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Climate and Water

Restoring the small water cycle today, securing the food for tomorrow

Small water cycle restoration is emerging as one of the most transformative yet under-recognized approaches for strengthening agricultural systems today. In many farming or grazing regions, soil no longer absorbs or holds water the way they once did, leaving landscapes drier, rainfall less dependable, and harvests increasingly at risk. When these local moisture cycles break down, droughts intensify, and food production becomes unstable.

Restoring the small water cycle directly strengthens agriculture. Better infiltration, improved soil structure, and increased organic matter allow fields to retain moisture for longer periods, support healthier root development, and reduce the need for supplemental irrigation. At the same time, more water infiltrates into the ground, contributing to groundwater recharge and building resilience across entire farming landscapes.

For producers, this means more dependable harvests under increasing climate variability. For food systems, it offers a practical, proven pathway to higher productivity and stronger food security – rooted in healthy soils and locally functioning water cycles.

First and Second Small Water Cycles Illustrated

Cases and Project Examples

The cases and project examples below show how this works on the ground. They highlight different landscapes, techniques and results, giving a clear picture of what happens when degraded landscapes are restored and local water cycles recover:

  • Reversing the Flow – Knowledge Partner | Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Bangladesh – Long-term programme that supports local NGOs and communities to restore degraded landscapes, improve water harvesting and soil moisture, and anchor locally led adaptation in county and national systems. Learn more about this project here.
  • Trees in croplands in alleviating heat stress in agricultural workers – KISHADE | Tanzania – Research project in Dodoma that measures how trees in croplands cool the microclimate, reduce heat stress risks for farm workers, and link land restoration and tree regeneration to climate and health benefits. Learn more about this project here.
  • Capacity Development Services “Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Program” | Pakistan – Capacity strengthening program that builds skills of government departments and local actors in rangeland management, soil and water conservation, watershed management and spate irrigation for more reliable water and fodder. Learn more about this project here.

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