Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Ecosystems (SWIE)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/110265

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Policy and institutional study on the strategic role of water storage in Bangladesh
(Report, 2024-12-31) de Silva, Sanjiv; Jirasinha, Radheeka; Mondal, M. S.; McCartney, Matthew
This policy and institutional study was conducted as part of the Built Water Storage in South Asia (BWSSA) project (2023–2026), implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). The BWSSA initiative aimed to transform how water storage—both built (gray) and natural (green) infrastructure—was perceived, planned, and managed across five countries: Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The project sought to strengthen national capacity for integrated storage planning, promote data-informed decision-making, support regional dialogue, and address inequities in access and benefit-sharing related to water storage. The policy and institutional study, conducted in each country, focused on six core questions: the types and roles of water storage across geographies and sectors; current and planned investments; the institutional and decision-making landscape; the alignment of sectoral storage plans with integrated water resources management (IWRM); opportunities for inclusive planning; and key knowledge gaps. It involved a three-phase process: (1) a review of national policy and strategy documents; (2) key informant interviews with stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector; and (3) validation of findings through consultations. This iterative, participatory process helped surface implementation challenges, build credibility, and foster alignment among actors. In Bangladesh, agriculture—particularly irrigation—has driven economic growth and poverty reduction, accounting for nearly 90% of freshwater withdrawals. Yet, this sectoral dependence, combined with Bangladesh’s flat, flood- and salinity-prone deltaic landscape and extreme seasonal variability, exacerbates freshwater scarcity during the dry season. Bangladesh’s downstream position on 57 transboundary rivers, most of which originate in India, limits its control over water availability and heightens its reliance on transboundary cooperation. Storage infrastructure in Bangladesh remains highly localized and fragmented. The absence of large-scale surface reservoirs—due to topographic limitations and concerns over the social and environmental impacts of large infrastructure—has led to widespread groundwater reliance. Groundwater over-extraction is now stressing aquifers, compounded by salinity intrusion and arsenic contamination. The study identified managed aquifer recharge (MAR) as a promising strategy to harvest wet-season floodwaters and replenish depleted aquifers. However, technical capacity gaps, risks of aquifer pollution, and the absence of standardized guidelines currently hinder scaling of MAR beyond pilot initiatives. Critically, water storage in Bangladesh remains a secondary strategy—conditioned by efforts to increase dry-season river flows through improved transboundary water governance. With 54 transboundary rivers flowing in from India, bilateral negotiations are vital. However, progress has been slow due to persistent power asymmetries and India’s preference for case-by-case negotiation. A major window of opportunity lies in the scheduled renegotiation of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 2026. The outcome of these talks could significantly influence Bangladesh’s long-term storage strategy, particularly in securing reliable dry-season flows. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for integrated, multi-level planning, regional cooperation, and targeted investment in both green and gray storage solutions to enhance Bangladesh’s water security and climate resilience.
