IAI projects funded by the US National Science Foundation (NSF) and Canada's IDRC included support of research in the La Plata Basin, which has experienced extensive land use changes. Projects examine the effects of hydrological and climate change on agriculture, as well as how land use feeds back into effects on regional hydrology and climate, both economically and socially. Several articles in this newsletter present results of these interactions, such as an economic analysis of flooding, effects on soil carbon stocks, and drivers of land use change.

Klimaatverandering werkt via hogere temperaturen, veranderingen in neerslagpatronen, veranderingen in frequentie en intensiteit van weersextremen en zeespiegelstijging door op het functioneren van het landgebruik en het watersysteem in het landelijk gebied. De doorwerking van de hierboven genoemde klimaateffecten is complex en verschilt tussen gebieden en verschillende vormen van landgebruik. Klimaatverandering bedreigt sommige functies maar biedt ook nieuwe kansen. Om deze kansen te benutten en de bedreigingen het hoofd te bieden is klimaatadaptatie nodig.

Zware machines verpesten de bodemstructuur in de akkerbouw. In de veehouderij komt bij gras scheuren een grote hoeveelheid nitraat vrij. Dit zijn maar twee voorbeelden van ongewenste effecten van maatregelen op onze bodem. En dat terwijl de maatschappij juist verwacht dat boeren hun bodem zó beheren, dat ze ook diensten voor de samenleving kunnen leveren en dat altijd kunnen blijven doen. Het is tijd voor een duurzamer bodembeheer.

De Directie Regionale Zaken (DRZ) Zuid van EL&I wil graag weten welke (dieperliggende) vragen er schuilgaan achter de agenda op het gebied van reconstructie, megastallen, Q-koorts, etc., die is gekanaliseerd naar de het ruimtelijk ordeningsbeleid. Daartoe is deze helpdeskvraag uitgezet bij Alterra. De helpdeskvraag is toegespitst naar de 'Wet algemene bepalingen omgevingsrecht'.

ABSTRACTED FROM THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This paper focuses on the role of the rice sector in Cambodian agriculture strategy. The paper first reviews the performance of the rice sector in Cambodian agriculture and rice-related government policies and interventions, and it then identifies potential and constraints for future development of the rice sector.

The Study on Public Interventions in Agriculture: With What Gender Implications was conducted by ANSAF with the purpose to generate relevant data that shall facilitate better understanding on to what extent interventions in Agriculture considered the gender aspect to ensure equal participation of women, men, youth and other marginalized groups in the process.

The brief about the work and principles of operation of partners within the SAGCOT region.

Despite progress made in adopting a more coordinated sectoral approach under initiatives such as Kilimo Kwanza and the Agricultural Sector Development Strategy, agricultural policies in Tanzania are implemented through a myriad of programs and projects.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the World Bank Group's (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development [IBRD], International Development Association [IDA], and International Finance Corporation [IFC]) effectiveness in promoting growth in agricultural productivity in Azerbaijan, and to derive lessons that may be relevant for the World Bank Group's future engagement in Azerbaijani agriculture.

The way we produce food must adapt to a variable and changing climate. And key to achieving this is to improve the link between climate information and agricultural practices, especially those of smallholder farmers in developing countries. ‘Agro-climate tools’ do just that and some are introduced here.

The country profile is a summary of key information that gives an overview of the water resources and water use at the national level. It can support water-related policy and decision makers in their planning and monitoring activities as well as inform researchers, media and the general public. Information in the report is organized by sections:

• Geography, Climate and Population
• Economy, Agriculture and Food Security
• Water Resources
• Water Use
• Irrigation and Drainage

The country profile is a summary of key information that gives an overview of the water resources and water use at the national level. It can support water-related policy and decision makers in their planning and monitoring activities as well as inform researchers, media and the general public. Information in the report is organized by sections: