Your search found 30 records
1 Stirzaker, R.; Stevens, J.; Annandale, J.; Maeko, T.; Steyn, J.; Mpandeli, S.; Maurobane, W.; Nkgapele, J.; Jovanovic, N. 2004. Building capacity in irrigation management with wetting front detectors. Pretoria, South Africa: Water Research Commission. 85p. (WRC Report No. TT 230/04)
Capacity building ; Irrigation management ; Drip irrigation ; Sprinkler irrigation ; Furrow irrigation ; Irrigation scheduling ; Small scale farming ; Farmers ; Helianthus annuus
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: 631.7 G000 STI Record No: H044219)
http://www.wrc.org.za/Knowledge%20Hub%20Documents/Research%20Reports/TT230-04.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044219.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H044219.pdf
(2.19 MB) (2.19MB)
Efficient use of water in the agricultural sector is an issue of national importance in South Africa and the science required to achieve this goal is relatively mature. However, a recent survey among commercial farmers showed that they ranked irrigation scheduling as priority number four or five amongst their major concerns. Most farmers are prepared to admit that their system is not perfect, but at least it works. After a period of trial and error they have settled on management system that satisfied them and they need a good reason to re-evaluate it. Small-scale farmers were preoccupied with issues such as their access to land, water, credit and markets and showed little awareness of the importance of water use efficiency. This project introduced a Wetting Front Detector to farmers with the purpose of stimulating a re-think about irrigation management on their farms. The Wetting Front Detector (WFD) was designed to be the simplest tool that could assist farmers to improve their understanding of irrigation. To achieve this aim, the wetting front detector must pass two tests. First, the device itself and how it works must make intuitive sense to farmers. It should be relatively easy to install and give “believable” results that challenge the farmer’s perceptions. Second it must pass the accuracy test. We have to demonstrate that crops irrigated according to the principles of the Wetting Front Detector perform adequately against standard scientific procedures. A combination of research and extension was employed to satisfy these objectives.
2 Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Madhlopa, A.; Modi, A. T.; Backeberg, G.; Nhamo, Luxon. 2016. Southern Africa’s water-energy nexus: towards regional integration and development. Water, 8(6):1-21. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w8060235]
Policy making ; Sustainable development ; Regional development ; Water resources ; Energy resources ; Energy generation ; Agriculture ; Watercourses ; Water scarcity ; Water supply ; Water requirements ; International waters ; River basins ; Poverty ; Economic development ; Riparian zones ; Population growth / Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047590)
(2.21 MB)
The Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) water and energy sectors are under increasing pressure due to population growth and agricultural and industrial development. Climate change is also negatively impacting on the region’s water and energy resources. As the majority of SADC’s population lives in poverty, regional development and integration are underpinned by water and energy security as the watercourses in the region are transboundary in nature. This paper reviews the region’s water and energy resources and recommends policies based on the water–energy nexus approach. This is achieved by reviewing literature on water and energy resources as well as policy issues. Water resources governance provides a strong case to create a water–energy nexus platform to support regional planning and integration as SADC countries share similar climatic and hydrological conditions. However, there has been a gap between water and energy sector planning in terms of policy alignment and technical convergence. These challenges hinder national policies on delivering economic and social development goals, as well as constraining the regional goal of greater integration. Regional objectives on sustainable energy and access to clean water for all can only be achieved through the recognition of the water–energy nexus, championed in an integrated and sustainable manner. A coordinated regional water–energy nexus approach stimulates economic growth, alleviates poverty and reduces high unemployment rates. The shared nature of water and energy resources requires far more transboundary water–energy nexus studies to be done in the context of regional integration and policy formulation.
3 Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Nhamo, Luxon; Backeberg, G.; Modi, A. T. 2016. Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in southern Africa – linking water, energy and food. Paper presented at the 2nd World Irrigation Forum, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 6-8 November 2016. 10p.
