Effects of Water Scarcity on the Performances of the Agricultural Sector and Adaptation Strategies in Tunisia

Coffee (Coffea spp.) represents one of the most important sources of income and goods for the agricultural sector in Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean region. The sustainability of coffee production at the global and regional scale is under threat by climate change, with a major risk of losing near to 50% of today’s suitable area for coffee by 2050. Rain-fed coffee production dominates in the region, and under increasing climate variability and climate change impacts, these production areas are under threat due to air temperature increase and changes in rainfall patterns and volumes. Identification, evaluation, and implementation of adaptation strategies for growers to cope with climate variability and change impacts are relevant and high priority. Incremental adaptation strategies, including proper soil and water management, contribute to improved water use efficiency (WUE) and should be the first line of action to adapt the coffee crop to the changing growing conditions. This research’s objective was to evaluate at field level over five years the influence of fertilization with calcium (Ca+2) and potassium (K+) on WUE in two coffee arabica varieties: cv. Castillo and cv. Caturra. Castillo has resistance against coffee leaf rust (CLR) (Hemileia vastatrix Verkeley and Brome), while Caturra is not CLR-resistant. WUE was influenced by yield changes during the years by climate variability due to El Niño–ENSO conditions and CLR incidence. Application of Ca+2 and K+ improved the WUE under such variable conditions. The highest WUE values were obtained with an application of 100 kg CaO ha−1 year−1 and between 180 to 230 kg K2O ha−1 year−1. The results indicate that adequate nutrition with Ca+2 and K+ can improve WUE in the long-term, even underwater deficit conditions and after the substantial incidence. Hence, an optimum application of Ca+2 and K+ in rain-fed coffee plantations can be regarded as an effective strategy to adapt to climate variability and climate change.

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Direct and indirect economic impacts of drought in the agri-food sector in the Ebro River basin (Spain)

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-13-2679-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 2679-2694 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

M. Gil ◽

A. Garrido ◽

N. Hernández-Mora

Keyword(s):

Water Scarcity ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Economic Impacts ◽

Economic Loss ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Economic Losses ◽

Drought Risk ◽

Drought Event ◽

Drought Impacts ◽

Indirect Impacts

Abstract. The economic evaluation of drought impacts is essential in order to define efficient and sustainable management and mitigation strategies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the economic impacts of a drought event on the agricultural sector and measure how they are transmitted from primary production to industrial output and related employment. We fit econometric models to determine the magnitude of the economic loss attributable to water storage. The direct impacts of drought on agricultural productivity are measured through a direct attribution model. Indirect impacts on agricultural employment and the agri-food industry are evaluated through a nested indirect attribution model. The transmission of water scarcity effects from agricultural production to macroeconomic variables is measured through chained elasticities. The models allow for differentiating the impacts deriving from water scarcity from other sources of economic losses. Results show that the importance of drought impacts are less relevant at the macroeconomic level, but are more significant for those activities directly dependent on water abstractions and precipitation. From a management perspective, implications of these findings are important to develop effective mitigation strategies to reduce drought risk exposure.

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Determinants of Relevant Constraints Inhibiting Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in South Africa

Journal of Asian and African Studies ◽

10.1177/0021909620934836 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 002190962093483

Author(s):

KT Thinda ◽

AA Ogundeji ◽

JA Belle ◽

TO Ojo

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Probit Model ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Multivariate Probit ◽

Agricultural Credit ◽

Multivariate Probit Model ◽

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

The adverse effects of climate change on agricultural productivity are on the increase. This study employed both descriptive statistics and the multivariate probit model to estimate factors constraining the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in the study area. The empirical results of the multivariate probit model showed that a lack of knowledge of climate change constraints was influenced by smallholder farmers’ age, gender, off-farm activity, susceptibility and membership in farmer-based organizations. Thus, to improve the adaptive capacity of farmers, government and development partners should work together to improve the conditions under which farmers can gain access to climate change information and suitable agricultural credit as well as policy incentives aimed at lowering the stringent conditions of borrowing in the agricultural sector.

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Monitoring and data collection of agricultural water uses in Italy to face water scarcity: approach and tools

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21777 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

raffaella zucaro ◽

veronica manganiello ◽

marianna ferrigno

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Scarcity ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Open Data ◽

