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		Land and Water Division

FAO Water in 2012:
Your appointments with Water and Food security in 2012

	The theme of "Water and Food Security" is high on the agenda this year with three major international events – the World Water Forum, the World Water Day and the World Water Week - that address the relationships between water and food production and look at ways to feed growing populations within the boundaries of our freshwater resources. FAO invites you for a series of appointments on water and food security to find out more and discover what needs to be done.
	Read the FAO Water Bulletin Water and Food Security Special Edition

Andhra Pradesh Water Monitoring Project
New Video 'India's Barefoot Water Scientists
highlights projects successes

Six thousand farmers have been trained in groundwater management by a project run by Indian NGOs and guided by the FAO. This video, entiled 'India's barefoot water scientists' is a look at what happens when these farmers are empowered to manage their own resources scientifically and in cooperation with other farmers.

Watch Video in:
English español français

Land and Water Discussion Paper:
Monitoring agricultural water use at country level

	This report summarizes the results and lessons of the project “Strengthening national water monitoring capacities, with emphasis on agricultural water management”. The project was implemented in two African countries, Benin and Ethiopia, and worked for two years with specialists in key stakeholder institutions to establish an information system on agricultural water management based on AQUASTAT, FAO’s information system on water and agriculture.
	View the Discussion Paper FAO AQUASTAT

Nile Basin Project
Side Event interviews now available

FAO recently hosted a side event on its "Information Products for Nile Basin Water Resources Management" Project.

Dr. Wael Khairy, the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) Executive Director, and FAO experts talk about the project which is intended to strengthen the ability of the governments of the eleven Nile countries to take informed decisions with regard to water resources policy and management in the Nile basin.

Watch the Interviews
Read more on the FAO NIle Project

The Recycling Society
Towards water re-use for agriculture

Circular Society

Traditionally, cities draw their water from nearby rivers and dispose of their wastewater further downstream in the same river.

But there is another way...

Watch our animation and discover how water can be used in cities and re-used in agriculture with benefits for all!

English Version [flash required]>>
Download as DVD File (79mb)>>
Download for iPod and iPhone (4mb)>>

Versión Española [flash requerido]
Download as DVD File (79mb) >>
Download for iPod and iPhone (4mb)>>

Version Française [flash requis]
Download as DVD File (79mb)>>
Download for iPod and iPhone >>

View Factsheet [900k PDF]

World Water Day 2012
Water for Food Security

On 22 March 2012, we will be celebrating World Water Day. In 2012, the theme of the Day is Water for Food Security and the campaign is coordinated by FAO.

Join us and discover the unsuspected quantities of water you "eat" everyday!

Discover also our campaign materials, connect with the world through our social networks and share your events online!

WWD2012

Visit the website

Promotional Material: 2012 FAO Desktop Calendar

	The February 2012 desktop calendar is now available! Download your calendar, selecting your screen size to open the calendar image in a new window then right click on the image and select 'Set as Desktop Item' form the menu.
	February 2012: 1920 x 1200 \| 1024 x 768 \| 800 x 600

Water reports: Climate Change, water and food security

This report summarizes current knowledge of the anticipated impacts of climate change on water availability for agriculture and examines the implications for local and national food security. It analyses expected impact of climate change on a set of major agricultural systems at risk and makes the case for immediate implementation of 'no-regrets' strategies which have both positive development outcomes and make agricultural systems resilient. It is hoped that policy makers and planners can use this report to frame their adaptation responses when considering both the water variable in agriculture and the competing demands from other users.

Read the Press Release

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Publication: Guidelines on spate irrigation

Spate irrigation has evolved over the centuries and provided rural populations in arid and semi-arid regions with an ingenious way to manage their scarce water resources. It is different from conventional irrigation in many ways and therefore needs special skills and approaches that address the unpredictability and magnitude of spate floods, their high sediment load, and the associated water rights and management models.

The objective of this publication is to assist planners and practitioners in designing and managing spate irrigation projects looking at the hydrology, the engineering, the agronomy, local organizations and rules, wadi basin management and economics. It is designed to be both a practical guidance document and a source of information and examples, based extensively on experience from across the world in places where spate irrigation is practiced.

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Water at a Glance

	A brief introduction to some of the issues facing FAO Water including the relationship between water, agriculture, food security and poverty. The reader will also learn about effective ways of managing agricultural water.
	View Brochure (PDF)

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		last updated: 08-Feb-2012