Integrated Basin and Aquifer Management (IBAM)
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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 Key insights from a community-based solar water pumping system in southern Laos. [In Lao](Brief, 2024-08-30) Pavelic, Paul; Sinavong, P.; Phompackdee, S.; Sinavong, S.Item Key insights from a community-based solar water pumping system in southern Laos(Brief, 2024-08-30) Pavelic, Paul; Sinavong, P.; Phompackdee, S.; Sinavong, S.Item Modelling groundwater futures under climatic uncertainty for local policy and planning: a case of quantification of groundwater resources at sub-regional level in the Ganges basin(Journal article, 2025-06) Mizan, Syed Adil; Sikka, Alok K.; Chakraborty, Shreya; Laing, Alison M.; Urfels, Anton; Krupnik, Timothy J.Study region: Nalanda district, Bihar, India, a sub-tropical region, and part of middle Ganga River basin. Study focus: Assessing the impacts of climate change on aquifers' seasonal replenishment is thus crucial for planning for future local food and water security. This study looks at how future groundwater levels will be affected by climate change in relation to important functioning thresholds that are typical for aquifers that replenish periodically. New hydrological insights for the region The result shows the projected groundwater levels from 2018 to 2060 using the CMIP6 global climate model, using rainfall data from three GCMs selected based on their different projected scenarios of levels of high intensity rainfall. Given the key role of low intensity rainfall in groundwater recharge, we find that incorporating rainfall intensity in groundwater models can be crucial for more robust projections. Our findings also show that higher total rainfall does not necessarily equate to higher groundwater recharge or lesser groundwater declines. Instead, the least groundwater declines were found in projections, where relatively higher total rainfall was also associated with lower high intensity rainfall periods, highlighting the need for combining and comparing varied SSPs and climate models for accurate future trends. At the sub-regional level, we find that climate change could lead to maximum groundwater loss of ∼ 0.8 km3 in 42 years in Nalanda district. Current trend analysis (2000–2018) already shows a negative annual groundwater balance. Even assuming no changes to current groundwater extraction rates, climate change will result in decreased groundwater levels and storage. The projection trends also reveal distinct short-term, medium-term, and long-term shifts which offer different policy windows for managing and governing the groundwater resources.Item NEXUS Gains in the Incomati and Limpopo basins: Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.(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 Incomati Basin and Limpopo Basin – specifically the Shashe sub-basin – covering Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.Item Moving toward implementation: basin-wide modeling and stakeholder platforms in the Incomati Basin(News Item, 2024-12-16) Joaquim, D.; van der Merwe, S.; Nehring, Ryan; Lautze, JonathanNEXUS Gains has been in partnership with INMACOM for more than two years, providing technical support for integrated management of the Incomati’s natural resources. One key focus of this collaboration is a basin-wide decision-support system, with another being the development of a multi-stakeholder platform. Both were the subject of a workshop in South Africa in November 2024, where discussions with stakeholders highlighted the significant impact of NEXUS Gains’ work.Item The environmental fallout of illegal mining in Southern Ghana: the environmental toll of illegal mining is undeniable, but forward-thinking initiatives are forging a path to recovery(Blog Post, 2024-12-05) Tilahun, Seifu A.; Atampugre, Gerald; Nartey, Eric; Gelaye, K.; Adusei-Gyamfi, J.; Herzog, J.; Barron, J.Item A community of practice for water modeling in Nepal(News Item, 2024-11-27) Pradhananga, Saurav; Nepal, Santosh; Aryal, Mamata; Parajuli, D.Item Social-ecological landscape sustainability in West Africa: applying the driver pressure state impact response framework in Ghana and Nigeria(Journal Article, 2024-11) Atampugre, Gerald; Tilahun, Seifu Admassu; Oke, Adebayo; Mabhaudhi, T.; Cofie, Olufunke; Igbadun, H. E.; Olaleye, A. O.This study interrogates the state of social-ecological landscapes (SEL) in West Africa, focusing on two case studies: the Mankran SEL in Ghana (case study 1) and the Doma–Rutu SEL in Nigeria (case study 2). Using a mix of methods, the assessment was framed by the Drivers Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) model tailored for SEL evaluation (DPSIR-SEL). In the Mankran landscape, land use patterns shifted significantly from 2008 to 2018, with cash crop cultivation peaking at 30% in 2015 before declining to 14.5% by 2018. Water quality assessments in the Mankran