9. Land, Soil and Water Management

9.1 African Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN)

African Conservation Tillage Network
ACT Secretariat
IES/University of Zimbabwe
PO Box MP 167
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Contact: Martin Bwalya, ACT Regional Coordinator
Tel: +263 4 302603
Fax: +263 4 332853
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.fao.org/act-network/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural extension; Conservation; Environment; Sustainable agriculture
Publications: ACT NOW! (Internet newsletter)

ACT was initiated in 1998 at a workshop on Conservation Tillage for Sustainable Agriculture convened in Harare by GTZ, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the southern and eastern Africa-based FARMESA, the Zimbabwe Farmers' Union and the South African Agricultural Research Council. It consists of practitioners (farmers) and promoters who believe that the adoption of conservation tillage principles and practices in Africa can not only reduce but can reverse the environmental degradation that is devastating the continent. Its purpose is to identify, develop, disseminate and promote sustainable land use and rural livelihoods through the adaptation and adoption of natural (such as soil and water) and other (such as fuel, energy, time and capital) conserving tillage practices in Africa.

The objectives of the Network are to:

create fora for, and stimulate the sharing of, the exchange of information and experiences among researchers, extensionists and practitioners, and encourage farmers increasingly to apply methods of soil and water conservation that are environmentally sound and economically viable;
encourage the formation of national networks to promote an institutional and policy environment conducive for the dissemination and implementation of conservation tillage practices.

ACT believes that there is a wealth of experience and expertise in the practice and principles of conservation tillage throughout Africa, and that the effective collection, synthesis and sharing of this knowledge, especially when combined with that generated on other continents (in particular South America), will greatly stimulate the adaptation and adoption of conservation tillage practices and systems throughout the continent.

However, in order not to overstretch its (at present) limited resources, ACT aims to focus its activities in a three-phase program:

phase 1: 2000 - 02, eastern and southern Africa;
phase 2: 2003 - 05, western and Central Africa;
phase 3: 2006 - 08, North Africa.

Scheduled activities:

promote foundation of national networks;
collect and disseminate information about conservation tillage to practitioners;
set up databases of institutions and persons detailing their areas of expertise and experience in the region;
establish an online searchable literature database, including on conservation tillage-related findings and practices in Africa;
initiate and support thematic working groups;
establish links to donor organisations and relevant projects;
publish a newsletter and provide information for topical work groups;
hold regular topical work group meetings with the various stakeholders;
conduct field days with farmers, advisors, scientists and other stakeholders;
prepare training materials on conservation tillage methods and dissemination approaches;
initiate and facilitate training for relevant groups of farmers, advisers or research workers;
select pilot regions and conduct pilot projects;
test and compare alternative technologies and dissemination approaches for conservation tillage;
disseminate information about successful technologies through reciprocal visits by farmers' groups.

Updates: by means of its electronic newsletter ACT NOW!, ACT provides a regular update on events and findings that may accelerate the adoption of conservation tillage practices in Africa (subscribe by E-mailing [email protected] with the subject line SUBSCRIBE ACT NOW!).

Membership of the ACTN is open to any individual, institution or company interested in the practice or promotion of conservation tillage in Africa, and can be applied for by completing and returning a membership form online (http://www.fao.org/act-network/member.htm) or by writing to ACT's Secretary at the above address.

Alternative contact:
Richard Fowler, Secretary, African Conservation Tillage Network (ACT), 5 Musson Mews, Hayfields, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 33 3559410, Fax: +27 (0) 33 3434281, E-mail:[email protected], http://www.welcome.to/ACT-Network/

9.2 ARID (Regional Association on Irrigation and Drainage in West and Central Africa)

ARID
c/o EIER (Ecole Inter Etats d'Ingéniuers de l'Equipement Rural)
Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO
Web: http://www.hipponet.nl/arid-l/home.htm
Geographic coverage: West and Central Africa
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Drainage; Irrigation; Water management
Publications: ARID-L (network discussion list); ARID Newsletter (quarterly)

ARID is a non-profit association. It was established in 1996 to meet the demands of irrigation and drainage professionals. ARID covers 23 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tomé, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

ARID's objectives are to:

promote the sustainable development of land and water in order to increase agricultural production and achieve food security;
promote irrigation and drainage technology, including that of flood control and river development, in its aspects of engineering, agriculture, economics, the environment and socially;
collect and distribute the results of studies and research, promoting the exchange of experiences using South - South and North - South networks;
promote the establishment of national irrigation and drainage committees, where ARID is the regional representative of the ICID.

A study is under way to establish a database on irrigation and drainage professionals in the ARID mandate area.

ARID-L is the network and discussion list on small-scale irrigation. Its main purpose is to exchange information and experiences on small-scale irrigation technology and development in West and Central Africa. E-mail is the main means of exchange, but Internet connections are also being developed (website, downloadable archives).

A network newsletter produced four times a year (sent by E-mail and available on the website) provides short news items, information on forthcoming events and courses, project updates, new publications and vacancies. Each item includes, where possible, an E-mail contact address and the Internet address of the news source.

9.3 Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN)

Asia Pacific Mountain Network
c/o ICIMOD - International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
4/80 Jawalakhel
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Contact: Dr Gabriel Campbell, Director General
Tel: +977 1 525 313
Fax: +977 1 524 509 or 317
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.icimod.org.sg/
Geographic coverage: Asia and Pacific
Languages: English
Subject areas: Mountains; Upland farming
Publications: APMN Bulletin

The APMN is an informal forum for the exchange of information and sharing of knowledge affecting sustainable mountain development in the Asia - Pacific region among agencies and personnel concerned or associated with such mountain areas. The network is coordinated by ICIMOD through a special grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

The Network's main objective is to facilitate information exchange about mountain development issues among professionals, development workers and policy makers in Asian countries. It also seeks to sensitise donor agencies about the critical need for, and options regarding, sustainable mountain development.

