Your search found 30 records
1 Alemayehu, B.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, A.; Mapedza, Everisto; Gebreselasse, S.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Peden, D. 2008. Prospects for payment for environmental services: the case of Blue Nile. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.3. Water benefits sharing for poverty alleviation and conflict management; Drivers and processes of change. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.56-60.
Environmental protection ; User charges ; Households ; Sedimentation ; Flooding ; Watershed management ; Cost benefit analysis ; Farmers attitudes ; Stakeholders ; Land management ; Water management ; River basins ; Econometric models / Ethiopia / Blue Nile River Basin / Gumera watersheds / Koga watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.91 G000 HUM Record No: H041696)
http://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/3708/IFWF2_proceedings_Volume%20III.pdf?sequence=1
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H041696.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H041696.pdf
(4.879MB)
2 Haileslassie, A.; Hagos, Fitsum; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Peden, D.; Gebreselassie, S.; Negash, F. 2008. Production systems in the Blue Nile Basin: implications for environmental degradation and upstream and downstream linkages. Paper presented at the Ethiopia National Nile Development Forum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 20-21 March 2008. 37p.
River basins ; Environmental degradation ; Erosion ; Sedimentation ; Water productivity ; Farming systems ; Cropping systems ; Double cropping ; Cereals ; Maize ; Sorghum ; Barley ; Wheat ; Livestock ; Pastoralism ; Farmers attitudes ; Economic aspects / Sudan / Ethiopia / Blue Nile River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H041754)
(478KB 0.32 MB)
The Blue Nile Basin (Abay in Ethiopia) covers wide range landscapes and climatic zones in Ethiopia and Sudan. Different agricultural production systems, in the basin, evolved in response to those diverse landscapes and climatic zones, and the attendant human decision dynamics that responds to changing livelihood opportunities. Many production systems studies recognized only mixed agriculture in the highlands and pastoralism in the lowland areas. Now it is widely recognized that several other factors such as land-use, vegetation cover, and different land and water management practices are important in defining production systems. These study approaches help to capture the diverse water and land related livelihoods of the farming communities in upstream and downstream parts of the basin and their impact on their respective environments. In this review, we follow a similar approach but focus at the basin scale to define and characterize major production systems and associated subsystems specifically: small grain cereals-based mixed crop-livestock and maize-sorghum-perennials systems and their associated subsystems. We then focus on water management practices in rainfed and irrigated systems. We also synthesized impacts of those production systems on the environment and upstream-downstream linkage using erosion, sedimentation, livestock and crop water productivity, soil nutrient balances as indicators. Evidences suggest that natural ecosystem services (e.g. regulation services such as nutrient recycling and redistribution) are severely threatened in the Blue Nile basin. On-site and off-site effects of pedogenic processes like sediment removal, transportation, redistribution and attendant environmental impacts (e.g. nutrient balances and water productivity) are highly correlated with dominant farming practices and attendant anthropogenic interventions. Indicators such as water productivity and soil nutrient depletion and farmers’ activities to replenish the lost nutrients are also strongly related to the degree of the farmers’ resource endowments. In view of initiating the upstream community to invest more on land and water management, options for payment for environmental services (PES) must be sought and, interventions that enhance sustainable ecosystem management must use integrated approaches and farming system/subsystems as entry point.
3 Haileslassie, A.; Hagos, Fitsum; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Peden, D.; Gebreselassie, S.; Negash, F. 2008. Indicators of environmental degradation in the Blue Nile Basin: exploring prospects for payment for environmental services. Paper presented at the Second Nile Development Forum, Khartoum, Sudan, 17-19 November 2008. 37p.
