Water, Land and Ecosystems - Working Paper

A collection of tools for land restoration

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 13:44:27 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Pingault, N.
Meybeck, A.
Mehmood-Ul-Hassan, M.
van Noordwijk, M.
Minang, P.A.
Gitz, V.

Forests and trees have a major role to play to advance the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and address major global challenge such as: climate change, deforestation, forest and land degradation, biodiversity erosion, poverty and food insecurity. Over the last ten years, with the Bonn Challenge, the New York Declaration on Forests, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and several regional initiatives, forest and landscape restoration has gained increased traction on the political agenda. Successful and sustainable land restoration implies to consider a wide range of interconnected variables and, thus, requires a broad, diverse and transdisciplinary knowledge, as well as a deep understanding of local socio-ecological contexts. Research and development institutions play a central role in generating the needed knowledge and sharing it with the relevant stakeholders. This is why FTA, the CGIAR research program on forests, trees and agroforestry prepared with its partners this compilation of existing restoration tools developed by CGIAR research programs (CRPs), CGIAR cen ters and partner organizations. This document aims to inform the different stakeholders involved in restoration at different scales (policy makers, forest managers and restoration practitioners, land owners, project managers, conservation organizations, students and researchers) and help them find the tools they need to achieve their specific objectives in a given context.

Download

Download

Citation

Pingault, N., Meybeck, A., Mehmood Ul-Hassan, M., van Noordwijk, M., Minang, P.A. and Gitz, V. 2021. A collection of tools for land restoration. FTA Working Paper 13. Bogor, Indonesia: The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor/008438

Accessibility

Open Access

Research Themes

Restoring Degraded Landscapes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/117975

Bundled weather index insurance pilot for drought-affected areas in Sri Lanka: reaching marginal farmers

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Aheeyar, Mohamed
Samarakoon, Kalani
de Silva, Sanjiv

Drought is an almost annual phenomenon in Sri Lanka, occurring at varying degrees of severity and affecting many parts of the country. These droughts cause significant damage to agriculture and other economic and social activities. This paper assesses the effectiveness of satellite-based weather Index insurance (WII) bundled with real-time climate and agronomic advisory services provided to farmers’ mobile phones. The aim is to enhance the drought resilience of diverse groups of farmers by providing solutions and strategies to extend bundled insurance products to more people and address equity issues. In this pilot, an insurance product was introduced to farmers in a village in the North Central Dry Zone of Sri Lanka. WII products are seen as a part of the solution to reducing farmers’ risk to climate change. However, in many places, the structure of insurance schemes in the agriculture sector has failed to reach small-scale and marginal farmers who are most in need of risk transfer mechanisms. Based on a farmer survey, we extracted lessons from implementing a bundled insurance scheme as a pilot project to explore the utility of farmer organizations as an entry point for engaging different farmer groups and ensuring they can understand the WII insurance products and can make informed choices. The survey results show that efforts made at the outset to understand contextual issues and challenges contributed to an effective product design and rollout approach. The rollout was more effective due in part to a partnership with an established local organization while adopting an aggregator model. Covid-19 mobility restrictions prevented full implementation of the rollout. Index insurance bundled with mobile weather and agronomic advisories increased farmer resilience and reached diverse groups. Farmers emphasized that being able to assess the costs and benefits based on understanding how key elements of the product work is key to their future engagement with such products, which highlights the importance of investing in awareness raising through a blend of print, verbal and visual tools that make complex products understandable to stakeholders with low levels of literacy.

Download

Download

Citation

Aheeyar, Mohamed; Samarakoon, Kalani; de Silva, Sanjiv. 2021. Bundled weather index insurance pilot for drought-affected areas in Sri Lanka: reaching marginal farmers. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 35p. (IWMI Working Paper 201) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.233]

Accessibility

Open Access

Research Themes

Variability, Risks and Competing Uses

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116923

Economics of Index-based Flood Insurance (IBFI): scenario analysis and stakeholder perspectives from South Asia