Policy and institutional study on the strategic role of water storage in Nepal
(Report, 2024-12-31) Jirasinha, Radheeka; de Silva, Sanjiv; McCartney, Matthew; Aryal, Anil; K.C., Jibesh Kumar
This policy and institutional study was conducted as part of the Built Water Storage in South Asia (BWSSA) project (2023–2026) implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). The BWSSA initiative aimed to transform how water storage—both built (gray) and natural (green) infrastructure—was perceived, planned, and managed across five countries: Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The project sought to strengthen national capacity for integrated storage planning, promote data-informed decision-making, support regional dialogue, and address inequities in access and benefit-sharing related to water storage. The policy and institutional study, conducted in each country, focused on six core questions: the types and roles of water storage across geographies and sectors; current and planned investments; the institutional and decision-making landscape; the alignment of sectoral storage plans with integrated water resources management (IWRM); opportunities for inclusive planning; and key knowledge gaps. It involved a three-phase process: (1) a review of national policy and strategy documents; (2) key informant interviews with stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector; and (3) validation of findings through consultations. This iterative, participatory process helped surface implementation challenges, build credibility, and foster alignment among actors. In Nepal, the study found that despite abundant water resources, access and availability were highly uneven due to temporal and spatial variability. A diverse portfolio of storage solutions suited to the country’s varied biophysical and socioeconomic contexts are needed. In the agriculture sector, inter-basin transfer (IBT) – rather than storage - have gained traction as a policy focus. In the domestic sector, small-scale systems—rainwater harvesting, dug wells, and spring sources—had been promoted but remain inconsistently implemented. Hydropower, a cornerstone of Nepal’s energy economy, relies on both micro and large-scale storage reservoirs. The value of natural storage (e.g., wetlands and ponds) is widely acknowledged, but these are rarely prioritized in implementation. The study also assessed how Nepal’s federal governance system - established by the 2015 Constitution - shapes water governance and storage planning. Responsibilities are now divided among three levels: the federal government leads on national policy, transboundary waters, and large infrastructure; provinces manage water within their jurisdiction; and local governments are responsible for water supply, small-scale irrigation, and community-based storage. However, unclear mandates, limited coordination, and capacity gaps—particularly at subnational levels—pose significant challenges to effective governance and integrated planning. A key recommendation was to revise outdated legislation, especially the 1992 Water Resources Act – currently being updated - to align with the federal system and integrated resource management principles. Although Nepal’s policies included provisions for community participation and gender and social inclusion (GESI), these are unevenly applied. Transboundary governance remains politically sensitive, with Nepal engaged solely in bilateral agreements with India and China, limiting progress on regional cooperation. The study ultimately underscored the need for coherent multi-level governance, inclusive planning, and strategic investments in both gray and green infrastructure to enhance Nepal’s water security and resilience.
A young Ethiopian woman inspires others in her community to make it at home
(News Item, 2025-05-15) Tesfaye, Y.; Teshale, T.; Moges, A.; Girma, R.; Mekuria, Wolde; Smith, J.; Hallet, P.; Phimister, E.
After migrating three times, Senya started an irrigation-based vegetable farming business; today, she is a role model for young people in her rural community to pursue domestic opportunities.
‘Father of Honey’ empowers his community in rural Ethiopia
(News Item, 2025-05-01) Tesfaye, Y.; Teshale, T.; Girma, R.; Mekuria, Wolde; Smith, J.; Hallet, P.; Phimister, E.
In the Great Rift Valley in Ethiopia, an intergenerational beekeeping business generates benefits for over 200 households.
Water and aquatic foods in revised principles of agroecology can accelerate food systems transformation
(Journal Article, 2025-05) Freed, S.; Lo, M. G. Y.; McCartney, Matthew; Allison, E. H.; Smith, Douglas Mark; Joffre, O. M.; Sinclair, F.
The interaction between climate change and agricultural intensification contributes to biodiversity loss, while widespread degradation of land and water undermine food system productivity. Agroecological principles aim to guide food systems transformation but rarely refer to water or aquatic foods, which are critical elements of nutritious, sustainable and equitable food systems. Here we examine the principles and frameworks presented in agroecological literature and suggest rephrasing of six of the principles to incorporate water, aquatic foods and land- to seascapes. We recommend three cross-sectoral actions that leverage aquatic features in agroecosystems to facilitate more effective transition pathways towards sustainable food systems.