Farming systems ; Small scale farming ; Irrigated farming ; Agriculture ; Rainfed farming ; Cultivated land ; Food security ; Food insecurity ; Food production ; Water productivity ; Water scarcity ; Water use efficiency ; Nutritional losses ; Energy demand ; Energy consumption ; Infrastructure ; Dam construction ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Capacity building / Southern Africa / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047846)
(0.63 MB)
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces high incidence of food and nutrition insecurity. Consequently, increasing agricultural productivity has always featured prominently on regional agenda. The Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme’s (CAADP) set a target to expand the area under irrigation by at least 5 million ha by 2025. This review assessed the current status of irrigated agriculture in SSA from a water–energy–food nexus perspective, focusing on southern Africa. Gaps and opportunities for improving irrigated agriculture were also assessed in terms of the feasible limits to which they can be exploited. Sub-Saharan Africa faces water scarcity and projections show that countries in SSA will face increased physical and / or economic water scarcity by 2025. However, with agriculture already accounting for more than 60% of water withdrawals, increasing area under irrigation could worsen the problem of water scarcity. Recurrent droughts experienced across SSA reaffirm the sensitive issue of food insecurity and water scarcity. The region also faces energy insecurity with most countries experiencing chronic power outages. Increasing area under irrigation will place additional demand on the already strained energy grids. Projections of an increasing population within SSA indicate increased food and energy demand; a growing middle class also adds to increasing food demand. This poses the question - is increasing irrigated agriculture a solution to water scarcity, food insecurity and energy shortages? This review recommends that, whilst there are prospects for increasing area under irrigation and subsequent agricultural productivity, technical planning should adopt a water–energy–food nexus approach to setting targets. Improving water productivity in irrigated agriculture could reduce water and energy use while increasing yield output.
4 Nhamo, Luxon; Ndlela, B.; Nhemachena, Charles; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Matchaya, Greenwell. 2018. The water-energy-food nexus: climate risks and opportunities in southern Africa. Water, 10(5):1-18. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10050567]
Water resources ; Water availability ; Energy resources ; Food security ; Nexus ; Climate change ; Resilience ; International waters ; River basins ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Living standards ; Poverty ; Agricultural production ; SADC countries ; Regional development ; Institutions ; Policies ; Models ; Assessment / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048729)
(2.08 MB) (2.08 MB)
The discourse on the need for water, energy, and food security has dominated the development agenda of southern African countries, centred on improving livelihoods, building resilience, and regional integration. About 60% of the population in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) live in rural areas relying mainly on rainfed agriculture, lacking access to clean water and energy, yet the region is endowed with vast natural resources. The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is a conceptual framework that presents opportunities for greater resource coordination, management, and policy convergence across sectors. This is particularly relevant in the SADC region as resources are transboundary and supports efforts linked to regional integration and inclusive socio-economic development and security. We conducted an appraisal of WEF-related policies and institutions in SADC and identified linkages among them. The present ‘silo’ approach in resource management and allocation, often conducted at the national level, contributes to the region’s failure to meet its development targets, exacerbating its vulnerabilities. The lack of coordination of WEF nexus synergies and trade-offs in planning often threatens the sustainability of development initiatives. We highlighted the importance of the WEF nexus to sustainably address the sectoral coordination of resources through harmonised institutions and policies, as well as setting targets and indicators to direct and monitor nexus developments. We illustrate the significance of the nexus in promoting inclusive development and transforming vulnerable communities into resilient societies. The study recommends a set of integrated assessment models to monitor and evaluate the implementation of WEF nexus targets. Going forward, we propose the adoption of a regional WEF nexus framework.
5 Mpandeli, S.; Naidoo, D.; Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhemachena, Charles; Nhamo, Luxon; Liphadzi, S.; Hlahla, S.; Modi, A. T. 2018. Climate change adaptation through the water-energy-food nexus in southern Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(10):1-19. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102306]
Climate change adaptation ; Water resources ; Water management ; Energy resources ; Food resources ; Food security ; Nexus ; Sustainable development ; Communities ; Agricultural production ; Sanitation ; Public health ; Economic aspects ; Nutrition ; Hydropower / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048960)
(883 KB)
Climate change is a complex and cross-cutting problem that needs an integrated and transformative systems approach to respond to the challenge. Current sectoral approaches to climate change adaptation initiatives often create imbalances and retard sustainable development. Regional and international literature on climate change adaptation opportunities and challenges applicable to southern Africa from a water-energy-food (WEF) nexus perspective was reviewed. Specifically, this review highlights climate change impacts on water, energy, and food resources in southern Africa, while exploring mitigation and adaptation opportunities. The review further recommends strategies to develop cross-sectoral sustainable measures aimed at building resilient communities. Regional WEF nexus related institutions and legal frameworks were also reviewed to relate the WEF nexus to policy. Southern Africa is witnessing an increased frequency and intensity in climate change-associated extreme weather events, causing water, food, and energy insecurity. A projected reduction of 20% in annual rainfall by 2080 in southern Africa will only increase the regional socio-economic challenges. This is exacerbating regional resource scarcities and vulnerabilities. It will also have direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human well-being, and health. Reduced agricultural production, lack of access to clean water, sanitation, and clean, sustainable energy are the major areas of concern. The region is already experiencing an upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). What is clear is that climate change impacts are cross-sectoral and multidimensional, and therefore require cross-sectoral mitigation and adaptation approaches. In this regard, a wellcoordinated and integrated WEF nexus approach offers opportunities to build resilient systems, harmonise interventions, and mitigate trade-offs and hence improve sustainability. This would be achieved through greater resource mobilisation and coordination, policy convergence across sectors, and targeting nexus points in the landscape. The WEF nexus approach has potential to increase the resilience of marginalised communities in southern Africa by contributing towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 13).
