Latest 40 records. Data source: https://cgspace.cgiar.org/https://hdl.handle.net/10568/16814https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstreams/0c83f982-17ee-437e-8ae9-c09536c5a3d3/download2026-08-27T21:44:50Z2026-08-27T21:44:50Z40102301Haile, Alemseged TamiruBekele, Tilaye WorkuSeifu, EdenKebede, GetahunAlemu, Abel NegussieNigussie, LikimyeleshTilahun, Seifu A.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1852222026-08-27T01:07:39Z2026-08-26T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Unlocking Local Knowledge Production for Global Water Reanalysis: Co-Creation Workshop Report for Case of Akaki Catchment, Ethiopia dc.contributor.author: Haile, Alemseged Tamiru; Bekele, Tilaye Worku; Seifu, Eden; Kebede, Getahun; Alemu, Abel Negussie; Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Tilahun, Seifu A. dcterms.abstract: This workshop report documents a co-creation workshop held on 28 April 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the project "Unlocking local knowledge production for global water reanalysis," implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with Imperial College London and funded by Schmidt Sciences. The workshop focused on the Akaki catchment, one of three pilot sites (Ethiopia, Ghana and Laos), which was selected for its high water risk, strategic importance as a headwater of the Awash River, and existing citizen science platform. Bringing together participants from government agencies (Ministry of Water and Energy, AAWASA, Ethiopian Space and Geospatial Institute, Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopian Meteorology Institute, Engineering Corporation), universities, NGOs (Water Witness International, Blue Deal, Vitens), and community representatives, the workshop pursued four objectives: building a common understanding of non-conventional data in global water reanalysis; inventorying local knowledge, practices and non-conventional datasets relevant to the Akaki water system; characterizing the identified datasets and their owners; and gathering stakeholder feedback on data gaps. Through opening presentations, plenary discussion, and four thematic breakout groups (water resources, water supply and sewerage, data and risk, and water quality), participants developed a preliminary inventory of local knowledge and community practices influencing hydrology, flooding, land use and water quality, and listed the non-conventional data sources available in the catchment. Outputs were harmonized across groups and ranked by impact. Key recommendations include digitizing paper-based records, standardizing formats, centralizing scattered data, extending citizen science monitoring, and engaging data holders through structured surveys to integrate these sources into the global water reanalysis framework over the project's five-year duration.

2026-08-26T00:00:00ZHaile, Alemseged TamiruBekele, Tilaye WorkuSeifu, EdenKebede, GetahunAlemu, Abel NegussieNigussie, LikimyeleshTilahun, Seifu A.This workshop report documents a co-creation workshop held on 28 April 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as part of the project "Unlocking local knowledge production for global water reanalysis," implemented by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with Imperial College London and funded by Schmidt Sciences. The workshop focused on the Akaki catchment, one of three pilot sites (Ethiopia, Ghana and Laos), which was selected for its high water risk, strategic importance as a headwater of the Awash River, and existing citizen science platform. Bringing together participants from government agencies (Ministry of Water and Energy, AAWASA, Ethiopian Space and Geospatial Institute, Fire and Disaster Risk Management Commission, Environmental Protection Authority, Ethiopian Meteorology Institute, Engineering Corporation), universities, NGOs (Water Witness International, Blue Deal, Vitens), and community representatives, the workshop pursued four objectives: building a common understanding of non-conventional data in global water reanalysis; inventorying local knowledge, practices and non-conventional datasets relevant to the Akaki water system; characterizing the identified datasets and their owners; and gathering stakeholder feedback on data gaps. Through opening presentations, plenary discussion, and four thematic breakout groups (water resources, water supply and sewerage, data and risk, and water quality), participants developed a preliminary inventory of local knowledge and community practices influencing hydrology, flooding, land use and water quality, and listed the non-conventional data sources available in the catchment. Outputs were harmonized across groups and ranked by impact. Key recommendations include digitizing paper-based records, standardizing formats, centralizing scattered data, extending citizen science monitoring, and engaging data holders through structured surveys to integrate these sources into the global water reanalysis framework over the project's five-year duration.Eldabbagh, FayrouzNassar, Atefhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851962026-08-27T01:10:06Z2026-08-26T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Scaling Water and Soil Salinity Solutions in Egypt’s Nile Delta: Governance, Knowledge, Markets, and Finance in Kafr El-Sheikh dc.contributor.author: Eldabbagh, Fayrouz; Nassar, Atef dcterms.abstract: In the field of Kafr El-sheikh, at the tail end of Egypt's Nile system, salinity has become an everyday reality that farmers experience in their soils, drainage canals, and groundwater. Many technical solutions are being developed by different research institutions such as gypsum treatment, leaching techniques, salt-tolerant varieties, and reuse. This report, produced under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program, marks a step change; it argues that technical solutions are abundant, but the enabling environment for their scaling and adoption remains the missing piece. Therefore, this report examines six dimensions of the conditions behind hindering or enabling the wider scaling of contextually relevant technical solutions to the fields. These conditions lie in cross-sectoral coordination, policy alignment, market incentives, financial schemes, knowledge expansion, tenure security, and social norms and trust. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

2026-08-26T00:00:00ZEldabbagh, FayrouzNassar, AtefIn the field of Kafr El-sheikh, at the tail end of Egypt's Nile system, salinity has become an everyday reality that farmers experience in their soils, drainage canals, and groundwater. Many technical solutions are being developed by different research institutions such as gypsum treatment, leaching techniques, salt-tolerant varieties, and reuse. This report, produced under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) program, marks a step change; it argues that technical solutions are abundant, but the enabling environment for their scaling and adoption remains the missing piece. Therefore, this report examines six dimensions of the conditions behind hindering or enabling the wider scaling of contextually relevant technical solutions to the fields. These conditions lie in cross-sectoral coordination, policy alignment, market incentives, financial schemes, knowledge expansion, tenure security, and social norms and trust.Salmawobil, JosephAppiah, SarahZane, Giuliahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851772026-08-26T07:31:32Z2026-08-25T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Co-Creation Workshop on Inclusive Business Models for Cage Aquaculture in Small Reservoirs – Bolgatanga, Ghana dc.contributor.author: Salmawobil, Joseph; Appiah, Sarah; Zane, Giulia dcterms.abstract: A co-creation workshop held by IWMI in Bolgatanga on 9 June 2026, as part of the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Science Program, brought together 44 stakeholders—including farmers, investors, hatchery operators, financiers, and regulators—to review IWMI’s cage aquaculture pilots in small reservoirs and co-design investment models for scaling up the approach in Ghana’s Upper East Region. After reviewing results and lessons from pilots conducted in the North East Region by IWMI, CSIR-Water Research Institute, and the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, participants compared four potential business models: community–private partnerships; full investor ownership with community members hired as labor; contract farming; and passive investment. They discussed the feasibility, opportunities, and challenges of each model in the Upper East context. The workshop revealed strong interest in investing in aquaculture in small reservoirs. Seventy-nine percent of participants indicated that they would be willing to invest their own resources to finance, at least partly, an aquaculture project. As a next step, IWMI and CSIR-Water Research Institute will provide technical assistance to potential investors, beginning with assessments of the suitability of small reservoirs where they may be interested in investing. The aim is to support the development of one or two pilot aquaculture businesses in 2026, generating practical lessons for future scaling. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

2026-08-25T00:00:00ZSalmawobil, JosephAppiah, SarahZane, GiuliaA co-creation workshop held by IWMI in Bolgatanga on 9 June 2026, as part of the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Science Program, brought together 44 stakeholders—including farmers, investors, hatchery operators, financiers, and regulators—to review IWMI’s cage aquaculture pilots in small reservoirs and co-design investment models for scaling up the approach in Ghana’s Upper East Region. After reviewing results and lessons from pilots conducted in the North East Region by IWMI, CSIR-Water Research Institute, and the Fisheries Commission of Ghana, participants compared four potential business models: community–private partnerships; full investor ownership with community members hired as labor; contract farming; and passive investment. They discussed the feasibility, opportunities, and challenges of each model in the Upper East context. The workshop revealed strong interest in investing in aquaculture in small reservoirs. Seventy-nine percent of participants indicated that they would be willing to invest their own resources to finance, at least partly, an aquaculture project. As a next step, IWMI and CSIR-Water Research Institute will provide technical assistance to potential investors, beginning with assessments of the suitability of small reservoirs where they may be interested in investing. The aim is to support the development of one or two pilot aquaculture businesses in 2026, generating practical lessons for future scaling.Ayana, MekonenTiruneh, YibeltalKedir, YusufAbegaz, FentawMohammed, MulugetaTesfaye, HenokAwol, ElisaHaileslassie, Amarehttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1851572026-08-25T01:05:23Z2026-08-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Revitalizing Community and Household Irrigation in Ethiopia: Policy Considerations for Improved Performance dc.contributor.author: Ayana, Mekonen; Tiruneh, Yibeltal; Kedir, Yusuf; Abegaz, Fentaw; Mohammed, Mulugeta; Tesfaye, Henok; Awol, Elisa; Haileslassie, Amare dcterms.abstract: This policy brief is the result of concerted efforts by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Regional Research Systems, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture, IWMI, and members of the Agricultural Water Management Task Force coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Despite continued expansion of irrigation in Ethiopia, many existing community- and household-managed schemes underperform, limiting the benefits of irrigation investments. Evidence from previous IWMI/CGIAR research and a nationwide EIAR assessment of 75 community-managed and 39 household-managed schemes across diverse agroecological zones and river basins provides the evidence base for this policy brief. The findings highlight the need to balance further expansion of irrigated areas with improving the performance and sustainability of existing schemes. Priority actions include establishing a national irrigation performance monitoring and benchmarking system; targeting rehabilitation and modernization based on scheme performance and importance; strengthening operation and maintenance through improved service delivery and partnerships with youth enterprises and private providers; strengthening Water User Associations and irrigation-specific technical support; and scaling appropriate technologies, including solar-powered irrigation, efficient irrigation systems, water-control and measurement devices, and digital decision-support tools. Together, these measures can increase agricultural productivity and water-use efficiency while making irrigation services more reliable, sustainable, and inclusive. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

