Water, Food, Energy Nexus (WFEN)
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Item Solar Pumps as Micro-Enterprises for Women Leveraging Bihar’s Self-Help Groups for Equitable Irrigation Access(Brief, 2025-06-06) Verma, Shilp; Singh, M.; Kuriachen, Philip; Uppal, A.; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Usadadia, Nikunj; Anand, AbhishekThis brief presents an action research pilot in Lohsari village of north Bihar, India, implemented by the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, India (AKRSP-I), with support from the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program and the Solar Energy for Rural Livelihoods (SE4RL) project. In India’s eastern Gangetic plains, solar pumps can offer clean energy for pumping water – to replace highly polluting and costly diesel-based irrigation. However, highly fragmented land holdings make investments in individual solar pumps unattractive and unviable. Since 2016, IWMI and AKRSP-I have been working in north Bihar to pilot solar irrigation entrepreneurs – who can deliver high quality and affordable solar irrigation as a service through a solar pump coupled with a network of buried pipes. Through the flagship rural livelihoods initiative, Jeevika, the government of Bihar has also promoted women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across the state – to promote micro-saving and micro-lending. As these SHGs mature, they are also encouraging women members to take up micro-enterprises to enhance their incomes. Through this pilot, we are field testing a model that offers solar pumps as a micro-enterprise for SHG women. The innovative pilot aims to demonstrate how such enterprises can eliminate diesel use, boost women’s economic agency, and enhance irrigation coverage.Item Farmer Producer Organizations as Solar Entrepreneurs: The Case for Solar Pumps as Business Investments(Brief, 2025-06-06) Verma, Shilp; Murmu, S.; Kuriachen, Philip; Kumar, D.; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Usadadia, Nikunj; Mahto, Bhawani ShankharThis brief presents an action research pilot in Kuyani village of Jharkhand, India, implemented jointly by Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI) and a local Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), with support from the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program and the Solar Energy for Rural Livelihoods (SE4RL) project. The objective is to reduce entry barriers and enable small and marginal farmers to benefit from solar-powered irrigation. This innovative business model tests the theory that deploying solar pumps and offering solar irrigation as a service to member farmers would make a good business investment for FPOs. By enabling member farmers to shift from expensive diesel-based irrigation, the model improves agricultural productivity – positively affecting the FPO’s core business activity – and enables improved access and livelihoods for small and marginal farmers. The pilot offers useful field evidence and insights for India’s growing number of FPOs to consider investing in solar irrigation systems.Item Benchmarking Solar Pump Performance: Off-Grid Solar Irrigation Pumps in Eastern and Central India(Brief, 2025-06-06) Verma, Shilp; Kuriachen, Philip; Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Sharma, Laxmi; Basu, Subhodeep; Usadadia, NikunjThis brief describes a three-state field study initiated by the Solar Energy for Rural Livelihoods (SE4RL) project with the objective of understanding the drivers of performance for off-grid solar irrigation pumps. The study covered approximately 300 solar irrigation systems in Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh), Samastipur and Muzaffarpur (north Bihar), and East Singbhum (Jharkhand) to document usage patterns, irrigated area, revenue generation, equity of access, and operational efficiency. By analyzing these parameters, the study seeks to identify what drives high performance and where improvements are needed.Item Direct seeded rice in Haryana (India) ABY districts: impact and lessons for scaling(Report, 2025-05-30) Mutum, Lamnganbi; Mizan, Syed Adil; Bhatpuria, Dhyey; Taneja, Garima; Mitra, Archisman; Gupta, S. K.; Sikka, AlokRice is a staple crop in India, traditionally cultivated using the Transplanted Puddled Rice (TPR) method. This traditional method, while effective and very popular amongst farmers, is highly labour, water, and energy-intensive, that leads to significant groundwater depletion and higher energy usage in pumping groundwater. In response to these challenges, the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) method has been introduced as a more sustainable alternative. DSR involves sowing seeds directly into the field, eliminating the need for growing and transplanting seedlings. This method, tested in various field trials, promises to have several benefits, including water savings, reduced labour and production costs, higher economic returns, and lower methane emissions. However, the success in farmer fields when adopted at scale outside trials remains to be analysed critically. In that context, this study was commissioned through a MoU with National Project Management Unit (NPMU), Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY). ABY, also known as Atal Jal, is a central sector scheme aimed at sustainable groundwater management with community participation. Launched in December 2019, ABY focuses on improving groundwater management in water-stressed areas across seven states, including Haryana. The adoption of DSR in Haryana has been gradual but promising. The area under rice cultivation in the state has increased significantly over the years, with initial efforts to introduce DSR beginning around 2009. The state government has played a crucial role in promoting DSR by offering financial incentives to farmers. In 2022, an incentive of INR 4000 per acre1 was introduced to encourage farmers to adopt DSR. Given its uptake in Haryana, the objective of this study is to assess the socio-economic and environmental benefits of DSR, identify the challenges, and offer recommendations for scaling up this technology in Haryana and other regions. The study employed a multi-faceted approach including qualitative surveys with stakeholders, focus group