jonathan; Platonov, Alexander; Yakubov, Murat. 2012.
From monocentric ideal to polycentric pragmatism in the Syr Darya: searching for second best approaches. International Journal of Sustainable Society, 4(1-2):113-130.
[DOI] More... 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
Boelee, Eline. 2011.
Ecosystems for water and food security. [Background paper]. : Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 179p.
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Landscape / Policy / Rainfed farming / Livestock / Rangelands / Biodiversity / Agroforestry / Climate change / Fisheries / Poverty / Hunger / Developing countries / Environmental flows / Decision making / Water use / Wetlands / Water productivity / Water management / Water scarcity / Food production / Food security / Agriculture / Agroecosystems
Record No:H044268
Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Balcha, Y. 2011.
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) 264p.
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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.
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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
Pavelic, Paul; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Favreau, G.; Villholth, K. G. 2011.
Water balance approach for assessing potential for small-scale groundwater irrigation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Paper presented at the International Conference on Groundwater: Our Source of Security in an Uncertain Future, CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa, 19-21 September 2011. 12p.
More... 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
Reis, J.; Culver, T. B.; McCartney, Matthew; Lautze, Jonathan; Kibret, S. 2011.
Water resources implications of integrating malaria control into the operation of an Ethiopian dam. Water Resources Research, 47(W09530):10p.
[DOI] More... 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
Xenarios, Stefanos; Asante, F.; McCartney, Matthew. 2011.
Economic efficiency of water storage options: an application of the approach to Ghana. Paper presented at the Third Ghana Water Forum (GWF-3) on Water and Sanitation Services Delivery in a Rapidly Changing Urban Environment, Accra, Ghana, 5-7 September 2011. 6p.
More... 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
AgWater Solutions Project (Agricultural Water Solutions Project). 2011.
Improving water security through MGNREGS. Based on a report and recommendations by Ravinder P. S. Malik. 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... |
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Development aid / Small farms / Smallholders / Farmers / Multiple use / Irrigation water / Pumps / Water security / Water storage / Water harvesting / Employment / Rural poverty
Record No:H044149
Godswill, M.; Namara, Regassa; Hagos, Fitsum; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Ayana, M.; Bossio, Deborah. 2011.
A comparative analysis of the technical efficiency of rain-fed and smallholder irrigation in Ethiopia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 37p.
(IWMI Working Paper 143) [DOI] More... |
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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
Namara, Regassa E.; Horowitz, L.; Nyamadi, B.; Barry, Boubacar. 2011.
Irrigation development in Ghana: past experiences, emerging opportunities, and future directions. Accra, Ghana: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Ghana Strategy Support Program (GSSP) 43p.
(GSSP Working Paper 0027) More... |
Fulltext (796 KB)
Constraints / Economic aspects / Vegetables / Cropping patterns / Investment / Reservoirs / Precipitation / Groundwater irrigation / Smallholders / Irrigation schemes / Irrigation systems / Irrigated farming / Irrigation management
Record No:H043830
Venot, Jean-Philippe; Cecchi, P. 2011.
Valeurs d'usage ou performances techniques: comment apprcier le rle des petits barrages en Afrique subsaharienne ?. In French. Cahiers Agricultures, 20(1-2):112-117.
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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
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... |
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Governance / Water user associations / Water use / Investment / Irrigation projects / Development projects / Dams / Reservoirs
Record No:H044584
Venot, Jean-Philippe; Andreini, Marc; Pinkstaff, C. B. 2011.
Planning and corrupting water resources development: the case of small reservoirs in Ghana. Water Alternatives, 4(3):399-423.
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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
Samad, Madar; Kuppannan, Palanisami; Jinapala, K. 2011.
Fragmentation of property rights and externalities: a comparative study of small tank systems of Sri Lanka and Tamilnadu, 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.222-223.
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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.
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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.
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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
Hoanh, Chu Thai; Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Joffre, O.; McCartney, Matthew; Lacombe, Guillaume; Kam, S. P.; Baran, E.; Reis, J.; Metzger, L.; Teoh, Shwu; Yen, B. T.; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Keophoxay, Anousith; Douangsavanh, L.; Xayachack, S.; Toan, T. D.; Phuong, N. D. 2011.
A decision-support-system (DSS) framework for linking livelihoods with reservoir operation: experiences from MK1 case studies in the Mekong Basin. [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the 3rd International Forum on Water and Food, Tshwane, South Africa, 14-17 November 2011. 2p.
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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.
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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
Eguavoen, I.; Derib, S. D.; Deneke, T. T.; McCartney, Matthew; Otto, B. A.; Billa, S. S. 2011.
Digging, damming or diverting? Small-scale irrigation in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Bonn, Germany: Center for Development Research (ZEF) 31p.