2026-08-21T00:00:00ZAyana, MekonenTiruneh, YibeltalKedir, YusufAbegaz, FentawMohammed, MulugetaTesfaye, HenokAwol, ElisaHaileslassie, AmareThis policy brief is the result of concerted efforts by the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Regional Research Systems, Regional Bureaus of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture, IWMI, and members of the Agricultural Water Management Task Force coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Despite continued expansion of irrigation in Ethiopia, many existing community- and household-managed schemes underperform, limiting the benefits of irrigation investments. Evidence from previous IWMI/CGIAR research and a nationwide EIAR assessment of 75 community-managed and 39 household-managed schemes across diverse agroecological zones and river basins provides the evidence base for this policy brief. The findings highlight the need to balance further expansion of irrigated areas with improving the performance and sustainability of existing schemes. Priority actions include establishing a national irrigation performance monitoring and benchmarking system; targeting rehabilitation and modernization based on scheme performance and importance; strengthening operation and maintenance through improved service delivery and partnerships with youth enterprises and private providers; strengthening Water User Associations and irrigation-specific technical support; and scaling appropriate technologies, including solar-powered irrigation, efficient irrigation systems, water-control and measurement devices, and digital decision-support tools. Together, these measures can increase agricultural productivity and water-use efficiency while making irrigation services more reliable, sustainable, and inclusive.Nicol, AlanAbalo, Jackie AkotNakiru, Lucky SarafinaThuo, Simonhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850912026-08-22T01:01:26Z2026-08-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex Between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region dc.contributor.author: Nicol, Alan; Abalo, Jackie Akot; Nakiru, Lucky Sarafina; Thuo, Simon

2026-08-21T00:00:00ZNicol, AlanAbalo, Jackie AkotNakiru, Lucky SarafinaThuo, SimonNicol, AlanAbalo, Jackie AkotNakiru, Lucky SarafinaThuo, Simonhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850902026-08-22T01:05:57Z2026-08-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Policy Coherence for Water Security in the Karamoja–Turkana Complex between Uganda and Kenya: Aligning Institutions, Incentives, and Investments for a Changing Drylands Region dc.contributor.author: Nicol, Alan; Abalo, Jackie Akot; Nakiru, Lucky Sarafina; Thuo, Simon

2026-08-21T00:00:00ZNicol, AlanAbalo, Jackie AkotNakiru, Lucky SarafinaThuo, SimonBoon, Philip J.Ridley, Francesca A.Adhya, TiasaBaigún, ClaudioBöhm, MonikaHarrison, IanJähnig, Sonja C.Quintana, YasmínSimaika, Johnhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850762026-08-22T01:10:40Z2026-08-19T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Evidence Charts the Future of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation dc.contributor.author: Boon, Philip J.; Ridley, Francesca A.; Adhya, Tiasa; Baigún, Claudio; Böhm, Monika; Harrison, Ian; Jähnig, Sonja C.; Quintana, Yasmín; Simaika, John dcterms.abstract: Evidence is essential for promoting freshwater conservation and selecting appropriate conservation actions. This article examines the importance of evidence for freshwater conservation, available sources, how evidence is used, geographical coverage, and the challenges in obtaining evidence. Two databases containing published evidence, namely, Conservation Evidence (CE) and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE), were systematically searched and evaluated. Evidence in CE is geographically skewed, with most studies coming from North America and Europe. The IUCN Red List requires evidence to assign species to threat categories, but is limited in its ability to track conservation success. IUCN Green Status can be used to assess the impact of conservation actions on species recovery, but suffers from some of the limitations of Red List assessments. Evidence is also required to select freshwater areas for protection, and for monitoring their condition over time, accompanied by an increasing recognition of the value of using evidence from Indigenous communities to support international agreements. Persistent barriers to the use of evidence for promoting freshwater conservation include weak baselines, short monitoring horizons, mismatched spatial scales, reliance on subjective opinion when analysing evidence, and under-reporting of failures. These and other barriers are addressed in several concluding recommendations. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

2026-08-19T00:00:00ZBoon, Philip J.Ridley, Francesca A.Adhya, TiasaBaigún, ClaudioBöhm, MonikaHarrison, IanJähnig, Sonja C.Quintana, YasmínSimaika, JohnEvidence is essential for promoting freshwater conservation and selecting appropriate conservation actions. This article examines the importance of evidence for freshwater conservation, available sources, how evidence is used, geographical coverage, and the challenges in obtaining evidence. Two databases containing published evidence, namely, Conservation Evidence (CE) and the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE), were systematically searched and evaluated. Evidence in CE is geographically skewed, with most studies coming from North America and Europe. The IUCN Red List requires evidence to assign species to threat categories, but is limited in its ability to track conservation success. IUCN Green Status can be used to assess the impact of conservation actions on species recovery, but suffers from some of the limitations of Red List assessments. Evidence is also required to select freshwater areas for protection, and for monitoring their condition over time, accompanied by an increasing recognition of the value of using evidence from Indigenous communities to support international agreements. Persistent barriers to the use of evidence for promoting freshwater conservation include weak baselines, short monitoring horizons, mismatched spatial scales, reliance on subjective opinion when analysing evidence, and under-reporting of failures. These and other barriers are addressed in several concluding recommendations.Wamba, ElizabethMoges, AwdenegestMekuria, Woldehttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850732026-08-20T10:43:49Z2026-08-14T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Trees for Halaba’s Land Restoration, Livelihoods and Legacy dc.contributor.author: Wamba, Elizabeth; Moges, Awdenegest; Mekuria, Wolde

2026-08-14T00:00:00ZWamba, ElizabethMoges, AwdenegestMekuria, WoldeSapkota, ReganNepal, SantoshShrestha, ShisherKarki, Darshanhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850702026-08-21T01:06:18Z2026-03-20T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Diagnosing National and Sub -National Climate Finance in Nepal dc.contributor.author: Sapkota, Regan; Nepal, Santosh; Shrestha, Shisher; Karki, Darshan

2026-03-20T00:00:00ZSapkota, ReganNepal, SantoshShrestha, ShisherKarki, DarshanMekonnen, KirubelTadesse, MulugetaVelpuri, Naga ManoharAbdella, MohammedDessalegn, MengistuLeh, MansoorAkpoti, KomlaviOwusu, AfuaLikessa, AshenafiSeid, Abdulkarimhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850592026-08-25T01:10:35Z2026-09-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Multi-Scale Assessment of Irrigation Water Use and Supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia Using Landsat-Derived Evapotranspiration and Field Data dc.contributor.author: Mekonnen, Kirubel; Tadesse, Mulugeta; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Abdella, Mohammed; Dessalegn, Mengistu; Leh, Mansoor; Akpoti, Komlavi; Owusu, Afua; Likessa, Ashenafi; Seid, Abdulkarim dcterms.abstract: Accurate estimation of irrigation water use and supply is essential for effective irrigation management, yet irrigation withdrawals remain largely unmetered and unreported in many schemes. This study applied a remote sensing–based approach to quantify irrigation water use and supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. The irrigation component of crop evapotranspiration (Blue ET) was partitioned from a high-resolution Landsat-based ETa product using the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) framework. Blue ET estimates were then integrated with irrigation efficiency parameters to derive remote sensing–based irrigation supply (RbIS) at block, canal and scheme scales. Crop type maps for 2010 and 2024 and a digitized irrigation layout provided the spatial basis for assessing irrigation performance using relative evapotranspiration (RET) and relative irrigation supply (RIS) metrics. Crop mapping revealed a substantial decline in the gravity-fed irrigated area from 9941 ha in 2010 to 4532 ha in 2024. RbIS showed reasonable agreement with reported irrigation supply in 2010 (R² = 0.58) and measured supply in 2024 (R² = 0.77), although supply was consistently underestimated. The extent of irrigation water deficits increased between 2010 and 2024, with the proportion of cotton blocks experiencing water deficits rising from 40% to 67%. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions corroborated the observed irrigation water deficits in 2024, supporting the remote sensing–based assessment. Moreover, RET and RIS revealed spatial variability in irrigation performance across irrigation canals, suggesting potential under and over-supply of irrigation. Overall, the proposed approach provides a scalable framework for assessing irrigation water use and supply in data-scarce irrigation schemes.

2026-09-01T00:00:00ZMekonnen, KirubelTadesse, MulugetaVelpuri, Naga ManoharAbdella, MohammedDessalegn, MengistuLeh, MansoorAkpoti, KomlaviOwusu, AfuaLikessa, AshenafiSeid, AbdulkarimAccurate estimation of irrigation water use and supply is essential for effective irrigation management, yet irrigation withdrawals remain largely unmetered and unreported in many schemes. This study applied a remote sensing–based approach to quantify irrigation water use and supply in the Amibara Irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. The irrigation component of crop evapotranspiration (Blue ET) was partitioned from a high-resolution Landsat-based ETa product using the Water Accounting Plus (WA+) framework. Blue ET estimates were then integrated with irrigation efficiency parameters to derive remote sensing–based irrigation supply (RbIS) at block, canal and scheme scales. Crop type maps for 2010 and 2024 and a digitized irrigation layout provided the spatial basis for assessing irrigation performance using relative evapotranspiration (RET) and relative irrigation supply (RIS) metrics. Crop mapping revealed a substantial decline in the gravity-fed irrigated area from 9941 ha in 2010 to 4532 ha in 2024. RbIS showed reasonable agreement with reported irrigation supply in 2010 (R² = 0.58) and measured supply in 2024 (R² = 0.77), although supply was consistently underestimated. The extent of irrigation water deficits increased between 2010 and 2024, with the proportion of cotton blocks experiencing water deficits rising from 40% to 67%. Key informant interviews and focus group discussions corroborated the observed irrigation water deficits in 2024, supporting the remote sensing–based assessment. Moreover, RET and RIS revealed spatial variability in irrigation performance across irrigation canals, suggesting potential under and over-supply of irrigation. Overall, the proposed approach provides a scalable framework for assessing irrigation water use and supply in data-scarce irrigation schemes.Tafesse, YonasAdmasu, Zeleke BelayOke, AdebayoWamba, Elizabethhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850572026-08-20T05:35:49Z2026-08-18T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Solar Irrigation Technology Is Ready to Scale, but Is the System? dc.contributor.author: Tafesse, Yonas; Admasu, Zeleke Belay; Oke, Adebayo; Wamba, Elizabeth

2026-08-18T00:00:00ZTafesse, YonasAdmasu, Zeleke BelayOke, AdebayoWamba, ElizabethInternational Water Management Institutehttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850542026-08-21T01:02:22Z2026-08-18T00:00:00Z

dc.title: IWMI in Central Asia - fact sheet dc.contributor.author: International Water Management Institute