discussions, field visits, and a large-scale quantitative survey (sample size is 809) of DSR and TPR farmers across selected districts in Haryana to assess the impact of DSR. These farmer-level sources were complemented by water flow meter data analysis and remote sensing analysis.Item Inclusive policy development from the ground up: insights from the household water-energy-food nexus(Journal Article, 2025-07) Al-Zu'bi, Maha; Mabhaudhi, T.; Daher, B.; Brouziyne, YoussefDespite substantial contemporary research and a growing trend in exploring the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus, most research efforts have been invested in macro-level supply-side infrastructure and policies. However, prioritizing demand-side management policies can provide new opportunities and untapped potential for addressing interconnected resource challenges. Demand management inherently encompasses users’ consumption patterns, behaviors, socio-economic conditions, and choices, thereby necessitating active engagement and participation. Understanding household-level demands is fundamental to assess the demand for and consumption of water, energy, and food, as well as to inform policy decisions. In this context, our study investigated household consumption patterns within the interconnected WEF nexus, including daily practices such as cooking and washing, conservation measures, household governance, and their cross-cutting relationships with climate change. As a case study, we conducted our research in the Jabal Al Natheef neighborhood of Amman City, Jordan. Our findings reveal that households can propose and enact climate-friendly decisions. Significant gender-related differences were also observed in decisions made across WEF household practices. Additionally, households’ perspectives highlighted governance issues and revealed gaps in policy implementation along with the need for more inclusive decision-making processes. Our results underscore the importance of understanding household-level WEF nexus dynamics and daily practices in informing environmental policies, particularly those related to climate action. Such policies are best developed from the bottom-up by incorporating household insights, rather than relying solely on top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions.Item Unraveling agricultural water use in three Central Asian irrigation oases using remote sensing(Journal Article, 2025-06) Ragettli, S.; Kreiner, A.; Yakovlev, A.; Anarbekov, O.; Al-Zu’bi, Maha; Urazkeldiyev, A.; Siegfried, T.Study Region: Three major irrigation oases in Uzbekistan (Bukhara, Samarkand and Kashkadarya) Study focus: The study employs remote sensing to develop enhanced methodologies for quantifying water use in Central Asian irrigation oases from 2017 to 2022. By integrating earth observation data into a water balance approach, we quantify variables that are typically challenging to measure, such as groundwater overdraft and non-growing season water use for soil preparation. A key aspect of agricultural water management in the region is utilizing water from reservoirs. Here we introduce a novel approach that combines optical remote sensing with satellite laser altimetry to monitor the availability and use of active water storage in reservoirs. New hydrological insights for the region: Results indicate that water from reservoir storage satisfies up to 14.9 % ± 2.2 % of the annual demand, but another 11.5 % ± 5.2 % are groundwater withdrawals. Our analysis indicates a necessary average annual reduction in groundwater extractions by at least 8.0 % ± 1.6 % for sustainability. Additionally, highly energy-intensive water pumping from Amu Darya River provides more than half of the water resources used in Bukhara and Kashkadarya, resulting in a significant carbon footprint of the region’s agricultural production. The detailed breakdown of water uses and irrigation water consumption by crop type informs efficient, sustainable water management, offering new opportunities for agricultural water accounting in Central Asian irrigation oases.Item IWMI-Tata Water Policy Program: converting science into policy action(Brochure, 2025-04-03) Verma, ShilpEstablished in 2000 as a co-equal partnership between the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka, and the Sir Ratan Tata Trusts, Mumbai, India, the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Program (ITP) is a research platform focused on water, energy, food and livelihoods in India. It brings together the scientific expertise and international experience of IWMI with a strong field presence, action orientation and strong investment in natural resource management-based rural livelihoods in Tata Trusts’ Rural Upliftment Portfolio. Over the past two decades, ITP has maintained a practical, problem-solving orientation to research and become a recognized ‘brand’ in the water-agriculture-energy-environment-livelihood sector in India. In recent years, ITP has taken to collaboratively pilot its research-based ideas on the ground. This unique approach has helped ITP establish a strong presence in policy circles and create a lasting impact on program design and policy formulation. This brochure provides an in-depth overview of ITP’s work, discussing its collaborative approach, key research themes, policy contributions, and impact through action-research initiatives.Item Proceedings of Science–Policy Dialogue on Groundwater Governance(Conference Proceedings, 2024-12-30) Taneja, Garima; Lamnganbi, Mutum; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.; Sikka, AlokItem The business or financial models for solar irrigation pumps: unveiling Interconnections, advantages, and trade-offs(Presentation, 2024-08-08) Mutum, Lamnganbi; Kuriachen, Philip; Taneja, Garima; M. P. M. Deepa; Sikka, Alok; Ringler, ClaudiaIn pursuit of underscoring the need for a nexus-driven approach in upcoming ventures to effectively manage limited resources, a comprehensive study was undertaken in the Indo-Gangetic plains to assess business and financial models. This exploration delved into four distinct models through intensive Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), totaling 3-4 sessions per model. Notably, the models were interconnected utilizing fuzzy cognitive mapping to visually depict