The APMN focuses on information sharing and exchange on the following issues:

poverty eradication and economic development;
sustainable management of natural resources;
gender-balanced decision making in environment and development policies and programmes;
preservation of cultural heritage;
reducing the vulnerability to mountain disasters;
stronger collaboration among the mountain countries of Asia in order to share experiences, data and information, policies, technologies, methodologies and management systems related to sustainable mountain development.

The Network aims to:

establish a network through mail and other means among agencies working in mountain development, thus encouraging information sharing on mountain development programmes, activities, problems, etc.;
establish different focal points for the different subregions of Asia in order to develop strong subregional linkages for sharing information and for other activities related to mountain development;
support the development of the APMN Bulletin, produced by ICIMOD, focusing on short descriptions of mountain and upland areas, people and their lifestyles, development issues, problems, and activities, and agencies concerned with and working for mountain development and their activities;
organise meetings, seminars, and exchanges along with other activities that can contribute to the sustainable development of mountain areas.

9.4 Asia Soil Conservation Network for the Humid Tropics (ASOCON)

Asia Soil Conservation Network for the Humid Tropics [updated March 2004]
The Ministry of Forestry
Manggala Wanabakti Building, Block I Floor 13
Jl. Gatot Subroto, Senayan
Jakarta 10270
INDONESIA

Contact: Syaiful Anwar
Tel: +62 21 5730 176
Fax: +62 21 57 00263
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Web: http://www.asocon.org/main.htm
Geographic coverage: Asia
Languages: English
Subject areas: Soil conservation; Water conservation
Publications: CONTOUR (newsletter); a full list of publications is available online

ASOCON was formed with UNDP/FAO support in 1989. The network structure consists of a coordinating unit at the Ministry of Forestry Jakarta, and National Coordinating Committees established by each member country (China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam). National Coordinators form the Network Consultative Board which serves as both the steering committee and the policy forming body. The Network aims to assist its member countries through a programme of information exchange, regional workshops, expert consultations and learning activities to enhance the skills and expertise of those responsible for the development and dissemination of soil and water conservation practices for small-scale farmers. The ultimate objective is to help small-scale farmers use their land sustainably and productively.

CONTOUR is its newsletter dedicated to the exchange of information on soil and water conservation in Southeast Asia, with special reference to the countries participating in ASOCON. A full list of its publications is available on its website and on request.

9.5 Asian WATMANET (Water Management Network)

Asian WATMANET
FAO (UN), PO Box 25
UN Building, Pulchowk
Kathmandu
NEPAL
Contact: Prem N. Sharma
Tel: +977 1 225144
Fax: +977 1 225144
Web: http://www.mtnforum.org/apmn/2,1(c).htm
Geographic coverage: Asia
Languages: English
Subject areas: Watershed management
Publications: Asian WATMANET Newsletter

The Asian WATMANET was launched in 1994 to fulfil the objectives of the UNDP/FAO 'Watershed Management in the Tropics and Upper Himalayas' subprogramme of the 'Farmer-centred Agricultural Resources' management programme. It is a regional network of 13 Asian countries for people's participation in watershed management, and evolved out of widespread concern for the increasing deterioration of watersheds in this region. In addition to regional networking, it also initiates and assists grassroots-level farmers' networks and national WATMANETs. The watershed management approach adopted by the Asian WATMANET integrates all the watershed resources.

The objectives of the Asian WATMANET are to:

support farmers' organisation networks for watershed management at the village, district and national levels;
facilitate the exchange of information and experience at all levels;
strengthen partnerships between government and non-government organisations and people's or farmers' organisations for sustainable natural resources management of the fragile watersheds in the Asian region;
publish a quarterly regional newsletter to close the gap in participatory water management literature.

With the help of focal points and its dynamic membership, the Asian WATMANET has achieved a great deal: field-level demonstrations in innovative models of watershed management/natural resource management through farmers' organisation network building at farm demonstration watersheds; action research and studies on watershed management-related issues; and regional workshops, training programmes and information exchange through field documents, the Asian WATMANET Newsletter, etc. Two WATMANET membership directories have also been published and distributed.

9.6 CGIAR Systemwide Initiative on Water Management (SWIM 2) (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture)

CGIAR Systemwide Initiative on Water Management (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture)
c/o International Water Management Institute (IMWI)
PO Box 2075
Colombo
SRI LANKA
Contact: David Molden, SWIM Coordinator
Tel: +94 1 787404, 784080
Fax: +94 1 786854
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.iwmi.org/ComAss/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Capacity building; Hydrology; Water management

SWIM produced a series of research papers which have been in great demand over the past 4 years and are available on the IWMI web page (http://www.iwmi.org/). SWIM fostered collaborative work between IWMI, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Wuhan University in China on water saving in rice areas; between ICLARM (The WorldFish Center) and IWMI on the hydrology of the Mekong and fisheries; and between the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and IWMI on global modelling.

IWMI's new strategic plan, launched in 2000, called for an expansion of collaborative research activities under SWIM 2 as a part of the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, and is intended to foster intercentre collaboration.

The goal of the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture is to have a more precise understanding of the water - food - nature interactions in developing countries, and to develop knowledge-based analyses of the situation. It is an international research programme organised through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Systemwide Initiative on Water Management (SWIM 2) whose aim is to investigate questions of water used in agriculture from the 1950s to the present. It will develop analytical tools and extend these findings into the future to help planners and policy makers develop workable strategies that ensure their countries' food and environmental security.

