Multi-criteria multi-stakeholder decision analysis using a fuzzy-stochastic approach for hydrosystem management

The conventional methods used to solve multi-criteria multi-stakeholder problems are less strongly formulated, as they normally incorporate only homogeneous information at a time and suggest aggregating objectives of different decision-makers avoiding water–society interactions. In this contribution, Multi-Criteria Group Decision Analysis (MCGDA) using a fuzzy-stochastic approach has been proposed to rank a set of alternatives in water management decisions incorporating heterogeneous information under uncertainty. The decision making framework takes hydrologically, environmentally, and socio-economically motivated conflicting objectives into consideration. The criteria related to the performance of the physical system are optimized using multi-criteria simulation-based optimization, and fuzzy linguistic quantifiers have been used to evaluate subjective criteria and to assess stakeholders' degree of optimism. The proposed methodology is applied to find effective and robust intervention strategies for the management of a coastal hydrosystem affected by saltwater intrusion due to excessive groundwater extraction for irrigated agriculture and municipal use. Preliminary results show that the MCGDA based on a fuzzy-stochastic approach gives useful support for robust decision-making and is sensitive to the decision makers' degree of optimism

Scaling up land restoration in Niger: insights from a national workshop

This report provides a summary of the key outcomes of the Niger FMNR Scaling National Workshop held between 12th and 13th July 2023 in Niamey. The workshop was organized in collaboration of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Niger, ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the semi-Arid tropics), and DGDT/F (Direction of Sustainable Forest and Land Management (DGDT/F) to support Niger’s attainment of its Farmer Managed Natural regeneration (FMNR) ambition and to bring together diverse stakeholders. Over 52 people from 15 organizations participated and reflected upon and celebrated the many achievements and emerging approaches for sustainability and scaling FMNR and identified how these can be amplified. Through this interaction, synergies between initiatives were enhanced and areas for coordinated implementation and monitoring discussed. Mechanisms that will better harness the collective strengths of government with non-government organizations were also discussed