2026-08-18T00:00:00ZInternational Water Management InstituteMokria, MulugetaHagazi, NiguseHailemariam, GebrehiwotAbiyu, AbrhamMekuria, WoldeKassa, HabtemariamTadele, MalefiaGedle, AssefaMinang, Peterhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850532026-08-20T14:11:16Z2026-10-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Impacts of Landscape Restoration and Long-Term Land Use Change on Ecosystem Services: Evidence from a Case Study in Ethiopia dc.contributor.author: Mokria, Mulugeta; Hagazi, Niguse; Hailemariam, Gebrehiwot; Abiyu, Abrham; Mekuria, Wolde; Kassa, Habtemariam; Tadele, Malefia; Gedle, Assefa; Minang, Peter dcterms.abstract: Land degradation threatens food security, water resources, and biodiversity by eroding soil health and productivity. In Ethiopia, restoration initiatives like exclosures are widely implemented, yet most studies fail to integrate plot-level ecological evidence with landscape-scale land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics. Furthermore, few studies combine these biophysical trends with long-term economic valuation of ecosystem services (ES) and local knowledge to quantify ES trade-offs. Using the Sire-Dodota district of Ethiopia, as a case study, we (i) evaluated the localized ecological performances of communal exclosures relative to LULC-driven ecosystem service (ES) changes, (ii) quantified spatial and temporal (22 years) LULC impacts on ecosystem service values (ESVs), and (iii) assessed community perceptions of restoration outcomes. We combined vegetation inventories, spatial analysis, household surveys, focus group discussions, and value transfer methods across plot and landscape scales. Our results reveal a clear socio-ecological paradox across scales. At the plot-scale, community-managed exclosures significantly enhanced biomass accumulation and biodiversity, establishing a robust empirical baseline for ecological recovery. At the landscape scale, however, LULC-based ESVs increased over 22 years, driven by gains of US$80.6 million from agricultural lands and US$1.3 million from forest lands, alongside a US$3.4 million decline in shrubland ESVs. These increases are potential values rather than realized ecosystem service flows, masking systemic losses in regulating and supporting services as short-term agricultural expansion dominates valuation outcomes. Social data from 393 households strongly corroborate these patterns. While communities consistently recognized localized ecological recovery, they favored agroforestry integration over static exclosures to offset high opportunity costs of restricted access. Together, these findings caution against reliance on uncontextualized macro-scale economic indicators and underscore the need for integrated, multifunctional landscape strategies that align ecological recovery with livelihood needs. We, therefore, recommend establishing a national, open-access ESV meta-database linked to Ethiopia's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, alongside future multi-decadal monitoring of below-ground carbon and soil biodiversity, and the cost-benefit performance of blended finance restoration models. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

2026-10-01T00:00:00ZMokria, MulugetaHagazi, NiguseHailemariam, GebrehiwotAbiyu, AbrhamMekuria, WoldeKassa, HabtemariamTadele, MalefiaGedle, AssefaMinang, PeterLand degradation threatens food security, water resources, and biodiversity by eroding soil health and productivity. In Ethiopia, restoration initiatives like exclosures are widely implemented, yet most studies fail to integrate plot-level ecological evidence with landscape-scale land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics. Furthermore, few studies combine these biophysical trends with long-term economic valuation of ecosystem services (ES) and local knowledge to quantify ES trade-offs. Using the Sire-Dodota district of Ethiopia, as a case study, we (i) evaluated the localized ecological performances of communal exclosures relative to LULC-driven ecosystem service (ES) changes, (ii) quantified spatial and temporal (22 years) LULC impacts on ecosystem service values (ESVs), and (iii) assessed community perceptions of restoration outcomes. We combined vegetation inventories, spatial analysis, household surveys, focus group discussions, and value transfer methods across plot and landscape scales. Our results reveal a clear socio-ecological paradox across scales. At the plot-scale, community-managed exclosures significantly enhanced biomass accumulation and biodiversity, establishing a robust empirical baseline for ecological recovery. At the landscape scale, however, LULC-based ESVs increased over 22 years, driven by gains of US$80.6 million from agricultural lands and US$1.3 million from forest lands, alongside a US$3.4 million decline in shrubland ESVs. These increases are potential values rather than realized ecosystem service flows, masking systemic losses in regulating and supporting services as short-term agricultural expansion dominates valuation outcomes. Social data from 393 households strongly corroborate these patterns. While communities consistently recognized localized ecological recovery, they favored agroforestry integration over static exclosures to offset high opportunity costs of restricted access. Together, these findings caution against reliance on uncontextualized macro-scale economic indicators and underscore the need for integrated, multifunctional landscape strategies that align ecological recovery with livelihood needs. We, therefore, recommend establishing a national, open-access ESV meta-database linked to Ethiopia's Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets, alongside future multi-decadal monitoring of below-ground carbon and soil biodiversity, and the cost-benefit performance of blended finance restoration models.Bhaduri, TanmoyWamba, ElizabethSamarasekara, Vidhishahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850442026-08-19T10:41:52Z2026-08-16T00:00:00Z

dc.title: How South–South Learning Can Shape a Just Water Future dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy; Wamba, Elizabeth; Samarasekara, Vidhisha

2026-08-16T00:00:00ZBhaduri, TanmoyWamba, ElizabethSamarasekara, VidhishaMondal, AnitWanasinghe, W. W. M. Apsara P. K.Roy, AparnaSathiskumar, AbinayaKarnatak, GunjanThangjam, NirupadaSamanta, SrikantaMaity, Suman KumarRoy, AmitavaTaron, Avinandanhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1850372026-08-20T01:11:18Z2026-08-19T00:00:00Z

dc.title: সু#রবেনর (ছাট ও মাঝাির পুক2ের (দশীয়(পানা ও (ছাট মাছ চােষর 9িশ:ণ সহািয়কা dc.contributor.author: Mondal, Anit; Wanasinghe, W. W. M. Apsara P. K.; Roy, Aparna; Sathiskumar, Abinaya; Karnatak, Gunjan; Thangjam, Nirupada; Samanta, Srikanta; Maity, Suman Kumar; Roy, Amitava; Taron, Avinandan dcterms.abstract: This training manual provides practical guidance for farmers on environmentally sustainable and economically viable pond-based fish farming, with a particular focus on integrating Small Indigenous Species (SIS) with carp polyculture. It explains the nutritional importance of SIS as a rich source of essential micronutrients and highlights their role in improving household food and nutrition security. The manual introduces the characteristics of commonly cultured SIS, the rationale for integrated fish farming, and the different types of ponds suitable for aquaculture. It presents step-by-step instructions on pond preparation, water quality management, fertilization, liming, natural food production, and biosecurity measures. Farmers are also guided on species selection, stocking density, fingerling transportation and stocking methods, feed and nutrient management, growth monitoring, pond maintenance, disease prevention and control, and flood protection. The manual concludes with recommendations on harvesting techniques and scheduling to maximize productivity and profitability. Designed as a practical resource, it aims to strengthen farmers' technical knowledge and promote sustainable aquaculture practices that enhance fish production, improve nutrition, diversify livelihoods, and increase resilience while minimizing environmental impacts. cg.contributor.initiative: One Health cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

2026-08-19T00:00:00ZMondal, AnitWanasinghe, W. W. M. Apsara P. K.Roy, AparnaSathiskumar, AbinayaKarnatak, GunjanThangjam, NirupadaSamanta, SrikantaMaity, Suman KumarRoy, AmitavaTaron, AvinandanThis training manual provides practical guidance for farmers on environmentally sustainable and economically viable pond-based fish farming, with a particular focus on integrating Small Indigenous Species (SIS) with carp polyculture. It explains the nutritional importance of SIS as a rich source of essential micronutrients and highlights their role in improving household food and nutrition security. The manual introduces the characteristics of commonly cultured SIS, the rationale for integrated fish farming, and the different types of ponds suitable for aquaculture. It presents step-by-step instructions on pond preparation, water quality management, fertilization, liming, natural food production, and biosecurity measures. Farmers are also guided on species selection, stocking density, fingerling transportation and stocking methods, feed and nutrient management, growth monitoring, pond maintenance, disease prevention and control, and flood protection. The manual concludes with recommendations on harvesting techniques and scheduling to maximize productivity and profitability. Designed as a practical resource, it aims to strengthen farmers' technical knowledge and promote sustainable aquaculture practices that enhance fish production, improve nutrition, diversify livelihoods, and increase resilience while minimizing environmental impacts.Bhaduri, Tanmoyhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849712026-08-14T06:10:27Z2026-08-12T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Data-Driven Decisions to Boost Women-Led Livestock Entrepreneurship in Assam dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy

2026-08-12T00:00:00ZBhaduri, TanmoyBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanPadhi, Kumar RanjanIyer, Ruhilhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849682026-08-14T04:56:25Z2026-08-10T00:00:00Z

dc.title: How AI Helped Capture Community Feedback on Water Systems dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Padhi, Kumar Ranjan; Iyer, Ruhil cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-08-10T00:00:00ZBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanPadhi, Kumar RanjanIyer, RuhilBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanPapnoi, PankajKettle, Stewarthttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849672026-08-14T04:06:45Z2026-08-07T00:00:00Z

dc.title: What Community Water Leaders Had to Say about Why They Continue to Volunteer dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Papnoi, Pankaj; Kettle, Stewart cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-08-07T00:00:00ZBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanPapnoi, PankajKettle, StewartBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanKettle, Stewarthttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849592026-08-13T10:49:17Z2026-08-05T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Why Water Governance Needs Better Community Feedback dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharjee, Suchiradipta; Nicol, Alan; Kettle, Stewart cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-08-05T00:00:00ZBhattacharjee, SuchiradiptaNicol, AlanKettle, StewartKhalifa, MuhammadMekonnen, KirubelMcTough, MitchellMatheswaran, KarthikeyanMunir, SarfrazVelpuri, Naga ManoharRuckstuhl, Sandrahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849582026-08-20T05:46:54Z2026-08-13T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Spatio-Temporal Analysis to Support Modelling and Mitigation of Anthropogenic Sand and Dust Storm Sources in Southern Iraq dc.contributor.author: Khalifa, Muhammad; Mekonnen, Kirubel; McTough, Mitchell; Matheswaran, Karthikeyan; Munir, Sarfraz; Velpuri, Naga Manohar; Ruckstuhl, Sandra dcterms.abstract: This technical report presents a spatio-temporal assessment of anthropogenic sand and dust storm sources across Al-Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah governorates in southern Iraq. Using remote sensing, spatial analysis, and Water Accounting Plus (WA+), the assessment integrates water-accounting indicators with environmental and land-surface variables—including soil moisture, wind speed, bare-land cover, vegetation productivity, soil characteristics, drought, and water availability—to identify and characterize potential anthropogenic sand and dust storm source areas. Al-Muthanna emerges as the most extensive high-risk source area, with more than 60% of its land characterized by low soil moisture and high bare-soil exposure. In Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah, hotspots occur within or near agricultural areas, indicating possible links to land abandonment and unsustainable cultivation. Persistent water deficits, vegetation loss, erodible soils and recurrent summer drought reinforce land degradation and dust generation. The report identifies opportunities for resilient nature-based water solutions, including soil-moisture conservation, vegetation restoration, improved irrigation and land management, rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge. It recommends field validation, higher-resolution agricultural and hydrological data, and governorate-specific planning to guide targeted mitigation and landscape restoration.