Planned outputs

A unique set of information on water use in agriculture - this includes an authoritative global assessment of irrigation benefits and costs; a map of global irrigated agriculture and a wealth of new water use statistics; more precise data on groundwater use in agriculture and hot spots where its use is unsustainable; perspectives on the potential of rainfed agriculture to meet food production needs; and health impact assessments.

Conceptual and analytic tools - to help water managers and policy makers strengthen their strategies for water, food and environmental security.

Identification and dissemination of innovative solutions, created by poor communities, governments and international organisations - to increase water productivity in agriculture, improve health situations and protect natural ecosystems affected by irrigation.

Capacity building activities at the national, local and community levels - to help water stakeholders apply tools to improve the situation in their areas.

Interaction with the Global Dialogue on Water, Food and Environment, and many other initiatives, conferences and workshops, the objective being to spread practical knowledge as broadly as possible - from the user to policy levels.

The overall objective of the Comprehensive Assessment is to put new, practical knowledge into the hands of small farmers, government policy makers and the international donor agencies, so that development efforts can be more effectively targeted to help small water investors. It will do this by looking beyond the scope of traditional research. Its approach is to fill key gaps in knowledge, and work to convert this knowledge into action at the practical level in developing countries. Its final product will be practical new knowledge and tools that water stakeholders can use to improve their water - food situations.

9.7 Comisión para la Gestión Integral del Agua en Bolivia (CGIAB) [Bolivian Commission for the Integrated Management of Water]

Comisión para la Gestión Integral del Agua en Bolivia
PO Box 13078
La Paz
BOLIVIA
Contact: Juan Carlos Alurralde, Coordinator
Tel: +591 2 2795440 or +591 4 4276071
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.aguabolivia.org/
Geographic coverage: Bolivia
Languages: Spanish
Subject areas: Water management
Publications: Todo sobre el agua (All About Water) (E-newsletter)

CGIAB is formed by a group of public and private institutions involved in the management and administration of water. The Commission, created in 1998, is currently constituted by 11 institutions. Its goal is to create a participatory sphere to discuss, coordinate, research and act with the aim of working in search of the integral management of water resources at national level. It tries to depoliticise the debate around water, offering an academic and technical platform to help take the right decisions and inform the local and regional communities.

CGIAB distributes Todo sobre el agua (All About Water), an electronic newsletter.

9.8 Eastern African Coastal Area Management (SEACAM)

Eastern African Coastal Area Management
874, Av. Amílcar Cabral, 1st floor
Caixa Postal 4220
Maputo
MOZAMBIQUE
Contact: Custódio C. Voabil, Coordinator
Tel: +258 1 300641 or 2
Fax: +258 1 300638
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.seacam.mz/
Geographic coverage: East Africa
Languages: English; French; Portuguese
Subject areas: Coastal resource management
Publications: SECAM Update; publications list available online

SEACAM's vision is for Eastern African countries to manage their coastal and marine resources in a sustainable way, in order to contribute to the eradication of poverty and the protection of biodiversity in the region.

Working with 10 countries (Comoros, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Réunion (Fr.), Seychelles, South Africa and Tanzania), it aims to assist the many different stakeholders in the region striving to improve the management of coastal resources, including governments, local and international NGOs, donors, academics, communities and the private sector.

Rather than implementing coastal management projects itself, SEACAM provides information and builds capacity in countries to implement their own programmes.

In its dissemination activities, the Secretariat places particular emphasis on communicating the lessons learned from the regional experience in Integrated Coastal Zone Management and from other developing countries. These activities include:

an online newsletter, SECAM Update, published three times a year;
Eastern African Coastal Management Database - a unique source of information on coastal management activities in Eastern Africa. It complements other databases on scientific data or regional scientists and has been developed for policy makers, managers and everyone who is interested in the coast of Eastern Africa. The database is frequently updated, and users are invited to check it regularly for new information and to comment on it. The success of the database relies on accurate, extensive and up-to-date information. Users are strongly requested to help SEACAM in collecting, validating and updating the information in the database;
publications, a list of which appears on the website and can be ordered free of charge.

The Secretariat also works closely with other regional programmes, and links to these are provided from its site.

9.9 Global Water Partnership (GWP)

Global Water Partnership
GWP Secretariat
Hantverkargatan 5, House 6
SE-112 21 Stockholm
SWEDEN
Contact: Ann Milton, GWP Communications
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.gwpforum.org/
Tel: +46 8 562 51 900
Fax: +46 8 562 51 901
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Water management
Publications: Newsflow (newsletter); regional newsletters; technical papers

GWP is a working partnership among all those involved in water management: government agencies, public institutions, private companies, professional organisations, multilateral development agencies and others committed to the Dublin - Rio principles. It actively identifies critical knowledge needs at global, regional and national levels, helps design programmes for meeting these needs, and serves as a mechanism for alliance building and information exchange on integrated water resources management.

GWP's mission is to support countries in the sustainable management of their water resources. Its objectives are to:

clearly establish the principles of sustainable water resources management;
identify gaps and stimulate partners to meet critical needs within their available human and financial resources;
support action at the local, national, regional or river basin level that follows principles of sustainable water resources management;
help match needs to available resources.

This initiative was based on promoting and implementing integrated water resources management through the development of a worldwide network that could pull together financial, technical, policy and human resources to address the critical issues of sustainable water management.

Publications: more information about water management, GWP publications and reports from the regions can be accessed and downloaded from the library's extensive collection on the GWP website. These include:

technical papers (TAC Background Papers) - this series has been created to disseminate the papers written and commissioned by the GWP Technical Committee to address the conceptual agenda;
brochures (global and regional) - provide general descriptions of GWP and the regions;
newsletters (global and regional) and Annual Reports - provide news about GWP activities;
strategic issues - allows access to GWP documents of strategic importance.

