Your search found 21 records
1 Qadir, Manzoor; Wichelns, Dennis; Raschid-Sally, Liqa; McCornick, Peter G.; Drechsel, Pay; Bahri, Akissa; Minhas, P. S. 2010. The challenges of wastewater irrigation in developing countries. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):561-568. Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors.
Wastewater irrigation ; Water reuse ; Policy ; Health hazards ; Wastewater management ; Developing countries
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042626)
(0.36 MB)
The volume of wastewater generated by domestic, industrial and commercial sources has increased with population, urbanization, improved living conditions, and economic development. The productive use of wastewater has also increased, as millions of small-scale farmers in urban and peri-urban areas of developing countries depend on wastewater or wastewater polluted water sources to irrigate high-value edible crops for urban markets, often as they have no alternative sources of irrigation water. Undesirable constituents in wastewater can harm human health and the environment. Hence, wastewater irrigation is an issue of concern to public agencies responsible for maintaining public health and environmental quality. For diverse reasons, many developing countries are still unable to implement comprehensive wastewater treatment programs. Therefore in the near term, risk management and interim solutions are needed to prevent adverse impacts from wastewater irrigation. A combination of source control, and farm-level and post-harvest measures can be used to protect farm workers and consumers. The WHO guidelines revised in 2006 for wastewater use suggest measures beyond the traditional recommendations of producing only industrial or non-edible crops, as in many situations it is impossible to enforce a change in the current cash crop pattern, or provide alternative vegetable supply to urban markets. There are several opportunities for improving wastewater management via improved policies, institutional dialogues and financial mechanisms, which would reduce the risks in agriculture. Effluent standards combined with incentives or enforcement can motivate improvements in water management by household and industrial sectors discharging wastewater from point sources. Segregation of chemical pollutants from urban wastewater facilitates treatment and reduces risk. Strengthening institutional capacity and establishing links between water delivery and sanitation sectors through inter-institutional coordination leads to more efficient management of wastewater and risk reduction.
2 de Fraiture, Charlotte; Molden, David; Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Investing in water for food, ecosystems, and livelihoods: an overview of the comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):495-501. Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.08.015]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042741)
(0.21 MB)
The authors of the recently completed Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (CA) concluded that there are sufficient water resources to produce food for a growing population but that trends in consumption, production and environmental patterns, if continued, will lead to water crises in many parts of the world. Only if we act to improve water use will we meet the acute fresh water challenge. Recent spikes in food prices, partially caused by the increasing demand for agricultural products in non-food uses, underline the urgent need to invest in agricultural production, of which water management is a crucial part. The world experienced similar pressure on per capita food supplies and food prices in the 1960s and 1970s, but the challenges now are different than those we experienced 50 years ago. The world’s population is substantially larger, there are many more people living in poverty, and the costs of many agricultural inputs are much higher. The current situation and the long-term outlook require a fresh look at approaches that combine different elements such as the importance of access to water for the poor, providing multiple ecosystem services, rainwater management, adapting irrigation to new needs, enhancing water productivity, and promoting the use of low-quality water in agriculture. This special issue highlights the analysis behind a number of policy options identified by the CA, a five-year multi-disciplinary research program involving 700 scientists. This introductory article sets the background and context of this special issue, introduces the key recommendations from the CA and summarizes the papers in this issue.