2026-08-13T00:00:00ZKhalifa, MuhammadMekonnen, KirubelMcTough, MitchellMatheswaran, KarthikeyanMunir, SarfrazVelpuri, Naga ManoharRuckstuhl, SandraThis technical report presents a spatio-temporal assessment of anthropogenic sand and dust storm sources across Al-Muthanna, Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah governorates in southern Iraq. Using remote sensing, spatial analysis, and Water Accounting Plus (WA+), the assessment integrates water-accounting indicators with environmental and land-surface variables—including soil moisture, wind speed, bare-land cover, vegetation productivity, soil characteristics, drought, and water availability—to identify and characterize potential anthropogenic sand and dust storm source areas. Al-Muthanna emerges as the most extensive high-risk source area, with more than 60% of its land characterized by low soil moisture and high bare-soil exposure. In Dhi Qar and Al-Qadisiyah, hotspots occur within or near agricultural areas, indicating possible links to land abandonment and unsustainable cultivation. Persistent water deficits, vegetation loss, erodible soils and recurrent summer drought reinforce land degradation and dust generation. The report identifies opportunities for resilient nature-based water solutions, including soil-moisture conservation, vegetation restoration, improved irrigation and land management, rainwater harvesting and managed aquifer recharge. It recommends field validation, higher-resolution agricultural and hydrological data, and governorate-specific planning to guide targeted mitigation and landscape restoration.Amarnath, GirirajSchmitter, Petra S.Fakhruddin, BaponAgrawal, AshishRavindranath, DarshiniHafeez, Mohsinhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849562026-08-15T01:10:10Z2026-08-13T00:00:00Z

dc.title: The Drought Action Catalyst: A Country Platform for Anticipatory, Financed, Government-led Drought Resilience dc.contributor.author: Amarnath, Giriraj; Schmitter, Petra S.; Fakhruddin, Bapon; Agrawal, Ashish; Ravindranath, Darshini; Hafeez, Mohsin dcterms.abstract: Drought is a systemic economic risk, costing an estimated USD 307 billion annually and projected to affect 75% of the world's population by 2050—yet 88% of weather-related disaster finance still arrives after the damage is done, even though every dollar invested proactively can generate returns up to tenfold. This imbalance is not primarily a funding-volume problem but a market-formation failure: what most drought-prone countries lack is a pipeline of investable, governable propositions backed by triggers, risk profiles, and verification mechanisms that finance can commit against. The Drought Action Catalyst, launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR at UNCCD COP16, builds precisely this pipeline. More than a delivery mechanism, it is a programmatic climate-finance architecture—a country platform that converts NAP and NDC drought priorities into country-owned investment pipelines, uses concessional finance to derisk early action, and aligns with the country-platform models supported by the GCF and MDBs. Working inside national institutions through three pillars—monitoring and early warning; vulnerability and risk profiling; and preparedness and anticipatory action—it delivers mandated drought governance, risk-informed policy, financed early-action protocols, inclusive digital advisory systems, and trained national teams, with full transfer to national ownership by 2030. Its financing architecture realigns public capital toward anticipatory action while structuring four underutilized pools of non-public capital into an investment-ready pipeline. The Catalyst seeks USD 10 million in seed co-financing (2026–27) to confirm four to five pilot countries and deliver evidence for UNCCD COP17 and negotiations toward a global drought regime. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Climate Action

2026-08-13T00:00:00ZAmarnath, GirirajSchmitter, Petra S.Fakhruddin, BaponAgrawal, AshishRavindranath, DarshiniHafeez, MohsinDrought is a systemic economic risk, costing an estimated USD 307 billion annually and projected to affect 75% of the world's population by 2050—yet 88% of weather-related disaster finance still arrives after the damage is done, even though every dollar invested proactively can generate returns up to tenfold. This imbalance is not primarily a funding-volume problem but a market-formation failure: what most drought-prone countries lack is a pipeline of investable, governable propositions backed by triggers, risk profiles, and verification mechanisms that finance can commit against. The Drought Action Catalyst, launched by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR at UNCCD COP16, builds precisely this pipeline. More than a delivery mechanism, it is a programmatic climate-finance architecture—a country platform that converts NAP and NDC drought priorities into country-owned investment pipelines, uses concessional finance to derisk early action, and aligns with the country-platform models supported by the GCF and MDBs. Working inside national institutions through three pillars—monitoring and early warning; vulnerability and risk profiling; and preparedness and anticipatory action—it delivers mandated drought governance, risk-informed policy, financed early-action protocols, inclusive digital advisory systems, and trained national teams, with full transfer to national ownership by 2030. Its financing architecture realigns public capital toward anticipatory action while structuring four underutilized pools of non-public capital into an investment-ready pipeline. The Catalyst seeks USD 10 million in seed co-financing (2026–27) to confirm four to five pilot countries and deliver evidence for UNCCD COP17 and negotiations toward a global drought regime.International Water Management Institutehttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1849552026-08-14T01:02:06Z2026-08-13T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Positioning the Drought Action Catalyst for Drought Resilience: A Strategic Framework dc.contributor.author: International Water Management Institute dcterms.abstract: Drought is the only major natural hazard slow enough to be anticipated, yet the one for which the world remains least prepared. Costing an estimated USD 307 billion annually and projected to affect 80% of the global population by 2050, drought continues to be met with reactive spending—88% of weather-related disaster funding flows after the event—even though every dollar invested in preparedness can return up to tenfold. This Strategic Framework, developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR, positions the Drought Action Catalyst as the mechanism to close this gap. Introduced at UNCCD COP16 (Riyadh, December 2024), the Catalyst converts decades of proven science, digital innovation, and global partnership into government-led drought action through three interconnected pillars: monitoring and early warning; vulnerability and risk profiling; and preparedness and anticipatory action. The framework presents the Catalyst's rationale, capabilities, Theory of Change, operational model, investment approach, partnership landscape, and roadmap to 2030. Its foundation is the joint capability of IWMI and CGIAR Centers across all three pillars—combining IWMI's operational drought monitoring systems, such as SADMS and MENAdrought, with CGIAR's integrated expertise in agriculture, livestock, socioeconomics, and food systems. Digital innovations, notably the multilingual SukhaRakshak AI advisory system and decision-support dashboards, extend last-mile delivery to farmers. Deployment is demand-driven and locally led through codesigned National Drought Action Templates, with gender equality and social inclusion embedded throughout. Framed as a time-bound accelerator with an explicit exit strategy, the Catalyst aims to transfer full ownership to national institutions by 2030. The framework is addressed to governments, donors, and development partners considering participation or investment in this shared vision: a world where no community is caught unprepared by drought. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Climate Action

2026-08-13T00:00:00ZInternational Water Management InstituteDrought is the only major natural hazard slow enough to be anticipated, yet the one for which the world remains least prepared. Costing an estimated USD 307 billion annually and projected to affect 80% of the global population by 2050, drought continues to be met with reactive spending—88% of weather-related disaster funding flows after the event—even though every dollar invested in preparedness can return up to tenfold. This Strategic Framework, developed by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of CGIAR, positions the Drought Action Catalyst as the mechanism to close this gap. Introduced at UNCCD COP16 (Riyadh, December 2024), the Catalyst converts decades of proven science, digital innovation, and global partnership into government-led drought action through three interconnected pillars: monitoring and early warning; vulnerability and risk profiling; and preparedness and anticipatory action. The framework presents the Catalyst's rationale, capabilities, Theory of Change, operational model, investment approach, partnership landscape, and roadmap to 2030. Its foundation is the joint capability of IWMI and CGIAR Centers across all three pillars—combining IWMI's operational drought monitoring systems, such as SADMS and MENAdrought, with CGIAR's integrated expertise in agriculture, livestock, socioeconomics, and food systems. Digital innovations, notably the multilingual SukhaRakshak AI advisory system and decision-support dashboards, extend last-mile delivery to farmers. Deployment is demand-driven and locally led through codesigned National Drought Action Templates, with gender equality and social inclusion embedded throughout. Framed as a time-bound accelerator with an explicit exit strategy, the Catalyst aims to transfer full ownership to national institutions by 2030. The framework is addressed to governments, donors, and development partners considering participation or investment in this shared vision: a world where no community is caught unprepared by drought.Mahapatra, SmaranikaAlam, Mohammad FaizRadhakrishna, ManikantaSikka, AlokPrasad, GokulAmarasinghe, Upali A.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1847222026-08-12T08:30:51Z2026-08-11T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Groundwater Irrigation in India’s Rice-Wheat System: Quantifying the Energy-Carbon-Productivity Nexus and Decarbonization Pathways dc.contributor.author: Mahapatra, Smaranika; Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Radhakrishna, Manikanta; Sikka, Alok; Prasad, Gokul; Amarasinghe, Upali A. dcterms.abstract: Groundwater irrigation is central to India’s rice-wheat production system but carries significant energy and carbon costs, particularly in regions with intensive groundwater use and declining water tables. This technical brief quantifies district-level groundwater pumping, energy consumption, energy productivity and associated CO₂ emissions for rice and wheat using data from 2018–2020. The analysis estimates that groundwater irrigation for these two crops consumes about 36.1 million MWh of energy annually and generates 20.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Wheat accounts for the larger share of both energy use and emissions. Five states—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana—account for 76% of national groundwater pumping energy use and a similarly large share of emissions. The findings also reveal substantial regional variation in energy productivity, reflecting differences in groundwater depth, crop yields, irrigation requirements and pump types. The brief highlights that a one-size-fits-all mitigation strategy is unlikely to be effective. Instead, site-specific pathways combining irrigation efficiency, improved pump performance, crop diversification and decarbonization of irrigation energy are needed. Simulations for Uttar Pradesh demonstrate that improving irrigation and pump efficiency can substantially reduce energy use and emissions, while strategic solarization under PM-KUSUM can further reduce dependence on diesel and grid electricity. Together, these measures can support more productive, low-carbon and sustainable groundwater irrigation. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-08-11T00:00:00ZMahapatra, SmaranikaAlam, Mohammad FaizRadhakrishna, ManikantaSikka, AlokPrasad, GokulAmarasinghe, Upali A.Groundwater irrigation is central to India’s rice-wheat production system but carries significant energy and carbon costs, particularly in regions with intensive groundwater use and declining water tables. This technical brief quantifies district-level groundwater pumping, energy consumption, energy productivity and associated CO₂ emissions for rice and wheat using data from 2018–2020. The analysis estimates that groundwater irrigation for these two crops consumes about 36.1 million MWh of energy annually and generates 20.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Wheat accounts for the larger share of both energy use and emissions. Five states—Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana—account for 76% of national groundwater pumping energy use and a similarly large share of emissions. The findings also reveal substantial regional variation in energy productivity, reflecting differences in groundwater depth, crop yields, irrigation requirements and pump types. The brief highlights that a one-size-fits-all mitigation strategy is unlikely to be effective. Instead, site-specific pathways combining irrigation efficiency, improved pump performance, crop diversification and decarbonization of irrigation energy are needed. Simulations for Uttar Pradesh demonstrate that improving irrigation and pump efficiency can substantially reduce energy use and emissions, while strategic solarization under PM-KUSUM can further reduce dependence on diesel and grid electricity. Together, these measures can support more productive, low-carbon and sustainable groundwater irrigation.Osei-Amponsah, CharityOke, Adebayohttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1847152026-08-14T08:21:15Z2026-06-05T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Where Irrigation Dialogue Becomes Action dc.contributor.author: Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Oke, Adebayo cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