Regional action groups are based in Central America, Central and Eastern Europe, China, Mediterranean, South America, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa and West Africa.

9.10 IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center)

IFDC
PO Box 2040
Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
USA
Contact: Jean S. Riley, Senior Librarian
Tel: +1 256 381 6600
Fax: +1 256 381 7408
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ifdc.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agricultural development; Fertilisers; Soil fertility; Technology transfer
Publications: Newsletters and bulletins; publication list available online

IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center), an International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development, was founded in 1974 to help in the quest for global food security. Its goal is increasing agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner through the development and transfer of effective, environmentally sound plant nutrient technology and agricultural marketing expertise.

IFDC has conducted technology transfer activities in more than 120 countries. It has contributed to the development of human resources and institutional capacity building in 150 countries through more than 600 training programmes. Its cadre of scientists and professionals provide a unique mix of applied research and technology transfer capabilities.

IFDC's facilities include libraries, laboratories, greenhouses, pilot plant and training facilities. In addition to its headquarters in Muscle Shoals, USA, IFDC has offices and/or staff stationed in Albania, Bangladesh, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Togo, Uruguay and Washington, DC (USA).

The library was established to provide research and technical information services for all IFDC staff (local and out-posted) engaged in agricultural research including marketing and plant nutrient technology, training activities and technology transfer. Industries, businesses, individual scientists, and national and international organisations have also benefited from the resources and capabilities of the library.

The subject focus of the library collection includes fertilisers and plant nutrients with special reference to developing countries, agriculture, agricultural economics, agronomy, agribusiness and marketing, chemistry and chemical engineering. A number of newsletters and bulletins are available free of charge from the website. Other publications can be ordered or downloaded directly from the website. A complete listing can be viewed online.

The library collection is accessible through OCLC (Online Computer Library Center, Inc.) and includes over 20 000 catalogued books, journals, training programmes, conference proceedings, pamphlets, maps, patents (US and foreign), and audiovisuals. Specifically, the collection includes:

over 200 current journal and newsletter subscriptions;
archival collection of fertiliser research material of the 1800s and early 1900s;
extensive collection of fertiliser technology material.

Library services provide:

access to the latest fertiliser marketing information;
access to collections of over 40 000 libraries located in North America, Europe and Asia through the interlibrary loan system of OCLC;
access to an in-house database of fertiliser-related literature;
in-depth literature reviews (CD-ROMS, 800 vendor databases, abstracts and indexes);
country file of fertiliser and agriculture-related publications from more than 130 developing countries;
organisation file including books and documents published by more than 300 agriculture-related organisations;
local area network access to library catalogue;
fully integrated electronic catalogue;
ready reference service;
training and support;
document delivery and photocopying service.

Enquiries or comments may be directed to the Senior Librarian, Jean S. Riley, at [email protected]

9.11 IFDC Africa Division

IFDC Africa Division
BP 4483
Lomé
TOGO
Contact: Dr Henk Breman, Director
Tel: +228 221 79 71
Fax: +228 221 78 17
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ifdc.org/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English; French
Subject areas: Agricultural development; Fertilisers; Soil fertility
Publications: African Fertiliser Market

Fifteen years of presence and field intervention have made the Africa Division of IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center) a major development stakeholder in sub-Saharan Africa. New orientations have been defined and new programmes set up with a view to strengthening its capacity to tackle the constraints and develop the potential of African agriculture.

IFDC Africa Division is entrusted with the mission of helping countries of sub-Saharan Africa to enhance agricultural productivity and increase farmers' income while preserving the soil capital. In carrying out its mission, the Africa Division focuses on empowering farmers and other stakeholders by facilitating access to the knowledge, information, agricultural inputs, technology and policy tools necessary to ensure safe, productive, profitable and sustainable agriculture in the region.

While endeavouring to enable farmers and private entrepreneurs to play their pivotal role in the context of the globalisation of the world market, IFDC encourages governments to take the lead in setting up national policy frameworks within which all players can perform fully and efficiently towards the goals of food security, economic development and social progress.

Considering the scope and complexity of the struggle against soil fertility decline and food insecurity, IFDC favours an integrated management strategy, which calls for concerted efforts and articulated actions at the different levels of intervention. It aims specifically to combine the use of locally available soil amendments and external inorganic fertilisers to optimise efficiency and care for the environment; to link soil fertility management to socio-economic and policy measures emphasising the role of farmers' organisations and trade associations and the development of markets for agricultural inputs and outputs.

The activities of IFDC Africa Division are centred on three interlinked programmes: the Integrated Intensification Programme aims at developing integrated soil fertility management techniques for different agro-ecological zones, that can trigger sustainable agricultural intensification - emphasis is laid on optimising the efficiency of the use of external inputs to ensure profitability and limit environmental risks; the Input Accessibility Programme aims at fine-tuning and transferring integrated soil fertility management techniques into different agro-ecological zones and under different socio-economic conditions - the programme is especially oriented towards improving farmers' access to production inputs, taking into account gender and equity issues; the Policy and Market Development Programme aims at promoting open and competitive markets for agricultural inputs through training, market intelligence, information dissemination and networking - emphasis is on helping governments create enabling policy environments that encourage private investments in soil fertility improvement.

Two units support IFDC Africa Division's programmes and activities: the Information and Communication Unit manages the internal and external information flows and organises promotional activities, while the Administration and Finance Unit is in charge of financial affairs and staff management.

The Africa Division has been instrumental in setting up and will act as coordinator and facilitator for the newly created AFAMIN (African Agricultural Market Information Network), whose purpose is to gather, organise and disseminate information collected by national stakeholders and from regional and global sources.