3 Clothier, B.; Dierickx, W.; Oster, J. D.; Perry, C. J.; Wichelns, Dennis. (Eds.) 2010. Investing in water for food, ecosystems, and livelihoods. Preface. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):493-494. Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.11.001]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042740)
(0.09 MB)
4 de Fraiture, Charlotte; Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Satisfying future water demands for agriculture. Agricultural Water Management, 97(4):502-511. Special issue with contributions by IWMI authors. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.08.008]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042742)
(0.38 MB)
The global demand for water in agriculture will increase over time with increasing population, rising incomes, and changes in dietary preferences. Increasing demands for water by industrial and urban users, and water for the environment will intensify competition. At the same time, water scarcity is increasing in several important agricultural areas.We explore several pathways for ensuring that sufficient food is produced in the future, while also protecting the environment and reducing poverty. We examine four sets of scenarios that vary in their focus on investments in rainfed agriculture and irrigation, and the role of international trade in adjusting for national disparities in water endowments. Rainfed agriculture holds considerable potential but requires adequate mechanisms to reduce inherent risks. Irrigation expansion is warranted in places where water infrastructure is underinvested such as sub-Saharan Africa. In South Asia the scope for improving irrigation performance and water productivity is high. International trade can help alleviate water problems in water-scarce areas, subject to economic and political considerations. We examine also a regionally optimized scenario that combines investments in rainfed and irrigated agriculture with strategic trade decisions. Compared to ‘business as usual’, this scenario reduces the amount of additional water required to meet food demands by 2050 by 80%. Some of that water could be made available for the environment and other sectors. We conclude that there are sufficient land and water resources available to satisfy global food demands during the next 50 years, but only if water is managed more effectively in agriculture.
5 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Embracing uncertainty to improve water management, with examples from seven river basins. Review essay on "Mysiak, J.; Henrikson, H. J.; Sullivan, C.; Bromley, J.; Pahl-Wostl, C. 2009. The adaptive water resource management handbook. London, UK: Earthscan" International Journal of Water Resources Development, 26(3):495-508. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2010.489304]
Water resource management ; River basins / Europe / Central Asia / Africa / Elbe River Basin / Guadiana River Basin / Amu Darya River Basin / Nile River Basin / Rhine River Basin / Tisza River Basin / Orange River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043029)
(0.18 MB)
6 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Virtual water: a helpful perspective, but not a sufficient policy criterion. Water Resources Management, 24(10):2203-2219.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043039)
(0.33 MB)
The topic of virtual water has received substantial attention in recent years, both in scholarly literature and the popular press. Many authors have described the “flow of virtual water” between countries that engage in the trade of agricultural crops and livestock products. Some have suggested that water-short countries should import water-intensive agricultural products from water-abundant countries, while using their limited domestic water resources for higher valued activities. While compelling at first, such a policy prescription can be misleading. Virtual water is a helpful phrase for describing the water required to produce agricultural products and other goods. Discussions of virtual water have been effective in encouraging public officials and citizens to focus on water scarcity issues. Yet the phrase is not based on an underlying conceptual framework. Hence, the virtual water perspective cannot be used alone as a criterion for selecting optimal policies. Trading strategies based on the virtual water perspective are not consistent with the economic concept of comparative advantage. In a similar fashion, distinguishing between the “blue water” and “green water” components of virtual water is helpful in a descriptive sense, but these phrases are not based on an underlying conceptual framework that can serve as a policy criterion for selecting among alternative policy options.
7 Mapedza, Everisto; Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Evaluating baseline indicators pertaining to Oxfam America's Water Program in Ethiopia: a revised report prepared for Oxfam America. Pretoria, South Africa; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 88p.
Development projects ; Water resource management ; Food security ; Institutions ; Irrigation schemes ; Investment ; Cooperatives ; Households ; Rural areas ; Water user associations ; Non governmental organizations ; Impact assessment ; Indicators ; Women ; Leadership ; Case studies / Ethiopia / Oromiya / Tigray / Amhara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043433)
(1.83 MB)
The goal of Oxfam America's Water Program in Ethiopia is to improve smallholders’ food security and strengthen their livelihoods in moisture-stressed areas of Oromiya, Tigray and Amhara National Regional States. To realize this goal, smallholder households must exercise their rights to access and manage water resources sustainably and equitably, for irrigating crops and raising livestock. Better access, equitable sharing, and sustainable management are essential outcomes that must be achieved along the path to greater food security and more resilient livelihoods.
8 Qadir, Manzoor; Wichelns, Dennis; Oster, J.; Jacobsen, S. -E.; Basra, S. M. A.; Choukr-Allah, R. (Eds.) 2010. Sustainable management of saline waters and salt-affected soils for agriculture: proceedings of the Second Bridging Workshop, Aleppo, Syria, 15-18 November 2009. Aleppo, Syria: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 106p.
