This study evaluates the strategic importance of gray water, which is a component of virtual water, defined as “the water embedded in key water-intensive commodities such as wheat” or “the water required for the production of commodities.” Estimation of gray water plays a role in ensuring water and water-dependent food security for both importing and exporting countries. Methodologies towards reducing virtual water for strategic crops in the Tunisian semi-arid region include irrigation techniques and the control of runoff. Resources management practices that improve family income especially for women and children, all contribute to food security.

This paper combines Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Balance data with Water Footprint data to reveal how virtual water flows interact with food import tonnages to enhance or retard national decoupling based on food trade. Decoupling theorises breaking the links between economic and population growth and water demands for domestic food production. The detailed analysis applies a resource decoupling model in relation to the role and potential of food and virtual water trade in alleviating national and regional water limits in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The contrast between Egypt’s political denial of dependence, and Israel’s strategic adoption of food imports provides an example.

This paper combines Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Balance data with Water Footprint data to reveal how virtual water flows interact with food import tonnages to enhance or retard national decoupling based on food trade. Decoupling theorises breaking the links between economic and population growth and water demands for domestic food production. The detailed analysis applies a resource decoupling model in relation to the role and potential of food and virtual water trade in alleviating national and regional water limits in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The contrast between Egypt’s political denial of dependence, and Israel’s strategic adoption of food imports provides an example.

The symposium (2014) focused on the challenges of crop production faced by farmers in the Sahel region. The presentation covers a three-year fertilizer micro dosing (MD) project that was combined with rainwater harvesting (RWH). The techniques are assessed in terms of effects on crop production and family income. It also explores the “warrantage” or inventory credit system where harvested crops are stored and used as collateral to access loans and credit. With improving crop varieties, MD and RWH can increase yields up to 200%. There is no evidence that the process caused land degradation or yield decline, suggesting long term sustainability.

Paper for presentation at the 27th SSEA/6th ASSS Conference held on October 20-25, 2013 in Nakuru, Kenya | To evaluate the performance of drought tolerant maize varieties under different water harvesting technologies (zai pits, tied ridges and conventional), the treatments were laid out in a split plot design with water harvesting methods as the main plots, and maize varieties as the sub-plots. Four maize varieties were evaluated under the three water harvesting technologies. Maize yields in zai pits and tied ridges treatments were significantly higher than for conventional treatment. Maize constitutes a major component of the diet in the region, with more than 70% of maize cultivated by farmers in small holder units of less than 20 hectares of land.

The food-energy-water (FEW) nexus is an emerging field that studies the connections between systems involving agriculture and food, energy and electricity, and water as well as the vulnerabilities of access to and availability of these resources. Understanding the interdependencies between these systems is crucial for decision making to ensure the long-term sustainability of resources considering the impacts of climate change. This study analyzes a data set of documented climate change adaptations that are relevant to the social and environmental vulnerabilities of the FEW nexus. One of our outcomes found that adaptations targeting food security are more robustly documented than adaptations relevant to water and energy security. Additionally, these adaptations share common characteristics such as their associations to cities and infrastructure, sea level rise, and deserts. Several of these relationships show potential for mutually beneficial adaptations, while others may negatively impact another system with tradeoffs in their implementation.

The table of contents for this item can be shared with the requester. The requester may then choose one chapter, up to 10% of the item, as per the Fair Dealing provision of the Canadian Copyright Act | Poverty is disproportionally concentrated in arid and semi-arid areas; population growth rates are high; women and children are highly vulnerable and a large proportion of children are malnourished. Distress-migration is common. Among other considerations and recommendations in this report: given that food security relies on rainfed farming, more investment must be directed towards increasing rainwater productivity, reducing the yield gap, and managing risk; targeted policy options are required, with public investments and incentive packages for dry areas towards resilience of rainfed farming systems. Cooperative partnerships among research networks are encouraged. Many other recommendations are included.

Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) comprises a suite of technologies and practices crucial in promoting land, water, biodiversity and environmental management to ensure their long-term potential while sustaining ecosystem services and livelihoods. This policy document provides essential information regarding land use and water resources in Africa and their relation to climate change mitigation. It provides principles of best practices guidelines for SLWM along with pathways for scaling up practices to counter effects of extreme weather. Experience shows that SLWM can enhance food security and reduce poverty while helping to adapt to and mitigate climate change.