Your search found 29 records
1 Nhemachena, Charles; Jonas, S.; Karuaihe, S. 2015. Understanding of the current practices, challenges and opportunities of the green economy in Limpopo Province [South Africa] Journal of Public Administration, 50(1):6-31.
Economic aspects ; Economic policy ; Poverty ; Unemployment ; Public education ; Sustainable development ; Environmental management ; Municipal governments ; Waste management ; Recycling ; Energy management ; Land management ; Transport ; Agriculture / South Africa / Limpopo Province
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047187)
(0.46 MB)
The paper investigates the current practices of the green economy, and challenges and opportunities in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The paper is based on a baseline study designed to gather data from key informants in Limpopo provincial, district and local municipalities. Twenty-three key informants in the province were interviewed. Primary data collected from key informants was supplemented by secondary data from document reviews. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data on the current practices of green economy, and challenges and opportunities in the province. Findings from the study suggest that there is generally significant awareness of the green economy concept across the provincial district and local municipalities in Limpopo Province. However, there are gaps in terms of information gathering, storage and sharing on green economy activities in the district municipalities, provincial and national departments. The main barriers constraining the implementation of green economy initiatives in the municipalities include lack of information; shortage of workers with full knowledge on green economy; shortage of training programmes on green economy; and costs of implementation. The main recommendations from this research include the need to improve awareness of green economy activities across all levels in the province, especially with communities’ need for evidence-based research to demonstrate the potential of green economy activities that can contribute to job creation and poverty reduction; and training of officials on how the green economy can contribute to addressing developmental challenges such as service delivery, job creation, local economic development and poverty reduction.
2 Fakudze, C.; Dludlu, T.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, Charles; Nhelengethwa, Sibusiso. 2015. Advancing Mutual Accountability through Comprehensive, Inclusive, and Technically Robust Review and Dialogue: Joint sector review assessment. Swaziland. Mbabane, Swaziland: Ministry of Agriculture. 61p.
Assessment ; Agricultural policy ; Policy making ; Planning ; Stakeholders ; Farmers organizations ; Poverty ; Food security ; Investment ; Government agencies ; Landscape ; Water resources ; Water harvesting ; Capacity building ; Corporate culture ; Agricultural development ; Maize ; Sugarcane ; Budgets ; Development policies ; Partnerships / Swaziland
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047484)
(1.00 MB)
3 Tembo, S.; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, Charles; Nhelengethwa, Sibusiso. 2015. Advancing mutual accountability through comprehensive, inclusive, and technically robust review and dialogue and establishing partnerships and mechanisms for joint sector planning, monitoring and evaluation: joint sector review, agriculture. Zambia. Lusaka , Zambia: Ministry of Agriculture. 86p.
Agricultural development ; Agroindustry ; Agricultural financial policy ; Investment ; Planning ; Monitoring ; Evaluation ; Trade policies ; Market access ; Land management ; Water management ; Stakeholders ; Government agencies ; Budgets ; Crop production ; Labour productivity ; Livestock production ; Fisheries / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047485)
(1.06 MB)
4 Nhamo, Luxon; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, Charles; van Koppen, Barbara. 2016. The impact of investment in smallholder irrigation schemes on irrigation expansion and crop productivity in Malawi. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 11(2):141-153.
Irrigation schemes ; Irrigation systems ; Crop production ; Investment ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Rainfed farming ; Agriculture ; Water resources ; Climate change ; Drought ; Food security ; Households ; Maize ; Rice ; Irrigated land ; Nutrition ; Impact assessment / Malawi / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047598)
http://www.afjare.org/resources/issues/vol_11_no2/5%20Nhamo%20et%20al.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047598.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047598.pdf
(358.81 KB)
Reliance on rainfall for agriculture and increased climate change and variability pose growing production risks in developing countries. Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is dominated by smallholder farmers who depend mainly on rain-fed agriculture, putting food security at both household and national levels at risk, especially in the event of drought. Investment in smallholder irrigation becomes a priority in developing countries if food security and national development goals are to be met, as their economies are agro-based. This study evaluates the impact of investment in smallholder irrigation schemes in Malawi on improving crop production and productivity in comparison with rain-fed agriculture. The area under smallholder irrigation schemes increased from 15 988 ha in 2003 to about 42 986 ha in 2011, contributing immensely to national food production. Irrigated maize production increased from 78 159 tons in 2000 to 544 378 tons in 2013.