Water quality ; Salinity ; Irrigation water ; Soil salinity ; Electrical conductivity ; Fodder ; Wheat ; Nitrogen fertilizers ; Waste land ; Wastewater irrigation ; Water scarcity ; Arid zones / Uzbekistan / Syria / Sudan / Palestine / Khorezm Region / Aleppo Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.5 GG30 QAD Record No: H043449)
http://www.icarda.org/wli/pdfs/Books/ProceedingsOfSecondBridgingWorkshopBook.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043449.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043449.pdf
(0.91 MB) (3.08MB)
9 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Policies and institutions facilitating productive use of saline water in agriculture. In Qadir, Manzoor; Wichelns, Dennis; Oster, J.; Jacobsen, S. -E.; Basra, S. M. A.; Choukr-Allah, R. (Eds.). Sustainable management of saline waters and salt-affected soils for agriculture: proceedings of the Second Bridging Workshop, Aleppo, Syria, 15-18 November 2009. Stimulating session 6. Aleppo, Syria: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.14-15.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.5 GG30 QAD Record No: H043450)
http://www.icarda.org/wli/pdfs/Books/ProceedingsOfSecondBridgingWorkshopBook.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043450.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043450.pdf
(0.15 MB) (3.08 MB)
10 Qadir, Manzoor; Wichelns, Dennis; Oster, J.; Jacobsen, S. -E.; Basra, S. M. A.; Choukr-Allah, R. (Eds.) 2010. Sustainable management of saline waters and salt-affected soils for agriculture: proceedings of the Second Bridging Workshop, Aleppo, Syria, 15-18 November 2009. Aleppo, Syria: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 106p.
Water quality ; Salinity ; Irrigation water ; Soil salinity ; Electrical conductivity ; Fodder ; Wheat ; Nitrogen fertilizers ; Waste land ; Wastewater irrigation ; Water scarcity ; Arid zones / Uzbekistan / Syria / Sudan / Palestine / Khorezm Region / Aleppo Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.5 GG30 QAD c2 Record No: H043461)
http://www.icarda.org/wli/pdfs/Books/ProceedingsOfSecondBridgingWorkshopBook.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043461.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043461.pdf
(3.09 MB) (3.08MB)
11 Anarbekov, Oyture; Jumaboev, Kahramon; Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Two-part tariff - irrigation pricing alternative for water user associations in Central Asia. [Abstract only] In Regional Research Network "Water in Central Asia" (CAWa). International Scientific Symposium, Water in Central Asia, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 24-26 November 2010. Volume of abstracts. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Regional Research Network "Water in Central Asia" (CAWa) pp.20.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043467)
http://www.fp6.cawater-info.net/library/eng/2010_cawa_symposium_abstract_en.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043467.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H043467.pdf
(0.04 MB)
12 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Maximising agricultural water productivity requires the right policies and inputs, particularly in water scarce regions. [Abstract only]. In ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA). CTA Annual Seminar, Closing the Knowledge Gap: Integrated Water Management for Sustainable Agriculture, Johannesburg, South Africa, 22–26 November 2010. Abstracts. Wageningen, Netherlands: ACP-EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA). pp.20.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 630 G100 TEC Record No: H043469)
(0.05 MB) (652.11 KB)
13 Wichelns, Dennis; Anarbekov, Oyture; Jumaboev, Kahramon; Manthrithilake, Herath. 2010. Irrigation pricing alternatives for water user associations in Central Asia. In Proceedings of the Republican Scientific Practical Conference on Efficient Agricultural Water Use and Tropical Issues in Land Reclamation, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 10-11 November 2010. Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources; Tashkent, Uzbekistan: International Water Management Institute; Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Scientific Information Center of Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SANIIRI) 14p.
