Ideas for addressing... Food Security

We could reduce knowledge & capacity gaps by offering more trainings in local communities to various stakeholders  - in the knowledge development and in the sustainability of each specific theme & dimension - by the promotion of capacity building of decision makers, farmers, users of water-energy-food nexus, farmers, fishermen, technical professionals and the population as a whole.

Based on my limited experience in East Africa, I have observed that the capacity to address food insecurity is severely hampered due to two factors a. Lack of mechanisation b. Lack of irrigation. From my understanding efforts are being made to achieve more progress on this. However, the biggest challenge is lack of grassroots entrepreneurship. For the both the factors mentioned earlier an enabling ecosystem is required. This ecosystem can not be formed unless entrepreneurial stakeholders take up valuable roles in the ecosystem. In my previous employment I tried training the Jua Kalis in Kenya to make their own tractors but we could not succeed because we were looking to achieve results over a short time (due to the nature of donor funded projects). I believe  rural incubators should be created to create entrepreneurship in rural areas. If there are local entrepreneurs ecosystems around the technologies can be formed. These would result in better uptake of technologies and more sustainable impact

Preserve available resources with more governance and a better coordination of infrastructure investments

Human and institutional capacity needs to be strengthened as foundation to address all other existing knowledge gaps. Capacity building should be done in close consultation with affected parties and preferentially on location or in neighbouring African countries  and not necessarily at educational institutions overseas. Local needs should be carefully evaluated in consultation with local individuals. Try to avoid "top-down" approaches, but rather foster partnerships an alliances to increase acceptance of capacity building. Gender issues need to be addressed. 

The African curriculum are theoretical base with no practical, take for example an agricultural officer who study from the city right from primary up to university has never seen the process through which a plant go through up to the time of harvest, this is an officer who can not differentiate between a plant and weed.   

Outcomes of climate change risk and vulnerability assessments need to be mainstreamed into key implementing institutions. These assessments should be the departure point for capacity building excises owned by local institutions.

Accompany stengthening of institutions, accountability of public servants. A stronger governance at a political level is the first step for effective international cooperation. Perception of corruption also disencourages entrepredurism and trust in communities

Improving information flow within existing water governance structures such as Uganda Parliamentary Forum on WASH, water user committees, farmer groups and other decison-making platforms, so as to foster better and informed public participation in decision-making. 

There are still huge gaps in water technology development, research and innovations in Africa. There is need to invest in young people as potential innovators and entrepreneurs capable of creating solutions to water and climate change challenges 

Increase awareness, skills and access to the available technologies through multi-level and multi-stakeholders "sharing platform"  

Multi-level and integrated approach to issues related to sustainable management of water/natural resources

Technologies for  themes is readily available however the current old school thinking legislative framework makes it difficult to purchase such outbound and inbound tech. This leads to reluctance to implement new technologies and you find people reverting to default mode. Investigations on to the opportunities and misalignment of innovation, regulation and legislation.

Lack of capacity and knowledge in climate smart technologies.

Governance structures methodologies hardly impact as expected as little is known on what to is needed, when and where, thus misplaced priorities.

The above themes have not been highlighted as important courses in the higher institutions. I believe they should be included as courses in the curriculum of higher institutions. Research institutes can also provide this courses as certified short courses. With adequate publicity on their availability and importance.

Do more research that identifies the institutions responsible for water security and food security. Then train the individuals in the relevant institutions based on the dimensions found to be lacking

Use of citizen science to raise understanding and to create change.

Professional in the water and hydro-allied sector of the economy should be incorporated in planning and execution of programs such as agricultural production, manufacturing and energy production and management. 

To raise awareness and finance small producers on the use of surface water mobilization technologies to increase soil and crop productivity. Also raise awareness among these small producers about the practice of off-soil cultivation in their homes in order to improve nutritional quality and even human and animal health.

Include water management training including demonstrations as part of the curricula at all education levels from primary level.

Good governance and active NGO involvement are needed. Farming and family farming must be promoted to restore food security. We now have technological solutions with drone surveillance for decision support. Our structure can actively make itself available for a capacity building of the different actors on these themes.

The human and institutional capacity dimension has the potential to positively impact the other dimensions...i.e., technology, governance structures, interaction process users and solution providers, and business opportunties among others.

There should be combination of themes and disciplines to reduce the knowledge gaps.

