WatDev

24/01/2025

We are proud to be making progress in Egypt's El Sharkia governorate by helping develop a cutting-edge toolbox for modeling and simulating Best Management Practices ( ).

This innovative system integrates SWAT-MODFLOW technologies to address the complexities of irrigated agriculture, including the region's reliance on Nile-fed irrigation canals and groundwater.

17/01/2025

Dive into the WATDEV project with our new video 📽️

Explore the urgent challenges of water scarcity across Africa through the people, challenges, and practices involved in WATDEV. Featuring expert insights and local farmer experiences, the documentary highlights:

💧 Best Management Practices for efficient water use🌱 , crop rotation, and sustainable irrigation, Cross-country collaboration and 🌍 Empowering communities with innovative solutions❗️

This short documentary also brings you stories from inspiring individuals making a difference in water management and agriculture:

🧑🏼‍🎓👩🏽‍🎓WATDEV PhD students advancing research
👨🏽‍💼🧑🏽‍💼County officials driving policy action
👩🏽‍💻🧑🏽‍💻Programme managers & cooperative leaders training communities
🧑🏽‍🌾👩🏽‍🌾Members of agricultural land associations sharing ground-level insights

Learn more about the impactful training events held in various locations, including Belbeis in Egypt, Tana River in Kenya, the CIHEAM Bari Campus in Italy, and multiple sites across the Puglia region of Italy. Watch this documentary and witness how collaboration, knowledge, and action can drive sustainable agriculture and effective water management.

14/01/2025

Anita Nunu, a dedicated member of the WATDEV research team, shares her inspiring journey in tackling climate change effects on agriculture in Kenya. Through WATDEV's training, she’s learned to:

💧 Maximize water use for crop production
🌳 Reclaim eroded lands through agroforestry
🍎 Encourage fruit tree planting in arid areas for food security & income
🌾 Promote green manure for healthy soils
📊 Embrace precision agriculture to combat climate challenges

Her story highlights the power of knowledge and collaboration in building resilient agricultural systems.

01/01/2025

🌍 We extend our warmest wishes to all our partners, beneficiaries, and friends across East Africa and beyond. This past year has shown what can be achieved through collective commitment, innovation, and resilience.

Together, we nurture sustainable agricultural practices 🌾, foster climate-conscious solutions 🌿, and champion livelihoods that empower individuals and communities 💪. Your efforts have sown seeds of hope and progress, ensuring that 2025 begins with a strong foundation for growth and sustainability.

✨ Thank you for being part of this transformative journey. Together, let us make 2025 a year of even greater achievements for the people, the planet, and future generations.

23/12/2024

Lots of updates to share with you in our newly released newsletter!

👉 Visit our website to download your digital copy. 📰

You can subscribe by entering your email on our www.watdev.eu/newsletter, and unsubscribe at anytime ✔️

11/12/2024

🌍 Sustainable watershed management is essential for protecting our planet's freshwater resources! Watersheds are critical ecosystems that provide clean water, support biodiversity, and help communities adapt to climate change.

🌱 By adopting sustainable practices, we can ensure equitable water distribution, reduce pollution, and build resilience against environmental challenges. 💧

Promoting these practices contributes to healthier ecosystems, enhanced livelihoods, and sustainable development for future generations.

04/12/2024

🤝 Bekure is a dedicated watershed expert and researcher at the Water and Land resource Center - WLRC Ethiopia. As a beneficiary of the WATDEV program, he has played a vital role in transforming agricultural practices in the region. 🌍

💬 "The WatDev Project has made a profound impact on agricultural practices by empowering farmers through the identification and implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), which have resulted in increased agricultural production," Bekure shared. 🌱

💧Through initiatives like these, the WATDEV program continues to promote sustainable development, ensuring better livelihoods and resilience for farmers in vulnerable areas. 🌾

04/12/2024

🥑 In , is a which leverages the benefits of diversity to improve crop yield and enhance soil health.