their intricate interdependencies. In conclusion, the SIP model through the PM-KUSUM Scheme proves to be most suitable for large-scale farmers in regions lacking groundwater markets. Conversely, the Guarantee Fund Model provides customized solutions tailored for medium and small-scale farmers. In Bihar, Models SBIG and SBII are notably beneficial for marginal farmers managing small, fragmented land holdings. Moreover, ensuring gender inclusivity in these models underscores the importance of advocating capacity-building strategies, thereby enhancing their efficacy and ensuring equitable benefits for all beneficiaries.Item Connecting the dots across water–energy–food–ecosystems: a roadmap for strengthening nexus solutions in Pakistan(Brief, 2024-12-30) Khalid, SidraItem Focus and impact on nutrition, health, and food security(Brief, 2024-12-30) CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS GainsA NEXUS Gains impact area brief shares how the Initiative uses people-centered approaches to prioritize the well-being and strategic interests of women, youth, and marginalized groups across the water–energy–food–ecosystems nexus.Item NEXUS Gains in the Indus Basin: Pakistan(Brief, 2024-12-30) CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS GainsA NEXUS Gains transboundary river basin brief shares examples of the Initiative’s work across five work packages in the Indus Basin in Pakistan.Item NEXUS Gains in the Aral Sea Basin: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan(Brief, 2024-12-30) CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS GainsA NEXUS Gains transboundary river basin brief shares examples of the Initiative’s work across five work packages in the Aral Sea Basin, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.Item NEXUS Gains in the Blue Nile Basin: Ethiopia and Sudan(Brief, 2024-12-30) CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS GainsA NEXUS Gains transboundary river basin brief shares examples of the Initiative’s work across five work packages in the Blue Nile Basin, covering Ethiopia and Sudan.Item Hydro-economic models for decision making on water optimization in Indus Basin: Examples from “Releasing water from high delta crops for other beneficial uses: Potential and Challenges seen in a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model” with extended analyses(Presentation, 2024-04-18) Davies, Stephen; Akram, Iqra; Ali, Muhammad Tahir; Hafeez, Mohsin; Ringler, ClaudiaA (virtual) presentation for the CGIAR Nexus Gains Initiative Work Package . IWMI Headquarters, Lahore, Pakistan on April 18, 2024.Item Continuous efforts to educate decision-makers at all levels on the nexus in Nepal(News Item, 2024-11-29) Phuyal, Surendra; Koirala, Sanju; Karki,Darshan; Mishra, AnujExperts and stakeholders working to ensure greater acceptance of the water–energy–food–ecosystems (WEFE) nexus approach in Nepal are calling for renewed efforts to get the WEFE nexus incorporated in government programs and policies.Item Sustaining India's invisible resource – groundwater – through participatory management(News Item, 2024-12-06) Lamnganbi, Mutum; Taneja, Garima; Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.; Sikka, AlokResearch by NEXUS Gains suggests that the participatory groundwater management scheme, Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY), established by India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti in 2019, can be fine-tuned to strengthen outcomes. Grassroots-level information and feedback needs to be effectively shared with all stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, academicians, and NGOs, through a common platform.Item Oversight of past legacy: reflections on Nepal’s draft water resources bill 2024(News Item, 2024-11-13) KC, Sumitra; Onta, N.Following a series of multistakeholder consultations, IWMI Nepal recommends that a comprehensive amendment of the Nepal Water Resources Bill 2024 is essential to address existing challenges, maximize the benefits of multipurpose use, and mitigate inconsistencies in sectoral planning.Item Advancing integrated water storage to support the water–energy– food–ecosystems nexus in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia(News Item, 2024-11-14) Taye, Meron Teferi; Ebrahim, Girma Yimer; Lautze, Jonathan; Seid, Abdulkarim; Tafesse, YonasA workshop for the Tana-Beles Sub-basin (upper Blue Nile Basin), organized by IWMI, presented NEXUS Gains research results for enhancing the resilience of water–energy–food–ecosystems (WEFE) sectors through implementing integrated water storage.Item Review of water–energy–food nexus applications in the Global South(Journal Article, 2024-10) Mabhaudhi, T.; Chibarabada, T. P.; Taguta, C.; Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel; Ndeketeya, A.The study reviewed the applications of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus for knowledge generation and decision-making in the Global South. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol identified 336 studies from the Web of Science and Scopus datasets. One hundred eighty-five articles applied WEF nexus tools to improve the understanding of WEF nexus interactions and to show the potential of nexus applications. The other articles (151) focused on nexus applications to guide planning and decision support for resource allocation and policy formulation. Environment, climate, ecosystems, land, and socioeconomics were other popular nexus dimensions, while waste and economy were considered to a lesser extent. Limitations associated with nexus applications included unavailability of data, uncertainties from data sources, scale mismatch and bias. The inability of nexus tools to capture the complex realities of WEF interactions is hindering adoption, especially for policy formulations and investment planning. Data limitations could be solved using a sound scientific basis to correct uncertainties and substitute unavailable data. Data gaps can be bridged by engaging stakeholders, who can provide local and indigenous knowledge. Despite the limitations, applying nexus tools could be useful in guiding resource management. Limitations associated with nexus applications included – investment planning. Plausible pathways for operationalising the WEF nexus are discussed.