The title of my Thesis is "Farmers' Laws and Irrigation: Water Rights and Dispute Management in the Hills of Nepal". This is based on a research I conducted in the Thulotar Kulo irrigation system in Nepal, during 1997 and 1998. Thulotar Kulo is a farmer-managed irrigation system.

Preliminary findings on the effects of land use in the Masinga Dam catchment, Kenya, on the storage capacity of the reservoir are presented. Remote sensing and GIS techniques, supplemented with ground reports, were used to determine areas most susceptible to erosion. A representative catchment was then chosen for rainy season monitoring of soil loss, river suspended sediments and discharge response to rainfall. In addition, Gerlach-type traps were used to evaluate erosion rates under different crop covers and slope gradients.

This issue of Caravan chronicles ICARDA’s efforts in developing a research strategy and a need-based research program for the CAC region. In doing so, ICARDA played a major role in bringing together all partners, most importantly donors. The article on page 8 traces the history of this effort and provides an overview of the current status of collaboration.

Voor de Commissie Waterbeheer 21ste eeuw zijn drie scenario's voor de grondgebruiksvormen land- en tuinbouw en natuur in Nederland opgesteld. Als basis voor de meest waarschijnlijke ontwikkeling is daarbij het Europesecoördinatiescenario van het Centraal Planbureau gebruikt. Dit is uitgewerkt naar de eisen die deze vormen van grondgebruik aan het watersysteem in de komende decennia zullen stellen.

This paper discusses – at the sub-basin level – the regional differences and comparative advantages for agricultural development and water resources utilization in the Nile Basin. It looks at options for development, projected in the regional context, and the importance of agricultural water use for social and food security in the different parts of the basin.

Meeting symbol/code: APRC 00 3

Water, an essential component of life supporting systems, is at the forefront of discussions on global sustainability and food security. Water also has a major role in poverty alleviation and local food security. The technology for a more effective use of the resource is known but institutional reforms needed to lead the world in a positive direction are proving difficult to establish. This study was commissioned to suscitate constructive discussion around many sensitive aspects of water policy.

This Manual has been put together with the objective of assisting actions by the diverse groups of human beings who intervene in the conservation of the natural resources, particularly soil and water resources and in the context of each continent, country, region or zone. The Manual brings together a collection of concepts, experiences and practical suggestions that can be of immediate use for identifying problems and for formulating, executing and evaluating actions so as to benefit and to improve the productivity and conservation of soil and water resources.

Meeting symbol/code: APRC 00 3

Meeting symbol/code: FAO-RNE--ALAWUC/NE/00/REP
Session: Sess. 1

One of the guiding mandates within the FAO Constitution is the following: “The Organization shall promote and, where appropriate, shall recommend national and international action with respect to: … the conservation of natural resources and the adoption of improved methods of agricultural production ...”. In many African countries, in addition to low yields, food production is limited by the availability of land and water resources.