Supporting transformative adaptation and building equitable resilience to drought for sustainable development
Lead Research Organisation:
CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
Department Name: School of Water, Energy and Environment
Abstract
Achieving sustainable agricultural transformation is an international policy development priority. Growing high-value crops for export has been shown to generate substantive positive socio-economic impacts for the producing regions. The industry supports small-scale farmers and out-growers and provides secure employment and incomes for large numbers of people (especially women) in the primary production, packing and distribution sectors leading to higher and more stable revenues and positive impacts on the standard of workers' health, though better nutrition, access to appropriate food and education, whilst also providing greater job security. Increased smallholder agricultural production has also been shown to generate positive welfare effects and result in direct, as well as indirect, impacts on local livelihoods. The favourable climate and soils of many low and middle income countries (LMICs) opens opportunities to expand the export horticulture sector to meet the global demand for fruits and vegetables to support healthy diets.
Most export horticultural production in LMICs is irrigated and is increasingly moving into more arid areas and using water drawn from rivers, dams and aquifers that would otherwise be available for supporting natural habitats and environmental flows, underpinning smallholder agriculture and urban development, and for hydropower and industry. When the demand for water (from all sectors, including the environment) within a catchment, or from an aquifer, exceeds the available supply (hydrological drought) the impacts do not fall equally on all sectors due to power inequalities. For example, the economic and political power vested in the commercial horticultural sector may secure priority over water supplies; contractual obligations for produce for export may reduce availability and quality and increase prices in local markets; and low skilled workers in the horticultural sector may be laid-off when production falls. Thus the impacts on the poor and marginalised communities are exacerbated. Whilst drought is a natural occurrence, its frequency and magnitude are increasing due to climate change and increased water demand, particularly for domestic water and sanitation, and export horticulture will further exacerbate the vulnerability of poor and marginalised communities.
The challenge faced by many LMICs, has been how to support the expansion of the export horticultural sector to meet development objectives whilst increasing the resilience of poor and marginalised communities to drought and water-related risks, in the context of increasing climate variability.
Based on experience in case-study catchments, this project asks, 'how can the twin development objectives of a) increasing the resilience of poor and marginalised communities to drought and water related risks, and b) expanding commercial horticultural production in water-stressed catchments, be met in a socially and environmentally equitable manner?'
The proposed study is based on four case-study catchments in South Africa (SA) and Kenya (KE); The Breede Gouritz (Western Cape, SA), The Groot Letaba (Limpopo, SA), The upper Ewaso Ng'iro (Mount Kenya, KE), and Lake Naivasha (Nakuru, KE). These are all catchments with significant populations of rural poor that have been impacted by recent drought events; have important export horticulture industries; and include strategic water source areas.
Most export horticultural production in LMICs is irrigated and is increasingly moving into more arid areas and using water drawn from rivers, dams and aquifers that would otherwise be available for supporting natural habitats and environmental flows, underpinning smallholder agriculture and urban development, and for hydropower and industry. When the demand for water (from all sectors, including the environment) within a catchment, or from an aquifer, exceeds the available supply (hydrological drought) the impacts do not fall equally on all sectors due to power inequalities. For example, the economic and political power vested in the commercial horticultural sector may secure priority over water supplies; contractual obligations for produce for export may reduce availability and quality and increase prices in local markets; and low skilled workers in the horticultural sector may be laid-off when production falls. Thus the impacts on the poor and marginalised communities are exacerbated. Whilst drought is a natural occurrence, its frequency and magnitude are increasing due to climate change and increased water demand, particularly for domestic water and sanitation, and export horticulture will further exacerbate the vulnerability of poor and marginalised communities.
The challenge faced by many LMICs, has been how to support the expansion of the export horticultural sector to meet development objectives whilst increasing the resilience of poor and marginalised communities to drought and water-related risks, in the context of increasing climate variability.