9.12 Information Support Project for Soil Fertility and Fallow Management in Southeast Asia (ISP)

Information Support Project for Soil Fertility and Fallow Management in Southeast Asia
Institute of Biological Sciences
University of the Philippines, Los Baños
4031 College, Laguna
PHILIPPINES
Contact: Dr Damasa B. Magcale-Macandog, Project Leader
Tel: +63 49 536 7418
Fax: +63 49 536 2517
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/sea/ifm/default.asp
Geographic coverage: Southeast Asia
Languages: English
Subject areas: Fallow management; Land management; Soil fertility; Upland farming; Tropical agriculture
Publications: Soil Fertility Matters Newsletter (online and print, biannual); FallowNet (discussion list)

The University of the Philippine Los Baños, Inc. (UPLBFI), the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) launched the Information Support Project (ISP) in September 2001. It aims to provide an avenue for exchange of information on soil fertility, fallow management and shifting cultivation in the upland areas of Southeast Asia and the tropics. The ISP is implemented by UPLBFI in collaboration with ICRAF-Southeast Asia Regional Research Programme. The project is funded by IFAD. Major activities under the 3-year project (September 2001 to August 2004) include:

publication of newsletters and poster series;
development of databases;
establishment and moderation of an electronic discussion list forum (FallowNet);
information needs assessment (download survey questionnaire in MS Word format).

Networking

The project is establishing the SFF (Soil Fertility and Fallow) Network. The SFF Network is envisioned to become a network of researchers, extensionists and practitioners concerned with soil fertility, fallow management and shifting cultivation in the upland areas of the tropics.

Information products

Soil Fertility Matters Newsletter - aims to disseminate information on the latest research and development efforts undertaken. It addresses the issues on shifting cultivation, swidden systems, soil fertility and fallow management in the upland tropics. It contains news articles and announcements contributed by development workers, researchers, upland programme/project managers and policy makers from around the world. Those wishing to contribute to or receive it should contact the Project Leader.

Databases:

directory of individuals concerned on shifting cultivation, soil fertility, fallow management and shifting cultivation in the upland tropics;
fallow species - both descriptions and photodocumentation;
related research and development projects/programmes on soil fertility, fallow systems and shifting cultivation in the tropics;
related references on soil fertility, fallow systems and shifting cultivation in the upland tropics.

Poster series - this presents a showcase of indigenous technologies and the research and development efforts on soil fertility and fallow management in the uplands of the Southeast Asian region and the tropics.

9.13 Institute of Grassland & Environmental Research (IGER)

Institute of Grassland & Environmental Research
Plas Gogerddan
Aberystwyth
SY23 3EB
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 1970 823000
Fax: +44 1970 828357
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.iah.bbsrc.ac.uk/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Grasslands
Publications: Pasture Ecology Group Newsletter (biannual); IGER Innovations (annual), available online

IGER's mission is to undertake an integrated, cross-disciplinary programme of basic, strategic and applied research for a range of customers, emphasising grassland-related agricultural systems. The aim of its research is to enhance efficiency, to improve sustainability, and to promote a viable partnership between the production of high-quality products and the effective management of the landscape.

Pasture Ecology Group Newsletter - aims to encourage the early exchange of information about ongoing projects and of results from experiments in progress, rather than to apply the standards required by a recognised scientific journal.

IGER Innovations was conceived as a means of describing the Institute's science to the general public, agriculturalists, academics and other scientists in a style that is accessible and readable.

IGER also publishes a range of information leaflets: technical reviews, booklets and information sheets.

9.14 Inter-American Water Resources Network (IWRN)

Inter-American Water Resources Network
c/o Organization of American States
Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment
1889 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
USA
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.iwrn.net/mainenglish.html
Geographic coverage: The Americas
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Water resources
Publications: Dialogue Update; publications available online or by E-mail request

The IWRN is a network of networks whose purpose is to build and strengthen water resources partnerships among nations, organisations and individuals; to promote education and the open exchange of information and technical expertise; and to enhance communication, cooperation, collaboration and financial commitment to integrated water and land resources management within the context of environmental and economic sustainability in the Americas.

The IWRN is composed of an Advisory Council of more than 130 institutions, organisations and private sector representatives. It has a national focal point in each of the 34 participating member countries of the Organization of American States (OAS); each supported by a Coordinator responsible for coordinating activities and meetings, disseminating IWRN information materials, and consulting with governmental and non-governmental institutions, private businesses and individuals involved in the use and management of water resources in their country.

Available online is its Directories of Water Resources Organizations in the Americas. This highlights countries where information is available, and these can be accessed by clicking on the country name. The entire directory may also be accessed by region, and recommendations of organisations for inclusion are welcomed.

In addition to its newsletter, Dialogue Update, IWRN has a wide range of other publications available.

9.15 International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)

International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
48 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
INDIA
Tel: +91 11 6116837 or 4679532 or 6115679
Fax: +91 11 115962
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.icid.org/ or http://www.ciid-ciid.org/
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Drainage; Irrigation; Land management; Water management
Publications: Irrigation and Drainage (quarterly); Quarterly Newsletter, Monthly News Update, Annual Report and ICID Directory can be accessed on the ICID website.

ICID was established in 1950 as a scientific, technical and voluntary not-for-profit NGO. The Commission is dedicated to enhancing the worldwide supply of food and fibre for all people by improving water and land management and the productivity of irrigated and drained lands.

Its mission is to stimulate and promote the development and application of the arts, sciences and techniques of engineering, agriculture, economics, ecological and social sciences in managing water and land resources for irrigation, drainage, flood management and river training applications, including research and development and capacity building for achieving sustainable irrigated agriculture.