5 Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, Charles. 2016. Agricultural growth trends and outlook for Southern Africa: promoting agricultural trade to enhance resilience in Southern Africa. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 84p. (ReSAKSS-SA Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2013)
Agricultural development ; Agricultural policy ; Agricultural budgets ; Agricultural trade ; Agricultural products ; Economic indicators ; Community development ; Trade liberalization ; Food prices ; Market information services ; Production costs ; Drought ; Cereal products ; Socioeconomic environment ; Poverty / Southern Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H047998)
http://www.resakss.org/sites/default/files/ReSAKSS-SA%20Trends%20Report%202013_Final.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047998.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047998.pdf
(2.64 MB)
6 Mathebula, J.; Jonas, S.; Nhemachena, Charles. 2017. Estimation of household income diversification in South Africa: a case study of three provinces. South African Journal of Science, 113(1/2):1-9. [doi: https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20160073]
Diversification ; Households ; Income ; Urban areas ; Rural areas ; Poverty ; Living standards ; Economic aspects ; Businesses ; Labour ; Financing ; Social aspects ; Case studies / South Africa / Eastern Cape / Limpopo / KwaZulu-Natal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047999)
http://www.sajs.co.za/system/tdf/publications/pdf/SAJS-113-1-2-Mathebula_ResearchArticle.pdf?file=1&type=node&id=35462&force=
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047999.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H047999.pdf
(585 KB)
We estimated household income diversification in settlement types of the poorest provinces in South Africa – the Eastern Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. We obtained data from the 2010/2011 Income and Expenditure Survey from Statistics South Africa and Wave 3 data from the National Income Dynamics Study. We used the number of income sources, the number of income earners and the Shannon Diversity Index to estimate income diversification in the study provinces. The results show that households in the traditional and urban formal areas diversified income sources to a greater extent than households in urban informal and rural formal settlements. The varied degrees of income diversification in the three provinces suggest that targeted policy initiatives aimed at enhancing household income are important in these provinces.
7 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, C. R. 2016. Exploring ways to increase public investments in agricultural water management and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity in Southern Africa. Paper presented at the 2nd World Irrigation Forum, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 6-8 November 2016. 12p.
Public investment ; Agriculture ; Productivity ; Water management ; Water policy ; Land management ; Irrigation programs ; Food security ; Economic aspects ; Rural development / southern Africa / Malawi / Mozambique / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048000)
8 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, C. R. 2016. Economic aspects of genetic resources in addressing agricultural productivity in the context of climate change. In Lal, R.; Kraybill, D.; Hansen, D. O.; Singh, B. R.; Mosogoya, T.; Eik, L. O. (Eds.). Climate change and multi-dimensional sustainability in African agriculture: climate change and sustainability in agriculture. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. pp.171-183.
Climate change ; Economic aspects ; Genetic resources conservation ; Genetic techniques ; Agriculture ; Productivity ; Adaptation ; Farmers ; Farming systems ; Agricultural production ; Capacity building / Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048001)
The main objective of this paper is to discuss the economic aspects of genetic resources in addressing agricultural productivity in the context of climate change and variability in Africa. The paper synthesizes the published literature related to this topic, which has not been well integrated, especially with respect to economic improvements and the use of genetic resources in Africa. The focus is to understand the nexus between climate change, genetic resources, and agricultural productivity; the economic aspects involved in the conservation and improvement of genetic resources at farm-level use; and the adoption of these technologies to address agricultural productivity. The results show that climate change affects both genetic resources and agricultural productivity. The interaction of climate change and other stressors exacerbates the vulnerability of agricultural production systems and genetic resources. The conservation and improvement of genetic resources should address the urgent need to increase investments in conservation and the development of future adapted technologies. At the farm level, the focus should be on developing distribution and dissemination systems, including raising awareness and educating farmers on the role of genetic resource technologies in addressing agricultural productivity under climate change. Furthermore, it is critical to ensure that farmers have the means to purchase the improved genetic resource technologies to be able to use and adopt them. Efforts to conserve, improve, and promote the use of genetic resource technologies in addressing agricultural productivity should integrate the distribution, accessibility, and use of the improved technologies at the farm level and be integrated in broader adaptation and development efforts.