2026-06-05T00:00:00ZOsei-Amponsah, CharityOke, AdebayoMupangwa, WalterWalker, S.Tesfuhuney, W.Smith, H.Zaman-Allah, Mainassarahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1847122026-08-11T08:12:07Z2026-05-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: The Micrometeorology of Conservation Agriculture Cropping Systems dc.contributor.author: Mupangwa, Walter; Walker, S.; Tesfuhuney, W.; Smith, H.; Zaman-Allah, Mainassara dcterms.abstract: Conservation agriculture (CA) is widely recognized as a climate-smart practice for strengthening the adaptative capacity and resilience of farming systems in the face of climate variability. A key pathway through which CA contributes to resilience lies in its regulation of micrometeorological variables, such as temperature, humidity, and wind, within cropping systems and plant canopies. These factors are intricately linked to crop development, influencing biomass accumulation and interacting with localized atmospheric dynamics throughout the growing season. CA systems offer distinct advantages over conventional tillage by conserving soil moisture, which becomes vital during dry periods. The moderated evaporation of water from the soil surface contributes to maintaining elevated humidity levels within the canopy, thus buffering plants against moisture stress. Furthermore, higher soil water contents under CA moderate heat exchange between the soil and the atmosphere, leading to more stable and favourable canopy temperatures. CA also promotes optimal crop stand density, which improves the interception of solar radiation and stabilizes the transfer of heat and moisture within the crop canopy. This canopy structure tempers with wind flow, creating more uniform conditions that support photosynthesis and enhance productivity. On a broader scale, CA contributes to climate mitigation efforts through greater carbon sequestration compared to conventional systems. These combined effects underscore CA’s ability to create a microclimate that supports both crop performance and environmental sustainability. This review synthesizes current evidence on these micrometeorological benefits of conservation agriculture over conventional systems. The objective of the review was to assess the effect of CA practices on micrometeorological variables (air and soil temperature, soil moisture, humidity, sunlight, greenhouse gas fluxes) in soil environment and within crop canopy. Such evidence can inform the scaling of CA practices in efforts to build climate-resilient agricultural landscapes. Furthermore, the review information contributes towards effective microclimate monitoring and the development of appropriate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

2026-05-21T00:00:00ZMupangwa, WalterWalker, S.Tesfuhuney, W.Smith, H.Zaman-Allah, MainassaraConservation agriculture (CA) is widely recognized as a climate-smart practice for strengthening the adaptative capacity and resilience of farming systems in the face of climate variability. A key pathway through which CA contributes to resilience lies in its regulation of micrometeorological variables, such as temperature, humidity, and wind, within cropping systems and plant canopies. These factors are intricately linked to crop development, influencing biomass accumulation and interacting with localized atmospheric dynamics throughout the growing season. CA systems offer distinct advantages over conventional tillage by conserving soil moisture, which becomes vital during dry periods. The moderated evaporation of water from the soil surface contributes to maintaining elevated humidity levels within the canopy, thus buffering plants against moisture stress. Furthermore, higher soil water contents under CA moderate heat exchange between the soil and the atmosphere, leading to more stable and favourable canopy temperatures. CA also promotes optimal crop stand density, which improves the interception of solar radiation and stabilizes the transfer of heat and moisture within the crop canopy. This canopy structure tempers with wind flow, creating more uniform conditions that support photosynthesis and enhance productivity. On a broader scale, CA contributes to climate mitigation efforts through greater carbon sequestration compared to conventional systems. These combined effects underscore CA’s ability to create a microclimate that supports both crop performance and environmental sustainability. This review synthesizes current evidence on these micrometeorological benefits of conservation agriculture over conventional systems. The objective of the review was to assess the effect of CA practices on micrometeorological variables (air and soil temperature, soil moisture, humidity, sunlight, greenhouse gas fluxes) in soil environment and within crop canopy. Such evidence can inform the scaling of CA practices in efforts to build climate-resilient agricultural landscapes. Furthermore, the review information contributes towards effective microclimate monitoring and the development of appropriate climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.Nigussie, LikimyeleshEnokenwa Baa, OjongetakahNortje, Karenhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1846962026-08-14T05:40:12Z2026-08-10T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Intersecting Barriers, Uneven Gains: Analysis of Ethiopia’s Enterprise Environment for Women and Youth dc.contributor.author: Nigussie, Likimyelesh; Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Nortje, Karen dcterms.abstract: This review examines how Ethiopia’s enabling environment shapes women’s and youth’s enterprise inclusion and what this means for responsible scaling across three Scaling for Impact (S4I) Area of Work2 solution-track delivery systems. In this report, enterprise environment refers to the formal and informal enabling conditions that shape enterprise entry, formalization, operation, adaptation, growth, resilience, and benefit control. The review examines barriers across policy and regulation, financial-market access, market coordination, institutional capacity, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and climate-finance. It uses Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS), agro-advisory, and forage-feed pathways as analytical design-testing areas for assessing delivery-system usability, inclusion risks, and enterprise outcomes. The review uses a scoping approach with systematic elements, an Ethiopia-only analytical scope, and a mixed evidence base combining screened academic literature with separately reviewed policy, strategy, roadmap, and grey-literature documents. It applies GESI, intersectionality, feminist political economy, and enterprise lifecycle lenses to examine not only which barriers exist, but how they operate, whom they affect, and how they shape enterprise entry, formalization, operation, adaptation, growth, resilience, and benefit control. The central finding is that barriers to enterprise development in Ethiopia are interconnected and mutually reinforcing rather than discrete. These barriers include regulatory requirements, collateral constraints, weak institutional support, fragmented market coordination, GESI-related constraints, and climate-finance barriers that require cautious interpretation because the evidence on eligibility, transaction costs, instruments, scale, and long-term enterprise outcomes remains limited. These interactions are especially consequential for differently positioned women and youth whose access to assets, information, mobility, time, institutional support, and decision-making power is uneven. For S4I, these barriers matter because scaling may expand reach while reproducing unequal access, weak agency, unmanaged labour and risk burdens, limited voice, and uneven control over benefits. In SPIS, these barriers shape access to finance, technology, water, suppliers, services, and irrigation markets. In agro-advisory scaling, they affect whether content, channels, language, timing, feedback, and service linkages become actionable. In forage-feed innovations, they shape access to livestock assets, training, labour arrangements, cooperative support, markets, and control over benefits. Evidence is not equally direct across the three pathways: SPIS is the relatively stronger evidence-informed design-testing area, while agro-advisory and forage-feed implications are supported more indirectly and should be treated as design considerations requiring further testing. The report therefore recommends using solution-track-specific screening criteria before expansion, so that S4I decisions are based on credible evidence of inclusive access, sustained use, manageable labour and risk, agency, and benefit control rather than reach or adoption alone. Evidence is strongest for policy and regulation, financial-market access, institutional capacity, and GESI, but weaker for climate-finance, long-term reform outcomes, and some solution-track-specific effects. Consequently, the three pathways should be treated as design-testing areas, not as already validated inclusive-scaling models. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

2026-08-10T00:00:00ZNigussie, LikimyeleshEnokenwa Baa, OjongetakahNortje, KarenThis review examines how Ethiopia’s enabling environment shapes women’s and youth’s enterprise inclusion and what this means for responsible scaling across three Scaling for Impact (S4I) Area of Work2 solution-track delivery systems. In this report, enterprise environment refers to the formal and informal enabling conditions that shape enterprise entry, formalization, operation, adaptation, growth, resilience, and benefit control. The review examines barriers across policy and regulation, financial-market access, market coordination, institutional capacity, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and climate-finance. It uses Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS), agro-advisory, and forage-feed pathways as analytical design-testing areas for assessing delivery-system usability, inclusion risks, and enterprise outcomes. The review uses a scoping approach with systematic elements, an Ethiopia-only analytical scope, and a mixed evidence base combining screened academic literature with separately reviewed policy, strategy, roadmap, and grey-literature documents. It applies GESI, intersectionality, feminist political economy, and enterprise lifecycle lenses to examine not only which barriers exist, but how they operate, whom they affect, and how they shape enterprise entry, formalization, operation, adaptation, growth, resilience, and benefit control. The central finding is that barriers to enterprise development in Ethiopia are interconnected and mutually reinforcing rather than discrete. These barriers include regulatory requirements, collateral constraints, weak institutional support, fragmented market coordination, GESI-related constraints, and climate-finance barriers that require cautious interpretation because the evidence on eligibility, transaction costs, instruments, scale, and long-term enterprise outcomes remains limited. These interactions are especially consequential for differently positioned women and youth whose access to assets, information, mobility, time, institutional support, and decision-making power is uneven. For S4I, these barriers matter because scaling may expand reach while reproducing unequal access, weak agency, unmanaged labour and risk burdens, limited voice, and uneven control over benefits. In SPIS, these barriers shape access to finance, technology, water, suppliers, services, and irrigation markets. In agro-advisory scaling, they affect whether content, channels, language, timing, feedback, and service linkages become actionable. In forage-feed innovations, they shape access to livestock assets, training, labour arrangements, cooperative support, markets, and control over benefits. Evidence is not equally direct across the three pathways: SPIS is the relatively stronger evidence-informed design-testing area, while agro-advisory and forage-feed implications are supported more indirectly and should be treated as design considerations requiring further testing. The report therefore recommends using solution-track-specific screening criteria before expansion, so that S4I decisions are based on credible evidence of inclusive access, sustained use, manageable labour and risk, agency, and benefit control rather than reach or adoption alone. Evidence is strongest for policy and regulation, financial-market access, institutional capacity, and GESI, but weaker for climate-finance, long-term reform outcomes, and some solution-track-specific effects. Consequently, the three pathways should be treated as design-testing areas, not as already validated inclusive-scaling models.Pandey, Niteesh KumarAlkhatib, Alaa Eddin AlhmeidiSimon, MonikaVishwakarma, Rajesh KumarKumar, JagdeeshSrikanth, V.Sen, SumitJoshi, HimanshuYadav, ShwetaMateo-Sagasta, JavierJampani, MaheshSikka, AlokHazra, Saugatahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1846822026-08-07T16:19:38Z2026-08-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Role of Urban Discharges in Regulating the Dynamics of River Water Quality to Antibiotic Resistance in Subtropical River Basins dc.contributor.author: Pandey, Niteesh Kumar; Alkhatib, Alaa Eddin Alhmeidi; Simon, Monika; Vishwakarma, Rajesh Kumar; Kumar, Jagdeesh; Srikanth, V.; Sen, Sumit; Joshi, Himanshu; Yadav, Shweta; Mateo-Sagasta, Javier; Jampani, Mahesh; Sikka, Alok; Hazra, Saugata dcterms.abstract: Point-sources of pollution, especially in heavily urbanized regions in developing countries, play a decisive role in determining health of rivers passing through them, as they introduce biological and chemical pollutants. In this study, an attempt was made to assess the role of point sources on the health of rivers (Bindal and Rispana) passing through a heavily urbanized region in a typical sub-tropical basin of Song River, Uttarakhand, India. Water samples from the observed point sources, viz., outflows from urban drains and effluents of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) falling into the rivers, were collected and analyzed. An upstream river site (unpolluted headwater) was considered as the reference point, while a midstream site and two downstream sites were considered as impacted sites. This study comprised collection of 57 water samples, including 24 from urban drains, 21 from STP effluents, and 12 from the rivers, collected over three seasons (Winter, Summer and Monsoon) in 2024. Drain samples exhibited the highest microbial contamination, with culturable bacterial loads reached up to 4Log 10 cfu/mL, along with the highest antibiotic-resistant bacterial load and the highest diversity of (121 unique) antibiotics. Microbial community profiling revealed the highest genera richness (1044 genera) in drain samples, predominantly Escherichia and Pseudomonas. Elevated heavy metal concentrations, particularly Zn, Cd, and Pb, accompanied by increased abundance of putative antibiotic resistance genes. The findings underscored the distribution of pollutants from point sources, contributing as a major source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, heavy metals and various antibiotics advocating refined surveillance and management strategies in the urban settings. cg.contributor.initiative: One Health cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods

2026-08-01T00:00:00ZPandey, Niteesh KumarAlkhatib, Alaa Eddin AlhmeidiSimon, MonikaVishwakarma, Rajesh KumarKumar, JagdeeshSrikanth, V.Sen, SumitJoshi, HimanshuYadav, ShwetaMateo-Sagasta, JavierJampani, MaheshSikka, AlokHazra, SaugataPoint-sources of pollution, especially in heavily urbanized regions in developing countries, play a decisive role in determining health of rivers passing through them, as they introduce biological and chemical pollutants. In this study, an attempt was made to assess the role of point sources on the health of rivers (Bindal and Rispana) passing through a heavily urbanized region in a typical sub-tropical basin of Song River, Uttarakhand, India. Water samples from the observed point sources, viz., outflows from urban drains and effluents of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) falling into the rivers, were collected and analyzed. An upstream river site (unpolluted headwater) was considered as the reference point, while a midstream site and two downstream sites were considered as impacted sites. This study comprised collection of 57 water samples, including 24 from urban drains, 21 from STP effluents, and 12 from the rivers, collected over three seasons (Winter, Summer and Monsoon) in 2024. Drain samples exhibited the highest microbial contamination, with culturable bacterial loads reached up to 4Log 10 cfu/mL, along with the highest antibiotic-resistant bacterial load and the highest diversity of (121 unique) antibiotics. Microbial community profiling revealed the highest genera richness (1044 genera) in drain samples, predominantly Escherichia and Pseudomonas. Elevated heavy metal concentrations, particularly Zn, Cd, and Pb, accompanied by increased abundance of putative antibiotic resistance genes. The findings underscored the distribution of pollutants from point sources, contributing as a major source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, heavy metals and various antibiotics advocating refined surveillance and management strategies in the urban settings.Kasoma-Pele, WinnieEnokenwa Baa, OjongetakahMabele, ThatoChoruma, Dennis Juniorhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1846492026-08-07T05:52:53Z2026-08-06T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Building Scaling Readiness for Inclusive Mechanization in Zambia: Insights from the Training of Trainers and Mechanization Awareness Meetings dc.contributor.author: Kasoma-Pele, Winnie; Enokenwa Baa, Ojongetakah; Mabele, Thato; Choruma, Dennis Junior dcterms.abstract: This report presents findings from the April 2026 Training of Trainers (ToT) and Mechanization Awareness Meetings held under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program in Zambia. These activities supported the Inclusive Mechanization through Rural Entrepreneurship and Financial Innovation Solution Track by strengthening the capacity of extension staff and partners and raising awareness of an inclusive Mechanization Service Provider (MSP) model among smallholder farmers and prospective service providers. The report examines how these field activities helped identify opportunities and constraints in the enabling environment for scaling climate-smart mechanization, with particular attention to women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Key findings highlight strong stakeholder interest in mechanization services, the importance of decentralized capacity building, and the need for improved access to affordable finance, business incubation, after-sales support, and stronger institutional partnerships. The report demonstrates that successful mechanization scaling depends not only on appropriate technologies but also on supportive policy, market, institutional, and social systems. It concludes with recommendations to strengthen inclusive recruitment, financing mechanisms, extension systems, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to support responsible scaling and sustainable mechanization service delivery in Zambia. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Scaling for Impact

2026-08-06T00:00:00ZKasoma-Pele, WinnieEnokenwa Baa, OjongetakahMabele, ThatoChoruma, Dennis JuniorThis report presents findings from the April 2026 Training of Trainers (ToT) and Mechanization Awareness Meetings held under the CGIAR Scaling for Impact (S4I) Program in Zambia. These activities supported the Inclusive Mechanization through Rural Entrepreneurship and Financial Innovation Solution Track by strengthening the capacity of extension staff and partners and raising awareness of an inclusive Mechanization Service Provider (MSP) model among smallholder farmers and prospective service providers. The report examines how these field activities helped identify opportunities and constraints in the enabling environment for scaling climate-smart mechanization, with particular attention to women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Key findings highlight strong stakeholder interest in mechanization services, the importance of decentralized capacity building, and the need for improved access to affordable finance, business incubation, after-sales support, and stronger institutional partnerships. The report demonstrates that successful mechanization scaling depends not only on appropriate technologies but also on supportive policy, market, institutional, and social systems. It concludes with recommendations to strengthen inclusive recruitment, financing mechanisms, extension systems, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to support responsible scaling and sustainable mechanization service delivery in Zambia.Mandave, VidyaKumar, Gopalhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1846402026-08-05T09:58:26Z2026-08-03T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Securing the Future through Smarter Resource Management dc.contributor.author: Mandave, Vidya; Kumar, Gopal cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Multifunctional Landscapes

2026-08-03T00:00:00ZMandave, VidyaKumar, GopalMupangwa, WalterChipindu, LovemoreNcube, BonganiTauro, Tonny P.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1846002026-08-18T01:05:06Z2026-07-31T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Modelling Soil Water Content in Different Tillage Systems and Soil Types Using Machine Learning dc.contributor.author: Mupangwa, Walter; Chipindu, Lovemore; Ncube, Bongani; Tauro, Tonny P. dcterms.abstract: Soil water availability is one of the major challenges in many rainfed crop production systems of the Global South. Soil water conservation practices are being promoted to enhance climate change adaptation for rainfed cropping systems of southern Africa. However, the cost and time required to develop and test appropriate modelling and simulation tools can be enormous. The objectives of this study were to: (i) test the performance of the decision tree, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), support vector machine, neural network, stochastic gradient descent, k-nearest neighbours, random forest and linear regression machine learning models in predicting soil water under different tillage practices, soil types and depths, and (ii) assess the soil water classification and prediction capabilities of 8 models under different tillage practices, soil types and depths. The neural network, random forest and decision tree models had the best soil water prediction capabilities. The neural network, random forest and decision tree models were the best algorithms (RMSE = 15.801–16.369; MAE = 11.997–12.315; R2 = 0.822–0.835) for predicting and classifying soil water from different soil types and depth intervals. The support vector machine learning model was the weakest algorithm (RMSE = 36.177; MAE = 30.84; R2 = 0.133) for predicting and classifying soil water. All the algorithms poorly predicted and classified soil water based on tillage practices. All the models closely predicted soil water at 300 and 900 mm depths but poorly predicted soil water at 600 mm depth intervals. Based on this study, the neural network model is the best machine learning tool for predicting soil water in clay and sandy soils under semi-arid agroecological conditions.

2026-07-31T00:00:00ZMupangwa, WalterChipindu, LovemoreNcube, BonganiTauro, Tonny P.Soil water availability is one of the major challenges in many rainfed crop production systems of the Global South. Soil water conservation practices are being promoted to enhance climate change adaptation for rainfed cropping systems of southern Africa. However, the cost and time required to develop and test appropriate modelling and simulation tools can be enormous. The objectives of this study were to: (i) test the performance of the decision tree, adaptive boosting (AdaBoost), support vector machine, neural network, stochastic gradient descent, k-nearest neighbours, random forest and linear regression machine learning models in predicting soil water under different tillage practices, soil types and depths, and (ii) assess the soil water classification and prediction capabilities of 8 models under different tillage practices, soil types and depths. The neural network, random forest and decision tree models had the best soil water prediction capabilities. The neural network, random forest and decision tree models were the best algorithms (RMSE = 15.801–16.369; MAE = 11.997–12.315; R2 = 0.822–0.835) for predicting and classifying soil water from different soil types and depth intervals. The support vector machine learning model was the weakest algorithm (RMSE = 36.177; MAE = 30.84; R2 = 0.133) for predicting and classifying soil water. All the algorithms poorly predicted and classified soil water based on tillage practices. All the models closely predicted soil water at 300 and 900 mm depths but poorly predicted soil water at 600 mm depth intervals. Based on this study, the neural network model is the best machine learning tool for predicting soil water in clay and sandy soils under semi-arid agroecological conditions.Mekuria, WoldeDessalegn, MengistuAbdella, MohammedHaile, Alemseged Tamiruhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1845692026-08-18T01:09:14Z2026-07-31T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Revitalizing Ethiopia’s Amibara Irrigation Scheme: Governance, Institutions, and Stakeholder Engagement dc.contributor.author: Mekuria, Wolde; Dessalegn, Mengistu; Abdella, Mohammed; Haile, Alemseged Tamiru dcterms.abstract: This study aimed to assess irrigation practices, institutional arrangements, and stakeholder dynamics to inform the revitalization of irrigation schemes, using the Amibara irrigation scheme in Ethiopia as a case study. Specifically the study (i) examined water use and management practices, associated challenges, and their implications for revitalization, (ii) assessed institutional structures and key governance gaps in water access, use and management, (iii) identified and mapped stakeholders involved in revitalization based on their roles, interests and influence, (iv) analyzed the motivations of different stakeholder groups to engage in the revitalization process, (v) assessed the needs and capacities of stakeholders to influence revitalization; and (vi) proposed engagement strategies to enhance participation, collaboration and partnerships. The study used key informant interviews, group discussions and observations, with multi-stage stakeholder analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive content analysis, while stakeholder mapping tools assessed legitimate power and power resources, interests, and influence. Results showed that the use of irrigation water is dominated by individualized practices, causing water shortages, conflicts, and governance gaps threatening sustainability. The stakeholder analysis identified diverse groups interested in revitalizing the scheme, indicating the need for multisectoral collaboration. Most stakeholders had perceived high interest but low influence, while some had high interest and influence or low interest but high influence, requiring tailored engagement strategies. Stakeholder motivation stems from expected benefits and alignment with their goals. Participation can be increased through better access to data, technical and financial support, capacity building, and clear roles. Stakeholders could contribute expertise and resources. Barriers included unclear mandates, funding gaps, limited technical capacity, peace and security issues, and environmental risks like soil salinity and water scarcity. The findings emphasize that without strengthening institutional frameworks, promoting collective action, and establishing irrigation water user associations, infrastructure rehabilitation alone will not yield lasting benefits. It is also suggested that engagement approaches focusing on trust-building and collaboration, as well as integrated social and institutional reforms aligned with national and sub-regional policies, are crucial. Effective revitalization benefits from public-private partnerships and community-government collaboration. We recommend clarifying roles, formalizing partnerships, ensuring transparent communication, and establishing coordination mechanisms.