(ZEF Working Paper Series 84) More... |
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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
Venot, Jean-Philippe. 2011.
What Commons? rethinking participation in the Sub-Saharan African water sector. Paper presented at the 13th IASC Biennial International Conference on Sustaining Commons: Sustaining Our Future, Hyderabad, India, 10 -14 January 2011. 10p.
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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
Sally, Hilmy; Levite, Herve; Cour, J. 2011.
Local water management of small reservoirs: lessons from two case studies in Burkina Faso. Water Alternatives, 4(3):365-382.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
McCartney, Matthew; Lacombe, Guillaume. 2011.
Review of water resource and reservoir planning models for use in the Mekong. [Report of the IWMI-CPWF Mekong (MK1) Project on Optimizing Reservoir Management for Livelihoods]. : Vientiane, Laos: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Vientiane, Laos: CGIAR Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF) 24p.
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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
Kizito, Fred; Baron, J.; van Wijk, M.; Douxchamps, Sabine; Cofie, Olufunke; Naaminong, K.; Lamptey, B.; Abunyewa, A. 2011.
Volta storylines and scenarios: a mouthpiece for interventions that enhance livelihoods. [Abstract only]. Paper presented at the 3rd International Forum on Water and Food, Tshwane, South Africa, 14-17 November 2011. 2p.
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Multiple use / Institutions / Water use / Water management / River basins
Record No:H044650
Kuppannan, Palanisami; Meinzen-Dick, R.; Giordano, Mark; van Koppen, Barbara; Ranganathan, C. R. 2011.
Tank performance and multiple uses in Tamil Nadu, South India–comparison of 2 time periods (1996–97 and 2009–10). Irrigation and Drainage Systems, 25(1):121-134.
[DOI] More... 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
Wegerich, Kai. 2011.
Politics of water in post-Soviet Central Asia. In Heaney, D. (Ed). Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2012. 12th ed. London, UK: Routledge. pp.48-52.
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Water power / Irrigation / USSR / Downstream / Upstream / Surveys / Reservoirs / Canals / River basins / Political aspects / International relations / International waters
Record No:H044665
Tilahun, H.; Erkossa, Teklu; Michael, M.; Hagos, Fitsum; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2011.
Comparative performance of irrigated and rainfed agriculture in Ethiopia. World Applied Sciences Journal, 14(2):235-244.
More... 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
McCartney, Matthew; Smakhtin, Vladimir. 2010.
Water storage in an era of climate change: addressing the challenge of increasing rainfall variability. Blue paper. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 14p.
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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
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2010.
Dams and malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 8p.
(IWMI Water Policy Brief 034) [DOI] More... |
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Reservoirs / Waterborne diseases / Control methods / Malaria / Dams
Record No:H043121
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... |
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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
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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
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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
Senaratna Sellamuttu, Sonali; Mith, S.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnston, Robyn M.; Baran, E.; Dubois, M.; Soeun, M.; Craig, I.; Nam, S.; Smith, L. 2010.
Commune agroecosystem analysis to support decision making for water allocation for fisheries and agriculture in the Tonle Sap Wetland System. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 58p.
(CPWF Project Report 71) More... |
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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
Zeleke, T.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2010.
Water rights and the processes of negotiation among irrigators in West Shewa Zone: the case of Indris Irrigation Scheme in Toke Kutaye District [Ethiopia]. Ethiopian Journal of Development Research, 32(2):33-62.
More... 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
Namara, Regassa; Makombe, Godswill; Hagos, Fitsum; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2010.
Rural poverty and inequality in Ethiopia: does access to small-scale irrigation make a difference? Ethiopian Journal of Development Research, 32(2):1-31.
More... 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
van Koppen, Barbara; Smits, S. 2010.
Multiple-use water services: climbing the water ladder. Waterlines, 29(1):5-20
[DOI] More... 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
Herrero, M.; Thornton, P. K.; Notenbaert, A. M.; Wood, S.; Msangi, S.; Freeman, H. A.; Bossio, Deborah; Dixon, J.; Peters, M.; van de Steeg, J.; Lynam, J.; Parthasarathy Rao, P.; Macmillan, S.; Gerard, B.; McDermott, J.; Sere, C.; Rosegrant, M. 2010.
Smart investments in sustainable food production: revisiting mixed crop-livestock systems. Perspective. Science, 327:822-825
[DOI] More... 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
Jebari, S.; Berndtsson, R.; Bahri, Akissa; Boufaroua, M. 2010.
Spatial soil loss risk and reservoir siltation in semi-arid Tunisia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 55(1):121-137
[DOI] More... 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
Shah, Tushaar; Krishnan, S.; Hemant, P.; Verma, S.; Chandra, A.; Sudhir, C. 2010.