6 Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Nhemachena, Charles; Senzanje, A.; Naidoo, D.; Modi, A. T. 2018. Prospects for improving irrigated agriculture in Southern Africa: linking water, energy and food. Water, 10(12):1-16. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10121881]
Farming systems ; Small scale farming ; Irrigated farming ; Agriculture ; Food security ; Food insecurity ; Food production ; Water productivity ; Water accounting ; Energy resources ; Nexus ; Infrastructure ; Dams ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Capacity building / Southern Africa / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049042)
(1.74 MB)
Increasing agricultural productivity has always been a prominent feature on the regional agenda due to a high incidence of food and nutrition insecurity. This review assessed the current status of irrigated agriculture in southern Africa from a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus perspective. Gaps and opportunities for improving irrigated agriculture within the context of the WEF nexus were also assessed in terms of the feasible limits to which they can be exploited. Southern Africa faces water scarcity, and climate projections show that member states will face increased physical and/or economic water scarcity by as early as 2025, which will have negative impacts on water, energy and food production. Recurrent droughts experienced across the region reaffirm the sensitive issues of food and energy insecurity as well as water scarcity. Projections of an increasing population within the region indicate increased water, energy and food demand. With agriculture already accounting for about 70% of water withdrawals, increasing the area under irrigation will place additional demand on already strained energy grids and scarce water resources. This poses the question—is increasing irrigated agriculture a solution to improving water access, food security and energy supply? While there are prospects for increasing the area under irrigation and subsequent improvement in agricultural productivity, adopting a WEF nexus approach in doing so would mitigate trade-offs and unintended consequences. Consideration of the WEF nexus in integrated resources planning and management eliminates the possibilities of transferring problems from one sector to other, as it manages synergies and trade-offs. While it is acknowledged that improving water productivity in irrigated agriculture could reduce water and energy use while increasing yield output, there is a need to decide how such savings would then be reallocated. Any intervention to increase the irrigated area should be done in the context of a WEF nexus analytical framework to guide policy and decision-making. Technical planning should evolve around the WEF nexus approach in setting targets, as WEF nexus indicators would reveal the performance and impact of proposed interventions on any of the three WEF nexus components.
7 Nhamo, Luxon; Matchaya, Greenwell; Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, Charles; Mpandeli, S.. 2019. Cereal production trends under climate change: impacts and adaptation strategies in Southern Africa. Agriculture, 9(2): 1-17. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9020030]
Agricultural production ; Agricultural policy ; Agricultural sector ; Cereal products ; Maize ; Climate change adaptation ; Drought ; Flooding ; Temperature ; Rainfall ; Water scarcity ; Food security ; Economic aspects / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049086)
(3.94 MB)
The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, coupled with increasing temperatures and declining rainfall totals, are exacerbating existing vulnerabilities in southern Africa. Agriculture is the most affected sector as 95% of cultivated area is rainfed. This review addressed trends in moisture stress and the impacts on crop production, highlighting adaptation possible strategies to ensure food security in southern Africa. Notable changes in rainfall patterns and deficiencies in soil moisture are estimated and discussed, as well as the impact of rainfall variability on crop production and proposed adaptation strategies in agriculture. Climate moisture index (CMI) was used to assess aridity levels. Southern Africa is described as a climate hotspot due to increasing aridity, low adaptive capacity, underdevelopment and marginalisation. Although crop yields have been increasing due to increases in irrigated area and use of improved seed varieties, they have not been able to meet the food requirements of a growing population, compromising regional food security targets. Most countries in the region depend on international aid to supplement yield deficits. The recurrence of droughts caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) continue devastating the region, affecting livelihoods, economies and the environment. An example is the 2015/2016 ENSO drought that caused the region to call for international aid to feed about 40 million people. In spite of the water scarcity challenges, cereal production continues to increase steadily due to increased investment in irrigated agriculture and improved crop varieties. Given the current and future vulnerability of the agriculture sector in southern Africa, proactive adaptation interventions are important to help farming communities develop resilient systems to adapt to the changes and variability in climate and other stressors.