Water Pricing ◽

Research Centre ◽

Reference Database ◽

Italian Regions ◽

Sustainability Standards ◽

Water Uses

According to European approach (art. 9 WFD 2000/60/EC), the collection of data relating to the quantification of water abstraction represents an important phase to promote efficiency in the use of water resources. Through the collection and subsequent study of the data provided, in fact, it is possible to apply a water pricing policy, based on the volumes currently used, to cope environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience to climate change, in a context of water scarcity.&#160; In Italy, for agricultural sector, guidelines to collect and monitoring data are in force at national scale and detailed methodologies are applied at regional scale. A WebGIS platform called SIGRIAN (National Information System for Water Management in Agriculture (https://sigrian.crea.gov.it/sigrian/)), managed by CREA- Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bio-economy and realized in collaboration with Italian Regions, is adopted as national reference database for the collection and share of data resulting from the monitoring of water volumes for irrigation.&#160; SIGRIAN also fits in the logic of Integrated Water Management (IWRM) approach. In order to coordinate the development and management of water and related resources, this platform is setup to link itself with Google satellites and Copernicus programme in order to obtain and process satellite information and earth observation data. In addition, SIGRIAN website (https://sigrian.crea.gov.it/index.php/cosesigrian/) provides an OPEN DATA section, ( in this section is possible to use a WMS (Web Map Service) Enquiry service and a WFS (Web Feature Service) Service, both related to the borders of authorities irrigation.&#160; All data collected and monitored in this system are useful to support planning, programming and management processes of policy making and enforcement, such as CAP common indicators, water pricing based on water uses, monitoring and evaluation of investment programs, support economic analysis for Agricultural sector in the context of the Water framework directive. Otherwise, SIGRIAN data can be useful to support the definition and application of Sustainability standards related to water use in agriculture through defining reference parameters for territories that uses water for irrigation in a sustainable way and in a multidisciplinary approach. Keyword: SIGRIAN, irrigation volumes, sustainability standards, open data, monitoring, resilience.

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Agro-pastoralists’ determinants of adaptation to climate change

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management ◽

10.1108/ijccsm-02-2017-0039 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 488-500 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Keneilwe Ruth Kgosikoma ◽

Phatsimo Cotildah Lekota ◽

Olaotswe Ernest Kgosikoma

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Adaptation To Climate Change ◽

Content Type ◽

Household Level ◽

Agricultural Diversification

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze smallholder farmers’ perceptions on climate change and its stressors, their adaptation strategies and factors that influence their adaptation to climate change. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted in Kweneng district, located in the south eastern part of Botswana. Multi-stage sampling was used to obtain a representative sample from three sub-districts in the district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data by using face-to-face interviews. Findings Majority of farmers perceived an increase in mean annual temperature and the number of hot days and a decrease in mean annual rainfall and the number of rainfall days over the past 10 years as indicators of climate change. The prominent adaptation strategies included changes in planting dates for crops and supplementary feeding for livestock. The logistic regression results show that gender, age, household size, poverty, shortage of land, mixed farming and knowledge about climate change significantly influence adaptation. Practical implications The findings indicate that climate change policy should target agricultural diversification at the household level and dissemination of information on climate change and adaptation strategies. Originality/value Policy recommendations can be suggested: government climate change interventions should target agricultural diversification at the household level, and this study provides insights on what influences adaptation strategies and what should be targeted to build resilience in the agricultural sector.

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Evaluation of Water Scarcity in Selected Countries of the Middle East

Water ◽

10.3390/w10101482 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. 1482 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Petr Procházka ◽

Vladimír Hönig ◽

Mansoor Maitah ◽

Ivana Pljučarská ◽

Jakub Kleindienst

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Middle East ◽

Water Scarcity ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Supply And Demand ◽

High Water ◽

Economic Effects ◽

The Impact

The primary goal of this article is to evaluate water scarcity in selected countries of the Middle-East and assess the impact on agricultural production. To begin with, the Weighted Anomaly Standardized Precipitation (WASP) Index from 1979 to 2017 was spatially computed for Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. In order to demonstrate the effect of reduced levels of water, the water shortage situation in cities with the population higher than one million was examined. This was accomplished by utilizing the Composite Index approach to make water related statistics more intelligible. A projection for the years of 2020 to 2030 was created in order to demonstrate possible changes in the supply and demand for water in selected countries of the Middle-East. In regards to evaluating the economic effects of water shortages on agricultural sector, effects of lower precipitation on agricultural production in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia were estimated. With ever-increasing urbanization, all countries are currently experiencing a moderate to high water risk. Our research points to excessively high water stress for most analyzed cities through the year 2030. Also, it is demonstrated how much precipitation decreases influence agricultural production in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. From the analyzed countries, some evidence is found that precipitation negatively influences crop production, primarily for Iran.

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Farm households’ perception on climate change and adaptation practices

International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management ◽

10.1108/ijccsm-07-2016-0099 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 433-445 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Binaya Joshi ◽

Weihong Ji ◽

Narayan Babu Joshi

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Climate Change Adaptation ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Potato Production ◽

Farming System ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Agricultural Activity ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to assess the farming community’s perception on important parameters of climate change and identify major practices and technologies adopted to mitigate the impacts of climate change and their determinants in mountain district of Nepal. Being an agrarian economy and dependent on monsoon rain, the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and production has been experienced. Different adaptation strategies have been adopted by the communities to cope with the consequences of climate change. Design/methodology/approach Four village development committees (VDCs) situated in the buffer zone of Langtang National Park of Rasuwa district representing rice, wheat, maize and potato production area was purposively selected for this study. A two-stage sampling technique was adopted for data and information collection. Thirty households from each VDC were randomly selected. Data on the socio-economic and climate change perception were collected using structured questionnaire. A binary logistic regression technique was used to identify the determinants of climate change adaptation technologies and practices. Findings The farmers’ decisions whether to adopt climate change adaptation technologies are governed by the size of landholding, perceived threat of climate change to food security, education level and gender of the interviewee, perception on the increased incidence of droughts during rainy season and income received from the off-farm sources. In a community where agricultural activity is the dominant means of living, adaptive strategies help to increase the capacity of a farming system to survive external shocks and cope with the consequences. Originality/value The assessment of farm-level adaptation strategies and factors influencing their adoption decision is important to formulate policies and design programs. This will also help to recognize adaptation as a tool for managing a variety of risks associated with climate change in agricultural sector.

