The pilot project SOSIA+, funded by Partners for Water, aims to change this. Its innovative and accessible climate-smart irrigation service is currently boosting small-scale farmers in Ghana.

The approach

Ghanaian farmers have highlighted the need for irrigation technologies suited to their local conditions and climate-smart practices. In response,  SOSIA+ created a smart irrigation service and are testing this service. The service aims to provide tailored advice to farmers by analysing weather data, both historical and real-time, to determine crop-specific irrigation needs.

The objectives

By addressing inefficient irrigation practices and minimising water wastage, this project aims to alleviate pressure on river basins, crucial for sustaining increased food production in Ghana, as well as to offer recommendations in terms of both volume and timing, particularly beneficial for small-scale farmers.

Ghana’s rapid population growth, particularly in cities like Accra and Kumasi, coupled with shifting climate patterns, is straining water and food security. Farmers in regions like Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Volta, where most vegetables are grown, face significant water wastage due to inefficient irrigation methods. For instance, tomato production alone consumes over 36 billion litres of water annually.

As Ghana aims to boost local food production and reduce import dependency, the demand for irrigation water in the horticulture sector is expected to rise further, exacerbating water scarcity issues exacerbated by longer droughts and reduced river basin availability. Therefore, this project seeks to develop and trial an innovative tool to significantly improve water security in Ghana.

The ‘Global water availability forecasting service to support water security’ (GLOW)-consortium works to address this problem.

The approach

The Mbuluzi and Maputo river basins, with their complex water management challenges and high population density, are ideal for piloting the GLOW services. This project integrates the GLOW services into the HydroNET platform to analyse the water system and provide risk-based seasonal forecasts of water supply failures. Using hydrological models, it enables integrated water resources planning and simulations of moisture storage and water exchange. A prototype within HydroNET will deliver risk-based seasonal water supply predictions.

The objectives

The GLOW project aims to provide timely access to water resources information for sustainable development and water security in the Maputo and Black Umbuluzi river catchments. By focusing on reservoirs, soils, and groundwater, it supports SDGs 2, 6, and 13. Through the GLOW services like water availability forecasts and distribution advisories, it addresses the needs of upstream, downstream, and environmental users, enhancing overall water management.

Development in the Maputo River and Mbuluzi River basins faces threats from natural drought hazards, putting water security at risk. Persistent drought worsens existing challenges of food security and sustainable development. With significant population growth and economic development, competition for limited freshwater resources intensifies.

Climate change exacerbates water stress and degrades water quality. Access to up-to-date information on forecasted water availability is crucial for day-to-day and seasonal water resource management. This information is essential for planning and managing reservoir inflows, groundwater storage, water distribution, and ensuring reliable water supply, thus safeguarding water security in the region.

In Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, a feasibility study will be conducted in which a circular water system is proposed as a solution to both flooding and drought. This concept incorporates the BlueBloqs technology. This technology provides local collection, treatment, underground storage and reuse of rainwater. BlueBloqs is a modular, nature-based solution specifically designed for urban areas to harness every drop of rainwater

The approach

The project team will gather technical, institutional, financial, and spatial data through desk research. This information will be used to develop and test a technical model. Simultaneously, the project creats a spatial matrix to ensure the model’s applicability in similar Mexican settings. Following this, a business case will be crafted to assess the overall feasibility and identify potential cities in Mexico for scaling the product. Throughout this process, local communities and other stakeholders will actively be involved to enrich the team’s insights.

The objectives

This feasibility study delves into technical intricacies like subsoil specifics, rainwater storage constraints, and legal implications. Additionally, we assess social reception for our new public space design and the economic viability of Calzada del Agua, positioning it as a holistic solution for sustainable urban water management in the Mexican market

In Mexico, flooding and water scarcity pose significant challenges. Heavy rainfall leads to frequent street flooding, causing an annual damage toll of USD 230 million. Conversely, projections indicate that by 2040, Mexico will confront severe water shortages due to climate change (Cruz Ayala & Megdal, 2020).

However, this issue isn’t confined to the future; currently, approximately 15 million people lack access to clean drinking water in Mexico. The ramifications extend to agriculture, livestock, and water availability in urban areas. Notably, the project site is situated in the heart of Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, home to 260,000 residents.