8 Mabhaudhi, T.; Nhamo, Luxon; Mpandeli, S.; Nhemachena, Charles; Senzanje, A.; Sobratee, N.; Chivenge, P. P.; Slotow, R.; Naidoo, D.; Liphadzi, S.; Modi, A. T. 2019. The water–energy–food nexus as a tool to transform rural livelihoods and well-being in southern Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(16):1-20. (Special issue: Human Adaptation to Climate Change) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162970]
Water resources ; Energy generation ; Food security ; Rural communities ; Living standards ; Public health ; Climate change adaptation ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Indicators ; Innovation ; Frameworks ; SADC countries ; Rural areas / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049315)
(2.21 MB) (2.21 MB)
About 60% of southern Africa’s population lives in rural areas with limited access to basic services and amenities such as clean and safe water, affordable and clean energy, and balanced and nutritious diets. Resource scarcity has direct and indirect impacts on nutrition, human health, and well-being of mostly poor rural communities. Climate change impacts in the region are manifesting through low crop yields, upsurge of vector borne diseases (malaria and dengue fever), and water and food-borne diseases (cholera and diarrhoea). This study applied a water–energy–food (WEF) nexus analytical livelihoods model with complex systems understanding to assess rural livelihoods, health, and well-being in southern Africa, recommending tailor-made adaptation strategies for the region aimed at building resilient rural communities. The WEF nexus is a decision support tool that improves rural livelihoods through integrated resource distribution, planning, and management, and ensures inclusive socio-economic transformation and development, and addresses related sustainable development goals, particularly goals 2, 3, 6 and 7. The integrated WEF nexus index for the region was calculated at 0.145, which is marginally sustainable, and indicating the region’s exposure to vulnerabilities, and reveals a major reason why the region fails to meet its developmental targets. The integrated relationship among WEF resources in southern Africa shows an imbalance and uneven resource allocation, utilisation and distribution, which normally results from a ‘siloed’ approach in resource management. The WEF nexus provides better adaptation options, as it guides decision making processes by identifying priority areas needing intervention, enhancing synergies, and minimising trade-offs necessary for resilient rural communities. Our results identified (i) the trade-offs and unintended negative consequences for poor rural households’ livelihoods of current silo approaches, (ii) mechanisms for sustainably enhancing household water, energy and food security, whilst (iii) providing direction for achieving SDGs 2, 3, 6 and 7.
9 Nhamo, Luxon; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.. 2019. A model to integrate and assess water-energy-food nexus performance: South Africa case study. Paper presented at the 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) on Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment, Bali, Indonesia, 1-7 September 2019. 10p.
Water resources ; Energy resources ; Food security ; Nexus ; Models ; Water availability ; Water productivity ; Agricultural productivity ; Climate change adaptation ; Resilience ; Living standards ; Sustainability ; Indicators ; Case studies / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049339)
(0.70 MB)
The main limiting factor impeding the operationalisation of the WEF nexus has been lack of metrics and tools to translate the concept into a fully-fledged operational framework to support policy and decision-making. This study developed a WEF nexus model by (i) defining WEF nexus sustainability indicators, and (ii) calculating composite indices for those indicators to establish numerical relationships among WEF nexus resources using South Africa as a case study. The composite indices show WEF nexus performance as well as monitoring and evaluation of WEF resources management. The indicators were integrated through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in a multicriteria decision-making (MCDM). The established quantitative relationships indicate resource utilisation, management and performance through a spider graph to illustrate WEF nexus performance, providing a general overview of the level of interactions, interrelationships and inter-connectedness of resources. The shape of the spider graph is determined by the level of the interdependencies and interactions among the WEF nexus sectors, whose management is viewed either as sustainable or unsustainable depending on the classification of the developed integrated index. The spider graph for South Africa showed an over-emphasis on food self-sufficiency and water productivity at the expense of other sectors. The deformed shape of the spider graph is a demonstration of the sectoral or “silo” approach in resource management. The calculated integrated WEF nexus index of 0.203 for South Africa classified the country under the low sustainability category. The developed model is a decision support tool that provides evidence for interventions in priority areas. The model demonstrates the capabilities of the WEF nexus to evaluate synergies and trade-offs in a systematic and integrated way to increases efficiency and productivity in resource management for sustainable development.
10 Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Senzanje, A.; Chimonyo, V. G. P.; Modi, A.T. 2019. Options for improving agricultural water productivity under increasing water scarcity in South Africa. Paper presented at the 3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) on Development for Water, Food and Nutrition Security in a Competitive Environment, Bali, Indonesia, 1-7 September 2019. 14p.