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh
Amarnath, Giriraj

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has recently developed an innovative Index-based Flood Insurance (IBFI) product to facilitate the scaling of flood insurance particularly in vulnerable economies, to provide risk cover to poor farmers against crop losses that occur due to floods. While the product developed is technically very sound, the economics of such an intervention is important to ensure the large-scale acceptance and adoption of the product by different stakeholders and for its sustenance in the long term. This paper attempts at conducting an ex ante assessment of the economics of IBFI from the perspectives of the three main stakeholders: farmers, the insurance company and the government. The paper discusses the methodological challenges and data issues encountered in undertaking an economic analysis of such a product. The issues and processes involved have been empirically demonstrated using a theoretical case study based on a synthesis of information drawn from a host of sources and certain assumptions. Field-based data are now being collected and analyzed from the locations where IBFI has recently been piloted by IWMI. This will help in further refining the process of economic evaluation and identifying the experiences of different stakeholders.

Download

Download

Citation

Malik, Ravinder Paul Singh; Amarnath, Giriraj. 2021. Economics of Index-based Flood Insurance (IBFI): scenario analysis and stakeholder perspectives from South Asia. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 34p. (IWMI Working Paper 199) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.228]

Accessibility

Open Access

Research Themes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115920

Adaptation to climate variability in Sri Lanka: a case study of the Huruluwewa Irrigation System in the Dry Zone

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 12:41:38 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Amarasinghe, Upali A.
Amarnath, Giriraj
Alahacoon, Niranga
Aheeyar, Mohamed
Chandrasekharan, Kiran
Ghosh, Surajit
Nakada, Toru

This paper assesses how the Huruluwewa tank (HWT) irrigation system in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka adapts to climate variability. The lessons learned in the HWT will be helpful for many water-scarce irrigation systems in the country, which bear high climate risks. Recurrent droughts are the bane of agriculture in the Dry Zone, comprising three-fourths of the land area spread over the Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces. In the HWT, the fifteenth largest canal irrigation system in the country, adaptation to climate variability happens on several fronts: changes made by the irrigation management to the water release regime; changes in the cropping patterns practiced by farmers in the command area; and the use of groundwater, which is recharged from rainfall, reservoir storage and canal irrigation, as supplemental irrigation. Such adaptation measures ensure that the available water supply in the reservoir is adequate for 100% cropping intensity over two cropping seasons, even in drought years, and enhances economic water productivity in terms of value per unit of consumptive water use. Moreover, irrigation management should consider groundwater recharge through canal irrigation as a resource, which brings substantial agricultural and economic benefits not only for the command area but also outside the command area. The adaptation patterns implemented in HWT demonstrate how water-scarce irrigation systems can achieve higher economic water productivity, i.e., generate ‘more income per drop’ to enhance climate resilience for people in and outside the canal command areas.

Download

Download

Citation

Amarasinghe, Upali A.; Amarnath, Giriraj; Alahacoon, Niranga; Aheeyar, Mohamed; Chandrasekharan, Kiran; Ghosh, Surajit; Nakada, Toru. 2021. Adaptation to climate variability in Sri Lanka: a case study of the Huruluwewa Irrigation System in the Dry Zone. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 30p. (IWMI Working Paper 200) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.229]

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115928

Analyzing the enabling environment to enhance the scaling of irrigation and water management technologies: a tool for implementers

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 12:40:10 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Minh, Thai Thi
Zwart, Sander J.
Appoh, Richard
Schmitter, Petra S.

Agricultural innovation scaling approaches tend to be empirical but do not sufficiently take into account the complex realities of ‘softer elements’ such as people, supply chains, markets, financing mechanisms, policies and regulations, professional knowledge, power relations, incentives and history. As a consequence, scaling initiatives often do not produce the desired impacts and, in some instances, may even produce undesirable impacts. |Designing scaling strategies that are adaptive to context and available resources requires an understanding of the enabling environment in which the scaling processes are embedded. This can be achieved by conducting an analysis to identify enablers and hinderers influencing farmers’ adoption of irrigation and water management technologies and introducing measures to ensure success. The tool described in this working paper provides implementers with a structured guide to carrying out this analysis in a specific context.