Based on experience in case-study catchments, this project asks, 'how can the twin development objectives of a) increasing the resilience of poor and marginalised communities to drought and water related risks, and b) expanding commercial horticultural production in water-stressed catchments, be met in a socially and environmentally equitable manner?'
The proposed study is based on four case-study catchments in South Africa (SA) and Kenya (KE); The Breede Gouritz (Western Cape, SA), The Groot Letaba (Limpopo, SA), The upper Ewaso Ng'iro (Mount Kenya, KE), and Lake Naivasha (Nakuru, KE). These are all catchments with significant populations of rural poor that have been impacted by recent drought events; have important export horticulture industries; and include strategic water source areas.
Planned Impact
The study was co-designed by the research team, in collaboration with stakeholders from catchment water stewardship initiatives in Kenya and South Africa, in a workshop held in Pretoria 18 - 19 March 2019, at which the context was discussed, and the critical research questions identified. The outline of the research methods was agreed and subsequently elaborated by email and Skype communication among the team. The study will be of benefit to seven groups.
In catchments in low and middle income countries that have a significant horticultural sector, it will benefit;
1. Export horticultural businesses. Competition over water during times of drought presents not only a physical, but also a reputational risk to businesses that can threaten the 'licence to operate'. By engaging in catchment-wide strategies to increase drought resilience and adapt to climate change these risks can be reduced, resulting in commercial benefits.
2. Small-scale horticultural farmers. A reduction of business risk to export horticultural businesses will translate to reduced commercial risk for small-scale horticultural 'out-growers'.
3. Workers and employees in the horticultural sector. Many people - frequently, poor and disadvantaged people, and women who may have limited options for alternative employment - are employed directly on horticultural farms and pack-houses, or in the provision of supplies and services. They will benefit from security of employment, incomes and the welfare services provided by the industry.
4. Farmers and other water users. Those not engaged in horticulture, but using water (including many poor and disadvantaged communities), will benefit from water security during drought, reduced welfare impacts and more rapid recovery after drought. These include crop and livestock farmers and communities dependent on unreliable ground- and surface-water sources for domestic use.
5. Environment and biodiversity. The engagement of the horticultural sector in effective water stewardship will support environmental flows and secure a range of ecosystem services in at-risk catchments. The engagement of WWF in the project will allow the learnings to be shared with a global audience.
6. Organisations responsible for water governance. The policy outputs will be used by local and national organisations responsible for water governance to better adapt to increasing drought risk.
7. UK retailers / consumers. UK retailers are exposed to water risk overseas and are especially concerned with the reputational risks of their suppliers (see above). This project will support the sustainable sourcing policies of those retailers, securing the availability of a diversity of nutritious fruit and vegetables to UK consumers.
In preparing this study we have engaged with NGOs, regional government, water governance organisations, farming companies and UK retailers (see letters of support). All seven groups of beneficiaries will be engaged throughout the study through active participation in workshops, and through the Advisory Committee. More details are in the Pathways to Impact.
The study addresses Goal 1 (end poverty), building resilience and reducing exposure to climate change and other extreme events; Goal 2 (end hunger) sustainable and resilient agriculture; Goal 11 (safe, resilient and sustainable settlements) communities implementing policies and plans to achieve this, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production), that includes the sustainable use of natural resources and reduction of food waste Goal 13 (climate change) strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate hazards and disasters, and integration of climate into local policy and management. It speaks directly to Priority 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction - Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to "build back better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
In catchments in low and middle income countries that have a significant horticultural sector, it will benefit;
1. Export horticultural businesses. Competition over water during times of drought presents not only a physical, but also a reputational risk to businesses that can threaten the 'licence to operate'. By engaging in catchment-wide strategies to increase drought resilience and adapt to climate change these risks can be reduced, resulting in commercial benefits.
2. Small-scale horticultural farmers. A reduction of business risk to export horticultural businesses will translate to reduced commercial risk for small-scale horticultural 'out-growers'.