ICID publishes a peer-reviewed quarterly technical journal (Irrigation and Drainage - Managing Water for Sustainable Agriculture) carrying selected articles, a Quarterly Newsletter and a monthly News Update for its members. Special publications are also released from time to time on subjects of interest to the Commission. They include A Global Review of Irrigation and Drainage in the World (in three volumes); A Global Review of Flood Control in the World (in two volumes); A Worldwide Survey on Irrigation and Salinity; Environmental Checklist; and the ICID - World Bank Guide Planning the Management, Operation and Maintenance of Irrigation and Drainage Systems. Recently, ICID's Guidelines for Rehabilitation and Modernization of Irrigation Projects and Manual on Non-Structural Approaches to Flood Management have also been published. Special publications such as the Role of Dams for Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control are brought out to highlight ICID's position on certain currently debated issues. The ICID Multilingual Technical Dictionary covers 14 languages and is also available on CD-ROM. ICID works closely with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The central office library houses more than 29 000 technical books and receives 150 periodicals. Professionals are encouraged to make use of this library. A Text Delivery Service on irrigation, drainage and flood control is available on ICID's website. This includes accessions to the library, thousands of article references, grey literature, etc., as well as information received from National Committees.

The ICID website (http://www.icid.org/ andhttp://www.ciid-ciid.org/) provides all information on ICID and its activities.

9.16 International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (Alterra-ILRI)

International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement [updated July 2004]
PO Box 47
6700 AA Wageningen
NETHERLANDS

Contact: Librarian
Tel: +31 317 495549 Fax: +31 317 495590
E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.ilri.nl / http://www.alterra.wur.nl/UK/ilri/
Geographic coverage: Developing countries
Languages: English
Subject areas: Drainage; Irrigation; Land management; Water resources
Publications: ILRI Annual Report; publications list available on request

ILRI is a business unit of Alterra and is now known as Alterra-ILRI. Its 1955 mandate is to collect and disseminate knowledge for better, and sustainable, use of land and water resources, especially in developing countries which is still central to its work but its focus is also on Europe. Advances in management of ecosystems in relation to agricultural production and the latest insights in stakeholder participation are central in its new approaches to drainage and irrigation.

Its knowledge is focussed on innovative measures in water management ("water works") in an environment where different cultures, stakeholders and disciplines are brought together ("worlds meet).
Alterra-ILRI is a service oriented not-for-profit organisation. Together with the Wageningen Agricultural University it now forms the Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) in which all knowledge for a secure environment and food supply is represented.

The research the International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement (ILRI) conducts is geared to rural development, especially in developing countries. Much of this work is focused on the development of land and water and water resources. Special attention is given to irrigated agriculture. Core research relates to the drainage of irrigated land in arid and semi-arid areas to prevent or reduce salinisation. Allied research topics concern health and irrigation, the management and performance of irrigation systems, farmer participation, and the socio-economics of development.

The results of ILRI's activities are published either in ILRI's own series of publications or as articles in international journals. A catalogue listing fifty currently available books is obtainable on request and reprints of recently published articles are also available. An increasing number of publications are downloadable in PDF format from its website.

9.17 International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID)

International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage [updated Sept 2004]
Land and Water Development Division
Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome
ITALY

Contact: Programme Manager

Tel: +39 06 570 52894 Fax: +39 06 570 56 275

E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.fao.org/iptrid
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Drainage; Irrigation; Water resources
Publications: GRID - The Network Magazine (biannual); issues papers, country reports and technical reports

Founded in 1991, the mission of IPTRID (the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage) is to `enhance the standard of irrigation and drainage research and development in and by developing countries, with the objectives of improving technology and management in order to increase the production of food and agricultural commodities, enhance food security and assist in eliminating poverty, whilst giving due regard to the needs of the environment.'

IPTRID has established a network to improve the professional exchange of research results and technical information. The aim is to exchange technical information and ideas to support research and development on irrigation and drainage, particularly in countries where it is difficult to access up-to-date information and ideas. IPTRID is a partnership between international research institutions, multi- and bilateral donors and six major international institutions – Global Water Partnership (GWP), FAO, The World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).

The IPTRID network comprises a number of leading organisations in irrigation and drainage linked together to promote the exchange and dissemination of information on irrigation and drainage. It consists of a central network and country /regional networks, whose functions are to provide an interface between the membership and the central network services. The central network institutions are: the Bureau of Reclamation, in Denver, Colorado, USA (USBR), Cemagref in Montpellier, France, HR Wallingford in Wallingford, UK, ICID Central Office in New Delhi, India, ILRI in Wageningen, the Netherlands, and in Rome, Italy. To date 14 country networks have been created. these country networks provide a focus for network activities in a particular country or region, and a means for accessing available network facilities. The main functions of each IPTRID country network are determined by its own membership.

During the past 10 years, IPTRID has co-operated with more than 60 organisations in more than 40 developing countries and countries in transition.

A number of services are provided by the central network which are delivered via the regional networks. Further details can be obtained through their respective websites but the services can be summarised as follows:

Text Delivery Service – reports and papers from IPTRID's collection of technical texts. Contact: ICID, India: http://www.icid.org/
Bibliographic Research Service – search of databases concerning research into irrigation and drainage. Free to network members in developing countries. Contact: HR Wallingford, UK: http://www.hrwallingford.co.uk/projects/IPTRID/
or e-mail: [email protected] or by fax: +44 1491 826352)
Technical Advice Service – offered by the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver, Colorado (USBR) but enquiries should be addressed, in the first instance, to: [email protected] who will consolidate and pass queries on to USBR;
Database Of Research Projects In Irrigation And Drainage – information on research projects in irrigation and drainage technology, research institutions and researchers. It aims to promote contact and coordination between individuals working on similar topics. Contact: Cemagref, France: http://www.cemagref.fr
DRAiNET: – a collection of databases on waterlogging, salinity and control.
AQUASTAT – a database of water use statistics in agriculture, offering regional analyses and country profiles on water resources development, with an emphasis on irrigation and drainage. Contact: the Land and Water Development Division, FAO: http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/aglw/aquastat/aquastat.htm .
WCA infoNET – an internet based information platform.

