Water resources assessment of the Volta River Basin

Abstract

1661985 2015 Working PapersThe publications in this series record the work and thinking of IWMI researchers, and knowledge that the Institute's scientific management feels is worthy of documenting. This series will ensure that scientific data and other information gathered or prepared as a part of the research work of the Institute are recorded and referenced. Working Papers could include project reports, case studies, conference or workshop proceedings, discussion papers or reports on progress of research, country-specific research reports, monographs, etc. Working Papers may be copublished, by IWMI and partner organizations.Although most of the reports are published by IWMI staff and their collaborators, we welcome contributions from others. Each report is reviewed internally by IWMI staff. The reports are published and distributed both in hard copy and electronically (www.iwmi.org) and where possible all data and analyses will be available as separate downloadable files. Reports may be copied freely and cited with due acknowledgment. About IWMIIWMI's mission is to provide evidence-based solutions to sustainably manage water and land resources for food security, people's livelihoods and the environment. IWMI works in partnership with governments, civil society and the private sector to develop scalable agricultural water management solutions that have a tangible impact on poverty reduction, food security and ecosystem health. IWMI Working Paper 166 Water Resources Assessment of the Volta River Basin

Systems thinking and modelling for sustainable water resources management and agricultural development in the Volta River Basin, West Africa

“…In fact, this situation is already leading to severe environmental degradation and frequent water shortages, which in turn, is resulting in declining agricultural productivity in terms of crop yields, dwindling incomes, and consequently, rising poverty levels among the inhabitants of the basin (Terrasson et al, 2009, Mul et al, 2015Kolavalli and Williams, 2016;Williams et al, 2016). The increasing demands on the resources have resulted in intense competition among stakeholders, sectors, and countries (van de Giesen et al 2001;Goa and Margolies, 2009;Mul et al, 2015). Indeed, there are profound environmental and socio-economic uncertainties associated with the current and future water supply and demand for various purposes in the Volta River Basin, particularly for agriculture, which is the main economic activity and determinant of regional development.…”

“…Consequently, recent assessments have suggested that water resources planning and management for present and future generation in the basin, needs to take a holistic and integrated approach, where stakeholder interest and concerns are adequately considered; and both the critical environmental and socio-economic issues and their interrelationships concomitantly captured (Douxchamps et al, 2012;Gordon et al, 2013;UNEP Volta Project, 2013;Mul et al, 2015;Williams et al, 2016). In sum, actions to achieve food security and reduce poverty will have to be based on an integrated and systemic modelling approach and a collaborative decision-making process.…”

“…The Volta River Basin is one of the largest and most important river basins in Africa. It has a rich ensemble of various ecosystem goods and services, many of them are of global significance (UNEP-GEF Volta Project, 2013;Mul et al, 2015;Williams et al, 2016). Water resources play a pivotal role in the promotion of environmental enhancement, economic growth, and poverty reduction in all the riparian countries of the basin (Lemoalle, 2009;Sood et al, 2013;UNEP-GEF Volta Project, 2013;Mul et al, 2015).…”

“…It has a rich ensemble of various ecosystem goods and services, many of them are of global significance (UNEP-GEF Volta Project, 2013;Mul et al, 2015;Williams et al, 2016). Water resources play a pivotal role in the promotion of environmental enhancement, economic growth, and poverty reduction in all the riparian countries of the basin (Lemoalle, 2009;Sood et al, 2013;UNEP-GEF Volta Project, 2013;Mul et al, 2015). However, since the 1980s, the sustainability and water resources management in the basin has been hampered by a plethora of challenges and rapid changes, including rapid population and urbanisation, land use change, growing demand for food; increasing demand for water for agriculture, domestic, and industries; high reliance on biofuels for energy; and rapid growth in livestock numbers (Barry et al, 2005;Lemoalle, 2009;Douxchamps et al, 2012;Gorden et al, 2013;UNEP-GEF Volta Project, 2013;Kolavalli and Williams, 2016).…”

“…Changes in the availability of water across the basin have socioeconomic and cultural impacts (Mul et al, 2015).…”