9 Beilfuss, R. D.; Nhemachena, Charles. 2017. Climate change vulnerability and risk. In Lautze, Jonathan; Phiri, Z.; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Saruchera, D. (Eds.). 2017. The Zambezi River Basin: water and sustainable development. Oxon, UK: Routledge - Earthscan. pp.50-81. (Earthscan Series on Major River Basins of the World)
Climate change ; Temperature ; Evapotranspiration ; Precipitation ; Rainfall-runoff relationships ; Dam construction ; Agricultural production ; Productivity ; Hydrological factors ; Water power ; Financial situation ; Ecosystem services ; Environmental flows ; Institutional constraints / Africa / Angola / Botswana / Malawi / Mozambique / Nambia / Tanzania / Zambia / Zambizi River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H048273)
10 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2017. Strengthening mutual accountability and performance in agriculture in Southern Africa. South African Journal of Science, 113(5/6):1-7. [doi: https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2017/20160185]
Agricultural sector ; Agricultural policy ; Investment ; Evaluation ; Accountability ; Stakeholders ; Planning ; Implementation ; Monitoring ; Financing / Southern Africa / Malawi / Mozambique / Swaziland / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048610)
(190 KB)
We critically assessed experiences in the implementation of agricultural joint sector reviews in supporting mutual accountability in Southern Africa, focusing on the lessons learned, the challenges and recommendations for improvement. Empirical data were gathered from four countries that have implemented joint sector reviews: Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zambia. The results show that recent efforts to conduct joint sector review assessments in these countries have raised the quest for increased accountability for action and results. Despite progress to strengthen mutual accountability in the countries, monitoring and evaluation capacity remains a concern, especially at sub-national levels. The mutual accountability process and implementation of the agricultural joint sector review processes in the respective countries have come a long way in facilitating sector-wide engagement of stakeholders in planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of agricultural policies and programmes. These processes are critical to ensure effective implementation and realisation of development impacts of agricultural priorities in the national agricultural investment plans.
11 Kararach, G.; Nhamo, G.; Mubila, M.; Nhamo, S.; Nhemachena, Charles; Babu, S. 2018. Reflections on the Green Growth Index for developing countries: a focus of selected African countries. Development Policy Review, 36(S1):O432-O454. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12265]
Developing countries ; Economic aspects ; Poverty ; Socioeconomic environment ; Resource management ; Environmental management ; Gender ; Governance / South Africa / Egypt / Algeria / Nigeria / Namibia / Zambia / Ghana / Tanzania / Togo
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048611)
This article presents a pilot and baseline African Green Growth Index (AGGI). The work is premised on the importance of Africa implementing green growth strategies. Baseline indicators allow countries to monitor progress towards green growth transition. The AGGI incorporates 48 indicators applied to 22 countries that had the requisite data. What emerges is that 18 out of the 22 African countries sampled scored 50 percentage points and above. The countries scoring below this threshold were: Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa. The top five countries on the AGGI (as ranked from 1-5) were: Namibia, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania and Togo. The authors recommend that for wider acceptance across the continent, the AGGI should work towards incorporating all 54 nations.
12 Nhemachena, Charles; Murimbika, M. 2019. Motivations of sustainable entrepreneurship and their impact of enterprise performance in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Business Strategy and Development, 1(2):115-127. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/bsd2.16]
Entrepreneurship ; Sustainable development ; Performance evaluation ; Financing ; Business management ; Income / South Africa / Gauteng Province
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048612)
(378 KB)
The paper discussed motivations of sustainable entrepreneurship in Gauteng Province, South Africa, and estimated relationships between these motivations and enterprise performance. Despite the growing field of sustainable entrepreneurship, most of the available literature has been mainly theoretical and qualitative or has focused on developed countries. This paper contributes to addressing this gap through empirical analysis based on primary survey data from 91 sustainable entrepreneurs. Reliability of the performance and motivation scales were subjected to the Cronbach's alpha coefficient test, and the results were acceptable. The exploratory factor analysis indicated that the motivations of sustainable entrepreneurship factored into 4 dimensions: extrinsic, intrinsic, income security and financial independence, and necessity motivations. Regression analysis revealed that extrinsic and intrinsic motivations are important determinants of enterprise performance. These motivations can be targeted to promote sustainable entrepreneurship in addition to complementary support such as improving business management skills and competencies of sustainable entrepreneurs.
13 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhemachena, C. R.; Karuaihe, S.; Muchara, B.; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2018. Measuring baseline agriculture-related sustainable development goals index for southern Africa. Sustainability, 10(3):1-16. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030849]
Sustainable Development Goals ; Agriculture ; Agricultural sector ; Agricultural policy ; Poverty ; Food security / Southern Africa / Democratic Republic of Congo / Zimbabwe / Madagascar
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048613)
(2.02 MB)
Sustainable development has become the main focus of the global development agenda as presented in the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, for countries to assess progress, they need to have reliable baseline indicators. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to develop a composite baseline index of the agriculture-related SDGs in Southern Africa to guide progress reporting. The paper identified eight of the SDG indicators related to the agriculture sector. The paper relies on data for indicators from five SDGs (SDGs 1, 2, 6, 7 and 15). Applying the arithmetic mean method of aggregation, an agriculture-related SDG composite index for Southern Africa between zero (0 = poor performance) and 100 (best possible performance) was computed for thirteen countries that had data on all identified indicators. The results show that the best performing countries (Botswana, Angola, Namibia, Zambia and South Africa) in the assessment recorded high scores in SDGs 1, 2 and 7. The three countries (Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Madagascar) that performed poorly on both SDG 1 and 2 also had the least scores on the overall agriculture-related SDG composite index. The water stress indicator for SDG 6 recorded the worst performance among most countries in the region. Possible approaches to improve the contribution of agriculture to SDGs may include investing more resources in priority areas for each agriculture-related SDG depending on baseline country conditions. The implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional and continental commitments in the agriculture sector and the SDGs are critical for achievement of the targets at the national and local levels. While the methods employed are well-grounded in literature, data unavailability for some of the SDGs in some countries presented a limitation to the study, and future efforts should focus on collecting data for the other SDGs in order to permit a wider application.
