Living Labs: Volta 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.
Unable to find any clean water, Ghanian farmers living close to cities use heavily polluted waste water to grow vegetables. Researchers are looking for ways to minimise health problems arising from such produce. One method: reduce contact between contaminants and vegetables. But producing clean food involves raising awareness among farmers, sellers and consumers.
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.
Unable to find any clean water, Ghanian farmers living close to cities use heavily polluted waste water to grow vegetables. Researchers are looking for ways to minimise health problems arising from such produce. One method: reduce contact between contaminants and vegetables. But producing clean food involves raising awareness among farmers, sellers and consumers.