I shall ‘sew’ the land together before I die: the story of one family’s successful gully restoration in Halaba, Ethiopia
(Blog Post, 2025-01-15) Moges, A.; Girma, R.; Mekuria, Wolde
System understanding and stakeholder analyses for the vulnerability of small-scale agricultural producers in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2025-05) Mekuria, Wolde; Admasu, W.; Abebe, S.; Negash, D.; Getachew, T.; Seid, Abdulkarim Hussein; Haileslassie, Amare
1. As climate change impacts intensify, water-related problems and the vulnerability of small-scale agricultural producers are expected to increase, suggesting the need for an inclusive and integrated management of water resources. This requires understanding the system and mapping the stakeholders, among other things. 2. This study was conducted in the Borkena and Mille catchments of the Awash River basin, Ethiopia. It aimed to improve the understanding of how to improve the effectiveness of agricultural water management practices and water resource planning to address the vulnerability of small-scale agricultural producers and draw implications for future stakeholder participation. 3. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, literature reviews, and observation. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework was used to assess the system's state and its implications for the vulnerability of small-scale agricultural producers. Stakeholder analyses involved mapping the stakeholders, examining their power and power resources, and evaluating their interest, influence, participation, trust levels, and dynamics of exclusion and empowerment. 4. The results suggested that the natural and agricultural systems in both catchments are degrading, though multiple responses are implemented regarding agricultural water management practices. 5. Diverse groups of stakeholders, such as development organizations, academic and research organizations, local administrative bodies, subregional policy and decision-makers, communities and community-based organizations, civil society organizations, donors, and nongovernmental organizations, participate in the planning, design, and implementation of agricultural water management practices. 6. The stakeholder indicated multiple strategies such as promoting community participation and participatory decision-making, aligning plans with communities' priorities and interests, improving collaboration and integration, improving access to resources, providing targeted capacity building and continuous awareness raising, and improving the implementation of policies and strategies to improve the effectiveness of interventions and address the vulnerability of small-scale agricultural producers. 7. Stakeholders have perceived strong legitimacy, but most of them have very little or no access and control over resources and connections with other stakeholder groups. Furthermore, stakeholders showed similarities in strategic options, differences in degree of influence, and demonstrated moderate to considerable trust in others. The alliance or relationship of most stakeholder groups in terms of coordinated action and coproduction using common resources was found to be weak, and most of the stakeholders lack competencies (that is, basic skills to plan, design, and implement interventions). 8. We argue that a relatively weak relationship or alliance in terms of coordinated action and co-production with common resources could affect the successful implementation of interventions. However, there is a high potential for collaboration, as most stakeholders did not vary in their strategic options. Furthermore, interventions related to agricultural water management practices could be implemented with low transaction costs, as the level of trust between the different stakeholders ranged from moderate to considerable.
Responses of surface runoff and soil water-erosion to changes in seasonal land cover and rainfall intensity; the case of Shilansha Watershed, Rift Valley Basin of Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2025-04) Gedle, Assefa; Rientjes, T.; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Mekuria, Wolde; Hallett, P.; Smith, J.
Study Region: Shilansha is a watershed located in the Upper Bilate River of the Rift Valley Lake Basin in southern Ethiopia. The region experiences extreme soil water-erosion among the greatest rates globally at 498 tons ha- 1 yr- 1 leading to large quantities of sediment accumulation in Lake Abaya. Study Focus: Surface runoff, soil water-erosion, and sediment loads in the region vary with agricultural seasons and rainfall intensities but are often poorly quantified in modeling studies. This study assessed these effects using the event-based physically based distributed open-source Limburg Soil Water Erosion Model (OpenLISEM), incorporating local field data and multi-sensor satellite data processed with machine learning techniques. New Hydrological Insights: During the fallow season, simulated surface runoff and total soil loss were 9.7 % and 47 % larger than the growing season and 0.9 % and 42 % larger than the harvest season, respectively. Compared to moderate intensity, an 87 % increase in high rainfall intensity increased surface runoff by 159 % and soil loss by 295 %, while a 45 % decrease in low rainfall intensity reduced surface runoff by 49 % and soil loss by 85 %. High rainfall intensity had a greater impact when combined with fallow season land cover, while effects were smallest when low rainfall intensity combined with growing season land cover. A calibrated model parameter set for a particular season resulted in deteriorated model performance when applied to other seasons. These findings offer insights on the importance of considering seasonal changes in land cover and rainfall intensity when developing soil and water conservation strategies.