2026-07-31T00:00:00ZMekuria, WoldeDessalegn, MengistuAbdella, MohammedHaile, Alemseged TamiruThis study aimed to assess irrigation practices, institutional arrangements, and stakeholder dynamics to inform the revitalization of irrigation schemes, using the Amibara irrigation scheme in Ethiopia as a case study. Specifically the study (i) examined water use and management practices, associated challenges, and their implications for revitalization, (ii) assessed institutional structures and key governance gaps in water access, use and management, (iii) identified and mapped stakeholders involved in revitalization based on their roles, interests and influence, (iv) analyzed the motivations of different stakeholder groups to engage in the revitalization process, (v) assessed the needs and capacities of stakeholders to influence revitalization; and (vi) proposed engagement strategies to enhance participation, collaboration and partnerships. The study used key informant interviews, group discussions and observations, with multi-stage stakeholder analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive content analysis, while stakeholder mapping tools assessed legitimate power and power resources, interests, and influence. Results showed that the use of irrigation water is dominated by individualized practices, causing water shortages, conflicts, and governance gaps threatening sustainability. The stakeholder analysis identified diverse groups interested in revitalizing the scheme, indicating the need for multisectoral collaboration. Most stakeholders had perceived high interest but low influence, while some had high interest and influence or low interest but high influence, requiring tailored engagement strategies. Stakeholder motivation stems from expected benefits and alignment with their goals. Participation can be increased through better access to data, technical and financial support, capacity building, and clear roles. Stakeholders could contribute expertise and resources. Barriers included unclear mandates, funding gaps, limited technical capacity, peace and security issues, and environmental risks like soil salinity and water scarcity. The findings emphasize that without strengthening institutional frameworks, promoting collective action, and establishing irrigation water user associations, infrastructure rehabilitation alone will not yield lasting benefits. It is also suggested that engagement approaches focusing on trust-building and collaboration, as well as integrated social and institutional reforms aligned with national and sub-regional policies, are crucial. Effective revitalization benefits from public-private partnerships and community-government collaboration. We recommend clarifying roles, formalizing partnerships, ensuring transparent communication, and establishing coordination mechanisms.Jennings, StewartChallinor, Andrew J.Macdiarmid, Jennie I.King, RichardPope, EdwardWhitfield, StephenSarku, RebeccaChomba, ChristianNawiko, MasiyeNkanyani, Shiluva ChaukeHorgan, GrahamHellin, JonNg’endo, MaryFisher, EleanorYou, LiangzhiTimu, Anne G.Pacillo, GraziaCaroli, GiuliaBelli, AnnaChilambe, Pedro AnglazeGirvetz, Evan H.Rose, SabrinaAmarnath, GirirajKennedy-Asser, AlanRigby, RichardLoboguerrero, Ana Mariahttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1840392026-08-26T14:35:51Z2026-08-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Adaptive policies balancing trade, productivity and cropland increases can support Zambia's nutrition security under future climate shocks dc.contributor.author: Jennings, Stewart; Challinor, Andrew J.; Macdiarmid, Jennie I.; King, Richard; Pope, Edward; Whitfield, Stephen; Sarku, Rebecca; Chomba, Christian; Nawiko, Masiye; Nkanyani, Shiluva Chauke; Horgan, Graham; Hellin, Jon; Ng’endo, Mary; Fisher, Eleanor; You, Liangzhi; Timu, Anne G.; Pacillo, Grazia; Caroli, Giulia; Belli, Anna; Chilambe, Pedro Anglaze; Girvetz, Evan H.; Rose, Sabrina; Amarnath, Giriraj; Kennedy-Asser, Alan; Rigby, Richard; Loboguerrero, Ana Maria dcterms.abstract: Policies in sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by a limited knowledge of climate change extremes and a focus on agricultural production rather than nutrition supply. Here we model the impacts of future extremes on national-level calorie and nutrient supply in Zambia for production and nutrition focused policy scenarios. We identify the specific cropland, yield and import increases required to achieve climate-resilient nutrition security and highlight policy options. cg.contributor.initiative: Climate Resilience cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Climate Action

2026-08-01T00:00:00ZJennings, StewartChallinor, Andrew J.Macdiarmid, Jennie I.King, RichardPope, EdwardWhitfield, StephenSarku, RebeccaChomba, ChristianNawiko, MasiyeNkanyani, Shiluva ChaukeHorgan, GrahamHellin, JonNg’endo, MaryFisher, EleanorYou, LiangzhiTimu, Anne G.Pacillo, GraziaCaroli, GiuliaBelli, AnnaChilambe, Pedro AnglazeGirvetz, Evan H.Rose, SabrinaAmarnath, GirirajKennedy-Asser, AlanRigby, RichardLoboguerrero, Ana MariaPolicies in sub-Saharan Africa are constrained by a limited knowledge of climate change extremes and a focus on agricultural production rather than nutrition supply. Here we model the impacts of future extremes on national-level calorie and nutrient supply in Zambia for production and nutrition focused policy scenarios. We identify the specific cropland, yield and import increases required to achieve climate-resilient nutrition security and highlight policy options.Bhattacharya, JayantaShrestha, ShisherRavindranath, DarshiniBhaduri, Tanmoyhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1839762026-07-28T04:05:57Z2026-07-27T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Agrivoltaics in Bangladesh: Growing Food and Solar Power on the Same Land dc.contributor.author: Bhattacharya, Jayanta; Shrestha, Shisher; Ravindranath, Darshini; Bhaduri, Tanmoy

2026-07-27T00:00:00ZBhattacharya, JayantaShrestha, ShisherRavindranath, DarshiniBhaduri, TanmoyIruhiriye, Elysevan den Bold, MaraAheeyar, MohamedAngeles-Agdeppa, ImeldaHoundoloa-Mitchodigni, IreneMwombeki, WistonThow, Anne-MarieOlney, Deanna K.https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1839752026-08-14T13:13:13Z2026-07-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Integrating stakeholder engagement in food system research programs: Stakeholder experiences dc.contributor.author: Iruhiriye, Elyse; van den Bold, Mara; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Angeles-Agdeppa, Imelda; Houndoloa-Mitchodigni, Irene; Mwombeki, Wiston; Thow, Anne-Marie; Olney, Deanna K. dcterms.abstract: Objectives: We aimed to understand stakeholder experiences participating in FRESH – a food-systems, participatory, action-oriented research initiative (2022–2024) aiming to increase fruit and vegetable intake using an end-to-end (ETE) approach (demand, supply, food environment and enabling environment). cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Better Diets and Nutrition

2026-07-01T00:00:00ZIruhiriye, Elysevan den Bold, MaraAheeyar, MohamedAngeles-Agdeppa, ImeldaHoundoloa-Mitchodigni, IreneMwombeki, WistonThow, Anne-MarieOlney, Deanna K.Objectives: We aimed to understand stakeholder experiences participating in FRESH – a food-systems, participatory, action-oriented research initiative (2022–2024) aiming to increase fruit and vegetable intake using an end-to-end (ETE) approach (demand, supply, food environment and enabling environment).Shrestha, ShisherKarki, Darshanhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1839502026-07-27T08:48:03Z2026-07-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: The Sustainability Challenge: Lessons from Nepal’s Water-Lift Programs dc.contributor.author: Shrestha, Shisher; Karki, Darshan

2026-07-21T00:00:00ZShrestha, ShisherKarki, DarshanAlam, Mohammad FaizVarshney, DeepakPavelic, PaulSikka, AlokKrishnan, SunderrajanDodiya, Meruhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1839262026-08-11T01:04:58Z2026-09-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Do Grid-Connected Solar Irrigation Pumps Help Promote Groundwater Sustainability?: Evidence from India dc.contributor.author: Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Varshney, Deepak; Pavelic, Paul; Sikka, Alok; Krishnan, Sunderrajan; Dodiya, Meru dcterms.abstract: India's water-energy nexus is complex, with two-thirds of irrigation dependent on groundwater and ∼75% of 23 million pumps being electric. Subsidized electricity has driven groundwater over-abstraction, while solar irrigation, though promising, risks exacerbating unsustainable pumping due to near-zero costs. Grid-connected solar pumps offer a solution by enabling farmers to sell surplus energy to the grid, incentivizing sustainable water and energy use. This study assesses the impact of grid-connected solar irrigation on farmers' pumping behaviour in Gujarat, India using empirical data from ∼220–240 farmers across two seasons in districts with contrasting aquifers: hard rock (Botad) and alluvial (Anand). Results show irrigation water use in Anand (1753–1961 mm) is 3–4 times higher than in Botad (450–546 mm). In Botad, where shallow aquifers and prevailing cropping pattern and irrigation practices constrain groundwater availability and its use, no significant differences were found between solar and non-solar farmers, as water not energy is the primary constraint. Conversely, in Anand’s alluvial aquifers, significant reductions in water use (-608.45 mm in 2021–2022; -556.13 mm in 2022–2023) suggest grid connected solar pumps can influence groundwater conservation through the opportunity cost of energy exports. This reduction may partly reflect shifts in local water markets in Anand, where sellers balance energy exports with water sales, and buyers adapt through efficient irrigation or adjusted irrigation hours in response to higher water prices. The reduction in water use highlights the scheme’s potential to incentivise groundwater conservation, demonstrates the scheme's potential as a groundwater management tool in alluvial aquifer settings with sufficient groundwater availability, while highlighting that its conservation impact is highly context-specific. These findings underscore the need to align solar irrigation policies and tariff designs with local hydrogeology to enhance groundwater sustainability and socio-economic benefits.

