Background

Sustainable water use for food production, human consumption and industrial use is probably the largest global challenge in the future. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water. 70 % of the world freshwater use is allocated to agriculture while 22 % is used by the industry and 8 % for human consumption and use. Food security is often linked to in-creased productivity which is conventionally associated with increased use of inputs such as irrigation water, fertilizers and pesticides. Agriculture as the biggest water users will have to accept the challenge of becoming far more efficient in a food secure world and sustainable development.

According to the FAO more than half of the irrigation water in arid and semiarid areas does not reach the plant in spite of the fact that many water saving technologies and agricultural practices are available, however, they are not yet widely applied.

To increase productivity of agricultural production in sustainable manner innovative approaches to achieving efficient water use must go beyond technological solutions addressing technology adoption, behaviour change, economic instruments and policies.

The Project or initiative shall be relevant at global level and have a clear link to policy frameworks at continental or global level. Research projects are not considered.

Objectives

The project/initiative shall ultimately contribute to achieve Component 2 of GPFS Strategy: Competing claims on natural resources, Target 2.1: Promote technological and financial approaches to reduce water consumption of agricultural production.

Proposals shall especially consider the following three strategic questions:

— What are approaches to promote the adoption of existing and tested water saving technologies?

— How to approach small scale farmers to change to more efficient irrigation schemes?

— What are agronomic approaches and methods that have a tested potential to reach scale?

Finances and Duration

SDC's contribution will indicatively range between 600 000 CHF – 1 000 000 CHF per year and cover maximum 50 % of the total cost of the project (co-financing scheme)

The first phase of the project shall last 3 years with a possible extension to a second phase of another 3 years.