Enabling environment and digital technology use readiness in agriculture in the Zambezi riparian countries

Enabling environment and digital technology use readiness in agriculture in the Zambezi riparian countries
Author: Matchaya, Greenwell
Publisher: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Digital Innovation
Total Pages: 18
Release: 2023-12-31
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN:

This study sought to understand the extent of digital technology usage across Zambezi riparian countries and analyze whether there is a conducive enabling environment for digital technology upscaling for climate adaptation. The study thus, examined the relationship between having a better enabling environment and the use of digital technologies in agriculture. Using data collected through stakeholder consultations in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well desk studies focusing on the rest of the Zambezi riparian countries (Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, the study finds that having an enabling environment for the upscaling of digital technologies varies from one Zambezi riparian country to the other, with Botswana and Namibia, having a better enabling environment and, thus a better readiness for digital technology upscaling. Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania have enabling environments that beg for improvement to facilitate large scale adoption and upscaling of digital technology. Other key constraints that undermine the adoption and use of digital technologies across the Zambezi River Basin countries are related to availability, access, affordability, technology design, ease of doing business, cultural and family norms, gender, and poor user skills. The cost of data was observed to be one of the major constraints for digital technology use in climate change adaptation across several countries. Macroeconomic conditions, particularly inflation and lack of foreign exchange, also undermine growth prospects of digital technology adaptation as many of these technologies need to be imported. It is interesting that correlations between enabling environment indicators and digitalization variables appear to reveal a positive relationship signifying that to upscale the use of digital technologies in agriculture, it is critical to address parameters within the enabling environments including, pre-requisite infrastructure, macro-economic stability, policy, and regulatory environment.

Implementing the Water-Energy-Food- Ecosystems Nexus and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Implementing the Water-Energy-Food- Ecosystems Nexus and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Author: Cesar Carmona-Moreno
Publisher: IWA Publishing
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2021-09-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781789062588

The book’s primary intention is to serve as a roadmap for professionals working in developing countries interested in the Nexus Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) approach. The book shows a multi-disciplinary approach, showcasing the importance of the proper use of Nexus WEFE when implementing certain development programs in regions around the globe. It can be presented as a manual for an individual that either wishes to implement intervention projects following the NEXUS approach or students interested in cooperation and development. The book begins with a general explanation of the theoretical concepts and implementation processes of Nexus WEFE and continues getting into case studies, explaining the importance of proper implementation and potential drawbacks and solutions to them. This book has a particular focus on the European Union cooperation policies when implementing such an approach in developing countries.

Water and Energy Management in India

Water and Energy Management in India
Author: Mrinmoy Majumder
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2021-03-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 3030666832

This book provides an innovative, realistic and reliable solution to the common problem of Indian water and energy sector due to the onset of the Impact of Climate Change and Large-Scale Urbanization. Twelve Case Studies and One Review Paper that were included in this book depict the way soft computation techniques, simulation and decision-making framework can optimize the best solution from multiple solutions to the problems of water and energy management which corresponds to a novel symbiotic and synchronous nexus between water and the energy sector. All the studies included in this book are collected from all parts of India. The selected studies utilized the latest technologies like Multi-Criteria Decision Frame Work, Neural Networks and Nature-Based Optimization techniques to achieve diverse objectives from the prediction of climatic parameters to yield from ungauged watershed to performance optimization of Water Treatment Plant, Hydropower as well as futuristic alternative energy systems like Wave to Power Plants.

Integrated Transboundary Water-Climate Management Tools

Integrated Transboundary Water-Climate Management Tools
Author: Nnenesi A. Kgabi
Publisher: AOSIS
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2020-12-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1928523838

The scholarly theme of the book lends itself to the discipline of earth and atmospheric sciences, with a specific focus on water-climate studies. The book is a scholarly discourse by researchers in the natural sciences, including Hydrologists, Climate Scientists, Environmental Engineers and Water Scientists. The purpose of the book is to address the limited complementarity between the water and climate studies; which is crucial in promoting scientific research that informs policy decisions and implementation of water security plans. The chapters were selected to represent water-climate models and policy research conducted in different river basins in the arid and semi-arid environments. Therefore, the water-climate management tools highlighted in this book include General Circulation Models (GCMs), Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), Africa Flood and Drought Monitor (AFDM), Extreme Precipitation Events (EPEs), R ClimDex, Mixed strategy game models, Standard Precipitation Indices (SPIs), Water Evaluation and Planning System (WEAP), Penman Calculator, and Saturated Volume Fluctuation (SVF).