Rural business establishment and interconnections with natural resources in Halaba, Central Ethiopia
(Brief, 2025-03-26) Tesfaye, Y.; Moges, A.; Teshale, T.; Girma, R.; Mekuria, Wolde; Phimister, E.; Smith, J.; Hallet, P.
This brief outlines key recommendations from research projects aimed at (i) addressing governance challenges that impede the effective establishment of rural businesses, and (ii) ensuring the sustainable integration of rural businesses with natural resources in Halaba in Ethiopia. The studies were supported by projects such as Local-Level Land Degradation Assessment Towards Sustainable Land Management for Improved Livelihoods in the Ethiopian Rift Valley (SMILE-REDAA) and Reducing land degradation and carbon loss from Ethiopia’s soils to strengthen livelihoods and resilience (RALENTIR). The brief sets the context for rural employment and businesses, going on to discuss the relationship between rural businesses, natural resources, stakeholders, institutional structures, and start-up activities in Halaba. Following this, the challenges and opportunities of establishing rural businesses are explored. Finally, it presents the implications of successful interventions and offers recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders to effectively establish rural businesses, with a focus on sustainable natural resource management.
Assessment of land degradation neutrality to guide sustainable land management practices in Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2025-06) Mekuria, Wolde; Girma, R.
Since its introduction at the 2015 UN Convention to Combat Desertification Conference, the concept of land degradation neutrality (LDN) has guided countries’ efforts to restore land for sustainable socio-economic and environmental benefits. LDN aims to balance reductions in land quality with initiatives to rehabilitate degraded land. However, due to budget constraints, it is not feasible to address all degraded land, necessitating strategic decisions about where to invest resources. This study, using Ethiopia as a case study, aimed to: (i) assess the long-term (1995 - 2024) land degradation trends, (ii) identify areas of net land loss or gain, (iii) prioritize regions and actions for addressing LDN, and (iv) evaluate the impact of Ethiopia’s landscape management initiatives on LDN. The analysis of LULC changes and the observed landscape transformation across diverse agroecological zones yielded mixed results. While some areas, such as the dry Kolla and dry Weyna Dega regions, showed improvement, others, including the dry Dega and der Berha zones, experienced continued degradation. These variations affected the three main objectives of LDN: healthy ecosystems, food security, and human well-being. The ongoing landscape transformation, driven by LULC changes, underscores the need for more comprehensive strategies to mitigate further degradation and restore affected lands. Our findings regarding LDN trajectories, such as a 6 % reduction in degraded land between 2010 and 2024, suggest that national LDN implementation, through diverse Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, is essential for achieving the country’s LDN goals. However, LDN outcomes varied across Ethiopia’s agroecological zones, influenced by differences in environmental conditions, land use practices, and socio-economic factors. This highlights the necessity for tailored solutions, an understanding of varying restoration potentials, targeted resource allocations, and a focus on prioritizing the most vulnerable areas. Additionally, documenting both the successes and challenges of Ethiopia’s restoration efforts, enhancing the effectiveness of its landscape management initiatives, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of its SLM practices are critical for achieving LDN.
Methodological challenges in assessing the viability of agroecological practices: lessons from a multi-case study in Africa
(Journal Article, 2025-04) Andrieu, N.; Dedieu, B.; Girard, P.; Scopel, E.; Magaju, C.; Dembele, C.; Mekuria, Wolde; Coe, R.
Despite a growing literature highlighting the benefits of agroecology in Africa, policy makers, donors, and scientists are still debating the “viability” of agroecological practices. However, assessing the viability of agroecological practices poses challenges, and so far, no studies have clearly documented them and options for addressing them. The aim of this paper is to describe the main methodological challenges we faced in assessing the viability of agroecology in 11 case studies in Africa so that others planning assessments can benefit from what we learned. Seven methodological challenges discussed are (i) defining an object of study through a list of practices or agroecological principles, (ii) having a practice-based assessment versus a systemic assessment at field or farm scales, (iii) having a subjective assessment of the viability of agroecological practices based on farmers’ perspective or an “objective” assessment, (iv) having a qualitative or quantitative assessment, (v) having a diachronic versus synchronic assessment, (vi) having a multisite approach versus a single-site study, and (vii) having a context-specific assessment method or a unitary assessment method. We conclude that the assessment of the viability of agroecological practices needs to be multicriteria, systemic, and based on farmers’ perspectives and not practice-based using a single simple metric. This is a change from the conventional way such systems are evaluated based on quantitative metrics. We recommend using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative assessments that highlight farmers’ perceptions of practices embedded into their farming systems, using transversal and context-specific data.