Enhance self purification trough dedicated porous media, possibly used to cultivate food plants or trees.

Thresholds for early warning for climate-related disasters.

Each specific theme & dimension is interrelated to other. Therefore, we could use an inclusive down to top community based approach with the participation of Indigenous Peoples, teachers, women, traditional - cultural - social - religious leaders and all the marginalized in local communities.

Data, information and analyses is key in providing options for operational partners in changing contexts, along with capacity building surrounding collecting this information and providing analyses.

Together with capacity building, both institutional and human, supporting governance structures need to set up to ensure sustainability of approaches to reduce knowledge gaps in all sectors. Address issues of balanced PPP's as alliances and not biased to uncontrolled influence of multi-nationals.

Apply a patented fertilizer to increase crop yields and save water.

Climate change needs to be embedded and mainstreamed in higher level governance structures such as the presidency (i.e. in Kenya) or more cross-cutting areas (i.e. not just the ministry of the environment). The scientific evidence-base should be determined from a spatial risk and vulnerability assessment that is integrated across sectors and industries. 

There is need to strengthen policy implementation and reform of obsolete policies that no longer meet up with international best practices. There is need for more investment in evidence-based research in order to strengthen water policies and implementation

Increase participation to specific networks among stakeholders (not only process users and solution providers but also researchers, institutions and SMEs).

A smart guideline for interaction of all themes is required. It is difficult to relate and participate in solution based ideas with one service provider because of the PPP and the fact that everything should be transparent and fair even if you are dealing with IP related solutions. This also makes users reluctant to participate in such engagements dampening the spirit of solution engagements. Create a framework or guideline for user supplier interaction without breaking the rules of engagement covering all scenarios.

The integration of local communities in all aspects affecting them is the key to narrow the gaps related to the above themes.Subsidies on tech products for local communities to harness alternative  energy (solar and thermal) and a deep understanding of their adaptive capacity could shine a light on improvement.

Technology is the bedrock for development. Promotion of these themes at engineering and technical schools are important. Government funding in terms of laboratory equipment is also necessary. Technology hubs can also be created with a focus of creating local/adaptable technologies in this areas. Publicity of breakthroughs and achievements from universities and other research bodies is necessary in creating awareness and developing the interest of the next generation.

There is a need to support developing countries in science and technology related to water protection and assist them finically in water treatment

Improved soil and crop productivity would contribute to food and nutritional security. Also vegetable gardens through the practice of above-ground cultivation enhances the quality of vegetables and will therefore improve the health of consumers.

Pilot a high density network of low cost soil moisture sensors, coupled with insurance.

The issue of governance structures has little room of capacitating policy makers.

What is needed most is to increase populations’ awareness on all types of water mismanagements; be it potable water, water for irrigation or for industry or just water in water authorities’ facilities. How to address each case should be at increasing levels from community to local up to regional international level. In each level key of stakeholders should be closely involved for finding adequate solution that will enrich a web-based knowledge platform.

As a result of climate change, the changing rain pattern has continued to expose a number of African countries serious challenges; in some places flood and others drought. The areas experiencing flood due to excessive rainfall or flow from neighborhood are required to invest in constructing dams and other water harvest solutions so as to use the excess water for hydroelectricity and agriculture. While the dry areas experiencing shortage of water and drought need to invest in water harvest techniques, renewable energy and efficient water usage solutions. The renewable energy would also help in greening the environment so as to attract more rain. To bridge the funding and technical gaps a number green financing and climate compliant development facilities are available to help these countries.

Food security - People should not remember food security only when they are hungry. The need for a complete discourse on the F-E-W Nexus. When the fresh water figures are known and monitored, then it can be managed. Then the analysis of the amount of water used in food production (rain-fed, irrigation), energy production (fuel extraction and power generation) can be measured and choices made from best technology options. Again, the energy used in agric, and water production/processing can also be analyzed from this same lens.   

Enhanced interaction of stakeholders in the food security in order to understand the integrated nature of processes.

Strengthens public institutions to be independent from individual influences (ie. rogue politicians). Implementation is very poor on these areas and there is a poor monitoring and evaluation procedures on the fields of actions. Actual applications of policies on the field ought to be a empirical reality not theoretical on documents by experts. B

Bringing about enabling environments for fieldwork by experts would further facilitates reaching-out-to the-people who are the real target. Empower field experts to bring about changes and application of their various research findings for the benefit of the African peoples.