2026-09-01T00:00:00ZAlam, Mohammad FaizVarshney, DeepakPavelic, PaulSikka, AlokKrishnan, SunderrajanDodiya, MeruIndia's water-energy nexus is complex, with two-thirds of irrigation dependent on groundwater and ∼75% of 23 million pumps being electric. Subsidized electricity has driven groundwater over-abstraction, while solar irrigation, though promising, risks exacerbating unsustainable pumping due to near-zero costs. Grid-connected solar pumps offer a solution by enabling farmers to sell surplus energy to the grid, incentivizing sustainable water and energy use. This study assesses the impact of grid-connected solar irrigation on farmers' pumping behaviour in Gujarat, India using empirical data from ∼220–240 farmers across two seasons in districts with contrasting aquifers: hard rock (Botad) and alluvial (Anand). Results show irrigation water use in Anand (1753–1961 mm) is 3–4 times higher than in Botad (450–546 mm). In Botad, where shallow aquifers and prevailing cropping pattern and irrigation practices constrain groundwater availability and its use, no significant differences were found between solar and non-solar farmers, as water not energy is the primary constraint. Conversely, in Anand’s alluvial aquifers, significant reductions in water use (-608.45 mm in 2021–2022; -556.13 mm in 2022–2023) suggest grid connected solar pumps can influence groundwater conservation through the opportunity cost of energy exports. This reduction may partly reflect shifts in local water markets in Anand, where sellers balance energy exports with water sales, and buyers adapt through efficient irrigation or adjusted irrigation hours in response to higher water prices. The reduction in water use highlights the scheme’s potential to incentivise groundwater conservation, demonstrates the scheme's potential as a groundwater management tool in alluvial aquifer settings with sufficient groundwater availability, while highlighting that its conservation impact is highly context-specific. These findings underscore the need to align solar irrigation policies and tariff designs with local hydrogeology to enhance groundwater sustainability and socio-economic benefits.Appiah, Collins EbenezerOsei-Amponsah, CharityQuarmine, WilliamOkem, Andrew EmmanuelOsei-Asare, YawSarpong, Daniel Brucehttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1839002026-07-24T07:55:18Z2026-06-29T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Leveraging Farmers’ Social Networks to Improve Co-Production and Dissemination of Climate Information Services in SSA: A Systematic Review dc.contributor.author: Appiah, Collins Ebenezer; Osei-Amponsah, Charity; Quarmine, William; Okem, Andrew Emmanuel; Osei-Asare, Yaw; Sarpong, Daniel Bruce dcterms.abstract: Co-production of Climate Information Services (CIS) is increasingly recognized as vital for improving user engagement, local relevance and uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While empirical studies highlight the importance of social networks in CIS co-production, a comprehensive synthesis of how these networks improve co-production and dissemination to smallholder farmers is lacking. This paper synthesizes evidence across diverse SSA contexts to assess how farmers' social networks (FSNs) improve CIS co-production and dissemination. The findings show FSNs are central to CIS co-production and dissemination by integrating indigenous knowledge, improving contextual relevance and strengthening trust. These networks, comprising community leaders, peer farmers, kinship ties and farmer associations, bridge scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, facilitate collective interpretation of forecasts and enable rapid CIS dissemination. Enabling FSNs is key to effective CIS co-production and information exchange in SSA. Policymakers should strengthen FSNs through agricultural and rural development policies. Policy should institutionalize participatory co-production by integrating FSNs and indigenous knowledge systems into national CIS frameworks, supported by capacity building, blended financing and inclusive digital infrastructure. Future research should assess the relative effectiveness of formal and informal FSNs in facilitating CIS delivery and guide where to focus efforts on building stronger and more effective FSNs.

2026-06-29T00:00:00ZAppiah, Collins EbenezerOsei-Amponsah, CharityQuarmine, WilliamOkem, Andrew EmmanuelOsei-Asare, YawSarpong, Daniel BruceCo-production of Climate Information Services (CIS) is increasingly recognized as vital for improving user engagement, local relevance and uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). While empirical studies highlight the importance of social networks in CIS co-production, a comprehensive synthesis of how these networks improve co-production and dissemination to smallholder farmers is lacking. This paper synthesizes evidence across diverse SSA contexts to assess how farmers' social networks (FSNs) improve CIS co-production and dissemination. The findings show FSNs are central to CIS co-production and dissemination by integrating indigenous knowledge, improving contextual relevance and strengthening trust. These networks, comprising community leaders, peer farmers, kinship ties and farmer associations, bridge scientific and indigenous knowledge systems, facilitate collective interpretation of forecasts and enable rapid CIS dissemination. Enabling FSNs is key to effective CIS co-production and information exchange in SSA. Policymakers should strengthen FSNs through agricultural and rural development policies. Policy should institutionalize participatory co-production by integrating FSNs and indigenous knowledge systems into national CIS frameworks, supported by capacity building, blended financing and inclusive digital infrastructure. Future research should assess the relative effectiveness of formal and informal FSNs in facilitating CIS delivery and guide where to focus efforts on building stronger and more effective FSNs.Holmatov, BunyodNehring, Ryanhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1838982026-07-22T18:41:52Z2026-07-22T00:00:00Z

dc.title: From agreements to action: Practical tools for strengthening transboundary water cooperation dc.contributor.author: Holmatov, Bunyod; Nehring, Ryan dcterms.abstract: Key takeaways Addressing small bottlenecks in managing transboundary water resources is key to realizing the broad goals elaborated in formal agreements. Rapid assessments help identify realistic solutions. A case in Central Asia found strong day-to-day cooperation but outdated rules, unclear responsibilities, and limited stakeholder engagement. Inclusive institutions make water governance more resilient. Multistakeholder platforms help build trust, improve decision-making, and support long-term cooperation. cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-07-22T00:00:00ZHolmatov, BunyodNehring, RyanKey takeaways Addressing small bottlenecks in managing transboundary water resources is key to realizing the broad goals elaborated in formal agreements. Rapid assessments help identify realistic solutions. A case in Central Asia found strong day-to-day cooperation but outdated rules, unclear responsibilities, and limited stakeholder engagement. Inclusive institutions make water governance more resilient. Multistakeholder platforms help build trust, improve decision-making, and support long-term cooperation.Bhaduri, Tanmoyhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1838702026-07-22T05:40:25Z2026-07-21T00:00:00Z

dc.title: Beyond Groundwater: Rethinking Barind’s Water Crisis dc.contributor.author: Bhaduri, Tanmoy

2026-07-21T00:00:00ZBhaduri, TanmoySharma, Yaggesh KumarAlam, Mohammad FaizSharma, NavneetPavelic, PaulKim, SeokhyeonRaj, Ravihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/1838582026-07-21T05:19:15Z2026-10-01T00:00:00Z

dc.title: A Computational Framework for Basin-Scale Pond Recharge Estimation Using Multi-Source Geospatial Data dc.contributor.author: Sharma, Yaggesh Kumar; Alam, Mohammad Faiz; Sharma, Navneet; Pavelic, Paul; Kim, Seokhyeon; Raj, Ravi dcterms.abstract: Water scarcity and groundwater depletion are increasing due to anthropogenic and climatic pressures. This study presents a computational framework for pond recharge estimation in the Ramganga Basin (RGB), India. At present, most ponds in the area are not utilized as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems; however, increasing interest necessitates data-driven approaches, and the proposed framework enables systematic evaluation of MAR potential at the basin scale. A large-scale geospatial dataset of 7443 ponds was compiled by integrating field surveys, government records, and remote sensing data. Model validation was conducted using recharge observations from 23 monitoring stations in the Moradabad zone. The framework incorporates ten hydro-environmental predictors within a spatial modeling pipeline to identify high-potential recharge zones. Among the three machine learning models evaluated, Gradient Boosting showed the best predictive performance, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.92. It also achieved consistent performance in pond recharge rate prediction, with R of 0.83 and lower RMSE and MAE compared to other models. Overall, machine learning approaches performed better than conventional statistical methods across the selected evaluation metrics. Spatially explicit recharge potential zones were delineated for the entire RGB, revealing clear variability across different geomorphological and hydrological settings. Because validation sites are concentrated within alluvial plain regions, the framework is considered most reliable under similar hydrogeological conditions, while additional validation is required for hilly regions. Overall, the proposed framework provides a reproducible and scalable approach for identifying recharge zones and assessing pond-based groundwater replenishment, supporting data-driven MAR planning in water-stressed basins. cg.contributor.initiative: NEXUS Gains cg.contributor.programAccelerator: Policy Innovations

2026-10-01T00:00:00ZSharma, Yaggesh KumarAlam, Mohammad FaizSharma, NavneetPavelic, PaulKim, SeokhyeonRaj, RaviWater scarcity and groundwater depletion are increasing due to anthropogenic and climatic pressures. This study presents a computational framework for pond recharge estimation in the Ramganga Basin (RGB), India. At present, most ponds in the area are not utilized as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems; however, increasing interest necessitates data-driven approaches, and the proposed framework enables systematic evaluation of MAR potential at the basin scale. A large-scale geospatial dataset of 7443 ponds was compiled by integrating field surveys, government records, and remote sensing data. Model validation was conducted using recharge observations from 23 monitoring stations in the Moradabad zone. The framework incorporates ten hydro-environmental predictors within a spatial modeling pipeline to identify high-potential recharge zones. Among the three machine learning models evaluated, Gradient Boosting showed the best predictive performance, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.92. It also achieved consistent performance in pond recharge rate prediction, with R of 0.83 and lower RMSE and MAE compared to other models. Overall, machine learning approaches performed better than conventional statistical methods across the selected evaluation metrics. Spatially explicit recharge potential zones were delineated for the entire RGB, revealing clear variability across different geomorphological and hydrological settings. Because validation sites are concentrated within alluvial plain regions, the framework is considered most reliable under similar hydrogeological conditions, while additional validation is required for hilly regions. Overall, the proposed framework provides a reproducible and scalable approach for identifying recharge zones and assessing pond-based groundwater replenishment, supporting data-driven MAR planning in water-stressed basins.