A conversation with Bimla Kujur: The Samvidhan Saathi
By Vinitika Lal (PRADAN), Arpan Mondal (MetaMeta Research), Meghna Mukherjee (MetaMeta Research), and Iqra Khan (PRADAN) Meet Bimla Kujur. Bimla … Continued
The WaterBlog
Flood Resilience and Spatial Planning in Pakistan: Where are we two years after the devastating flood?
by Frank van Steenbergen and Mohammed Ehsan Leghari Flood resilience and the management of land and water resources The floods of 2022 of Pakistan were episodical in their devastation – covering one third of the country. They were caused by unusual high rainfall, but in an equal measure they were the result of a distorted land management system that was unable to evacuate the high volumes of water. The flood – following on flood events in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016 and 2020 - triggered a highly needed discussion – how do we make sure that another undue water event does not create the same deep effect and lasting impact? What changes are required? Do we need to change the system? Where do conventional flood embankments fit in, not always liked, not always well-constructed, and sometimes unnecessary? Instead, what is the alternative approach of avoiding that floods built up vehemently and become devastating? And: can we turn the floods in… Continued
Previous posts
It’s just the tip of the iceberg!
By Meghna Mukherjee (MetaMeta), Ishan Agarwal (FES), Saheb Bhattacharya (PRADAN) … Continued
Stone arch bridges in Tanzania – Innovation rooted in history
By Enabel – Belgian Development Agency Rural communities’ access to schools, hospitals, markets and jobs depends on dangerous river crossings. … Continued
Flood-proofing the road network (2): roads for controlled drainage in Pakistan
Frank van Steenbergen, Popi Michelogiannaki and Mohammed Umar Karim Drainage: roads disrupt Floods are not only about excessive rainfall: they … Continued
Flood-proofing the road network (1): roads as flood shelters in Pakistan
Frank van Steenbergen, Popi Michelogiannaki and Mohammed Umar Karim … Continued
Down to Earth: Understanding the regenerative agricultural practices
By Meghna Mukherjee A green transition is underway in the Indian agricultural system…Policymakers and practitioners have been promoting different approaches … Continued
Reducing drought vulnerability of rainfed crop by using mechanized Zaï
By Jan Nederstigt In arid zones of Africa, smallholder farmers increasingly face problems with cultivation of rainfed staple crops. Irregular … Continued
Laths – key to rebuilding livelihoods after the floods in spate irrigation
By Mohammed Salah, Allah Bakhsh, Amjad Rasheed and Frank van Steenbergen What used to be a field is gone now. … Continued
The poor economy market
Postcard from Valencia in Spain, the beautiful historical city yet surrounded with huge non-descript outskirts. This post card is sent … Continued
Identity of Women Farmers in India
By Anushree Mitra In Jharkhand there is a common belief related to ploughing and tilling of the land that if … Continued
Ponds as an asset for agriculture: how to keep them full
Marijn van der Meer (MetaMeta), Femke van Woesik (MetaMeta), Nitesh Dhiman (PRADAN), Shubham Jain (MetaMeta), Lalit Kumar Nirmalkar (PRADAN), Laxmi … Continued
(Podcast) Understanding Pakistan Floods
More than a third of Pakistan is under water since mid-June. The floods have left 1500 dead; more than 13,000 … Continued
Floods are about rain, floods are also about drainage
by Mohammed Chandio Floods triggered by unusually heavy rain – more than 5 times average – have inundated Sindh Province … Continued
Hill Torrent Floods Impacting the Southern Punjab Pakistan
Blog by Khurram Mubeen1, edited by Reinier Veldman2 1Assistant Professor (Agronomy), Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture Multan-Pakistan 2Coordinator FBLN … Continued
Urgent!! Salvaging the rabi crop in the spate irrigated areas of Pakistan.
By Frank van Steenbergen The incessant and extraordinary rains in Pakistan’s western mountain catchment have created havoc in one-third of … Continued
What to do when “the sun burns the earth”?
Drought and dry season grazing management strategies of Maasai herders By Esmee Mulder, MetaMeta The key to rangeland sustainability? Collaborate … Continued
Pakistan: Flooded Once Again
Ashfaque Soomro and Frank van Steenbergen Pakistan, a land of multiple geographies and cultural mosaic after a decade (12 years) … Continued
Establishing Ecological Based Rodent Management in Ethiopia – Part 3: Collective implementation and ways forward
By Tadesse Tilahun, Getachew Engdayehu, Bantamlak Wondmnow, and Luwieke Bosma This is the third in a series of blog posts describing the development and implementation … Continued
Establishing Ecological Based Rodent Management in Ethiopia – Part 2: Developing and testing a biological rodenticide
By Tadesse Tilahun, Getachew Engdayehu, Bantamlak Wondmnow, and Luwieke Bosma This is the second in a series of blog posts describing the development and implementation … Continued
Establishing Ecological Based Rodent Management in Ethiopia – Part 1: The potential of Farmer’s Indigenous Knowledge
By Tadesse Tilahun, Getachew Engdayehu, Bantamlak Wondmnow, and Luwieke Bosma This is the first in a series of blog posts describing the development and implementation … Continued