Environmental degradation ; Erosion ; Sedimentation ; Water productivity ; Farming systems ; Mixed cropping ; Cereals ; Maize ; Sorghum ; Barley ; Wheat ; Irrigated farming ; Rainfed farming ; Livestock ; Pastoralism ; Farmers attitudes ; Poverty / Ethiopia / Blue Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H041755)
(0.86 MB)
The Blue Nile Basin (Abay in Ethiopia) covers wide range landscapes and climatic zones in Ethiopia and Sudan. Different agricultural production systems, in the basin, evolved in response to those diverse landscapes and climatic zones, and the attendant human decision dynamics that responds to changing livelihood opportunities. Many production systems studies recognized only mixed agriculture in the highlands and pastoralism in the lowland areas. Now it is widely recognized that several other factors such as land-use, vegetation cover, and different land and water management practices are important in defining production systems. These study approaches help to capture the diverse water and land related livelihoods of the farming communities in upstream and downstream parts of the basin and their impact on their respective environments. In this review, we follow a similar approach but focus at the basin scale to define and characterize major production systems and associated subsystems specifically: small grain cereals-based mixed crop-livestock and maize-sorghum-perennials systems and their associated subsystems. We then focus on water management practices in rainfed and irrigated systems. We also synthesized impacts of those production systems on the environment and upstream-downstream linkage using erosion, sedimentation, livestock and crop water productivity, soil nutrient balances as indicators. Evidences suggest that natural ecosystem services (e.g. regulation services such as nutrient recycling and redistribution) are severely threatened in the Blue Nile basin. On-site and off-site effects of pedogenic processes like sediment removal, transportation, redistribution and attendant environmental impacts (e.g. nutrient balances and water productivity) are highly correlated with dominant farming practices and attendant anthropogenic interventions. Indicators such as water productivity and soil nutrient depletion and farmers’ activities to replenish the lost nutrients are also strongly related to the degree of the farmers’ resource endowments. In view of initiating the upstream community to invest more on land and water management, options for payment for environmental services (PES) must be sought and, interventions that enhance sustainable ecosystem management must use integrated approaches and farming system/subsystems as entry point.
4 Peden, D.; Amede, Tilahun; Haileslassie, A.; Taddesse, G. 2008. Strategies for improving livestock water productivity. In Humphreys, E.; Bayot, R. S.; van Brakel, M.; Gichuki, F.; Svendsen, M.; Wester, P.; Huber-Lee, A.; Cook, S. Douthwaite, B.; Hoanh, Chu Thai; Johnson, N.; Nguyen-Khoa, Sophie; Vidal, A.; MacIntyre, I.; MacIntyre, R. (Eds.). Fighting poverty through sustainable water use: proceedings of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, 2nd International Forum on Water and Food, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10-14 November 2008. Vol.1. Keynotes; Cross-cutting topics. Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food. pp.28-33.
Livestock ; Water productivity ; Assessment ; Investment ; Water management ; Animal feeding ; Drinking water / Africa / Nile River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.91 G000 HUM Record No: H041770)
5 Haileslassie, A.; Hagos, Fitsum; Mapedza, Everisto; Sadoff, Claudia W.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Gebreselassie, S.; Peden, D. 2008. Institutional settings and livelihood strategies in the Blue Nile Basin: implications for upstream/downstream linkages. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 75p. (IWMI Working Paper 132) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3910/2009.313]
River basins ; Water policy ; Institutions ; Institutional development ; Farming systems ; Mixed farming ; Cereals ; Sorghum ; Irrigated farming ; Vegetables ; Pastoralism ; Poverty ; Water supply ; Sanitation ; Labor ; Ecosystems ; Energy ; Water power ; Watershed management ; Water harvesting ; Legal aspects ; Environmental policy ; Water user associations ; Irrigation programs / Africa / Ethiopia / Sudan / Egypt / Blue Nile River Basin / Koga Irrigation Project
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 631.7.3 G100 HAI Record No: H041835)
(474.57KB)
Through rapid assessment of existing literature and review of policy and other official documents, the report synthesizes the existing knowledge and gaps on policies and institutions and identifies key research issues that need in-depth study. The report provides an overview of the range of key livelihoods and production systems in the Blue Nile Basin (BNB) and highlights their relative dependence on, and vulnerability to, water resources and water-related ecosystem services. It also makes an inventory of current water and land related policies and institutions in the BNB, their organizational arrangements, dynamics and linkages and key policy premises. It highlights the major problems in institutional arrangements and policy gaps and makes suggestions for an in-depth Policy and Institutional Studies to be done as part of the Upstream-Downstream Research project.