IPTRID's own output includes: GRID – The Network Magazine (six-monthly) and its series of Issues papers, Country Reports and Technical Reports.

9.18 International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

International Water Management Institute [updated July 2004]
PO Box 2075
Colombo
SRI LANKA

Tel: +94 1 787404, 784080 Fax: +94 1 786854
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/library
Geographic coverage: Global
Languages: English
Subject areas: Land management; Water management
Publications: Research Report series; Working Paper series; Research Update (quarterly); list of publications available online

The International Water Management Institute is a nonprofit scientific research organisation focusing on the sustainable use of water and land resources in agriculture and on the water needs of developing countries. It is one of the 15 research centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). IWMI works with partners in the South to develop tools and methods to help these countries eradicate poverty through more effective management of their water and land resources.

It has research projects running in 21 countries in Asia and Africa. Work is coordinated through regional offices located in India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The Institute has subregional offices in China, Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal and Uzbekistan.

The IWMI library offers several online resources and services. These include:

access to the IWMI library database, which currently contains more than 28,000 citations relevant to integrated water management, added from 1986 onwards. These include: published and unpublished monographs, research reports, conference and workshop proceedings, and journal articles. Information can be retrieved by author, title, keywords, date, series, or geographical location;
library help, covering basic searches, how to interpret results and tips for accessing material;
personalised bibliographic searches on specific subjects, from the library database and from and international water, engineering and agricultural databases (UK, Netherlands, USA, France, Italy);
monthly notification of new publications in your field via e-mail, based on the IWMI library database (updated twice monthly) and global databases (when new updates are received). Includes access to the contents pages of major international scientific journals related to water management;
links to online databases – provides a brief description of the database and a direct link to the relevant web site;
links to leading journals in the field of integrated water resources management.

The IWMI website (http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/index.htm) is a growing information resource for water and land management. The site highlights new and important research findings – for researchers, policy makers, water resource managers and other members of the development community. Here reports and papers, policy briefings, software tools, data, discussions, and practical concepts and methods to improve water and land management in developing countries can be found. The site is available as text only (www.iwmi.org/textonly) for speedier downloading. A CD-ROM version of the site is available for those without internet access. Contact: [email protected]

Publications

IWMI provides free access to thousands of pages of peer-reviewed research. Publications available online include:

Research Report series – an internationally peer-reviewed series, highlighting generic scientific tools and lessons that can be culled from IWMI research.
Working Paper series – a collection of internally-reviewed conference or workshop proceedings, discussion papers, and country-specific research papers.
other select publications

Publications can be requested from the complete IWMI publications catalogue.

Currently IWMI also hosts the websites of three international initiatives: the Global Dialogue on Water, Food and Environment, the Systemwide Initiative on Malaria and Agriculture, and the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture.

9.19 Island Resources Foundation (IRF)

Island Resources Foundation
Headquarters
Box 3097
Tortola
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Contact: Bruce Potter, President and CEO or Edward L. Towle, Chairman
Tel: +1 202 265 9712
Fax: +1 202 232 0748
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.irf.org/
Geographic coverage: Caribbean
Languages: English; Spanish
Subject areas: Biodiversity; Coastal resource management; Ecotourism; Island ecosystems; Watershed management
Publications: IRF Member Newsletter; Annual Report; E-mail discussion lists

IRF is a 29-year-old environmental non-profit group which works on the environmental problems of development in small tropical islands. It has several active programmes, including biodiversity conservation, coastal zone and watershed management, and environmental information systems.

The Foundation is among the most active regional sources and disseminators of environmental and sustainable development information. As part of its environmental information management programme, the Foundation publishes an annual report for all members and supports 20 separate mailing lists. These have been requested by its constituents, and are subscribed to by more than 1500 individuals and groups. Members are encouraged to contribute information; sources that address issues of specific relevance to island, marine and coastal areas in the Caribbean, with a bias towards the insular Caribbean, the NGO community and English-speaking areas, are extracted from the Internet.

These public lists include:

IRF Member Newsletter - this list provides IRF members and Program Associates with current news and opinion about events of environmental consequence in the world of small islands - to subscribe first send a US$35membership fee to the Foundation's Washington, DC office (address below) then send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Caribbean Biodiversity Conservation - this list was founded to support its Biodiversity Conservation Office in Antigua. The membership includes scientists and researchers working in the region and natural resource planners and managers, and it has a large number of bird experts enrolled - to subscribe simply send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Environmental Working Group of the Forum of Organizations of Civil Society for the Wider Caribbean - this is a bilingual list for environmental NGOs throughout the Caribbean, and grew out of a group of NGOs working to become involved in the policy deliberations of the Association of Caribbean States - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Virgin Islands Watershed and Flood Hazard Mitigation Group - this list grew out of its Flood Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, and consists mostly of representatives of public and private groups concerned about flooding in the US Virgin Islands. It has an extensive archive of documents on related subjects that members of the list can download at will - to subscribe simply send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Caribbean Assessment and Reporting Mailing List - concentrates on tools and information sharing for conducting state-of-the-environment reports, policy analyses and projections for alternative environmental futures - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Caribbean Bats Mailing List - established by Lois Blumenthal of the Cayman Islands to bring together people interested in bats from throughout the Caribbean - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Eastern Caribbean Biodiversity Cooperative - set up for Scott Pedersen of the University of South Dakota as a means of coordinating biodiversity-related natural science research and field expeditions in the eastern Caribbean - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

