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ater

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ustainability

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and data is one of challenges facing water resources manage-

ment. Under such conditions it is essential to find out what data

already exists, who owns it and how is it stored, and to transform

this into a usable form for decision-making. Integrating soil and

water databases can allow users to view soil and water informa-

tion together. For example, someone interested in identifying

areas best suited for irrigated agriculture can select the data layer

showing the distribution of groundwater quality in the same area.

When such databases are linked with international databases or

with those of other countries that face similar challenges and

have relevant knowledge, their usefulness can be increased. A

good example is the Modeling and Monitoring Agriculture and

Water Resources Development (MAWRED) programme at the

International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA),

which

provides data across national boundaries and provides downscal-

ing to local levels.

In the least developed countries where marginal lands and

water resources are under pressure and agricultural practices

are non-sustainable, there is a strong need to develop, review or

revise soil, water and agricultural policies based on the food and

water demands of an increasing population and the challenges of

climate change. Without good policies across an agroecological

region that may encompass multiple countries and production

systems, it is unlikely that sustainable progress can be made.

Furthermore, even where clear policies do exist, when it comes

to marginal water, these are mostly limited to general standard

guidelines, which are related to heavy metals and pathogens but

not to salts or other minerals.

Water is a shared resource. In order to ensure a future where we

all have access to water and sanitation it is essential that we cooper-

ate. And while it often is the responsibility of government to regulate

land and water use, everyone – including farmers and farming busi-

nesses – has a role to play in managing and using water responsibly

and supporting the public sector.

Many resource-poor farmers are not able to continue profitable

agriculture with low to intermediate levels of inputs and lack of

knowledge. Ameliorative measures require new crops and manage-

ment with new skills and expertise to make it sustainable and

profitable. The necessary know-how originates from the national

and international research and development centres, and has to

move from the research organizations to the relevant ministries and

extension services. Unfortunately, in many countries and regions,

this appears to be the weakest link and new and innovative technol-

ogies do not reach the end users so they can implement appropriate

measures at the right time.

Although scientific research has produced large amounts of

information on water and land management, the linkages between

research and extension are usually weak in most developing

countries. As a consequence, research results are often not based

on extension recommendations, and do not reflect the needs of

farmers. New helpful, appropriate and innovative technologies

must reach farmers soon after release. Partnerships and coopera-

tion with private industry can be very useful. For example, the

widespread availability of mobile telephones, even in poor commu-

nities, provides an opportunity to deliver information and tools.

Such applications are generally developed by the private sector

with the expectation that some income can be made. Partnering

such expertise with technical know-how from extension and

research and with farmers’ knowledge and participation can be

powerful and result in income generation for both

providers and customers within a community. As a

case in point, on-farm research in water productiv-

ity can be conducted using instrumentation or market

information that provides data over the Internet, and

this data can be processed and delivered to farmers

rapidly in a way that is understandable and useful.

Cooperation at many levels is required for success,

but the potential for real and demonstrated income

increases will provide the incentive and interest.

Case study: Combating salinity through

national strategy

The national strategy to combat salinity and protect water

resources from pollution and salinity in Oman was launched

on 2 October 2012 by Sheikh Fadl bin Mohammed

Al Harthy, Secretary-General of the Oman Council of

Ministers. ICBA developed the strategy over a rigorous two-

year process that included five technical teams working

on different aspects: water resources and modelling,

agricultural status and salinity impact, socioeconomic

assessment, governance, legal/regulatory frameworks and

policies, and capacity development. The process included

continuous consultation with key ministries, government

agencies and local and international specialists.

The study indicated that excessive water use is the

prime cause of salinization of agricultural soils. In many

areas water demand exceeded supply, resulting in the

intrusion of saline water into the aquifers. Even when the

groundwater was considered good quality, poor on-farm

management complicated the problems by causing

salinization of the soil. The study recommends alternative

strategies to improve water use and monitoring, soil

management and agricultural production in the different

types of soil and water conditions; strategic options to

reduce seawater intrusion; and tactics (in the short,

medium and long term) to implement solutions across the

Sultanate of Oman.

Oman’s national salinity strategy recommends

alternative ways to improve water use and monitoring,

soil management and agricultural production

Image: ICBA