6 Descheemaeker, Katrien; Amede, Tilahun; Haileslassie, A.. 2009. Livestock and water interactions in mixed crop-livestock farming systems of Sub-Saharan Africa: interventions for improved productivity. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 34p. (IWMI Working Paper 133) [doi: https://doi.org/10.3910/2009.316]
Farming systems ; Livestock ; Water productivity ; Water scarcity ; Land degradation ; Feed production ; Fodder ; Grazing systems ; Animal production ; Food production ; Policy / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 636 G110 DES Record No: H042205)
(445KB)
Focusing on mixed crop-livestock farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa, this review brings together the available knowledge in the various components of the livestock and water sectors. Through an analysis of livestock-water interactions, promising strategies and interventions to improve Livestock Water Productivity are proposed. In the biophysical domain, the numerous interventions relate to feed, water and animal management. These are interlinked with interventions in the socio-political-economic domain. The paper identifies critical research and development gaps in terms of methodologies for quantifying water productivity and integrating different scales, and also in terms of institutions and policies.
7 Haileslassie, A.; Peden, D.; Gebreselassie, S.; Amede, Tilahun; Wagnew, A.; Taddesse, G. 2009. Livestock water productivity in the Blue Nile Basin: assessment of farm scale heterogeneity. Rangeland Journal, 31(2):213-222. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ09006]
Livestock ; Feeds ; Water productivity ; Farming systems ; Crop management ; Evapotranspiration ; River basins ; Land use ; Poverty ; Water depletion ; Households ; Surveys / Ethiopia / Egypt / Sudan / Blue Nile Basin / Gumera Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 636 100 AME Record No: H042281)
(0.37 MB)
A recent study of the livestock water productivity (LWP), at higher spatial scales in the Blue Nile Basin, indicated strong variability across regions. To get an insight into the causes of this variability, we examined the effect of farm households’ access to productive resources (e.g. land, livestock) on LWPin potato–barley, barley–wheat, teff–millet and rice farming systems of the Gumera watershed (in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia). We randomly selected 180 farm households. The sizes of the samples, in each system, were proportional to the respective system’s area. Then we grouped the samples, using a participatory wealth ranking method, into three wealth groups (rich, medium and poor) and used structured and pretested questionnaires to collect data on crops and livestock management and applied reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and crop coefficient (Kc) approaches to estimate depleted (evapotranspiration) water in producing animal feed and food crops. Then, we estimated LWPas a ratio of livestock’s beneficial outputs to water depleted. Our results suggest strong variability of LWP across the different systems: ranging between 0.3 and 0.6 US$ m3 year1. The tendency across different farming systems was comparable with results from previous studies at higher spatial scales. The range among different wealth groups was wider (0.1 to 0.6 US$ m3 year1) than among the farming systems. This implies that aggregating water productivity (to a system scale) masks hotspots and bright spots. Our result also revealed a positive trend between water productivity (LWPand crop water productivity, CWP) and farm households’ access to resources. Thus, we discuss our findings in relation to poverty alleviation and integrated land and water management to combat unsustainable water management practices in the Blue Nile Basin.
8 Erkossa, Teklu; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Haileslassie, A.; Yilma, Aster Denekew. 2009. Impacts of improving water management of smallholder agriculture in the Upper Blue Nile Basin. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.7-21.
River basins ; Farming systems ; Cereals ; Rainfed farming ; Water harvesting ; Irrigated farming / Ethiopia / Upper Blue Nile / Abbay Sub Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.9162 G100 AWU Record No: H042504)
(0.69 MB)
With its total area of about 200,000 square kilometers (km2), which is 20% of the country’s land mass, and accommodating 25% of the population, the Upper Blue Nile Basin (Abbay) is one of the most important river basins in Ethiopia. About 40% of agricultural products and 45% of the surface water of the country are contributed by this basin. However, the characteristic-intensive biophysical variation, rapid population growth, land degradation, climatic fluctuation and resultant low agricultural productivity and poverty are posing daunting challenges to sustainability of agricultural production systems in the basin. This calls for technological interventions that not only enhance productivity and livelihoods in the basin, but also bring about positive spillover effects on downstream water users. In this study, the farming systems in the basin have been stratified and characterized; and promising agricultural water management technologies, which may upgrade the productivity of smallholder rainfed agriculture while improving downstream water quality, have been identified. As a consequence, supplementary and full irrigation using rainwater and drainage of waterlogged soils are recognized as being among the promising agricultural water management technologies that can be easily scaled-up in the basin. The magnitude of the impacts of these technologies on the productivity of the upstream farming systems and the concomitant effects on the downstream water flow and quality are under investigation, assuming an assortment of scenarios.
