Sustainable Water Management Tender

ScopeAgriculture accounts globally for 70 freshwater use. Inefficient water use water pollution climate change and increasing global water demand puts agriculture under pressure as well for smallholders. SDC can build on successful experiences in this domain and will support projects in Africa in ecologically sustainable water management in smallholder agriculture and food systems improve smallholders economic and social situation and increase the resilience of their livelihoods.BackgroundWater of appropriate quality and quantity is essential for food production processing and preparation. Agriculture accounts globally for 70 of all water withdrawn from aquifers streams and lakes. Inefficient and uncoordinated water use depletes aquifers reduces river flows and degrades land. Inappropriate use of fertilizer and pesticides translates into water pollution. Many parts of the world are already struggling with water scarcity. Climate change will further aggravate the situation. Increasing water scarcities and growing 50 by 2050 and competing demands by a multiplicity of users and sectors with different economic and political power make water governance in agriculture and food systems particularly challenging. Securing access to water can be challenging for smallholders marginalized populations and women. Women are often excluded from decision-making processes regarding water management.ObjectivesThe ultimate goal of the new projects is to promote ecologically sustainable water management for food and nutrition security in agriculture and food systems - through increased water productivity or water efficiency and improve the economic and social situation of smallholders in particular women and youth thus leading to incrreased resilience of their livelihoods.