Estimating elements susceptible to urban flooding using multisource data and machine learning
(Journal Article, 2025-01) Asfaw, Wegayehu; Rientjes, T.; Bekele, Tilaye Worku; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru
The accuracy of flood susceptibility prediction (FSP) could be affected by inadequate representation of flood conditioning factors (FCFs) and the approaches used to identify the most relevant FCFs. This study analyzed twenty-eight FCFs derived from open-access earth observation datasets to develop FSP model for a highly urbanized Akaki catchment, which hosts and surrounds the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. In the study, relevant FCFs were first identified using different collinearity-based and model-integrated feature selection methods, and sequentially introduced into a machine learning model. Simulated FSPs were compared against a reference flood inventory dataset to determine the most effective selection method. Findings show that: (i) using extreme rainfall indices improved the accuracy of FSP, (ii) Mean Decrease Impurity (MDI) was found to be the most effective feature selection method, (iii) geomorphological and physiographic FCFs showed the highest and the lowest predictive power, respectively, and (iv) the quantile method outperformed other approaches in classifying the flood susceptibility map. Findings indicate that an area of 217 km2 , 43000 buildings, 163 km of paved roads and 0.54 million inhabitants are highly susceptible to flooding in the catchment. In particular, Addis Ababa contains almost 75 % of the estimated susceptible elements in only one-third of the catchment area. The results of this study provide valuable insights for urban planning and flood management, helping to reduce the socio-economic impacts of flooding and enhance urban resilience.
Applying citizen science to water security challenges in Ethiopia: a structured approach
(Brief, 2025-03-03) Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Tedla, H. Z.; Mengistie, G. K.; Gebre, E. S.; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Haileslassie, Amare; Nicol, Alan
Citizen science (CS) is an important approach to involve the public in scientific research and contribute to addressing water security issues. CS programs, led by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and local partners in Ethiopia, meaningfully engage communities in data collection and knowledge co-generation. However, challenges such as limited resources, data quality issues and lack of awareness among decision-makers highlight the need for training, sustained funding and alignment with local problems. The technical brief emphasizes the importance of leveraging CS to fill hydrometeorological monitoring gaps, ensuring data accuracy and community engagement, and developing frameworks for expanding CS programs. By aligning with community needs and fostering inclusive participation, CS can strengthen water security initiatives in Ethiopia, creating a foundation for sustainable and locally relevant solutions to water management.
Performance of four wastewater treatment plants serving Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa
(Journal Article, 2025-02-01) Haileselassie, M. M.; Mohamed, J.; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Hiruy, A. M.; Acharya, K.; Werner, D.
There is an urgent need to expand wastewater treatment on the African continent. To help choose appropriate technologies for this task, we evaluated the efficiency, energy and chemical demands, and costs of four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These plants represent the main wastewater treatment technologies operated by the Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority (AAWSA): waste stabilization pond (WSP), anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket with trickling filter (UASB-TF), and membrane bioreactor (MBR) technologies. Principal component analysis revealed that season significantly impacts the raw and treated wastewater quality (ANOSIM, R ¼ 0.3126, p ¼ 0.001), while the type of treatment plant did not significantly affect the measured effluent characteristics (ANOSIM, R ¼ 0.1235, p ¼ 0.2000). In contrast, construction and operational costs, as well as energy and chemical demands per m3 of treated wastewater, varied starkly between the WWTPs. Total costs of wastewater treatment in 2022 ranged from $0.045 to 0.546 per m3 of wastewater treated, being 6–12 times higher for MBR compared with the other WWTP technologies. Real-world performance data as reported in this study are essential for choosing appropriate technologies that meet Africa’s wastewater treatment needs.