9 Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, A.; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele. 2009. Assessment of local land and water institutions in the Blue Nile and their impact on environmental management. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.185-231.
Institutions ; Organizations ; Water policy ; River basins ; Water management ; Land management ; Watershed management / Africa / Ethiopia / Blue Nile River Basin / Abay River Basin / Tana Sub Basin / Beles Sub Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.9162 G100 AWU Record No: H042518)
(0.69 MB)
Land and water institutions play a vital role in managing and sustaining land and water resources as well as enhancing economic development and poverty alleviation efforts. While a lot has been done in terms of understanding the micro-determinants of farmers’ decisions in land and water conservation, there is little attempt to understand the broad macro-institutional and organizational issues that influence land and water management decisions. The objective of the study was to assess institutional arrangements and challenges for improved land and water management in the Ethiopian part of the Blue Nile Basin (Tana and Beles subbasins). Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were held in Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions with important stakeholders such as the bureaus of Agriculture and Rural Development, Water Resources Development, Environmental Protection and Land Use Administration (EPLUA), National Agricultural Research Systems, and important NGOs, operating in the area of land and water management, and selected community members. As the major findings in this study, we outlined major land and water-related institutional arrangements that are currently in place and their design features, in order to identify those institutions related to superior performance. We highlighted major institutional and policy gaps and actions that are required to respond to emerging issues of environmental degradation, upstream/downstream linkages and climate change. Such analysis of institutions and their design features provides useful insights and contributes to the debate on institutional reform for improved land and water management in the Blue Nile Basin, in general. By doing so, it identifies the gaps in institutional arrangements and policies and potential remedies.
10 Mapedza, Everisto; Haileslassie, A.; Hagos, Fitsum; McCartney, Matthew; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Tafesse, T. 2009. Transboundary water governance institutional architecture: reflections from Ethiopia and Sudan. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.246-253.
Water governance ; Institutions ; International waters ; International cooperation ; River basin management / Africa / Ethiopia / Sudan / Blue Nile River Basin / Abbay River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.9162 G100 AWU Record No: H042520)
(0.35 MB)
Transboundary water resource governance is premised on equitable water and water-related benefit sharing. Using the case of the Blue Nile (Ethiopia and Sudan), we explore the conceptual issues that need consideration in the crafting of cross-border cooperation within the water sector. First, drawing on global experiences with transboundary water management, we evaluate how upstream and downstream concerns are addressed by transboundary water management institutions. Second, we explore the kinds of institutional design and the issues which need to be considered to result in ‘win-win’ scenarios for both upstream and downstream users, as well as the mechanisms of benefit sharing negotiated amongst different stakeholders. Third, we examine ways of addressing equity and livelihoods in transboundary institutional arrangements. Finally, we attempt to assess how transboundary institutions can address broader historical, political and economic issues and their implications for sustainable transboundary water governance. This paper raises key issues that need to be addressed in establishing transboundary governance institutions.
11 Alemayehu, B.; Hagos, Fitsum; Haileslassie, A.; Mapedza, Everisto; Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Peden, D.; Tafesse, T. 2009. Prospect of payments for environmental services in the Blue Nile Basin: examples from Koga and Gumera watersheds, Ethiopia. In Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele; Erkossa, Teklu; Smakhtin, Vladimir; Fernando, Ashra (Comps.). Improved water and land management in the Ethiopian highlands: its impact on downstream stakeholders dependent on the Blue Nile. Intermediate Results Dissemination Workshop held at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5-6 February 2009. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). pp.254-280.