Download

Download PDF

Citation

Minh, Thai Thi; Zwart, Sander; Appoh, Richard; Schmitter, Petra. 2021. Analyzing the enabling environment to enhance the scaling of irrigation and water management technologies: a tool for implementers. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 18p. (IWMI Working Paper 197) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.201]

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/111237

A Review of the Participation of Smallholder Farmers in Land-based Carbon Payment Schemes

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 12:38:22 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Subjects

Land Management
Smallholders

Languageen

Authors

Tamba, Y.
Wafula, J.
Magaju, C.
St-Jacques, B.
Stiem-Bhatia L.
Arias-Navarro, C.
Aynekulu, E.
Winowiecki, L.

There is renewed interest in the engagement of smallholder farmers in carbon markets. This follows in the wake of commitments by governments and companies to reduce or avoid the release of greenhouse gases. It is well known that soil can store large amounts of carbon, and soil stewardship offers a means to harness this potential. However, issues around permanence and scaling in smallholder farmer systems must be addressed if progress is to be made in this area. In this review, we examine the engagement of smallholder farmers in carbon sequestration payment schemes that promote sustainable land management (SLM). Drawing on a review of documents from carbon payment projects, interviews with key informants, and scientific literature, we highlight approaches for smallholder engagement along the project cycle, identify key barriers to participation, and outline options to enhance farmers’ agency. In assessing a total of ten projects, we observe considerable variation in participation across the projects. Project design tools classified as co-decision tools were common, with 60 % of projects reporting the use of individualised land management plans, 30 % the use of participatory rural appraisals (PRAs) and 10 % participatory mapping. However, few projects featured detailed frameworks for the incorporation of community feedback. The key informant interviews and literature review revealed that low carbon revenues, insecure land tenure, and high transaction costs are the primary barriers to participation, placing disproportionate pressure on marginalised households. Further, designing and implementing rigorous, participatory, and cost-effective monitoring reporting and verification (MRV) methodologies remains a challenge for many project proponents. We also find that flexible contracts can foster broad participation by including details that are attractive to mallholders such as longer terms, local contract providers and low-cost SLM measures. Projects that strengthen community institutions and social capital can stimulate participation among the marginalised, reduce transaction costs, and promote equity as well as smallholder agency. Engagement with communitybased organisations or other civil society actors can facilitate communication between project proponents and farmers, bolster farmers’ bargaining power, and reduce transaction costs during implementation.

Download

Download PDF

Citation

Tamba, Y.; Wafula, J.; Magaju, C.; St-Jacques, B.; Stiem-Bhatia L.; Arias-Navarro, C.; Aynekulu, E.; Winowiecki, L.; 2021. A Review of the Participation of Smallholder Farmers in Land-based Carbon Payment Schemes. TMG and ICRAF Working Paper. https://doi.org/10.35435/2.2021.4

Accessibility

Open Access

Research Themes

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/116429

Solutions

Governance of woodfuel value chains in Kenya: An analysis of policies, legislative frameworks and institutional mechanism

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:37:41 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Sola, P.
Bourne, M.
Okeyo, I.
Njenga, M.

Successful woodfuel value chain governance is dependent on the existence of known policies that are implemented, rules and regulations that are enforced and complied with by value chain actors and institutions with capacity to regulate and render support. Kenya has formulated policies nd enacted legislation for guiding, managing and supporting woodfuel value chains. These policies and legal frameworks have evolved over the years, integrating provisions for sustainable production, distribution and use of woodfuel. However, even with well-developed policies and legislative frameworks, charcoal value chains are inadequately governed, beset by illegality, weak institutional arrangements, overlapping mandates and limited coordination and cooperation. Nonetheless, charcoal value chains have remained resilient despite the bans and moratoria throughout the decades and likely to continue in the foreseeable future. Limited knowledge, lack of incentives for sustainable production and limited support for organized efforts to manage woodfuel resources are contributing to low compliance with rules and regulations. Therefore, the development and implementation of interventions coupled with appropriate investments to incentivize and catalyze sustainable woodfuel production and trade cannot be over emphasized.