micro-watershed indicated that several parameters, including Total Suspended Solids (TSS) at 914.41 ± 1974 mg/L, lead at 18.73 ± 17.26 µg/L, and arsenic at 53.41 ± 86.66 µg/L, exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) standards, raising concerns about potential contamination. In contrast, the Doma–Rutu landscape in Nigeria experienced land use and land cover (LULC) changes from 2000 to 2022, characterized by the expansion of residential and agricultural areas alongside modifications to natural water bodies and vegetation. Water quality issues have emerged, with elevated levels of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and salinity. Furthermore, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) revealed persistent herder-farmer conflicts in Nigeria, which have historically constrained crop production due to various environmental and social factors. The intertwined challenges faced by both the Mankran and Doma–Rutu landscapes underscore the urgent need for sustainable and inclusive resource management, adaptive land-use strategies, and proactive measures to safeguard water quality.Item Stakeholders converge on integrated water storage in the Shashe Catchment(News Item, 2024-11-14) Sibanda, B. M.A workshop on advancing integrated water storage in the Shashe Catchment, a sub-basin of the Limpopo Basin shared by Zimbabwe and Botswana, organized by Dabane and IWMI, demonstrated the transformative potential of collaborative efforts and innovative approaches in water storage.Item The potential of Cambodia’s solar technology market to support farmer-led irrigation(Opinion Piece, 2024-10-11) Minh, Thai Thi; Buntong, B.; Pavelic, Paul; Hin, L.; Flor, R. J.Traditional irrigation systems in Cambodia, such as reservoirs, as well as river and canal systems, have limitations, leading to the emergence of farmer-led irrigation management. Meanwhile, solar irrigation has gained attention as a solution. However, challenges exist in matching demand with supply, as the solar irrigation market structure in Cambodia is monopolistic and limited in product choices. This article highlights the need for evidence-based targeting, stronger market demand-supply linkages, innovative marketing strategies and financing solutions to enable the uptake of solar irrigation and expand its potential benefits to farmers.Item Integrating groundwater recharge solutions across the Ramganga Basin, India: a rural-urban approach(Brief, 2024-10-30) Angou, G.; Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Sharma, Navneet; Pavelic, Paul; Sikka, AlokA study carried out by IWMI, TU Delft and Wageningen University looked at how groundwater recharge can help meet growing demands in both rural and urban parts of the Ramganga Basin, India.Item नेपालमा जलवायु संकट र व्यवस्थापनका विकल्प- विविधा - कान्तिपुर समाचार(Newsletter, 2024-10-07) Nepal, Santosh; Phuyal, Surendraकञ्चनपुरमा इतिहासकै सबैभन्दा बढी (२४ घण्टामा ६२४ मिलिमिटर) वर्षाको चपेटामा परेको अढाई महिनामै मध्य नेपालले त्यस्तै प्रकृतिको वर्षाजन्य विपद् भोग्नुपरेको छ । ४० घण्टाको अवधिमा मध्य नेपालमा ३०० मिलिमिटरभन्दा बढी वर्षा भएपछि आइपरेका बाढी, डुबान र पहिरोका कारण देशले कम्तीमा १७ अर्ब रुपैयाँ बराबरको आर्थिक क्षति बेहोरेको प्रारम्भिक आकलन छ ।Item The climate crisis is a water crisis(Blog Post, 2024-11-06) Nepal, SantoshThe climate crisis is marked by rapid changes that lead to more severe disasters, often resulting in irreversible impacts. Nepal faces this crisis, evident in rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and fast-melting glaciers. The climate crisis in Nepal is closely tied to an impending water crisis, affecting various sectors and communities across the country. A 2017 report from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reveals that Nepal has experienced a maximum temperature increase of 2.2°C over the last four decades, at a rate of 0.56°C per decade. The future appears even bleaker, with a 2019 Ministry of Forests and Environment report predicting an average annual temperature rise of 1.7 to 3.6°C by the end of the century under various scenarios. Average annual precipitation may increase by 11-23%, though pre-monsoon rainfall could decrease. Both reports suggest that extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and dry spells, will likely become more common due to climate change. These changes could significantly impact the hydrological cycle and sectors like water resources, agriculture, energy, forests and biodiversity.Item Roundtable discussion on gender and social inclusion in the energy sector: research findings and stakeholder perspectives(Report, 2024-11-05) Aryal, Mamata; Karki, DarshanA roundtable discussion organized by IWMI in June 2024 shared results from a NEXUS Gains’ assessment of policy coherence and the implementation gap in gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) policy in the energy sector in Nepal. The interactive event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the