River basin management ; Watershed management ; Land management ; Households ; Farmers attitudes ; Economic aspects / Africa / Ethiopia / Blue Nile River Basin / Koga Watershed / Gumera Watershed / Lake Tana
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 333.9162 G100 AWU Record No: H042521)
(0.68 MB)
In transboundary river basins, like the Blue Nile, conflicts over the use of water resources are growing and recent advances in sustainable resource management recognizes the need for approaches that coordinate activities of people dependent on a common resource-base to realize sustainability and equity. Payments for Environmental Services (PES) are a component of a new and more direct conservation paradigm and an emerging concept to finance conservation programs by fostering dialogue between upstream and downstream land users. Those kinds of approach are particularly useful if applied in basins where irrigation schemes are emerging and the service life of reservoir and irrigation canals, in downstream areas are threatened by the sediments moved from upstream region. Here we report the results of our study on the determinants of Willingness to Pay (WTP) and Willingness to Compensate (WTC) for improved land and water management practices in the Blue Nile Basin (Gumera and Koga watersheds). A total of 325 sample households were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique, and a structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from the sample households. We applied Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to elicit WTP using monetary and material payment vehicles. Our results showed that more households are willing to pay in labor than in cash. The mean WTP for improved land and water management was estimated at US$1.06 and US$1.3 months-1 household-1 for upstream and downstream farmers, respectively. Besides, 83.56% of the sample farm households showed WTC the upstream farmers in cash. However, the aggregate WTP falls far short of the estimated investment cost needed for ecosystem restoration. Among others, the number of livestock, size of arable land, access to education and credit by the sample farm households were identified to positively influence sample farmers’ WTP for restoration of ecosystem services and downstream farmers’ WTC for improved ecosystem regulation services. Therefore, institutions and policy measures that enhance environmental education, reduce poverty and foster stakeholders’ cooperation must be promoted. Prospect of Payments for Environmental Services in the Blue Nile Basin: Examples from Koga and Gumera Watersheds.
12 Haileslassie, A.; Peden, D.; Gebreselassie, S.; Amede, Tilahun; Descheemaeker, Katrien. 2009. Livestock water productivity in mixed crop–livestock farming systems of the Blue Nile Basin: assessing variability and prospects for improvement. Agricultural Systems, 102(1-3):33-40. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2009.06.006]
Livestock ; Water productivity ; Farming systems ; River basin management ; Cereals / Africa / Ethiopia / Blue Nile River Basin / Gumera Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042535)
(0.46 MB)
Water scarcity is a major factor limiting food production. Improving Livestock Water Productivity (LWP) is one of the approaches to address those problems. LWP is defined as the ratio of livestock’s beneficial outputs and services to water depleted in their production. Increasing LWP can help achieve more production per unit of water depleted. In this study we assess the spatial variability of LWP in three farming systems (rice-based, millet-based and barley-based) of the Gumera watershed in the highlands of the Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. We collected data on land use, livestock management and climatic variables using focused group discussions, field observation and secondary data. We estimated the water depleted by evapotranspiration (ET) and beneficial animal products and services and then calculated LWP. Our results suggest that LWP is comparable with crop water productivity at watershed scales. Variability of LWP across farming systems of the Gumera watershed was apparent and this can be explained by farmers’ livelihood strategies and prevailing biophysical conditions. In view of the results there are opportunities to improve LWP: improved feed sourcing, enhancing livestock productivity and multiple livestock use strategies can help make animal production more water productive. Attempts to improve agricultural water productivity, at system scale, must recognize differences among systems and optimize resources use by system components.
13 Descheemaeker, Katrien; Amede, Tilahun; Haileslassie, A.. 2010. Improving water productivity in mixed crop–livestock farming systems of Sub-Saharan Africa. Agricultural Water Management, 97(5):579-586. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2009.11.012]
Livestock ; Feeds ; Animal husbandry ; Water productivity ; Water management / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H042572)
(0.57 MB)
In sub-Saharan Africa problems associated with water scarcity are aggravated by increasing demands for food and water, climate change and environmental degradation. Livestock keeping,an important livelihood strategy for smallholder farmers in Africa, is a major consumer of water, and its water consumption is increasing with increasing demands for livestock products. At the same time, current low returns from livestock keeping limit its contribution to livelihoods, threaten environmental health and aggravate local conflicts. The objectives of this review are to: (1) synthesize available knowledge in the various components of the livestock and water sectors in sub-Saharan Africa, (2) analyze livestock–water interactions and (3) identify promising strategies and technological interventions for improved livestock water productivity (LWP) using a framework for mixed crop–livestock systems. The interventions are grouped in three categories related to feed, water, and animal management. Feed related strategies for improving LWP include choosing feed types carefully, improving feed quality, increasing feed water productivity, and implementing grazing management practices. Water management for higher LWP comprises water conservation, watering point management, and integration of livestock production in irrigation schemes. Animal management strategies include improving animal health and careful animal husbandry. Evidence indicates that successful uptake of interventions can be achieved if institutions, policies, and gender are considered. Critical research and development gaps are identified in terms of methodologies for quantifying water productivity at different scales and improving integration between agricultural sectors.