WEF-Nexus Decision Support System (DSS): a sustainability and resilience tool for India
(Brief, 2024-12-30) Sena, Dipaka Ranjan; Alam, Mohammed Faiz; Chaudhary, Shivam; Chandu, Navya; Behera, Abhijit; Sharma, Ruchi; Sikka, Alok; McCartney, Matthew P.; Hafeez, Mohsin
Consolidated report on agroecological codesign of innovations in India
(Report, 2024-12-30) Kumar, Gopal; Malaiappan, Sudharsan; Triomphe, B.; Shamim, Md.; Gadewar, P.; Acharya, S.; Samaddar, A.; Borah, Gulshan; Sikka, Alok; Monserrate, F.; Singh, Sonali; Krishnan, S.
This report consolidates insights from the co-design of agroecological innovations under the Agroecology Initiative in India, focusing on Mandla and Andhra Pradesh Agroecological Living Landscape (ALL). The participatory approach engaged diverse stakeholders, particularly women farmers, to address challenges such as poor production and agrobiodiversity, degraded soils, water scarcity, and livelihood insecurity. Key interventions included Agroecological Homestead Models (AHMs), Krishi-Kund for land restoration, Solar Irrigation Systems based diversified farming, Integrated Farming Systems (IFS), Integrated Rice-Fish Farming, and homeopathic formulations for crop improvement. Preliminary results highlight promising outcomes. AHMs demonstrated income diversification, with gross returns 7.9 to 22.5 times higher and net returns also showing improvement, albeit constrained by high initial costs. Microsite improvements enhanced productivity by 2.39 to 5.71 times compared to control sites, with net returns ranging from 0.74 to 4.36 times higher. Solar irrigation reduced fossil fuel dependence and enabled initial crop diversification. IFS models showed net incomes of ₹22,395 to ₹54,563 (USD 259 to USD 630) with benefit-cost ratios ranging from 1.5 to 1.8, water productivity in the range of INR 5.6 to 10.3 per cubic meter of water used demonstrating the potential to enhance resource use efficiency, resilience, and income diversification. Integrated Rice-Fish Farming improved soil health, dietary diversity, and incomes, while initial farmer trials of a homeopathic solution indicated yield improvements of 1.12 to 1.61 times compared to their own controls. Based on the limited replicates, simple experimental designs and short duration of the trials, these results remain preliminary. Further validations and assessments of cost-effectiveness, return on investment, and performance consistency under multi-seasonal climatic variability and a larger number of samples have been suggested. Key lessons include the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with scientific practices, leveraging women-led groups for adoption, and implementing targeted capacity-building programs. Challenges such as climatic variability, delayed adoption, and limited market access highlight the need for adaptive strategies and extended experimentation. Recommendations emphasize a high potential for scaling successful and validated models through collaborative platforms, aligning with government programs, and establishing robust data frameworks for cost-benefit analysis and ecosystem impact assessment. Continued trials and cross-stakeholder collaboration are essential for refining and scaling these practices, ultimately contributing to sustainable livelihoods, enhanced biodiversity, and climate resilience in tribal and rural communities. This co-design approach offers a replicable model for agroecological transitions and holds promise for broader application across diverse regions.
Diet diversity among women in Attapeu Province, Lao PDR
(Report, 2024-12-30) Rizaldo, Q. V.; Inphonephong, Souphalack; Phounvisouk, L.; Dubois, Mark
The iGains4Gains model guides irrigation water conservation and allocation to enhance nexus gains across water, food, carbon emissions, and nature
(Journal Article, 2025-02) Lankford, B.; Amdar, Nafn; McCartney, Matthew; Mabhaudhi, T.
This paper introduces and applies iGain4Gains, an Excel-based model, to reveal how changes to water conservation and allocation, and irrigation technology, can produce four nexus gains. These gains are; reduced aggregate water consumption, sustained crop production, lower carbon emissions, and enhanced water availability for nature. We developed the model with limited data and hypothetical future scenarios from the Amman–Zarqa basin in Jordan. Given its significant irrigation and urban water demands and difficult decisions regarding future water allocation and nexus choices, this basin is a highly appropriate case study. The paper’s primary aim is to demonstrate the iGains4Gains nexus model rather than to build an accurate hydrological model of the basin’s water resources. The model addresses two critical questions regarding increased irrigation efficiency. First, can irrigation efficiency and other factors, such as irrigated area, be applied to achieve real water savings while maintaining crop production, ensuring greenhouse gas emission reductions, and ‘freeing’ water for nature? Second, with the insight that water conservation is a distributive/allocative act, we ask who between four paracommoners (the proprietor irrigation system, neighbouring irrigation systems, society, and nature) benefits hydrologically from changes in irrigation efficiency? Recognising nexus gains are not always linear, positive and predictable, the model reveals that achieving all four gains simultaneously is difficult, likely leading to trade-offs such as water consumption rebounds or increased carbon emissions. Demonstrated by its use at a workshop in Jordan in February 2024, iGains4Gains can be used by students, scientists and decision-makers, to explore and understand nexus trade-offs connected to changes in irrigation management. The paper concludes with recommendations for governing water and irrigated agriculture in basins where large volumes of water are withdrawn and depleted by irrigation.
Innovative water management in irrigated rice fields: participatory demonstration approach to promoting alternate wetting and drying and tailwater harvesting in Ghana
(Report, 2024-12-30) Amankwaa-Yeboah, P.; Oke, Adebayo; Okyere, H.; Zemadim, Birhanu; Yeboah, S.; Adomako, J.; Ntedwah, A. A.; Offei, M. A.
This report highlights the implementation of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and tailwater harvesting technologies in Ghana, targeting sustainable rice production in the Northern and Ashanti regions. AWD, a water-saving irrigation method, and tailwater recovery systems were demonstrated to optimize water use, reduce environmental impacts, and improve farm productivity. The initiative included demonstration plots, capacity-building workshops for Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs), and farmer engagement activities to promote adoption. AWD has been validated to save up to 30% of irrigation water without compromising rice yields, making it a viable strategy to conserve water resources, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and lower production costs. Tailwater harvesting complemented these efforts by facilitating water reuse, enabling year-round agricultural productivity and the cultivation of high-value crops like okra. This diversified farm output improved dietary diversity and household incomes while enhancing the resilience of rice-based farming systems. To ensure broad adoption, a participatory approach was central to the demonstrations. Farmer Field Days (FFD) were organized as key training and knowledge-sharing events, showcasing the application and benefits of AWD and tailwater recovery systems. These events, held on December 4, 2024, in Botanga (Northern Region) and December 6, 2024, in Potrikrom (Ashanti Region), engaged over 100 stakeholders. Participants included farmers, researchers, extension officers, agri-input suppliers, irrigation managers, and policymakers, emphasizing the collaborative efforts required to advance sustainable rice production. Farmers who attended the FFD events gained practical knowledge on implementing AWD and tailwater harvesting to mitigate water stress during critical crop growth stages and improve yields. The events sparked significant interest, with many farmers expressing readiness to adopt AWD and complementary practices, such as tied ridging, to address challenges like erratic rainfall and water scarcity. Additionally, the events facilitated partnerships between farmers, extension agents, and researchers, fostering a collaborative environment essential for scaling sustainable practices across more rice-growing communities.
Developing a wetland management framework for Colombo’s Wetlands
(Brief, 2025-02-13) Jirasinha, Radheeka; Wickramaratne, Chaturangi; Simpson, M.; Amerasinghe, Priyanie H.; McCartney, Matthew

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