Irrigation water ; Pricing ; Water user associations ; Cost recovery ; Water use efficiency / Central Asia / Kyrgyzstan / Ferghana Valley / Akbarabad / Isan / Ovchi-Qalacha
(Location: IWMI HQ Record No: H043489)
(0.12 MB)
14 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Virtual water and water footprints: policy relevant or simply descriptive? Book review essay on "Garrido, A.; Llamas, M. R.; Varela-Ortega, C.; Novo, P.; Rodriguez-Casado, R.; Aldaya, M. M. 2010. Water footprint and virtual water trade in Spain: policy implications. New York, NY, USA: Springer and Marcelino Botin Foundation. Natural Resource Management and Policy Series" International Journal of Water Resources Development, 26(4):689-695. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2010.519533]
Virtual water ; Water footprint ; International trade ; Water use ; Economic analysis ; Policy / Spain
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043554)
(0.10 MB)
15 Wichelns, Dennis. 2010. Virtual water and water footprints offer limited insight regarding important policy questions. International Journal of Water Resources Development, 26(4):639-651. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2010.519494]
Virtual water ; Water footprint ; Policy ; Water conservation ; Economic analysis ; Water allocation ; Water use ; Water loss ; International trade
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043555)
(0.14 MB)
Much of the literature regarding virtual water and water footprints focuses on the potential water savings that might be realized when water-short countries import water-intensive agricultural goods from countries with larger water endowments. Some of the published estimates of potential national and global water savings made possible through international trade are quite large and they do not reflect actual or potential opportunities to save water. Recent additions to the virtual water literature describe the pressure placed on water resources in one country by consumers of imported products in another. Some authors suggest that, through international trade, consumers are partly responsible for water resource problems in distant regions. Although one goal of virtual water analysis is to describe opportunities for improving water security, there is almost no mention of the potential impacts of the prescriptions arising from that analysis on farm households in industrialized or developing countries. It is essential to consider more carefully the inherent flaws in the virtual water and water footprint perspectives, particularly when seeking guidance regarding policy decisions.
16 Wichelns, Dennis; Drechsel, Pay. 2011. Meeting the challenge of wastewater irrigation: economics, finance, business opportunities and methodological constraints. Water International, 36(4):415-419. (Special issue on "Wastewater use in agriculture: economics, risks and opportunities" with contributions by IWMI authors). [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2011.593732]
Wastewater irrigation ; Wastewater treatment ; Water use ; Public health ; Health hazards ; Agriculture ; Developing countries
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H044193)
(0.08 MB)
Many farmers in developing countries use treated or untreated wastewater to irrigate crops, partly in designated irrigation schemes, but mostly on large areas of small farms located along streams passing through or near cities. Much of the wastewater use is informal and unplanned, as farmers divert water from streams that carry untreated or partially treated effluent from cities and towns. The farmers generate good revenue by selling fresh produce that, otherwise, might not be available in urban markets. However, wastewater irrigation also creates health risks for farmers, their families, and consumers. Public officials must consider those risks and the values generated through wastewater irrigation, as they implement policies to protect farmers and consumers from the negative health impacts. Given the increasing scarcity of fresh water in many urban and peri-urban areas of developing countries, the increasing demand for food, and the persistent desire to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, the decisions faced by public officials will require careful analysis. To that end, we describe in this special issue the economics, finance, business opportunities, and methodological constraints that pertain to wastewater irrigation in developing countries.
17 Wichelns, Dennis; Owaygen, M.; Redwood, M. 2011. Developing country farmers need more than financial incentives to reduce the risks of wastewater irrigation. Water International, 36(4):467-475. (Special issue on "Wastewater use in agriculture: economics, risks and opportunities" with contributions by IWMI authors). [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2011.594250]
Wastewater irrigation ; Farmers ; Consumers ; Risk reduction ; Financing ; Agriculture ; Public policy ; Developing countries
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H044194)
(0.11 MB)
Implementing financial incentives to motivate farmers to reduce the risks of using untreated wastewater for irrigation is not feasible in most agricultural settings in developing countries. Much wastewater is diverted informally from streams and ditches, with no accounting of the volumes used by smallholder households. In addition, governance structures are often not sufficiently well established to implement appropriate policies. The authors describe the economic rationale for implementing financial incentives, while discussing alternative approaches for motivating farm-level improvements in cultural practices that might reduce risks for farmers, their families, other residents of agricultural communities and consumers.