14 Peden, D.; Taddesse, G.; Haileslassie, A.. 2009. Livestock water productivity: implications for sub-Saharan Africa. Rangeland Journal, 31(2):187-193.
Livestock ; Water productivity ; Feeds ; Crop production ; Animal production ; Water conservation / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 636 100 AME Record No: H042780)
(0.79 MB)
Water is essential for agriculture including livestock. Given increasing global concern that access to agricultural water will constrain food production and that livestock production uses and degrades too much water, there is compelling need for better understanding of the nature of livestock–water interactions. Inappropriate animal management along with poor cropping practices often contributes to widespread and severe depletion, degradation and contamination of water. In developed countries, diverse environmental organisations increasingly voice concerns that animal production is a major cause of land and water degradation. Thus, they call for reduced animal production. Such views generally fail to consider their context, applicability and implications for developing countries. Two global research programs, the CGIAR ‘Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management and Agriculture’ and ‘Challenge Program on Water and Food’ have undertaken studies of the development, management and conservation of agricultural water in developing countries. Drawing on these programs, this paper describes a framework to systematically identify key livestock–water interactions and suggests strategies for improving livestock and water management especially in the mixed crop–livestock production systems of sub-Saharan Africa. In contrast to developed country experience, this research suggests that currently livestock water productivity compares favourably with crop water productivity in Africa. Yet, great opportunities remain to further reduce domestic animals’ use of water in the continent. Integrating livestock and water planning, development and management has the potential to help reduce poverty, increase food production and reduce pressure on the environment including scarce water resources. Four strategies involving technology, policy and institutional interventions can help achieve this. They are choosing feeds that require relatively little water, conserving water resources through better animal and land management, applying well known tools from the animal sciences to increase animal production, and strategic temporal and spatial provisioning of drinking water. Achieving integrated livestock- water development will require new ways of thinking about, and managing, water by water- and animal-science professionals.
15 Gebreselassie, S.; Peden, D.; Haileslassie, A.; Mpairwe, D. 2009. Factors affecting livestock water productivity: animal scale analysis using previous cattle feeding trials in Ethiopia. Rangeland Journal, 31(2):251-258.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI 636 100 AME Record No: H042783)
(0.77 MB)
Availability and access to fresh water will likely constrain future food production in many countries. Thus, it is frequently suggested that the limited amount of water should be used more productively. In this study we report the results of our investigation on effects of feed, age and weight on livestock water productivity (LWP). The main objective is to identify technologies that will help enhance LWP. We combined empirical knowledge and literature values to estimate the amount of water depleted to produce beef, milk, traction power and manure. We estimated the LWP as the ratio of livestock products and services to the depleted water. In the feeding trials, various combinations of maize and oat stover, vetch, lablab and wheat bran were combined in different proportions to make 16 unique rations that were fed to the experimental animals of different age and weight groups. We observed differences of LWP across feed type, age and weight of dairy cows. The value of LWP tended to increase with increasing age and weight: the lowest LWP (0.34 US$/m3) for cows less than five years whereas the highest LWP value was 0.41 US$/m3 for those cows in the age category of 8 years and above.Similarly, there was an increase in LWP as weight of the animal increased, i.e. LWP was lowest (0.32 US$/m3) for lower weight groups (300–350 kg) and increased for larger animals. There were apparent impacts of feed composition on LWP values. For example, the highest LWP value was observed for oat, vetch and wheat bran mixes. Taking livestock services and products into account, the overall livestock water productivity ranged from 0.25 to 0.39 US$/m3 and the value obtained from a cow appeared to be higher than for an ox. In conclusion, some strategies and technological options such as improved feeds, better herd management, appropriate heard structure can be adapted to enhance LWP.