Hydrology and Water Resources of Africa

Hydrology and Water Resources of Africa
Author: M. Shahin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 674
Release: 2006-04-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0306480654

Africa, the cradle of many old civilizations, is the second largest world continent, and the homeland of nearly one-eighth of the world population. Despite Africa’s richness in natural resources, the average income per person, after excluding a few countries, is the lowest all over the world, and the percentage of inhabitants infected with contagious diseases is the highest. Development of Africa to help accommodate the ever-increasing population and secure a reasonable living standard to all inhabitants, though an enormous challenge is extremely necessary. Water is the artery of life, without it all living creatures on earth cannot survive. As such, a thorough knowledge of the meteorological and hydrological processes influencing the yield and quality of the water resources, surface and subsurface, and their distribution and variability in time and space is unavoidable for the overall development of any part of the world. It is highly probable that the said knowledge is at present a top priority to Africa, a continent that has been for so long-and probably still-devastated by the endless ambitions of colonial powers not to forget the corruption and destruction practiced by the internal powers, at least in some countries. The present book “Hydrology and Water Resources of Africa” is written with the aim of bringing together in one volume a fair amount of knowledge any professional involved in hydrology and water resources of Africa needs to know.

Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity

Agribusiness for Africa's Prosperity
Author: United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Publisher: UN
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2011
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9789211064469

In recent years, a renewed focus on agriculture has been evident in policy and development agendas for the African continent, yet little knowledge has been generated on the interlinkages of production, agroindustry and markets, as well as the potentials and challenges for developing these. This publication analyzes the challenges, the potential and opportunities of African agribusiness in the current period of dramatic changes in global agro-industrial markets, and builds a case for agribusiness development as a path to Africa's prosperity. Written by international experts, from agribusiness practitioners, to academic experts and UN technical agencies, this volume fills what the United Nations Industrial Development Organization perceived as a significant gap in knowledge concerning these issues.

Building agricultural resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters

Building agricultural resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters
Author: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
Total Pages: 174
Release: 2021-06-09
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9251345171

Natural hazard induced disasters (NHID), such as floods, droughts, severe storms, and animal pests and diseases have significant, widespread and long lasting impacts on agricultural sectors around the world. With climate change set to amplify many of these impacts, a “business as usual” approach to disaster risk management in agriculture cannot continue if we are to meet the challenges of agricultural productivity and sustainability growth, and sustainable development. Drawing from seven case studies – Chile, Italy, Japan, Namibia, New Zealand, Turkey and the United States – this joint OECD?FAO report argues for a new approach to building resilience to NHID in agriculture. It explores the policy measures, governance arrangements, on?farm strategies and other initiatives that countries are using to increase agricultural resilience to NHID, highlighting emerging good practices. It offers concrete recommendations on what more needs to be done to shift from coping with the impacts of disasters, to an ex ante approach that focuses on preventing and mitigating the impacts of disasters, helping the sector be better prepared to respond to disasters, and to adapt and transform in order to be better positioned for future disasters.

The State of the World's Forests 2020 (Chinese Edition)

The State of the World's Forests 2020 (Chinese Edition)
Author: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS.
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020-06-30
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789251324240

Assesses progress to date in meeting global targets and goals related to forest biodiversity and examines the effectiveness of policies, actions and approaches, in terms of both conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

Public Participation in the Governance of International Freshwater Resources

Public Participation in the Governance of International Freshwater Resources
Author: Carl E. Bruch
Publisher: United Nations University Press
Total Pages: 521
Release: 2005
Genre: Fresh water
ISBN: 9280811061

Bruch, a senior attorney of the Environmental Law Institute, presents work from an April 2003 symposium co-sponsored by the Environmental Law Institute, the United Nations University, and other institutions. Papers from the symposium identify innovative approaches in watershed management and look at political, linguistic, legal, cultural, and geogr