relevance and usefulness of the research findings for their areas of work.Item Inclusive landscape management for climate smart agrifood systems in West and Central Africa(Brief, 2024-07-22) Atampugre, Gerald; Tilahun, Seifu Admassu; Cofie, Olufunke O.Item Spatial and multivariate assessment of access to water for sustainable agriculture intensification in semi-arid Ghana(Journal Article, 2024-10) Boateng, E. N. K.; Atampugre, Gerald; Mariwah, S.; Mensah, I.; Johnson, F. A.; Furst, C.; Nyarko, B. K.Climate change, population growth, rapid urbanization, shifting dietary patterns, and economic development pose significant challenges to food security, particularly in the Global South. Addressing these challenges involves efforts aimed at sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI), especially for smallholder farmers in marginalized regions. However, knowledge gaps persist regarding smallholder farmers’ access to water for SAI, particularly in arid and semi-arid agroecological zones. This study investigates smallholder farmers’ access to water for SAI in the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Agroecological Zones (SSAZ) of Ghana. Data were collected from 698 smallholder farmers across 25 communities using a structured questionnaire and geospatial techniques. The analysis employed cost distance analysis, factor analysis, and multinomial-ordered logistic regression. Findings indicate that the average distance travelled to access water from a dam or a river was 11 km and 9 km, respectively. Most respondents reported low to moderate water access for SAI. Key factors influencing water access included soil type, vegetation, and the distances to dams and rivers. To improve water access, it is recommended that smallholder farmers be educated on effective soil and water conservation techniques. Additionally, both government and non-governmental organizations should focus on building community-level dams to increase water availability for sustainable agricultural intensification.Item Managed aquifer recharge applications for climate adaptation in developing countries: mounting evidence, abundant potential(Brief, 2024-10-24) International Water Management Institute (IWMI)Four case studies from Africa and Asia demonstrate that managed aquifer recharge can help developing countries adapt to climate change.Item Mind the gap: IWMI’s research shows that implementing interventions that promote inclusivity leads to long-term sustainability in landscape management.(Blog Post, 2024-10-23) Oyawole, F. P.; Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Atampugre, Gerald; Tilahun, Seifu Admassu; Cofie, Olufunke O.Item Beyond dams: assessing integrated water storage in the Shashe Catchment, Limpopo River Basin(Journal Article, 2024-10) Ebrahim, Girma Y.; Lautze, Jonathan F.; McCartney, Matthew; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Nyikadzino, B.; Tafesse, N. T.Study region: The Shashe catchment, Limpopo River Basin, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Study focus: The Shashe catchment is the third largest flow contributor to the Limpopo River Basin. Water availability in the Shashe catchment is highly seasonal due to high seasonal rainfall variability. The seasonality and inter-annual variability cause shortfalls (demand exceeds the average water availability) in certain months and years. Storage is needed to bridge the seasonal water availability “gap” and mitigate the deficits in drought years, i.e., inter-annual variability. While the need for water storage through grey infrastructure such as dams has long been known, there is growing recognition of the need for approaches to water storage that capitalize on all storage types. However, the current capacity to plan in ways that utilize all storage types is limited. The analyses conducted for this paper assessed the volume and spatial and temporal variability of different storage options – large and small dams, sand dams, soil moisture, and aquifers – in the Shashe catchment of the Limpopo River Basin. An integrated SWAT-MODFLOW model and remote sensing approach were developed for 2015–2020. New hydrological insights for the region: The total annual water storage in the Shashe catchment is approximately 44,000 Mm3 , dominated by groundwater. The annual storage is about 42,000 Mm3 in aquifers, 1500 Mm3 in soil, 700 Mm3 in large dam reservoirs, 45 Mm3 in small dams/ponds, and 0.13 Mm3 in sand dams. There is high seasonality in water storage availability. Soil moisture storage is at its maximum from January to March and lowest from July to September. Dam storage is at its maximum from March to May, and the water storage is relatively stable throughout the year. Aquifer storage is relatively stable during the dry seasons compared to other storage options. Optimizing water use considering the seasonal variation in different storage types could improve water availability and climate resilience.