16 Clement, Floriane; Haileslassie, A.; Ishaq, Saba; Blummel, M.; Murty, M. V. R.; Samad, Madar; Dey, S.; Das, H.; Khan, M. A. 2011. Enhancing water productivity for poverty alleviation: role of capitals and institutions in the Ganga Basin. Experimental Agriculture, 47(Supplement S1):133-151. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479710000827]
River basins ; Water productivity ; Farming systems ; Crop production ; Livestock ; Farmers ; Landlessness ; Poverty ; Case studies ; Irrigated farming / India / Ganga River Basin / Bankura District / Hisar / Basra Village / Chatinbaid Village / Jhagradihi Village / Lakhipur Village / Udaypur Village
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043506)
(0.30 MB)
The concept of water productivity (WP) or ‘more crop per drop’ has been revived recently in international water debates. Its application has notably been extended from single crops to mixed farming systems, integrating both crops and livestock, with the wider objective of reducing poverty. Using evidence from the Ganga Basin, India, we discuss the relevance of this concept as a tool to guide interventions for livelihood improvement and poverty alleviation. We argue that WP studies would benefit from greater attention to the role of capitals, inequities and institutions. Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge the heterogeneity of capitals and capabilities of farmers to make changes in their farming systems and practices and avoid one-fix-all interventions. Identifying pre-existing inequities in water access within and among communities will support better targeting of poor communities. WP interventions can either reinforce or reduce inter-household inequities within communities. We stress the need for assessment of institutional impacts of WP interventions on water access and development.
17 Descheemaeker, Katrien; Amede, Tilahun; Haileslassie, A.; Bossio, Deborah. 2011. Analysis of gaps and possible interventions for improving water productivity in crop livestock systems of Ethiopia. Experimental Agriculture, 47(Supplement S1):21-38. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479710000797]
Water productivity ; Crop production ; Livestock ; Mixed farming ; Farming systems ; Water scarcity ; Water conservation ; Models ; Feeds ; Milk production / Ethiopia / Lenche Dima Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043509)
(0.35 MB)
Low crop and livestock productivities in the mixed farming systems of Ethiopia hamper efforts to meet the increasing food demands from a stressed natural resource base. Important reasons for the low agricultural productivity are water scarcity and poor spatial and temporal rainfall distribution. Although improving agricultural water productivity would safeguard people’s livelihoods and the environment, the lack of information on best bet interventions and strategies to achieve this impedes targeted decision making. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct an ex-ante evaluation of the potential effect of selected interventions on livestock water productivity (LWP) in mixed crop-livestock systems. Baseline data were collected from a water scarce area in the Ethiopian highlands. An analysis of productivity gaps and stakeholder interviews helped to identify promising interventions, which were categorized in three groups related to feed, water and animal management. A spreadsheet model was developed that was composed of the various production components of the farming system, their interactions and influencing factors. By linking water use for feed production with livestock products through the energy supplied by the feeds, the potential effect of interventions on LWP could be simulated. The evaluation showed that the various interventions targeting feed, water and animal management could result in LWP improvements ranging from 4 to 94%. Feed and energy water productivity increased particularly with interventions like fertilizer application, and the introduction of fodder trees, concentrates, improved food-feed crops, and soil and water conservation measures. Combining the different interventions led to a stronger improvement than any of the single interventions. The results of the evaluation can inform policy-makers and development actors on which best bets to promote and invest in.
18 Derib, S. D.; Descheemaeker, Katrien; Haileslassie, A.; Amede, Tilahun. 2011. Irrigation water productivity as affected by water management in a small-scale irrigation scheme in the Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. Experimental Agriculture, 47(Supplement S1):39-55. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479710000839]
Irrigation schemes ; River basins ; Evapotranspiration ; Canals ; Water loss ; Statistical methods ; Water productivity ; Crop production ; Irrigation efficiency ; Mixed farming ; Livestock / Africa / Ethiopia / Blue Nile Basin / Guanta Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043513)
(0.38 MB)
In Ethiopia, irrigation is mainly implemented in small-scale irrigation schemes, which are often characterized by low water productivity. This study reports on the efficiency and productivity of a typical small-scale irrigation scheme in the highlands of the Blue Nile, Ethiopia. Canal water flows and the volume of irrigation water applied were measured at field level. Grain and crop residue biomass and grass biomass production along the canals were also measured. To triangulate the measurements, the irrigation farm management, effects of water logging around irrigation canals, farm water distribution mechanisms, effects of night irrigation and water losses due to soil cracking created by prolonged irrigation were closely observed. The average canal water loss from the main, the secondary and the field canals was 2.58, 1.59 and 0.39 l s-1 100 m-1, representing 4.5, 4.0 and 26% of the total water flow respectively. About 0.05% of the loss was attributed to grass production for livestock, while the rest was lost through evaporation and canal seepage. Grass production for livestock feed had a land productivity of 6190.5 kg ha-1 and a water productivity of 0.82 kg m-3 . Land productivity for straw and grain was 2048 and 770 kg ha-1, respectively, for teff, and 1864 kg ha-1 and 758 kg ha-1, respectively, for wheat. Water productivities of the crops varied from 0.2 to 1.63 kg m-3. A significant volume of water was lost from small-scale irrigation systems mainly because farmers’ water application did not match crop needs. The high price incurred by pumped irrigation positively affected water management by minimizing water losses and forced farmers to use deficit irrigation. Improving water productivity of small-scale irrigation requires integrated interventions including night storage mechanisms, optimal irrigation scheduling, empowerment of farmers to maintain canals and proper irrigation schedules.