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Analysis Of Strategies For Mitigation And Adaptation To The Impacts Of Climate Change In The Agricultural Sector In Northern Philippines

10.32920/ryerson.14644512 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Grace Tan

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Global Warming ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation ◽

Mitigation And Adaptation Strategies ◽

Impacts Of Climate Change

There is widespread evidence that countries in the tropical regions especially the less developed countries will be most affected by the impacts of climate change and global warming. Unfortunately, these countries are highly dependent on agriculture, which is very sensitive to climate change, thereby threatening food security and economic development in the region. Interestingly, agriculture is one of the main contributors to the atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is important that actions taken to adapt to climate change do not undermine the effectiveness of mitigation strategies that impact the agricultural sector. The present study investigates the effects of mitigation and adaptation strategies on the impacts of climate change in the agricultural sector in Northern Philippines and identifies where synergies or conflicts between the two approaches may arise. Further analysis of the selected strategies suggests that one or more adaptation strategies may be ideal to achieve the maximum benefits.

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Harnessing benefits from improved livestock water productivity in crop–livestock systems of sub-Saharan Africa: synthesis

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj09023 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 169 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Tilahun Amede ◽

Katrien Descheemaeker ◽

Don Peden ◽

Andre van Rooyen

Keyword(s):

Water Scarcity ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Landscape Management ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Feed Water ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Veterinary Services ◽

Sub Saharan

The threat of water scarcity in sub-Saharan Africa is real, due to the expanding agricultural needs, climate variability and inappropriate land use. Livestock keeping is the fastest growing agricultural sector, partly because of increasing and changing demands for adequate, quality and diverse food for people, driven by growing incomes and demographic transitions. Besides the economic benefits, rising livestock production could also deplete water and aggravate water scarcity at local and global scales. The insufficient understanding of livestock–water interactions also led to low livestock productivity, impeded sound decision on resources management and undermined achieving positive returns on investments in agricultural water across sub-Saharan Africa. Innovative and integrated measures are required to improve water productivity and reverse the growing trends of water scarcity. Livestock water productivity (LWP), which is defined as the ratio of livestock outputs to the amount of water depleted, could be improved through: (i) raising the efficiency of the water inputs by integrating livestock with crop, water and landscape management policies and practices. Improving feed water productivity by maximising transpiration and minimising evaporation and other losses is critical; (ii) increasing livestock outputs through improved feed management, veterinary services and introducing system-compatible breeds; and (iii) because livestock innovation is a social process, it is not possible to gain LWP improvements unless close attention is paid to policies, institutions and their associated processes. Policies targeting infrastructure development would help livestock keepers secure access to markets, veterinary services and knowledge. This paper extracts highlights from various papers presented in the special issue of The Rangeland Journal on technologies and practices that would enable improving water productivity at various scales and the premises required to reverse the negative trends of water depletion and land degradation.

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WATER FOOTPRINT OF CROP PRODUCTION IN TEHRAN PROVINCE

PLANNING MALAYSIA JOURNAL ◽

10.21837/pm.v17i10.634 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Somayeh Rezaei Kalvani ◽

Amir Hamzah Sharaai ◽

Latifah Abd Manaf ◽

Amir Hossein Hamidian

Keyword(s):

Water Consumption ◽

Water Scarcity ◽

Crop Production ◽

Agricultural Sector ◽

Water Footprint ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Blue Water ◽

Agricultural Water ◽

Severe Water Stress ◽

Tehran Province

Evaluation of supply chain of water consumption contributes toward reducing water scarcity, as it allows for increased water productivity in the agricultural sector. Water Footprint (WF) is a powerful tool for water management; it accounts for the volume of water consumption at high spatial and temporal resolution. The objective of this research is to investigate the water footprint trend of crop production in Tehran from 2008 to 2015 and to assess blue water scarcity in the agricultural sector. Water consumption of crop production was evaluated based on the WF method. Evapotranspiration was evaluated by applying the CROPWAT model. Blue water scarcity was evaluated using the blue water footprint-to-blue water availability formula. The results demonstrate that pistachio, cotton, walnut, almond, and wheat have a large WF, amounting to 11.111 m3/kg, 4,703 m3/kg, 3,932 m3/kg, 3,217 m3/kg, and 1.817 m3/kg, respectively. Agricultural blue water scarcity amounted to 0.6 (severe water stress class) (2015–2016). Agricultural water consumption in Tehran is unsustainable since it contributes to severe blue water scarcity. Tehran should reduce agricultural water scarcity by reducing the water footprint of the agricultural sector.

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