3. Workers and employees in the horticultural sector. Many people - frequently, poor and disadvantaged people, and women who may have limited options for alternative employment - are employed directly on horticultural farms and pack-houses, or in the provision of supplies and services. They will benefit from security of employment, incomes and the welfare services provided by the industry.
4. Farmers and other water users. Those not engaged in horticulture, but using water (including many poor and disadvantaged communities), will benefit from water security during drought, reduced welfare impacts and more rapid recovery after drought. These include crop and livestock farmers and communities dependent on unreliable ground- and surface-water sources for domestic use.
5. Environment and biodiversity. The engagement of the horticultural sector in effective water stewardship will support environmental flows and secure a range of ecosystem services in at-risk catchments. The engagement of WWF in the project will allow the learnings to be shared with a global audience.
6. Organisations responsible for water governance. The policy outputs will be used by local and national organisations responsible for water governance to better adapt to increasing drought risk.
7. UK retailers / consumers. UK retailers are exposed to water risk overseas and are especially concerned with the reputational risks of their suppliers (see above). This project will support the sustainable sourcing policies of those retailers, securing the availability of a diversity of nutritious fruit and vegetables to UK consumers.
In preparing this study we have engaged with NGOs, regional government, water governance organisations, farming companies and UK retailers (see letters of support). All seven groups of beneficiaries will be engaged throughout the study through active participation in workshops, and through the Advisory Committee. More details are in the Pathways to Impact.
The study addresses Goal 1 (end poverty), building resilience and reducing exposure to climate change and other extreme events; Goal 2 (end hunger) sustainable and resilient agriculture; Goal 11 (safe, resilient and sustainable settlements) communities implementing policies and plans to achieve this, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; Goal 12 (sustainable consumption and production), that includes the sustainable use of natural resources and reduction of food waste Goal 13 (climate change) strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate hazards and disasters, and integration of climate into local policy and management. It speaks directly to Priority 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction - Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to "build back better" in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Organisations
- CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY (Lead Research Organisation)
- International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (Collaboration)
- Walmart (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Breede-Gouritz Catchment Mgt Agency CMA (Project Partner)
- Western Cape Government (Project Partner)
- World Wide Fund for Nature WWF (UK) (Project Partner)
- Government of South Africa (Project Partner)
- Flamingo Horticulture Ltd (Project Partner)
Publications
Kimaiyo J
(2023)
Assessment of drought trends in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro River Basin using the SPI and SPEI
in Water Practice & Technology
Lankford B
(2023)
Irrigation area, efficiency and water storage mediate the drought resilience of irrigated agriculture in a semi-arid catchment.
in The Science of the total environment
Mati B
(2023)
Drought Impacts on Community Livelihoods in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin, Kenya
in Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection
Reinette Biggs
(2021)
RESILIENCE FOSTERING CAPACITY TO NAVIGATE SHOCKS, CHANGE AND UNCERTAINTY
Description | We can categorise this project's achievements as follows: - Background: We have evaluated drought risk and unpacked the impacts of drought on irrigated agriculture in South Africa and Kenya by using modelling and forecasting tools. In addition, we have revealed the complex relationship between water policies, water management, water laws and drought at multiple scales at four catchment areas in South Africa and Kenya. By regularly engaging with key actors at multiple scales, we also identified key stakeholders to understand how drought response mechanisms differ at multiple scales. - Conceptual: One of the aims of this project is to unpack differentiated impacts of droughts which has strong equity implications. We have developed a conceptual brief on developing novel approaches to understand the interface between resilience and equity. this matter. We are currently working on translating this brief into a practical tool which can be used to assess equity implications of resilience practices in the event of drought. - Methodological: Along with project objectives and COVID-19 related restrictions, we created a novel field guide to provide a comprehensive protocol to maintain participatory research in a Covid-safe way, even in settings involving multiple participants like focus group discussions. Our field guide is also important as it is sensitive to socio-economic, cultural and political characteristics of four catchment areas, but it meets the same reporting requirements. - Engagement activities: Our research team has been actively participating in engagement activities to publicise the project, its early findings and its conceptual focus. We have organised engagement events at local and national levels in South Africa and Kenya. In addition, we have also been invited to speak at international workshops/training sessions. |
