Living Labs: Limpopo River Basin
- 14 years ago
With water scarcity emerging as a global concern, we simply cannot continue the water-intense methods of the past. Yet, as human numbers increase, more food needs to be produced with the same - or shrinking - land. This calls for smarter, thriftier ways of using freshwater and increasing water's productivity in agriculture, without damaging the environment, or undermining food security, jobs or health.
The CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) has brought together dozens of researchers, policy makers and local communities in Africa, Asia and South America to look for practical solutions through action research. We travel to eight of its benchmark river basins to find out what has been accomplished - and what remains to be done -- to grow more food with less water.
Wetlands, covering a sixth of the Limpopo basin, control floods, guard against drought and keep millions of people alive. But as human numbers and activities increase, wetlands are showing signs of strain. Researchers are studying the mix of crop growing, livestock and fisheries to come up with a series of tools and guidelines to better balance resource use and conservation.
The CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) has brought together dozens of researchers, policy makers and local communities in Africa, Asia and South America to look for practical solutions through action research. We travel to eight of its benchmark river basins to find out what has been accomplished - and what remains to be done -- to grow more food with less water.
Wetlands, covering a sixth of the Limpopo basin, control floods, guard against drought and keep millions of people alive. But as human numbers and activities increase, wetlands are showing signs of strain. Researchers are studying the mix of crop growing, livestock and fisheries to come up with a series of tools and guidelines to better balance resource use and conservation.