A case for pipelining water distribution in the Narmada Irrigation System in Gujarat, India. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 17p.
(IWMI Working Paper 141) [DOI] More... |
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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
Penning de Vries, F.; Ruaysoongnern, S. 2010.
Multiple sources of water for multiple purposes in northeast Thailand. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 29p.
(IWMI Working Paper 137) [DOI] More... |
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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
Smits, S.; van Koppen, Barbara; Moriarty, P.; Butterworth, J. 2010.
Multiple-use services as an alternative to rural water supply services: a characterisation of the approach. Water Alternatives, 3(1):102-121
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Fulltext 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
Venot, Jean-Philippe; Hirvonen, M. 2010.
Can small reservoirs enhance sustainable agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa?: broadening the analytical horizons. Paper presented at the Symposium on Innovation and Sustainable Development in Agriculture and food, Montpellier, France, 28 June - 1 July 2010. 11p.
More... 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
Wegerich, Kai. 2010.
Politics of water in post-Soviet Central Asia. In Heaney, D. (Ed). Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia 2011. 11th ed. London, UK: Routledge. pp.43-47
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Reservoirs / Canals / River basins / Political aspects / International relations / International waters
Record No:H043577
Abaidoo, R. C.; Keraita, Bernard; Drechsel, Pay; Dissanayake, Priyanka; Maxwell, Akple S. 2010.
Soil and crop contamination through wastewater irrigation and options for risk reduction in developing countries. In Dion, P. (Ed.). Soil biology and agriculture in the tropics. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer Verlag. pp.498-535
More... 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
Kibret, S.; Alemu, Y.; Boelee, Eline; Tekie, H.; Alemu, D.; Petros, B. 2010.
The impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission in Ziway area, central Ethiopia. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 15(1):41-50
[DOI] More... 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
Xenarios, Stefanos; McCartney, Matthew; Adenew, B. 2010.
Economic assessment of water storage in Sub-Saharan Africa. Paper presented at the 11th Symposium on Sustainable Water Resources Development, Arba Minch University, Ethiopia, 3-4 December 2010. 8p.
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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.
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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
Teklu, B. M.; Tekie, H.; McCartney, Matthew; Kibret, S. 2010.
The effect of physical water quality and water level changes on the occurrence and density of Anopheles mosquito larvae around the shoreline of the Koka reservoir, central Ethiopia. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 14(12):2595-2603
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Fulltext 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.
Malaria / Reservoirs / Breeding places / Anopheles / Mosquitoes
Record No:H043432
Prado, M. C. C. M.; Hiscock, K. M.; Rajasooriyar, L.; Boelee, Eline. 2010.
Application of a combined hydrochemical and stable isotope approach to the study of the interaction between irrigation canal water and groundwater in southern Sri Lanka. [Abstract only]. In International Symposium, Sustainable Agriculture for Prosperity, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 16 November 2010. Proceedings, Part 1 - Keynote speeches and abstracts. Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka: University of Ruhuna. Faculty of Agriculture. pp.58
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Water quality / Stable isotopes / Fluorides / Chlorides / Reservoirs / Wells / Aquifers / Groundwater / Irrigation water / Irrigation schemes / Canals
Record No:H043342
Vidal, Alain; van Koppen, Barbara; Blake, D. 2010.
The green-to-blue water continuum: an approach to improve agricultural systems’ resilience to water scarcity. In Lundqvist, J. (Ed.). On the water front: selections from the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm. Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). pp.66-72
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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
Idowu, O. A.; Lorentz, S. A.; Annandale, J. G.; Aken, M.; McCartney, Matthew; Thornton-Dibb, S. L. C.; Westhuizen, A. 2010.
Comparative assessment of widespread irrigation with low quality mine-water in undisturbed and rehabilitated mine-lands in the upper Olifants using the ACRU2000 model. Water SA, 36(5):543-552
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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
Dang, T. H.; Coynel, A.; Orange, Didier; Blanc, G.; Etcheber, H.; Le, L. A. 2010.
Long-term monitoring (1960–2008) of the river-sediment transport in the Red River Watershed (Vietnam): temporal variability and dam-reservoir impact. Science of the Total Environment, 408:4654-4664
[DOI] More... 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
Johnston, Robyn M.; McCartney, Matthew. 2010.
Inventory of water storage types in the Blue Nile and Volta River Basins. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 40p.
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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
Karimov, Akmal; Yakubov, Murat; Noble, Andrew; Jumabaev, Kahramon; Anarbekov, Oyture; Kazbekov, Jusipbek; Mirzaev, N.; Alimdjanov, A. 2010.
Alternative water allocation in Kyrgyzstan: lessons from the Lower Colorado River Basin and New South Wales. Water, 2:510-529
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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