Agricultural production ; Water productivity ; Water scarcity ; Climate change ; Risks ; Drought ; Rainwater harvesting ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Water management ; Strategies ; Irrigation methods ; Water use / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049340)
(0.35 MB)
South Africa is ranked among the thirty driest countries in the world, a challenge that is negatively affecting agricultural production. Other challenges such as population growth, rural-urban migration, changing food preferences and drought exacerbate pressure on agricultural water productivity. The review critically assessed the different considerations for increasing agricultural water productivity under water scarce conditions in South Africa. While under these conditions, irrigation may seem an obvious solution to increasing agricultural water productivity as a response to frequent droughts and mid-season dry spells. However, considerations on the availability of water and energy for irrigation expansion and the accessibility of irrigation services to different farming groups in the country. It is generally argued that irrigation is an expensive option and not necessarily readily accessible to most farmers.
There are prospects for tapping into South Africa’s groundwater resources but the extent to which they can contribute to expanding area under irrigation is contested given the challenges of quantifying and pumping the water. Most smallholder farmers currently lack access to water, energy, infrastructure and technical skills to irrigate thus making irrigation a challenging option in this sector. An alternative would be to explore rainwater harvesting and soil water conservation technologies, which involve inducing, collecting, storing and conserving runoff water for agriculture. The drawbacks to this are that, apart from scale issues, rainfall is becoming more erratic and droughts more frequent and hence the feasibility of this approach under frequent drought could be challenged.
There are prospects for tapping into South Africa’s groundwater resources but the extent to which they can contribute to expanding area under irrigation is contested given the challenges of quantifying and pumping the water. Most smallholder farmers currently lack access to water, energy, infrastructure and technical skills to irrigate thus making irrigation a challenging option in this sector. An alternative would be to explore rainwater harvesting and soil water conservation technologies, which involve inducing, collecting, storing and conserving runoff water for agriculture. The drawbacks to this are that, apart from scale issues, rainfall is becoming more erratic and droughts more frequent and hence the feasibility of this approach under frequent drought could be challenged.
11 Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, Luxon; Moeletsi, M.; Masupha, T.; Magidi, J.; Tshikolomo, K.; Liphadzi, S.; Naidoo, D.; Mabhaudhi, T. 2019. Assessing climate change and adaptive capacity at local scale using observed and remotely sensed data. Weather and Climate Extremes, 26:100240. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2019.100240]
Climate change adaptation ; Assessment ; Remote sensing ; Drought ; Rain ; Temperature ; Water stress ; Resilience ; Risk reduction ; Strategies ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Agricultural production ; Heat stress ; Vegetation index / South Africa / Limpopo / Capricorn
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049413)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212094719301380/pdfft?md5=07c6303aa103fe96c44be00ac162f087&pid=1-s2.0-S2212094719301380-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049413.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049413.pdf
(4.02 MB) (4.02 MB)
Climate variability and change impacts are manifesting through declining rainfall totals and increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, floods and heatwaves. These environmental changes are affecting mostly rural populations in developing countries due to low adaptive capacity and high reliance on natural systems for their livelihoods. While broad adaptation strategies exist, there is need to contextualise them to local scale. This paper assessed rainfall, temperature and water stress trends over time in Capricorn District, South Africa, using Standardized Precipitation Index, Thermal Heat Index, and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a proxy of water stress. Observed rainfall and temperature data from 1960 to 2015 was used to assess climatic variations, and NDVI was used to assess water stress from 2000 to 2019. Results show a marked increase in drought frequency and intensity, decreasing rainfall totals accompanied by increasing temperatures, and increasing water stress during the summer season. Long-term climatic changes are a basis to develop tailor-made adaptation strategies. Eighty-one percent of the cropped area in Capricorn District is rainfed and under smallholder farming, exposing the district to climate change risks. As the intensity of climate change varies both in space and time, adaptation strategies also vary depending on exposure and intensity. A combination of observed and remotely sensed climatic data is vital in developing tailor-made adaptation strategies.
