EGM on SDG 2: Elizabeth Mwende Mwendwa Statement

Elizabeth Mwende Mwendwa

Agricultural Technology Development Center, Kenya

 

Session 9: Planet

Due to the increasing population, countries are making efforts to produce more food. On the other hand, Pressure on freshwater resources has been increasing and this is further compounded by the fact that the agriculture sector is the main water user. For instance, Irrigated agriculture accounts for 70% of water withdrawals. In addition, conventional agriculture which is heavily reliant on fertilizer use also leads to water pollution. In some cases, farmers have taken up expansion of agricultural land to avoid overuse of chemicals, but this can lead to deforestation, hence negatively impacting on water-based ecosystems. All these challenges (and more) can reduce water availability and use for other sectors and needs, such as for drinking water (SDG 6). Consequently, there’s need for farmers to take up sustainable agricultural practices aimed at maintaining ecosystems and improve soil and land quality which will in turn lead to improvement of water quality and protection and restoration of water resources. One of the good practices I have come across on water resources management is regional cooperation for example that by SADC countries through the Regional Water Strategy which is aimed at reducing trans-boundary water resources depletion, competition and conflicts as well as ensuring sustainable water use and management.

So how do we now move from problems to solutions?

In terms of policy, what we need to see more of is:

1. Policies which promote research and innovation of technologies for sustainable agricultural production such as drought tolerant crops, or advanced irrigation technologies to reduce water use.
2. Coordination between different government ministries/departments when designing water resource policies, guidelines, and regulatory practices.

When looking at Specific Local actions to take up, my call to action is:

1. Capacity building of young researchers on decision support tools for modelling of crop water use efficiency (crop water productivity) which will in turn inform policy making.
2. The creation and strengthening of Multi-stakeholder Platforms within a country to enhance cooperation to address agricultural water management.
3. Regional cooperation in the consolidation of data on irrigation development; including: sharing of best practices, analysis of emerging issues, and possible solutions. Such cooperation will also guide data-driven policies for the member states. This endeavour would involve leveraging on avenues/platforms such as the AU and International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage.
4. Intensification of agricultural extension services to farmers, with a keen focus on water use efficiency at the farm level.

In conclusion, even though we are currently not on target to achieve SDG 2, I believe the adoption of the above named actions will help us inch closer to meet our targets.