By Marie-Aude Even, Senior Regional Agronomist
During COP14, two side events and a publication sought to engage further policy makers in moving to a proactive approach through active engagement and economic assessment that shows positive returns in investing in pro-active management and watershed investments.
The first side event Changing minds on drought management was organized by GWP, WMO, WB, IDMP, FAO and UNCCD. It presented the publication WB & IDPM cost benefit of drought that promotes cost-benefit assessment to demonstrate that costs of managing drought crisis are much higher than investments required to prepare and mitigate drought. The publication includes a review of tools to assess drought impacts and an implementation framework to assess cost-benefits of action/inaction against drought.
A second session presented the GWP publication on mobilizing for a water secure world and facilitated a panel session where officials from Benin, SADC, Grenada and India water partnership presented their experience in mobilizing policy and resources. They emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholders process and public engagement through media, innovative information technology and education. Indeed, one official emphasized that policy makers are more easily mobilized through public opinion than by evidence. In addition, several participants emphasized the need to bring different sectors that are affected by drought, including industry, tourism, etc., to mobilize innovative financing.
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10 step framework presented during the event and featured in the publication
A second side event was co-organized by GIZ, WOTR, W-CRES and the economics of land degradation and presented the Economic perspective on sustainable land and watershed management to combat land degradation in India. Such topics are also very important within IFAD portfolio in India and some related innovations were presented along the tech fair event. It presented various experiences to demonstrate effectiveness of an integrated multidisciplinary approach and utility of cost effective ecosystem restoration and watershed management implemented at community level. It emphasized the importance of empowering small-scale users and putting communities at the centre of implementation. Localized advisory services, including weather based advisory, are also crucial. Session included example on how community can manage and deliver water services and facilitate mobilization of various resources, including through women self-help groups. A presentation demonstrated positive cost-benefits of investing in watershed.
Finally, GIZ presented its long-term engagement to develop and promote holistic watershed and landscape based planning for environmental benefits. The latest programme is ProSoil that is implemented in various countries, including India. It emphasizes green innovation centre, secured land rights, food security and nutrition programs and soil protection and rehabilitation approaches. Implementation requires landscape and watershed approach, strong policy support alongside Land Degradation Neutrality process, institutional capacity development Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security in India and benefit from digitalization to provide local advise (e.g. NICE- Sustainable Soil Management, Harit ticket, market platform, etc.).
In conclusion, Ashok Dalwai, CEO of India National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) emphasized the importance of investing in rainfed agriculture, improving soil health, bringing “science for delivery” and to work with communities to ensure ownership and maintenance of water infrastructures and land investments.
During COP14, two side events and a publication sought to engage further policy makers in moving to a proactive approach through active engagement and economic assessment that shows positive returns in investing in pro-active management and watershed investments.
The first side event Changing minds on drought management was organized by GWP, WMO, WB, IDMP, FAO and UNCCD. It presented the publication WB & IDPM cost benefit of drought that promotes cost-benefit assessment to demonstrate that costs of managing drought crisis are much higher than investments required to prepare and mitigate drought. The publication includes a review of tools to assess drought impacts and an implementation framework to assess cost-benefits of action/inaction against drought.
A second session presented the GWP publication on mobilizing for a water secure world and facilitated a panel session where officials from Benin, SADC, Grenada and India water partnership presented their experience in mobilizing policy and resources. They emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholders process and public engagement through media, innovative information technology and education. Indeed, one official emphasized that policy makers are more easily mobilized through public opinion than by evidence. In addition, several participants emphasized the need to bring different sectors that are affected by drought, including industry, tourism, etc., to mobilize innovative financing.
10 step framework presented during the event and featured in the publication
A second side event was co-organized by GIZ, WOTR, W-CRES and the economics of land degradation and presented the Economic perspective on sustainable land and watershed management to combat land degradation in India. Such topics are also very important within IFAD portfolio in India and some related innovations were presented along the tech fair event. It presented various experiences to demonstrate effectiveness of an integrated multidisciplinary approach and utility of cost effective ecosystem restoration and watershed management implemented at community level. It emphasized the importance of empowering small-scale users and putting communities at the centre of implementation. Localized advisory services, including weather based advisory, are also crucial. Session included example on how community can manage and deliver water services and facilitate mobilization of various resources, including through women self-help groups. A presentation demonstrated positive cost-benefits of investing in watershed.
Finally, GIZ presented its long-term engagement to develop and promote holistic watershed and landscape based planning for environmental benefits. The latest programme is ProSoil that is implemented in various countries, including India. It emphasizes green innovation centre, secured land rights, food security and nutrition programs and soil protection and rehabilitation approaches. Implementation requires landscape and watershed approach, strong policy support alongside Land Degradation Neutrality process, institutional capacity development Soil Protection and Rehabilitation for Food Security in India and benefit from digitalization to provide local advise (e.g. NICE- Sustainable Soil Management, Harit ticket, market platform, etc.).
In conclusion, Ashok Dalwai, CEO of India National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) emphasized the importance of investing in rainfed agriculture, improving soil health, bringing “science for delivery” and to work with communities to ensure ownership and maintenance of water infrastructures and land investments.