Inland valley (dambo) characterization and classification
for sustainable agricultural production

BACKGROUND

In early 1996, several countries from East and southern Africa attended the FAO-sponsored WEDEM Workshop on Sustainable Inland Valley Use in Cotonou, Benin. One of the major conclusions of the workshop was the lack of a common approach to classifying and characterizing wetlands, a situation which hinders efficient subregional research and the implementation of sustainable inland development programmes. In the East and southern African subregion, national wetland coverage varies between 3 and 10 percent. Dambos are an important resource for a stable environment and for the socio-economic development of people who have access to them. There is much potential for the sustainable use of dambos, which includes crop production, particularly paddy rice cultivation, livestock husbandry and fishing and their use as a water source for irrigation and domestic consumption. FAO invited experts to a forum in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 3 to 6 December in 1997 to discuss the Inland Valley (Dambo) Characterization and Classification for Sustainable Agricultural Production Programme.

OBJECTIVES

• Review the characterization and classification of inland valleys (IVs) for sustainable agricultural production with particular reference to dambos;
• discuss the adapation of the multiscale characterization methodology which was developed for West Africa by the Inland Valley Consortium;
• prepare a subregional research and development programme for East and southern Africa;
• devise an institutional framework (technical cooperation network or consortium) to implement and coordinate the implementation of the subregional programme.

ATTENDANCE

The meeting brought together 39 participants representing eight countries (Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe); five international organizations (FAO, the World Bank, the World Conservation Organization [IUCN] and the Ramsar Convention Bureau); three international research institutions from the European Union and NGOs.

PROCEEDINGS

The programme included three technical sessions which discussed the sustainable utilization of inland valleys for food security, the characterization and classification of inland valleys for sustainable use and the network approach for sustainable development of dambos. During the first technical session, country reports showed the wide diversity of wetlands in the region and also of the national priorities for wetland development.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Expert Consultation recognized the potential of wetlands and their important contribution to food security, especially in years of drought. It also recognized:

• the need for holistic approaches to the characterization and classification of wetlands for sustainable agricultural production;
• the need for clear definitions to correspond to the different types of wetland;
• the importance of the use of wetlands by smallholders;
• the need to generate data on all biophysical and socio-economic parameters.

The following recommendations were made:

• the initiation of a regional network on the utilization of wetlands for food security without undue impact on the environment;
• linkages to existing networking and wetland programmes;
• development of wetlands at the national level should be based on sound plans of action incorporating participatory approaches; research and development; national capacity building; dissemination of information; monitoring and evaluation; and the development of an enabling environment through appropriate policies, strategies and legislation and the enhancement of sustainable and environmentally sound utilization.

FAO was requested to organize a meeting within the following 12 months to implement a networking arrangement. The participating countries were to prepare a state-of-the-art report on policy, institutional and technical issues related to wetland development.

Consultation d'experts sur la classification et la caractérisation
de la Vallée intérieure (dambo) en vue d'une production agricole durable

La FAO a organisé cette consultation à Harare (Zimbabwe) du 3 au 6 décembre 1997 pour passer en revue la caractérisation et la classification de la vallée intérieure aux fins d'une production agricole durable, plus particulièrement en ce qui concerne les dambos et pour préparer un programme sous-régional de développement et de recherche pour l'Afrique orientale et australe. La Consultation a reconnu la contribution importante et le potentiel des zones humides pour la sécurité alimentaire, surtout durant les années de sécheresse. Elle a recommandé: i) la création d'un réseau régional sur l'utilisation des zones humides pour la sécurité alimentaire sans incidences négatives sur l'environnement;
ii) l'établissement de liens avec les programmes existants portant sur les zones humides et la création de réseaux; iii) l'adoption, au niveau national, de politiques, stratégies et législations appropriées pour renforcer l'utilisation durable et respectueuse de l'environnement; et iv) l'organisation par la FAO d'une réunion pour la mise en place de réseaux.

Consulta de Expertos sobre caracterización y clasificación de valles
del interior (dambo) para la producción agrícola sostenible

La FAO organizó una Consulta de Expertos en Harare, Zimbabwe, del 3 al 6 de diciembre de 1997, con el fin de examinar la caracterización y clasificación de valles del interior para la producción agrícola sostenible, prestando especial atención a los dambos, y preparar un programa subregional de investigación y desarrollo para Africa oriental y austral. En la reunión se reconoció la importante contribución y las posibilidades de los humedales a la seguridad alimentaria, especialmente en años de sequía. Recomendó que se iniciara una red regional sobre utilización de los humedales para favorecer la seguridad alimentaria sin perjudicar al medio ambiente; que se establecieran vínculos con las redes y programas en curso sobre humedales; que se tuvieran en cuenta, a nivel nacional, las políticas, estrategias y legislación apropiadas para aumentar la utilización sostenible y ecológicamente idónea, y que se pidiera a la FAO que organizara una reunión para aplicar el acuerdo sobre el establecimiento de una red.