✅ By combining different crops, farmers can maximise their land use, reduce pests and diseases, and boost overall farm productivity.

🌍 Such sustainable farming techniques are crucial for building resilient agricultural systems that can withstand the challenges of climate change.

28/11/2024

💧 The Hola Irrigation Scheme, located along 's Lower Tana River, is a vital agricultural initiative benefiting from .

🌦️ The WATDEV project addresses critical challenges such as fluctuating water levels, riverbank erosion, and water scarcity during dry seasons.

✅ By implementing , advanced modelling techniques, and capacity-building programs, it aims to improve water and soil management while building resilience to climate change.

🤝 Through the Hola scheme, the project optimises floodwater use during rainy seasons and mitigates the effects of drought, contributing to the fight against food insecurity in the region. 🚜

𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘚𝘐𝘙𝘈 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 (𝘋𝘎 𝘐𝘕𝘛𝘗𝘈), 𝘞𝘈𝘛𝘋𝘌𝘝 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘌𝘨𝘺𝘱𝘵, 𝘣𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘪𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.

20/11/2024

At WATDEV, we're committed to supporting local researchers and agricultural scientists across East Africa to shape a sustainable future. 💡 Here's how we're making an impact:

🌾 Sharing Best Management Practices like , and ( ), , and , ensuring communities manage their resources efficiently and sustainably.

📚 Promoting field studies to understand local challenges and solutions, empowering researchers to innovate where it matters most.

💻 Developing an online knowledge portal, bringing together expertise, data, and tools to drive informed decision-making for better agricultural practices.

🚜 The goal? Boosting crop yields to secure improved livelihoods for farmers and communities.

Together, we're building resilience, enhancing productivity, and paving the way for sustainable agricultural transformation.

13/11/2024

Meet Alexander Leo Kubende! 🤝

Working closely with the National Irrigation Authority, Alex coordinates ’s efforts on the ground at the Hola Irrigation Scheme, alongside the County Department of Water, Renewable Energy & Climate Change, and the Department of Irrigation Development.

His work is pivotal in implementing training for efficient water use, soil management, , and the establishment of associations.

Alex’s goal? To transform his county from a region reliant on farming to one that is and climate-resilient, harnessing sustainable water use practices for a brighter, prosperous future. 🌱💧

03/10/2024

🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 From September 9th to 20th, 2024, from , , , and took part in the second module of our "Water, Soil, and Crop Management in Climate-Smart Agriculture" course at CIHEAMBari. This important training focused on Innovative Technologies in Agriculture and Water Management, featuring both virtual sessions and in-person hands-on experiences.

Key Highlights:

📊 Hands-on Training: Participants practiced using drones for with multispectral and RGB cameras—learning post-flight mapping and analysis.
🚰 Smart Water Solutions: During a visit to Acquedotto Pugliese in Bari, attendees explored smart water management and leakage control systems to reduce water loss.
💡 Precision Agriculture: Experts from CIHEAM Bari introduced participants to AI, robotics, and mechanization in agriculture, demonstrating tools for tailored precision farming in the Southern Mediterranean region.
🔄 Sustainable Practices: The group visited CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche's "Metapontum Agrobios" URT-IPSP experimental farm and learned about the use of treated wastewater for irrigation, witnessing a prototype that makes water reuse efficient for local farms.
🔬 Exploring Italian Innovation: Field visits to innovative farms showcased technologies like no-till seed drilling at La Valle Verde and spirulina algae production at ApuliaKundi using treated wastewater. Participants also visited Andriani SpA to learn about pioneering healthy food production methods.
🇮🇹 Cultural Trips in Italy: The participants also enjoyed a series of enriching cultural experiences. They visited the historic AQP Headquarters in Bari, explored the ancient in Metaponto, and took in the scenic beauty of 's old town. These cultural trips offered an inspiring glimpse into Italy's history and heritage, adding a unique dimension to their learning journey.

