Water blog posts

A new study shows how integrating fisheries into irrigation modernization can help meet the various needs of communities and nations, and help achieve the SDGs.

Groundwater, a vital resource for farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, is impacted by climate change in ways we haven't yet studied in depth. 

Originally published on the Daily Maverick: About half of municipal wastewater and water treatment works across South Africa are in a poor or critical condition. Many need urgent rehabilitation, and 11% are dysfunctional. Over three million people still do not have access to a basic water supply service. Self-supply in partnership with government could be the answer.

This month marks World Environment Day and the Stockholm EAT Food Forum, as we search for solutions on how to better manage our food systems and natural resources. Some of the best solutions will involve science, government, and business working together through cutting edge business models.

The lowlands of Afar, Ethiopia are characterized by alternating floods and droughts, making agricultural production difficult and putting local communities at risk. A deceptively simple solution is turning arid plains into green croplands.

Our Earth is in crisis. It is now imperative that we find ways to live within our planetary boundaries. These five examples show how agriculture can help, not harm, our planet. 

When farmers invest in irrigation, improved productivity, income and nutrition usually follow. How can we ensure that women and less privileged farmers don't miss out?

Can changing our diets really save the planet? Steps forward mean changing not just what we eat. It's equally about how we produce our food. 

There are benefits and downsides to damming rivers. How can we strike a balance between the two?

A study fusing ancient technology and modern science shows that it's a matter of finding the right balance of both large and small when storing water. 

By 2050, four billion people could be experiencing severe water stress, putting global food supply in jeopardy.

What can we do to ensure small-scale irrigation technologies benefit women farmers? A new toolkit provides guidance for policymakers and project managers involved in irrigation projects to include women. The toolkit draws on findings from IFPRI's gender and irrigation research under REACH and the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Small-Scale Irrigation.