12 Nhamo, Luxon; Ebrahim, Girma Yimer; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Magombeyi, Manuel; Chitakira, M.; Magidi, J.; Sibanda, M. 2020. An assessment of groundwater use in irrigated agriculture using multi-spectral remote sensing. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 115:102810. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2019.102810]
Groundwater assessment ; Crop water use ; Irrigated farming ; Remote sensing ; Climate change ; Resilience ; Water management ; Water productivity ; Evapotranspiration ; Estimation ; Irrigated land ; Satellite imagery ; Dry season / South Africa / Limpopo / Venda-Gazankulu
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049420)
(2.23 MB)
Declining water resources in dry regions requires sustainable groundwater management as trends indicate increasing groundwater use, but without accountability. The sustainability of groundwater is uncertain, as little is known about its extent and availability, a challenge that requires a quantitative assessment of its current use. This study assessed groundwater use for irrigated agriculture in the Venda-Gazankulu area of Limpopo Province in South Africa using crop evapotranspiration and irrigated crop area derived from the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI). Evapotranspiration data was derived from the Water Productivity through Open access of Remotely sensed Actual Evapotranspiration and Interception (WaPOR) dataset (250 m resolution), and irrigated areas were characterised using dry season NDVI data derived from Landsat 8. Field surveys were conducted for four years to assess accuracy and for post-classification correction. Daily ET for the dry season (May to September) was developed from the actual ET for the irrigated areas. The irrigated areas were overlaid on the ET map to calculate ET for only irrigated land parcels. Groundwater use during the 2015 dry period was 3627.49 billion m3 and the irrigated area during the same period was 26% of cultivated land. About 82 435 ha of cultivated area was irrigated using 44 million m3 /ha of water, compared to 186.93 million m3 /ha on a rainfed area of 237 847 ha. Groundwater management is essential for enhancing resilience in arid regions in the advent of water scarcity.
13 Nhamo, L.; Mabhaudhi, T.; Mpandeli, S.; Dickens, Chris; Nhemachena, C.; Senzanje, A.; Naidoo, D.; Liphadzi, S.; Modi, A. T. 2020. An integrative analytical model for the water-energy-food nexus: South Africa case study. Environmental Science and Policy, 109:15-24. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.04.010]
Decision support systems ; Water availability ; Energy ; Food security ; Nexus ; Water productivity ; Climate change adaptation ; Resilience ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Development indicators ; Living standards ; Agricultural productivity ; Cereals ; Models ; Performance evaluation ; Case studies / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049710)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901119315618/pdfft?md5=6a58952488ffee2f1221f91a0beb1156&pid=1-s2.0-S1462901119315618-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049710.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049710.pdf
(0.89 MB) (912 KB)
The missing link between cross-sectoral resource management and full-scale adoption of the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus has been the lack of analytical tools that provide evidence for policy and decision-making. This study defined WEF nexus sustainability indicators, from where an analytical model was developed to manage WEF resources in an integrated manner using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The model established quantitative relationships among WEF sectors, simplifying the intricate interlinkages among resources, using South Africa as a case study. A spider graph was used to illustrate sector performance as related to others, whose management is viewed either as sustainable or unsustainable. The model was then applied to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in South Africa. The estimated integrated indices of 0.155 and 0.203 for 2015 and 2018, respectively, classify South Africa’s management of resources as marginally sustainable. The model is a decision support tool that highlights priority areas for intervention.
14 Magidi, J.; van Koppen, Barbara; Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Slotow, R.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2021. Informing equitable water and food policies through accurate spatial information on irrigated areas in smallholder farming systems. Water, 13(24):3627. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w13243627]
Smallholders ; Farming systems ; Irrigated farming ; Water policies ; Food policies ; Food security ; Water security ; Spatial distribution ; Rainfed farming ; Irrigated land ; Cultivated land ; Catchment areas ; Crop production ; Farmers ; Sustainable development ; Datasets ; Normalized difference vegetation index / South Africa / Usuthu Sub-Catchment / Crocodile Sub-Catchment / Sabie Sub-Catchment / Komati Sub-Catchment
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050853)
(5.03 MB) (5.03 MB)
Accurate information on irrigated areas’ spatial distribution and extent are crucial in enhancing agricultural water productivity, water resources management, and formulating strategic policies that enhance water and food security and ecologically sustainable development. However, data are typically limited for smallholder irrigated areas, which is key to achieving social equity and equal distribution of financial resources. This study addressed this gap by delineating disaggregated smallholder and commercial irrigated areas through the random forest algorithm, a non-parametric machine learning classifier. Location within or outside former apartheid “homelands” was taken as a proxy for smallholder, and commercial irrigation. Being in a medium rainfall area, the huge irrigation potential of the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area (UWMA) is already well developed for commercial crop production outside former homelands. However, information about the spatial distribution and extent of irrigated areas within former homelands, which is largely informal, was missing. Therefore, we first classified cultivated lands in 2019 and 2020 as a baseline, from where the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to distinguish irrigated from rainfed, focusing on the dry winter period when crops are predominately irrigated. The mapping accuracy of 84.9% improved the efficacy in defining the actual spatial extent of current irrigated areas at both smallholder and commercial spatial scales. The proportion of irrigated areas was high for both commercial (92.5%) and smallholder (96.2%) irrigation. Moreover, smallholder irrigation increased by over 19% between 2019 and 2020, compared to slightly over 7% in the commercial sector. Such information is critical for policy formulation regarding equitable and inclusive water allocation, irrigation expansion, land reform, and food and water security in smallholder farming systems.