14 Nhamo, G.; Nhamo, S.; Nhemachena, Charles. 2018. What gets measured gets done!: towards an afro-barometer for tracking progress in achieving sustainable development goal 5. Agenda-Empowering Women for Gender Equity, 32(1): 60-75.
Sustainable Development Goals ; Gender ; Women in development ; Women's participation ; Empowerment ; Labor force ; Equity ; UN ; Monitoring ; Barometers / Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048618)
What gets measured gets done! This saying implies that without quantifying what needs to be done, doing it may not be possible. This term is relevant to how African countries will implement the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly in tracking progress on SDG 5 on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. During the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), governments failed to establish baselines for measuring progress in meeting the goals. To ensure that no country is left behind, the UN came up with a list of indicators (Tiers 1-3) for tracking progress in achieving SDGs targets. Tier 1 indicators fall in conventional data sets and almost all countries have these data. The process for implementation, through domestication and localisation by countries, includes the responsibilities of reporting, tracking and monitoring. The article highlights the importance of attempts to establish a broad baseline of data on women in Africa. An Afro-barometer, drawing from UN Tier 1 indicators and using a composite index and data drawn from the World Development Indicators (WDI), is a tentative step towards a baseline for tracking progress towards achieving SDG 5 in Africa. The research established data for 52 of the 54 African countries on women for three indicators, namely: women’s political representation, maternal mortality rates and women’s labour force participation. The gaps in the available data, places a question mark over the capacity and will to measure key indicators of gender inequality by countries. Implementation and reporting is integral to the achievement of the SDGs as well as the African Agenda 2063 and call for political will and resources on the continent to move from the merely aspirational, towards the transformation that the agendas propose.
15 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.
16 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso. 2017. Agricultural growth trends and outlook for Lesotho. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Pretoria, South Africa: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 30p. (ReSAKSS-SA Annual Trends and Outlook Report 2016)
Agricultural development ; Agricultural sector ; Performance evaluation ; Agricultural production ; Agricultural productivity ; Environmental effects ; Climate change ; Socioeconomic environment ; Living standards ; Poverty ; Equity ; Economic indicators ; Gross national product ; Agricultural trade ; Expenditure ; Agroecological zones ; Soils ; Arable land ; Development programmes / Southern Africa / Lesotho
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048751)
http://resakss.org/sites/default/files/ReSAKSS-SA%20-%20ATOR%20-%202016%20-%20high%20res%20with%20crop%20marks%20%28002%29.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048751.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H048751.pdf
(1.05 MB) (1.05 MB)
17 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).
18 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.
19 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.
20 Nhemachena, Charles; Matchaya, Greenwell; Nhlengethwa, Sibusiso; Nhemachena, C. R. 2018. Exploring ways to increase public investments in agricultural water management and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity in Southern Africa. Water SA, 44(3): 474-481.
Public investment ; Agriculture ; Water management ; Irrigation management ; Productivity ; Water policy ; Water use efficiency ; Water storage ; Natural resources management ; Food security ; Policy making ; Land management ; Sustainability ; Farmers ; Rural areas ; Subsistence / Southern Africa / Malawi / Mozambique / Zambia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049102)
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wsa/article/download/175501/164904
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049102.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049102.pdf
(157 KB)
This paper explores ways to increase public investments in agricultural water management and irrigation for improved agricultural productivity in Southern Africa, with a specific focus on Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. The analysis was based on a critical review of literature and assessment of the national agricultural investment plans and agricultural/water policies in the study countries. Despite the potential to improve agricultural productivity, irrigation does not currently play a significant role in Southern African agriculture. There have been efforts and formal commitments at the continental, regional and country levels to promote investments in agricultural water management and irrigation to improve and sustain agricultural productivity. However, despite these commitments, actual implementation has been a challenge and the first 5 years of national agricultural investment plans have passed or are now coming to an end without much progress having been made regarding actual investments. Lack of adequate resources and institutional capacity have been some of the challenges affecting implementation of the investment plans to meet commitments in sustainable land and water management. Overall, as countries plan for the second phase of the CAADP programme, there are opportunities to ensure that investments in agricultural water management and irrigation and complementary technologies are prioritised and allocated adequate resources for implementation.
Powered by DB/Text WebPublisher, from