Exploitation Route | At academic level, the outcomes of this project will significantly contribute to emerging conceptual literature on equitable resilience. By focusing on major theories and concepts such as resilience, environmental justice and socio-natures, we will propose a practical conceptual tool to assess justice and equity dimensions of resilience practices at multiple scales, which can also be used to enhance social equity in building resilience of marginalised communities to water-related disasters. In addition, our project will achieve an empirical contribution to the dynamics of socio-technical change in the context of the fresh fruit and vegetable value chain, the politics of knowledge, water governance and power relations between different actors, and complex adaptive systems literatures by introducing comparative studies on relatively less studied catchment areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our conceptual and empirical contributions may be used to reinforce social dimensions of resilience studies at academic level, while they can be used by policymakers and practitioners to design more equitable interventions as a response to systemic change, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries. Outcomes of our project will be interest of horticultural and agricultural sectors and water governance institutes at multiple levels in South Africa and Kenya. As the horticultural sector features significantly in the economy of our case study catchment areas (and generally in catchments of low- and middle-income countries), our findings and conceptual work will inform export horticultural businesses, small-scale horticultural farmers and workers and employees in the horticultural sector that can be used by these actors to increase drought resilience and adapt to climate change in a way to represent needs and interests of marginalised communities. This will lead them to reduce commercial risks and enhance their reputation. Furthermore, farmers, other water users and organisations responsible for water governance will benefit from our project to better adapt to increasing drought risk and build resilience to enhance social equity. This may also benefit the UK retailers and consumers as such outcomes will support the sustainable sourcing policies of the UK retailers and secure the availability of a diversity of fruit and vegetables to UK consumers. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Communities and Social Services/Policy Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
Description | There are initial signs of potential policy impact based on our existing stakeholder engagement and capacity building activities. For example, Dr Bongani Ncube was recently invited to the Department of Water and Sanitation national workshop in South Africa, and she was a panel expert in the Commission discussing the water legislative framework. Her contributions may be later used by the Commission in planning their revisions on South Africa's policy and legal frameworks on water. In addition, her recent presentations at the Upper Breede Collaborative Extension Group (UBCEG) and the French delegation have initiated discussions over potential collaborations to extend the scope of this project. Furthermore, Dr Caner Sayan's presentation on Environmental and Water Justice to a mixed audience (including policymakers and practitioners) in India has sparked discussions within the audience over the need to integrate social aspects and needs and interests of marginalised groups to decision making processes related to water. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | Seeds of good anthropocenes: fostering food-system transformation in Africa |
Amount | $302,500 (CAD) |
Funding ID | 109834 |
Organisation | International Development Research Centre |
Sector | Public |
Country | Canada |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 12/2024 |
Title | Supporting transformative adaptation and building equitable resilience to drought for sustainable development: A field guide |
Description | This is a field guide on applying participatory field methods for analysing adaptation to drought at individual, household and community level. Half the guide is focuses on how to carry out participatory style focus group assessments in a Covid-safe way. The other half is about how to gather the same data from individual / key informant interviews which may be online interviews. |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The guide was refined and reduced for use by our research teams in Kenya and South Africa in their study catchment basins, with common reporting guidelines. The next step is to meet work with the Kenyan and South African teams to develop a 'mid-level' field guide for each basin. This will involve devising a precise and tailored set of methods for each basin. Each document will make sure to address the specific research questions and issues required for each of project tasks, and meet the same reporting requirements, but take into account the different and changing Covid situations in each basin. All the methods will be conceptually based on the larger fieldwork guide but adapted to specific field conditions and research priorities. |
Description | Secondment to International Water Management Institute (IWMI) |
Organisation | International Water Management Institute (IWMI) |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | As part of this project, Prof Knox spent 1 month embedded within IWMI working with Dr Chris Dickens on developing a research paper focusing on drought indicators and their suitability for assessing the resilience of smallholder agriculture. |
Collaborator Contribution | There were no other partners involved in this collaboration. |