15 Goldin, J.; Nhamo, L.; Ncube, B.; Zvimba, J. N.; Petja, B.; Mpandeli, S.; Nomquphu, W.; Hlophe-Ginindza, S.; Greeff-Laubscher, M. R.; Molose, V.; Lottering, S.; Liphadzi, S.; Naidoo, D.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Resilience and sustainability of the water sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainability, 14(3):1482. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031482]
Water security ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Resilience ; Sustainability ; Sanitation ; Public health ; Research projects ; Stakeholders ; Case studies / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050969)
(5.37 MB) (5.37 MB)
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented socio-economic changes, ushering in a “new (ab)normal” way of living and human interaction. The water sector was not spared from the effects of the pandemic, a period in which the sector had to adapt rapidly and continue providing innovative water and sanitation solutions. This study unpacks and interrogates approaches, products, and services adopted by the water sector in response to the unprecedented lockdowns, heralding novel terrains, and fundamental paradigm shifts, both at the community and the workplace. The study highlights the wider societal perspective regarding the water and sanitation challenges that grappled society before, during, after, and beyond the pandemic. The premise is to provide plausible transitional pathways towards a new (ab)normal in adopting new models, as evidenced by the dismantling of the normal way of conducting business at the workplace and human interaction in an era inundated with social media, virtual communication, and disruptive technologies, which have transitioned absolutely everything into a virtual way of life. As such, the novel approaches have fast-tracked a transition into the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR), with significant trade-offs to traditional business models and human interactions.
16 Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, L.; Senzanje, A.; Jewitt, G.; Modi, A.; Massawe, F.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. The water-energy-food nexus: its transition into a transformative approach. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.1-13. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91223-5.00004-6]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051169)
(0.30 MB)
Water, energy, and food are vital resources for human wellbeing. Yet, they are under increased pressure to meet demand from a growing population at a time of worsening insecurity due to depletion and degradation of reserves. These challenges prompted the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. All the 17 SDGs are connected. They recognize that developments in one sector will impact other sectors and that any proposed development must balance socioeconomic and environmental sustainability. Also, as the three resources are the most impacted by climate change, they provide a close link between adaptation, climate system, human society, and the environment. The intricate interlinkages between water, energy, and food resources with the related relationships with socioeconomic development, healthy ecosystems, human development, and sustainable development caused the rapid growth of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus concept since the United Nations General Assembly of September 2015. Although the concept existed before 2015, its progression increased after the World Economic Forum of 2011 after a presentation by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in anticipation of the SDGs. This chapter discusses the evolution of the WEF nexus before and after 2015. The emphasis is on the importance of the concept in establishing the interconnectedness of resources and as a guide for coherent policy decisions that lead to sustainable development.
17 Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Nhamo, S. P.; Liphadzi, S.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Enhancing sustainable human and environmental health through nexus planning. In Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe; Senzanje, A.; Modi, A.; Jewitt, G.; Massawe, F. (Eds.). Water - energy - food nexus narratives and resource securities: a global south perspective. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. pp.199-222. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91223-5.00012-5]
Water availability ; Environmental health ; Nutrition ; Nexus ; Planning ; Sustainability ; Indicators ; Public health ; Vulnerability ; Resilience ; Water quality ; Modelling / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051172)
(0.39 MB)
A combination of climate change and accelerated population growth is instigating some of the worst challenges that humankind faces today that include resource depletion and degradation. Both built environment and ecological infrastructure have been modified and are creating novel socioecological interactions posing the risk of novel infectious diseases transmission to humans. The experiences of the COVID-19 exposed the vulnerability of human health from wildlife and the risk of novel socioecological interactions on livelihoods. This chapter enhances the preparedness and improves the resilience against novel pathogens by assessing vulnerability and the available options to reduce risk through the water–health–ecosystem–nutrition nexus. As a transformative, nexus planning provides integrated pathways toward resilience and preparedness to reduce health risks on humans posed by novel pathogens. A systematic review of literature facilitated an understanding of the trends of novel infectious diseases and the available options to improve sanitation, nutrition, and adaptative capacity in the advent of novel socioecological interactions. The aim is to guide policy formulations to achieve Sustainable Development Goals such as 3 (good health and wellbeing), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 13 (climate action). Risk reduction framing in the health sector through nexus planning provides pathways toward healthy environments and mutual socioecological interactions.
