Management and governance mechanisms for sustainable agricultural groundwater use and their promotion through development cooperation

The project explored sustainable groundwater use in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on agriculture, which heavily relies on groundwater. The aim was to balance agricultural productivity with water resource protection. With challenges like climate change, population growth, and food insecurity, managing groundwater sustainably is critical. This effort supports both food security (SDG 2) and domestic water supply (SDG 6).

The project assessed various strategies to encourage sustainable groundwater use in agriculture, including legal regulations, economic incentives, and cooperative management approaches. Case studies from China, Ghana, India, and Spain revealed effective policy tools and existing challenges. For instance, China’s water quota system has curbed groundwater overuse, while in Ghana, smallholder irrigation systems thrive without government aid. In India, initiatives like the Andhra Pradesh Farmer-Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS) empower farmers with training and monitoring to make sustainable choices. These findings highlight the importance of aligning governance tools with local conditions and institutional frameworks to create sustainable solutions.

adelphi played a key role by providing expertise on policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement strategies, and practical advice for German development cooperation. They also facilitated connections among stakeholders to enhance knowledge sharing and develop effective governance mechanisms. The project emphasised using insights from case studies to inform strategic advice for policymakers and create innovative, regionally applicable solutions.