Download

Download

Citation

Sola, P., Bourne, M., Okeyo, I., Njenga, M. 2020. Governance of woodfuel value chains in Kenya: An analysis of policies, legislative frameworks and institutional mechanism. CIFOR Occasional Paper 214. Bogor, Indonesia. Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR). https://doi.org/10.17528/cifor/007890

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/112988

The diffusion of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia: stakeholder analysis using Net-Map

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:37:41 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Bryan, Elisabeth
Hagos, Fitsum
Mekonnen, D.
Gemeda, D. A.
Yimam, S.

Small-scale irrigation (SSI) provides great benefits to farmers in terms of increased yields and profits, better food and nutrition security and greater resilience to climate shocks. Ethiopia has high potential for expanding SSI and has invested considerably in this area in recent years. Despite these investments, several challenges to further expansion of irrigation technologies remain. Different stakeholders in the country play important roles in overcoming these barriers to further scale technologies for SSI. This paper explores institutional arrangements for the diffusion of small-scale irrigation technologies by mapping the landscape of key actors involved, their interconnections, and their influence. This paper draws on an analysis of stakeholder data collected through two participatory workshops in Ethiopia, one at the national level and one at the Oromia regional level, using the Net-Map approach. Results show the dominance of government actors in the diffusion of SSI at both the national and regional levels, while most private sector and NGO actors remain in the periphery. Participants in both workshops highlighted the need for increased financing services to support the adoption of SSI and measures aimed at increasing the supply of high-quality irrigation equipment, such as modern water lifting technologies. One notable difference between the national and regional results was that at the regional level, farmers, and to some extent traders and input suppliers, were considered to be more influential in the diffusion of irrigation technologies, while they were considered marginal actors at the national level.

Download

Download PDF

Citation

Bryan, E.; Hagos, Fitsum; Mekonnen, D.; Gemeda, D. A.; Yimam, S. 2020. The diffusion of small-scale irrigation technologies in Ethiopia: stakeholder analysis using Net-Map. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 42p. (IFPRI Discussion Paper 01950) [doi: https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.133847]

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110679

Catalyzing farmers’ irrigation investments: recommendations to scale sustainable rural transformation

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:37:41 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Merrey, Douglas J.
Schmitter, Petra S.
Namara, Regassa
McCornick, Peter G.

Download

Download PDF

Citation

Merrey, D. J.; Schmitter, Petra; Namara, R.; McCornick, P. G. 2020. Catalyzing farmers’ irrigation investments: recommendations to scale sustainable rural transformation. Lincoln, NE, USA: University of Nebraska. Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI). 20p.

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110681

Are smallholder farmers credit constrained? evidence on demand and supply constraints of credit in Ethiopia and Tanzania

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 11:37:41 +0000

TypeWorking Paper

Languageen

Authors

Balana, B.
Mekonnen, D.
Haile, B.
Hagos, Fitsum
Yimam, S.
Ringler, Claudia

Credit constraint is considered by many as one of the key barriers to adoption of modern agricultural technologies, such as chemical fertilizer, improved seeds, and irrigation technologies, among smallholders. Past research and much policy discourse associates agricultural credit constraints with supply-side factors, such as limited access to credit sources or high costs of borrowing. However, demand-side factors, such as risk-aversion and financial illiteracy among borrowers, as well as high transaction costs, can also play important roles in credit-rationing for smallholders. Using primary survey data from Ethiopia and Tanzania, this study examines the nature of credit constraints facing smallholders and the factors that affect credit constraints. In addition, we assess whether credit constraints are gender-differentiated. Results show that demand-side credit constraints are at least as important as supply-side factors in both countries. Women are more likely to be credit constrained (from both the supply and demand sides) than men. Based on these findings, we suggest that policies should focus on addressing both supply- and demand-side credit constraints, including through targeted interventions to reduce risk, such as crop insurance and gender-sensitive policies to improve women’s access to credit.

Download

Download PDF

Citation

Balana, B.; Mekonnen, D.; Haile, B.; Hagos, Fitsum; Yimam, S.; Ringler, C. 2020. Are smallholder farmers credit constrained? evidence on demand and supply constraints of credit in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 28p. (IFPRI Discussion Paper 01974) [doi: https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134152]

Accessibility

Open Access

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/10568/110680