18 Chitakira, M.; Nhamo, L.; Torquebiau, E.; Magidi, J.; Ferguson, W.; Mpandeli, S.; Mearns, K.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Opportunities to improve eco-agriculture through transboundary governance in transfrontier conservation areas. Diversity, 14(6):461. (Special issue: The Human Dimension of Biodiversity Protection) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060461]
Eco-agriculture ; Conservation areas ; Governance ; Biodiversity conservation ; Ecosystems ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Resource conservation ; Poverty alleviation ; Sustainable livelihoods ; Policies ; Legislation ; Landscape approaches ; Local communities / Mozambique / Eswatini / South Africa / Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area / Usuthu-Tembe-Futi Transfrontier Conservation Area
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051227)
https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/14/6/461/pdf?version=1654685762
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051227.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051227.pdf
(0.89 MB) (906 KB)
Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) are critical biodiversity areas for the conservation and sustainable use of biological and cultural resources while promoting regional peace, cooperation, and socio-economic development. Sustainable management of TFCAs is dependent on the availability of an eco-agriculture framework that promotes integrated management of conservation mosaics in terms of food production, environmental protection or the conservation of natural resources, and improved human livelihoods. As a developmental framework, eco-agriculture is significantly influenced by existing legal and governance structures at all levels; this study assessed the impact of existing legal and governance frameworks on eco-agriculture implementation in the Lubombo TFCA that cuts across the borders between Mozambique, Eswatini, and South Africa. The assessment used a mixed research method, including a document review, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Although the three countries have no eco-agriculture policies, biodiversity practices are directly or indirectly affected by some policies related to environmental protection, agriculture improvement, and rural development. The assessment found that South Africa has the most comprehensive policies related to eco-agriculture; Mozambican policies mainly focus on equity and involvement of disadvantaged social groups, while Eswatini is conspicuous for explicitly making it the responsibility of each citizen to protect and safeguard the environment. The protection of conservation areas is critical to preserving natural habitats and ensuring the continued provision of ecosystem services. The lack of transboundary governance structures results in the Lubombo TFCA existing as a treaty on paper, as there are no clear processes for transboundary cooperation and collaboration.
19 Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Liphadzi, S.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Securing land and water for food production through sustainable land reform: a nexus planning perspective. Land, 11(7):974. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/land11070974]
Sustainable land management ; Land reform ; Water security ; Food security ; Land distribution ; Frameworks ; Nexus ; Planning ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Livelihoods ; Rural development ; Constitution ; Agrarian reform ; Indicators ; Food production ; Agriculture ; Climate change ; Socioeconomic development / South Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051229)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/7/974/pdf?version=1656239653
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051229.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051229.pdf
(1.93 MB) (1.93 MB)
Land and water are vital resources for sustaining rural livelihoods and are critical for rural development as they form the basis of agriculture, the main economic activity for rural communities. Nevertheless, in most developing countries, land and water resources are unevenly distributed due to historical and socio-economic imbalances, hence the need for land reform policies to address these disparities. However, redistributing land without considering the interconnectedness of land and socio-ecological systems can compound existing food and water insecurity challenges. This study used a mixed research method, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data, to develop a framework to guide policy and decision-makers to formulate coherent strategies towards sustainable land redistribution programmes and achieve the desired outcomes. The approach was vital for integrating the broad and intricate interlinkages between water, land, and environmental resources. Therefore, the framework is based on transformative and circular models for informing strategic policy decisions towards sustainable land redistribution. The focus was on South Africa’s land redistribution plans and the implications on water and food security and rural development. The developed framework is designed to ensure the sustainability of agrarian reform and rural economic development. It is framed to address land and water accessibility inequalities, promote water and food security, and enhance rural development. A sustainable land redistribution increases the adaptive capacity of rural communities to climate change, enhances their resilience, and provides pathways towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
20 Nhamo, L.; Mpandeli, S.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. The power of nexus planning: achieving sustainability entails weighing trade-offs and collaborating among interconnected sectors. American Scientist, 110(4):234-236. (Special issue: Convergence Science) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1511/2022.110.4.232]
Water management ; Energy ; Food production ; Nexus approaches ; Planning ; Sustainability ; Sectoral development ; Resource management ; Collaboration ; Policies ; Sustainable Development Goals
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051299)
https://www.americanscientist.org/article/the-power-of-nexus-planning
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051299.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051299.pdf
(1.33 MB)
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