🌍 The module was not just about theory; it empowered participants to become trainers in their home countries—ensuring that knowledge spreads to local farmers, authorities, and stakeholders, ultimately supporting and across their regions.

🔗 For more detailed insights and access to the photo album, click here ➡️ https://shorturl.at/FfBuu

03/10/2024

24/09/2024

Sharing highlights from Friday, September 20th – the final day of the 2nd Module ➡️ https://shorturl.at/sFiJh

💡Participants wrapped up their journey with a series of enriching experiences. The day began with technical visits to Andriani SpA in Gravina di Puglia, where they explored innovations in healthy food production and toured a cutting-edge pasta production factory.

💧 This was followed by a visit to ApuliaKundi farm, where they learned about the sustainable production of , irrigated using treated wastewater. The final technical stop was at La Valle Verde farm, where participants discovered advanced no-till seed drilling technology.

🏛️ The day ended with a tour of ’s historic old town, giving everyone a chance to appreciate the region's rich cultural heritage. What a perfect conclusion to an insightful journey!

20/09/2024

📢 Sharing exciting updates from yesterday!

As part of the WATDEV project, an engaging workshop on Recent Advances in Plant Phenotyping for Abiotic Stresses was held at Metapontum Agrobios. The event was organized by the CNR Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, based in the Basilicata region, and chaired by Mauro Centritto, Ditector of CNR-IPSP, with contributions from ALSIA-Agrobios, UNIBAS (University of Basilicata), CNR-STIIMA, and CNR-IRSA. This event spotlighted key innovations in plant phenotyping technologies aimed at tackling abiotic stresses in agriculture.

Participants got hands-on with a to advanced phenotyping platforms, exploring cutting-edge tools both indoors and in the field. The workshop featured a series of exciting presentations, covering topics like:

• Precision agriculture
• High-throughput phenotyping
• Selection of plant species for saline agriculture
• Techniques in volatilomics and metabolomics
• Lean phenotyping technologies
• Sustainable practices, such as the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation

The day wrapped up with a lively general discussion, followed by closing remarks and a visit to the local archeological site.

🌍 This workshop was a valuable learning experience, highlighting breakthroughs that can transform agricultural practices in response to growing environmental challenges. The exchange of knowledge and ideas is paving the way for more in the future.

19/09/2024

🗣️ We are pleased to share some updates the ongoing 2nd Module of our WATDEV Training Course on Climate-Smart Agriculture, running until tomorrow at CIHEAMBari, Italy! 🇮🇹

This week, participants from , , , and are focusing on in agriculture and water management. From precision farming and drone technology to smart , they’re gaining hands-on experience and valuable knowledge to bring back to their communities. 🌾

📅 Week 2 Highlights:

Field visits to cutting-edge farms
Learning about automation and robotics
Exploring digital water management with the help of experts

🌍 We are equipping future trainers to help farmers adopt sustainable solutions and shape the future of agriculture.

Read more here: https://shorturl.at/sFiJh

09/09/2024

❓Did you know that CIHEAMBari leads the technical and scientific efforts for the WATDEV project❓

Funded by the DeSIRA initiative of the European Union, this project aims to deeply understand and improve water and agricultural resource management on both small and large scales.

Our goal is to enhance people's resilience to climate change through innovative research, advanced modeling, and comprehensive capacity-building approaches.

04/09/2024

💧 Kiarie’s story highlights the powerful impact of sustainable water management and agricultural practices in dry regions.

Through programs like WATDEV, improved production and livelihoods for communities in difficulty can be achieved. Kiarie Kuria is making a positive difference in his Kenyan community through his work in agronomy, while also contributing as a trainer in the valuable WATDEV workshops, sharing his knowledge and skills to further support local development.

Read more about his activity as a trainer with WATDEV ➡️ https://shorturl.at/uuA4i