Sustainable water management for food security and nutrition in agriculture and food systems
Agriculture accounts globally for 70% freshwater use. Inefficient water use, water pollution, climate change and increasing global water demand puts agriculture under pressure, as well for smallholders. SDC can build on successful experiences in this domain and will support projects in Africa in ecologically sustainable water management in smallholder agriculture and food systems, improve smallholders’ economic and social situation and increase the resilience of their livelihoods.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Global Global |
Agriculture & food security Water
Agricultural water resources
Water sector policy Water resources conservation |
01.07.2023
- 31.03.2027 |
CHF 5’500’000
|
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation AGRICULTURE
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Agricultural water resources
Water sector policy and administrative management
Water resources conservation (including data collection)
Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
Project number 7F10025
| Background | Water of appropriate quality and quantity is essential for food production, processing and preparation. Agriculture accounts globally for 70% of all water withdrawn from aquifers, streams and lakes. Inefficient and uncoordinated water use depletes aquifers, reduces river flows and degrades land. Inappropriate use of fertilizer and pesticides translates into water pollution. Many parts of the world are already struggling with water scarcity. Climate change will further aggravate the situation. Increasing water scarcities and growing (+50% by 2050) and competing demands by a multiplicity of users and sectors with different economic and political power make water governance in agriculture and food systems particularly challenging. Securing access to water can be challenging for smallholders, marginalized populations and women. Women are often excluded from decision-making processes regarding water management. |
| Objectives | The ultimate goal of the new project(s) is to promote ecologically sustainable water management for food and nutrition security in agriculture and food systems - through increased water productivity or water efficiency – and improve the economic and social situation of smallholders, in particular women and youth, thus leading to increased resilience of their livelihoods. |
| Medium-term outcomes | The projects will contribute to the achievement of the ultimate goal through: approaches and innovations at field, smallholder, watershed and/or food systems’ level; enhanced technical, entrepreneurial and managerial capacities of smallholders and other relevant actors; and regulatory frameworks, strategies, policies or standards that better reflect ecologically sustainable water management in agriculture and food systems. The practical outcomes will influence policies, in particular at the level of the Committee on World Food Security and the various institutions and platforms at the global level engaged in sustainable use and management of water resources in agriculture and food systems and thus have an outreach at global level. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner International or foreign NGO |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | The SDC contribution is related to the successful demonstration of approaches of sustainably creating public and private benefits. Multi-stakeholder approaches, a strong focus on women and youth and public/private partnerships will strongly be supported. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 5’500’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 0 |
| Project phases | Phase 99 01.07.2023 - 31.03.2027 (Current phase) Phase 1 01.04.2018 - 30.09.2023 (Current phase) |