19 Haileslassie, A.; Blummel, M.; Clement, Floriane; Descheemaeker, Katrien; Amede, Tilahun; Samireddypalle, A.; Acharya, N. Sreedhar; Radha, A. Venkata; Ishaq, Saba; Samad, Madar; Murty, M. V. R.; Khan, M. A. 2011. Assessment of the livestock-feed and water nexus across a mixed crop-livestock system's intensification gradient: an example from the Indo-Ganga Basin. Experimental Agriculture, 47(Supplement S1):113-132. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0014479710000815]
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043518)
(0.35 MB)
Projections suggest that annual per capita water availability in the Indo-Ganga Basin (IGB) will reduce to a level typical for water-stressed areas. Producing more crop and livestock products, per unit of agricultural water invested, is advocated as a key strategy for future food production and environmental security in the basin. The objective of this study was to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of water requirements for livestock feed production, attendant livestock water productivity (LWP) and implications for the future sustainable use of water resources. We focused on three districts in the IGB representing intensive (higher external inputs, e.g. fertilizer, water) and semi-intensive (limited external input) crop-livestock systems. LWP is estimated based on principles of water accounting and is defined as the ratio of livestock beneficial outputs and services to the water depleted and degraded in producing these. In calculating LWP and crop water productivity (CWP), livestock, land use, land productivity and climatic data were required. We used secondary data sources from the study districts, field observations and discussions with key informants to generate those data sets. Our result showed that the volume of water depleted for livestock feed production varied among the study systems and was highly affected by the type of feed and the attendant agronomic factors (e.g. cropping pattern, yield). LWP value was higher for intensive systems and affected by agricultural water partitioning approaches (harvest index, metaolizable energy). LWP tended to decrease between 1992 and 2003. This can be accounted for by the shift to a feeding regime that depletes more water despite its positive impacts on animal productivity. This is a challenging trend with the advent of and advocacy for producing more agricultural products using the same or lower volume of water input and evokes a need for balanced feeding, by considering the nutritive value, costs and water productivity of feed, and better livestock management to improve LWP.
20 Clement, Floriane; Ishaq, Saba; Samad, Madar; Acharya, N. Sreedhar; Radha, A. Venkata; Haileslassie, A.; Blummel, M.; Dey, A.; Khan, M. A.; Shindey, D. N.; Mit, R. 2010. Improving water productivity, reducing poverty and enhancing equity in mixed crop-livestock systems in the Indo-Gangetic Basin: CPWF project report 68. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 103p.
Farming systems ; Mixed farming ; Water productivity ; Feed production ; Livestock ; Energy consumption ; Gender ; Poverty ; River basins ; Case studies / India / Indo-Gangetic Basin / West Bengal / Haryana / Uttar Pradesh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H043549)
(1MB)
This CGIAR-CPWF Project was designed and conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with international and national partners, to address the relative neglect of livestock water needs of crop-livestock farming systems. The primary objective of this project was to optimize the productive use of water in the crop-livestock farming systems of semi-arid areas to enhance livelihoods, reduce poverty, contribute to gender equity, and protect the environment. This was addressed through an integrated approach led by a multi-disciplinary team across three States of the Ganga Basin.
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