Roots of Water Scarcity

Dear all,

As you may be involved, most of developing countries in arid and semi-arid regions are facing water scarcity and its consequences these days. Low irrigation efficiencies and high amounts of water loss due to mismanagement of agricultural projects, dam construction and climate change are named as the main roots of the current situation.

What is your opinion? What is the share of following factors in water crisis in these regions?

1- Unsustainable agricultural development

2- Dam construction

3- Climate change impacts

4- Local development projects without considering the whole basin (non-existence of integrated water resources management in the basin)

5- Others…

Taxonomy

• Scarcity
• Drought
• Climate Change

3 Answers

1. strengthening veterinary services’ abilities to quickly respond to and manage animal diseases as well as implementing good practices for animal production in view of enhanced competitiveness;

   promoting regional and international cooperation and coordination to formulate and implement livestock sector and related policies;

   improving national capacity to develop livestock production, while protecting natural resources and the environment.

   improved fisheries governance and monitoring, control and surveillance systems;

   artisanal fisheries and their interaction with industrial fisheries;

   national/regional research capacity to evaluate available resources;

   regional cooperation, notably through support to regional fisheries management organisations. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.

   Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

    systems approach also implies  interdisciplinary efforts in research and education . This requires not only the input of researchers from various disciplines, but also farmers, farm workers, consumers, policymakers and others.

   Making of small dam to avoid rain water loss through out and finally goes to ocean this water should be retained with construction of dam so that the fisheries, harvesting of the crops and others programme can be started. In this regards detail study to be carried out for searching of the site where & how much size to be decided.

   Climate change is already having a significant impact on ecosystems, economies and communities. Rising average temperatures do not simply mean balmier winters. Some regions will experience more extreme heat while others may cool slightly. Flooding, drought and intense summer heat could result.

   Gain state of the art knowledge on concepts and principles of integrated, multilevel water governance. Identify instruments for increasing social and financial accountability of water management and water services. Increase insight in the legal, political and institutional framework affecting water governance in your context. Get acquainted with assessment tools and new approaches for dealing with the challenges of water governance. Broaden your knowledge on international best practices in the field of multilevel water governance.

   Preventive strategies, adopted early, can reduce inputs and help establish a sustainable production system. When possible, pest-resistant crops should be selected which are tolerant of existing soil or site conditions? When site selection is an option, factors such as soil type and depth, previous crop history, and location (e.g. climate, topography) should be taken into account before planting.

   Diversified farms are usually more economically and ecologically resilient. While monoculture farming has advantages in terms of efficiency and ease of management, the loss of the crop in any one year could put a farm out of business and/or seriously disrupt the stability of a community dependent on that crop. By growing a variety of crops, farmers spread economic risk and are less susceptible to the radical price fluctuations associated with changes in supply and demand.

   Focus on innovation in the financial ecosystem that ensures ‘sustainability’ is a parameter at the project execution level, and particularly in the public sector institutions that account for over 60 per cent .

   Play a leadership role through country actions and in global discussions such as the Addis Financing for Development Conference, which includes sustainable infrastructure as one of its central pillars. 

2. most o the developing countries have either an arid or semi arid climate, so they have been dealing with drought long befor the word of climat change were invented, the situation is becoming worst not only because of water scarcity but also the bad management of water ressources and natural ressources all together, we are developing countries because we couldnt develo^pe any thing that work correctly unfortantly!
   

   and because we can not manage the scarcity of the ressource, we had have at least work hard to manage it for a sustainable future, so the problem lays within the management it self, Integrated water ressources agencies exists ( i my self have workes in one ) a lot of mony have been deployed to come up with a sufficiant water ressources management master plan.... but do they work with it..i Dopt!
   

3. A growing movement has emerged during the past two decades to question the role of the agricultural establishment in promoting practices that contribute to these social problems. Today this movement for sustainable agriculture is garnering increasing support and acceptance within mainstream agriculture. Not only does sustainable agriculture address many environmental and social concerns, but it offers innovative and economically viable opportunities for growers, labourers, consumers, policymakers and many others in the entire food system. Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. Family economics and personal goals influence how fast or how far participants can go in the transition. It is important to realize that each small decision can make a difference and contribute to advancing the entire system further on the "sustainable agriculture continuum. Agricultural production provides income, employment and food at affordable prices as well as raw material for the processing industry and foreign exchange from exports. Creating a sustainable agricultural development path means improving the quality of life in rural areas, ensuring enough food for present and future generations and generating sufficient income for farmers. the promotion of agricultural practices and technologies that are environmentally sustainable and raise rural incomes, such as integrated pest management, soil and water conservation methods, agro-ecological approaches and agro-forestry; improvement of access to productive assets such as land and capital and measures to ensure better delivery of essential services. initiatives improving income and reducing vulnerability for producers through capacity building and a comprehensive value chain approach. Fisheries and on-farm aquaculture also have significant potential to reduce poverty and hunger and promote economic growth. Therefore, the EU promotes. improved fisheries governance and monitoring, control and surveillance systems. Artisanal fisheries and their interaction with industrial fisheries. National/regional research capacity to evaluate available resources. regional cooperation, notably through support to regional fisheries management organisations .Ponds are kept in better condition by fencing livestock from the entered pond including the reservoir. Water is provided to the livestock by installing a water supply line during construction of the pond which leads to a water tank below the dam.

   A permit may be required before pond is built. Do not create a hazardous situation for people downstream by building an inadequate structure. Do not back water onto another landowner without an easement. Make sure that the dam is far enough back from your property line so that water coming around the emergency spillway will return back to the natural drain before leaving your property. To reduce the chance of drowning uses good common sense around water all year round. You cannot cut a landowner downstream from water. Proper sizing of the pond or a drawdown pipe may be required to assure some water will pass through. Don't destroy a wetland by building a pond that will cover it up with deep water. Construct during the dry season. Divert the stream; block it with a temporary low dam, or divert it through a culvert (which could become part of the outlet works or spillway later).Strip topsoil because it contains organic matter (such as roots) which prevents proper compaction and may provide seepage routes (piping) once the organic matter has decayed.