Current and Future Responses to Drivers of Change for Water Availlability and Use for

Agriculture

Presentation by: Prof. Elijah K. Biamah, Environmental and Water Systems Engineer and Chairman/Head of

Department of Environmental & Biosystems Engineering, University of Nairobi, Kenya

November 22, 2010

INTRODUCTION

Sustaining water availability a challenge and opportunity for communities in ACP countries..

Water quality and availability Vs population growth and expanding economies.

Focus of ACP countries:

o Equitable distribution of water within society

o Preservation and protection of water quality,

o Ensure adequate water supplies

o Preservation of the environment.

Key drivers of change: demographic, technological, social, environmental and governance.

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AFRICA’S WATER

End of 20th Century Predicted change: End of 21st Century

Less than 400mm

400-1000 mm

More than 1000 mm

End of 20th Century

Drop by 10-20%

Drop by up to 10%

Increase by up to 10%

Increase by 10-20%

IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AGRICULTURE : EXAMPLE OF KENYA - 2009

Livestock deaths in 2009

Soil erosion and land degradation

Flash floods displacing families

Crop failure due to drought

Domestic water shortage

Vegetation degradation and loss

of biodiversity

Factors affecting water availability and quality

Emerging land use changes due to a shrinking resource

base.

Comprehensive water policy and legislation – water

sector reforms

Impacts of climate change – excessive water flows and

flooding

Effects of human activities – drought and desertification

Future water requirements – influenced by climate,

economy and standards of living

Understanding Indicators of Agricultural Drought. Choice of Suitable Conservation Techniques. Adoption of Appropriate Techniques for Rainwater

Conservation. Application of Technologies for Conservation Agriculture

Soil and water management technologies Use of stable ecosystem management techniques Use of agroforestry for water conservation Land use planning and conservation practices Soil fertility management techniques

Integrated Land and Water Management Strategies for Agriculture

Enabling Conditions for Land and Water Management for Agriculture

Adoption of Appropriate Land Use Policy

Focus on Smallholder Conservation Agriculture

Integrated Water Resources Management Policy

Promotion of Public and Private Partnerships

Adoption of International Land and Water Initiatives

Adequate Legislative and Regulatory Interventions

Proper Water Resource Planning. Adaptation of Water Resources

Management strategies to cope with climate change.

Response to Key Drivers of Change. Integrated Watershed Management

Approach Rainwater Harvesting and

Conservation Technologies for Agriculture

Technologies for Drip Irrigated Agriculture

Future Options of Water Availability for Agriculture

RECOMMENDATIONS

Coordination of cross-sectoral water services Incorporation of land use and watershed management in national

water management strategies. Promotion of rainwater harvesting technologies for increasing

agricultural production.. Rehabilitation of inefficient water systems, reduction in wastage

and unaccounted for water, recycling and reuse of water. Use innovative water technologies like water harvesting, water

recycling and desalinization. Water transfer facilities to move water from surplus to deficit

areas

RECOMMENDATIONS

The formulation and enforcement of appropriate policies and legislation

Capacity building in project identification, preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Involvement of local communities in the conservation and management of the environment and water

Management of land and water as finite resources and on the co-ordination and integration of water, land-use, and population policies for sustainable development.

THANK YOU!