Impact | Peer review paper in in final preparation for submission to Environmental Research Communications (ERC) |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Breede Knowledge Exchange and Learning Day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | 40 people attended the 'Knowledge Exchange and Learning Day' which was co-hosted by African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) at the University of Cape Town, the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) at Stellenbosch University, and the non-government organisation, LivingLands. The event was one of the outputs of the Berg-Breede Landscape Case Study (BB COP) funded by the DST/NRF Community of Practice (2021). The primary intention behind the 'Knowledge Exchange and Learning' day was to bring researchers and practitioners together in person to explore ways to foster long-term collaboration for effective and impactful transdisciplinary research and practice towards a more equitable and resilient Breede river catchment. In particular, we jointly considered the possibility of a so-called 'third space'(a space for knowledge exchange outside our normal networks of interaction) as a mechanism to do this and to promote greater integration between research and practice. We also considered what a community of practice might involve and how we could improve ongoing communications and sharing of information. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Breede catchment tour |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The Department of Agriculture organised a series of catchment tours to engage with farmers and practitioners to showcase farms using innovative methods to build local and general resilience to navigate change linked to climate change, water security and land use planning, and promote peer-peer learning opportunities. The tours engaged over 40 farmers, 5 researchers and 15 practitioners and resulted in m any requests for more information, opportunities for knowledge sharing and participation in further research activities. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Delivered presentation at the African Regional Forum on climate change |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | The African Regional Summit event marked the launch of the Global Alliance for Universities on Climate's (GAUC) Climate x Leadership Training Pilot, and involved a presentation from different groups on climate solutions which were developed over the course of the training programme. Our presentation was positively received by participants from the African Regional Summit and lead to many new acquaintances being made, with discussions ongoing. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/Events/DispForm.aspx?ID=5328 |
Description | Department of Water and Sanitation - Mandela Day keynote - 18 July 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | A keynote presentation entitled "Role of Civil Society in Water Resource Management". The event also included cleaning a stretch of the Lourens River in Strand, City of Cape Town. In addition to remembering Nelson Mandela, communities came together for a common community cause. Tons of rubbish were removed from the river, and learners were engaged in environmental awareness. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Expert Panel on the Commission - Legislative Framework |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The commission discussed three areas: • Support and regulation of local government • Transformation of irrigation boards • Realignment of Catchment Management Agencies The topics were discussed using the questions: • What have we achieved so far? Is it enough? • What are the challenges? • What needs to be done? |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Funding to support transdisciplinary research and training within universities |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A series of 4 workshops were held in preparation for the SDGs in Africa Summit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Navigating farming futures in uncertain times workshop - 7 November 2022. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | To better understand the impact of change -particularly water scarcity- on horticultural value chains linked to the Breede catchment, officials from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and researchers and students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Stellenbosch University's Centre for Sustainability Transitions held a 3 hour futuring workshop on the morning of 7 November 2022 at Waverley Hills Wine Estate in Wolseley. This workshop used innovative, practical foresight tools (similar to those used in the very successful workshops leading to The Hortgro Vision of the Future) to help stakeholders across multiple actor groups involved in farming and associated land, water and climate sectors in the Ceres valley to (re)imagine what healthy, thriving, and equitable futures could look like at farm and catchment scales, and to identify what steps are needed to get there. Insights from the workshop will be used to strengthen the research on what resilient and equitable horticultural value chains could look like, including strategic options that can become 'future-fit strategies' for farming in uncertain times. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Navigating farming futures, Breede Catchment: commercial farmers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | In light of climate and other drivers of change, farmers continuously need to re-evaluate how best to respond to change. Such change often has ripple effects at local, regional and international levels. Building capacity to navigate these changes is important. In particular, being able to anticipate change has been shown to enhance resilience. The ability to anticipate change can be strengthened by using futuring or foresight methods which increase an individual's ability to think in a structured and systematic way about the future in order to inform decision-making today. To better understand the impact of change -particularly water scarcity- on horticultural value chains linked to the Breede catchment the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University, together with expert futurist Tanja Hichert held a 3 hour futuring workshop with 30 people on the afternoon of 21 September 2022 at Waverley Hills Wine Estate in Wolseley. This workshop used innovative, practical foresight tools (similar to those used in the very successful workshops leading to The Hortgro Vision of the Future) to help stakeholders across multiple actor groups involved in farming and associated land, water and climate sectors in the Ceres valley to (re)imagine what healthy, thriving, and equitable futures could look like at farm and catchment scales, and to identify what steps are needed to get there. Insights from the workshop will be used to strengthen the research on what resilient and equitable horticultural value chains could look like, including strategic options that can become 'future-fit strategies' for farming in uncertain times. The workshop was organised by the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) aligned with a UK Research & Innovation grant under the Global Challenges Research Fund, approved by the Stellenbosch University research ethics committee. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Navigating farming futures, Groot Letaba Catchment: Commercial farmers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | In light of climate and other drivers of change, farmers continuously need to re-evaluate how best to respond to change. Such change often has ripple effects at local, regional and international levels. Building capacity to navigate these changes is important. In particular, being able to anticipate change has been shown to enhance resilience. The ability to anticipate change can be strengthened by using futuring or foresight methods which increase an individual's ability to think in a structured and systematic way about the future in order to inform decision-making today. To better understand the impact of change -particularly water scarcity- on horticultural value chains linked to the Groot Letaba catchment the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University held a 3 hour futuring workshop in January 2023 at Letaba Junction for 32 people focusing mainly on commercial farming operations. This workshop used innovative, practical foresight tools to help stakeholders across multiple actor groups involved in farming and associated land, water and climate sectors in the Groot Letaba valley to (re)imagine what healthy, thriving, and equitable futures could look like at farm and catchment scales, and to identify what steps are needed to get there. Insights from the workshop will be used to strengthen the research on what resilient and equitable horticultural value chains could look like, including strategic options that can become 'future-fit strategies' for farming in uncertain times. The workshop was organised by the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) aligned with a UK Research & Innovation grant under the Global Challenges Research Fund, approved by the Stellenbosch University research ethics committee. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Navigating farming futures, Groot Letaba Catchment: small scale farmers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | In light of climate and other drivers of change, farmers continuously need to re-evaluate how best to respond to change. Such change often has ripple effects at local, regional and international levels. Building capacity to navigate these changes is important. In particular, being able to anticipate change has been shown to enhance resilience. The ability to anticipate change can be strengthened by using futuring or foresight methods which increase an individual's ability to think in a structured and systematic way about the future in order to inform decision-making today. To better understand the impact of change -particularly water scarcity- on horticultural value chains linked to the Groot Letaba catchment the Centre for Sustainability Transitions at Stellenbosch University held a 3 hour futuring workshop in January 2023 at Letaba Junction for 30 small scale farmers. This workshop used innovative, practical foresight tools to help stakeholders across multiple actor groups involved in farming and associated land, water and climate sectors in the Groot Letaba valley to (re)imagine what healthy, thriving, and equitable futures could look like at farm and catchment scales, and to identify what steps are needed to get there. Insights from the workshop will be used to strengthen the research on what resilient and equitable horticultural value chains could look like, including strategic options that can become 'future-fit strategies' for farming in uncertain times. The workshop was organised by the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) aligned with a UK Research & Innovation grant under the Global Challenges Research Fund, approved by the Stellenbosch University research ethics committee. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Panel Discussion: Dimensions of Water Partnerships and Localization - 18 May 2022 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The panel discussed the ingredients of an effective partnership for localization, with examples from technology, water security & climate change and research. Each panellist answered the question: What do you think is the most important ingredient for an effective partnership for localization in the water sector? The panel reflected on localization using examples from across the world. It was interesting how trust emerged as one of the essential ingredients in building partnerships. The panel discussion was also an opportunity for networking. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Panelist in 'Care and Control' session at the STEPS Final Conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Agri-food systems are vulnerable to perturbations (e.g. Covid-19; climate change; Brexit). They can also adapt, but what are the limits and costs to that adaptive capacity? STEPS researchers have explored contrasting approaches to governance: those which emphasise an ethic of care, and those which aspire to top-down control (open access paper here). The session had a twofold ambition: (1) to generate examples of caring vs. controlling approaches to agri-food system resilience across scales; (2) to problematise the care vs. control dichotomy, including its implicit value bias in favour of care and resisting control. Professor John Thompson and Dr Nadia Sitas took part in 'Care and Control' session at the STEPS Final Conference in December 2022. Over 200 people registered for the online conference and there were around 50 people in the session, with many more viewing a recording of the session. Dr Nadia Sitas presented on initial findings of the project and there was a lively discussion linked to both theory and practice linked to the research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://steps-centre.org/event/pathways-to-sustainability-knowledge-politics-and-power/ |
Description | Presentation of PhD work at departmental colloquium session |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | 15 postgraduate students and researchers attended the presentation which directly relates to the funding award, and provided helpful feedback to strengthen the research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Presentation on Environmental and Water Justice |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Dr Caner Sayan was invited to give a talk in Environmental and Water Justice in 5-day international workshop on "Scanning the Horizon of Climate Change - Water Crisis - Disasters-Conflicts and Migration Nexus" organised by Amity Mega Center for Natural and Man-made Calamities (India) and United Nations University Institute on Comparative Regional Integration Studies (Belgium). His talk highlighted the importance of issues of justice and equity in water management based on global case studies and provided tools for policy makers on to create justice and equity sensitive water policies. Around 50 participants (academics, research students, NGO representatives, policymakers and practitioners) were in the session and most of them were based in India. Participant feedback, questions and discussion demonstrated that participants, mostly natural scientists and engineers, have started to acknowledge the need that water policy making processes should be handled more holistically in a way to prioritise needs and interests of marginalised communities in decision making processes to avoid socio-economic, cultural and environmental problems created by top-down practices. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://amity.edu/aset/AMCNAMC/ |
Description | Presentation on Water & Sanitation Research |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | A French delegation visited the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on the 16th February 2022 to explore further collaboration with the University. Water was one of the selected topics, and I presented our current activities, including activities of the GCRF project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Stakeholder workshop (Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin, Kenya) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
Results and Impact | The activities involved stakeholder interviews conducted to "Identify drought adaptation and resilience options to reduce water stress in agriculture and rural livelihoods in the Upper Ewaso Ng'iro Basin, Kenya". This also included field visits to meet communities and see drought resilience activities in Isiolo, Laikipia and Meru Counties. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Sustainable Development Goal 6 Mid Term Review |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | The main objectives of the meeting were to review the progress made in South Africa over the past seven years of SDG 6 reporting. The panel also reviewed how far the sector still needs to go to achieve the objectives over the remaining seven years. South Africa has made significant progress in meeting some of the SDG 6 Targets. The commitment to accelerate the implementation of remaining gaps was made. The department committed to working with all relevant stakeholders and acknowledged the contribution that research could make. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Transfer of Water Research Commission Knowledge Products Expo - 28 February - 2 March 2023 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Our knowledge-sharing session was entitled 'Context-based adaptation strategies to enable smallholder farmers to cope and adapt during drought periods in SA'. Lessons learnt from our research in the Western Cape were shared with farmers and officers in Limpopo. The communities expressed a need to learn more about drought management strategies. Agricultural extension officers will continue to share the knowledge with other farmers in the Limpopo Province. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |