Promoting improved rainwater and land management in the Blue Nile (Abay) basin of Ethiopia

This paper is an attempt to draw together and synthesise as much of the existing documentation as is possible within a limited time period, analyse it systematically, and draw out the main conclusions, lessons learned, and gaps in knowledge. The report tries to identify which RWM innovations have worked when, where and why; what did not work out very well, and why; and what lessons can be extracted from past experience to guide CPWF research in the Nile over the next 4–5 years. It takes a broad approach, addressing policy and institutional issues at multiple levels, experiences and lessons from major implementation and research programs, the outcomes and impacts of specific RWM interventions, experiences with targeting, and other topics. The paper also makes recommendations intended to provide support to the planning and implementation of CPWF Projects N2–N5 as well as other research for development programs. In short, the report contains the findings and recommendations of the study, including, as stated in the terms of reference: Summaries of the findings of past and on-going studies on RWM strategies, including impacts on water productivity, success as well as failure in improving agricultural production and livelihoods— and the reasons for these, negative as well as positive social and environmental impacts (e.g. upstream–downstream consequences, increasing transmission of vector borne disease), analysis of factors influencing RWM adoption or disadoption behaviour, including an analysis of policy or institutional factors at different levels (local, regional, federal) that may directly or indirectly influence the use of improved RWM strategies. An inventory of institutions and individuals working in the past and in the present on RWM—and which of these might be suitable CPWF BDC partners

From integrated to expedient: an adaptive framework for river basin management in developing countries

Water resource management / River basin management / Water allocation / Case studies / Africa South of Sahara / Great Ruaha River Basin

How to support effective and inclusive irrigation water users’ associations: a guide for practitioners

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

Assessing water availability under pastoral livestock systems in drought-prone Isiolo District, Kenya

Water availability / Water demand / Surface water / Groundwater / Wells / Salinity / Livestock / Grazing / Land use / Water supply / Drainage / GIS / Databases / Cost recovery

Pathways to Increasing Farmer-led Investments in Sustainable Agricultural Water Management in sub-Saharan Africa

Without a transformative leap forward in the use of irrigation, Africa will continue falling short in the struggle to feed its growing population, improve its people’s nutrition, grow its economies, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and eliminate poverty. While Africans must lead this transformation for it to be successful, the international community can help African countries substantially increase the use of more productive and sustainable water management practices and unlock the potential of farmer-led irrigated agriculture. Achieving highly productive irrigated agricultural systems in Africa requires an enabling environment that facilitates the full engagement of farmers, public and private investments, and commercial enterprises. This paper briefly outlines the challenges and identifies promising types of investment opportunities to achieve rapid progress

Summary of CPWF research in the Nile river basin

Three major river basins flow out of Ethiopia into Sudan, constituting the Eastern Nile basin (the White Nile flows from the south). These are the Tekeze-Atbara flowing out of northern Ethiopia, the Baro-Akoba- Sobat flowing from southern Ethiopia, and the Blue Nile (Abay) sandwiched between the other two. The Blue Nile Basin, called the Abay in Ethiopia, is the largest branch of the Nile draining the Ethiopian highlands. It covers an estimated area of 311,437 square kilometers and is shared by Ethiopia and Sudan. It joins the White Nile in Khartoum, Sudan. The Ethiopian highlands portion of the Blue Nile river basin was the focus of the Nile Basin Development Challenge under the Challenge Program on Water and Food

Pathways to Increasing Farmer-led Investments in Sustainable Agricultural Water Management in sub-Saharan Africa

Without a transformative leap forward in the use of irrigation, Africa will continue falling short in the struggle to feed its growing population, improve its people’s nutrition, grow its economies, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and eliminate poverty. While Africans must lead this transformation for it to be successful, the international community can help African countries substantially increase the use of more productive and sustainable water management practices and unlock the potential of farmer-led irrigated agriculture. Achieving highly productive irrigated agricultural systems in Africa requires an enabling environment that facilitates the full engagement of farmers, public and private investments, and commercial enterprises. This paper briefly outlines the challenges and identifies promising types of investment opportunities to achieve rapid progress