18 Wichelns, Dennis. 2011. Virtual water and water footprints compelling notions, but notably flawed. Reaction to two articles regarding the virtual water concept by E. Gawel; K. Bernsen, GAIA 20(3):162-167 and A. Biewald, GAIA 20(3):168-170. GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 20(3):171-175.
Water management ; Virtual water ; Water footprint ; Carbon ; Ecology ; International trade ; Water scarcity ; Economic aspects ; Social aspects ; Water policy
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H044488)
http://docserver.ingentaconnect.com/deliver/connect/oekom/09405550/v20n3/s7.pdf?expires=1320733349&id=65501192&titleid=6690&accname=Guest+User&checksum=F829ED18C3BAFB9BC32823A4A8D3C634
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044488.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044488.pdf
(0.12 MB) (121.52KB)
The notions of virtual water and water footprints appear frequently in the popular literature and also in scholarly journals. Many authors describe the “flows of virtual water” around the planet in the form of internationally traded goods and services. Some authors calculate the national “water savings” or “water losses” that occur through “virtual water trade” (Oki and Ka - nae 2004, Chapagain et al. 2006 a, Hoekstra and Chapagain 2007, Mekonnen and Hoekstra 2010), while others assign responsibil - ity for environmental degradation in one country to residents of the importers of that country’s agricultural exports (Chapagain et al. 2006 b,Van Oel et al. 2009). Often the importers are located thousands of miles away. A natural extension of the virtual water literature has been the calculation of internal and external water footprints. Some authors suggest these provide useful insight regarding the impacts of consumers in one country on the water resources of another. While water can be viewed as an international resource, partic - ularly in areas where countries share rivers, aquifers, and water - sheds, water scarcity is largely a local and regional phenomenon. Water scarcity arises when the demands on local and regional re sources exceed the available supply.While acknowledging im - por tant issues regarding transboundary resources, generally there is little relationship between water consumption in one region and water scarcity in another. For example, changes in water con sump tion habits in New York will have little impact, if any, on water scarcity conditions in Beijing. Comparing or summing the water footprints of consumers in each city provides no helpful insight regarding the causes of water scarcity or the policies that might be implemented to improve resource management in either location. It is not helpful to suggest that consumers in New York are consuming an unfair portion of the world’s water resources simply because their per capita water footprint exceeds that of the residents of Beijing or any other city.
19 Wichelns, Dennis. 2011. Do the virtual water and water footprint perspectives enhance policy discussions? International Journal of Water Resources Development, 27(4):633-645. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2011.619894]
Water resources ; Water management ; Virtual water ; Water footprint ; Water allocation ; Public policy ; Agriculture ; International trade
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H044732)
(0.11 MB)
The notions of virtual water and water footprints are gaining popularity among researchers and practitioners in the eld of water resources. Many of the published articles include statements suggesting that public policies regarding water allocation, agriculture, or international trade should re ect consideration of virtual water and water footprints. Yet those notions lack a scienti cally tested conceptual framework and they are too narrowly de ned to inform policy decisions in a meaningful way. Consumers, rms, and public of cials wishing to improve water resource management need and deserve much better information than is contained in estimates of virtual water and water footprints. A more thoughtful, comprehensive approach is needed to develop policies that will truly improve the management of water and other natural resources, while also enhancing livelihoods.
20 Wichelns, Dennis. 2011. Assessing water footprints will not be helpful in improving water management or ensuring food security. Review essay on "Hoekstra, A. Y.; Chapagain, A. K.; Aldaya, M. M.; Mekonnen, M. M. 2011. The water footprint assessment manual: setting the global standard. London, UK: Earthscan" International Journal of Water Resources Development, 27(3):607-619. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2011.597833]
Water footprint ; Water management ; Food security ; Food production ; Food supply ; Poverty ; Households ; Wastewater ; Water use ; Cost benefit analysis
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: PER Record No: H044733)
(0.12 MB)
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