San Andres Research Mailing List - maintained to support a network of scientific researchers interested in research about the people, reefs and banks of the Colombian Archipelago of San Andres, Old Providence and Santa Catalina. It is supported by IRF as a free service for CORALINA, the Colombian government corporation for the sustainable development of the archipelago, with special concern for environmental protection and equitable and sustainable use of the resources of the archipelago by the indigenous inhabitants - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Carib-Territories Discussion List - organised to promote communication and information exchange among the dependent small islands in the Caribbean, especially the US, British, French and Dutch dependencies. Subjects include governance and environment - to subscribe send a blank E-mail, no subject message, to [email protected]

Caribbean GIS User - provides news of interest to regional users and implementers of geographic information systems and remote sensing applications. It also includes some discussion of metadata issues in the eastern Caribbean - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

VIRMC (Virgin Islands Resource Management Cooperative) - provides information for researchers on biological or natural resources management issues in the area bounded roughly by the Virgin Banks, from the Mona Passage to the Anegada Passage - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Sustainable Tourism Mailing List - encompasses private sector, government bodies, and the scientific and conservation communities which seek to promote the development of a sustainable tourism for the Caribbean, to enhance the ethical management of our natural and cultural resources and to protect the health of its people and guests - to subscribe send a blank E-mail to [email protected]

Caribbean Consulting Group for Small Island Developing States Information Network (SIDSNet) - coordinated by UNDP Trinidad, this list is designed to provide technical and policy input to the organisers of SIDSNET. Priority attention is given to management of the website through commitment by group members to input/update/edit/screen contents of the site on issues, themes and requirements for sustainable development in Caribbean small island developing states (contact Dr Carol James, [email protected]).

Branch offices

1718 'P' Street NW#T4, Washington, DC 20036, USA

6292 Estate Nazareth, St Thomas, VI 00802-1104, US Virgin Islands

New October 2003

NETWAS International

NETWAS International
PO Box 15614-00503
Mbagathi
Nairobi
KENYA

Tel: +254 2 890555/6/9/60
Fax: +254 2 890553/54
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
Web: http://www.netwasgroup.com/
Geographic coverage: Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Community development; Information transfer; Sanitation; Water
Publications: Water and Sanitation Update; Bibliographic briefs; Documents; Reports

NETWAS is a capacity building and information network for Africa focusing on water, sanitation and environment sector. It is comprised of resource centres in Eastern Africa implementing capacity building activities on training of professionals, applied research, networking and information sharing, advocacy, advisory and consultancy services. The centres consist of a regional centre NETWAS International Kenya and two national centres - NETWAS Uganda and NETWAS Tanzania.

NETWAS is committed to improving the living conditions of the people in Africa particularly the poor, through networking, information dissemination, training, applied research and community development in water and sanitation, using innovative, participatory and gender sensitive approaches. It is a learning and training network, whose diverse range of expertise in social, health, engineering, management and information fields is blend together for professional service delivery in collaboration with regional and international sector institutions.

NETWAS products and services are diverse and are aimed at the building of partnership with sector actors both in and outside the region. The programmes lay emphasis on the provision of services which directly or indirectly enhance the living standards of low income communities. NETWAS services include the following:

Training
Networking and Information Service
Research and Community Development
Advisory and Consultancy Service

NETWAS believing that up-to-date sector information is key to the accelerated development of the water and sanitation sector in Africa not only publishes specific reports, newsletter and other documents but supports the sector by acting as a depository or “knowledge bank” of appropriate sector information. NETWAS documentation centres have been established in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. NETWAS International Documentation Centre is not only a library. It is a proactive Centre that reaches out to the users of information in the sector through:

provision of library user services;
publication of monthly Bibliographic Briefs that are disseminated by regular mail and email;
publication of Water and Sanitation Update, which is produced three times a year. This is disseminated through regular mail.
training of documentation staff in collaborating national and regional institutions.

Institutions in Africa are invited to contact NETWAS to discuss ways in which they can work together to exchange sector information.

Country offices:

Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS Uganda), Plot No.1 Norfolk Gardens, Lower Kyambogo PO Box 40223, Kampala, Uganda (E.A) Tel/Fax: +256 041 286352 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS Tanzania), Ursino Street No. 51 PO Box 54068 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (E.A) Tel: +255 (0) 22 2775576 Fax: +255 (0) 2775596 E-mail: [email protected]

9.20 Regional Land Management Unit (RELMA)

Regional Land Management Unit
PO Box 63403
Nairobi
KENYA
Contact: Alex Oduor, Information Officer
Tel: +254 2 524418
Fax: +254 2 524401
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.relma.org/
Geographic coverage: Eastern Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Food security; Land management; Soil conservation
Publications: Publications are available and can be accessed from the website

RELMA, a non-profit organisation supported by Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation) and a successor of the Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), began operations in January 1998. RELMA's mandate is to contribute towards improved livelihoods and enhanced food security among small-scale land-users in the region. Its objective is to increase technical know-how and institutional competence in the land management field both in Sida-supported programmes and in those carried out under the auspices of other organisations. It does this through:

facilitating methodology development;
disseminating proven technologies;
encouraging cross-fertilisation of experiences through study tours, workshops and symposia.

Based in Nairobi, its work is carried out in six countries in eastern Africa in close collaboration with a wide range of partners, including ministries, NGOs, community groups and other Sida-funded projects in the area.

Its activities include:

organising training courses, workshops and study tours;
providing technical advice;
facilitating expertise exchanges;
initiating pilot activities to develop new knowledge, techniques and approaches to practical land management;
publishing and distributing training material and reports to share the experiences of our activities in the region.

To disseminate the experiences gained from activities in the region, RELMA publishes and distributes various reports and training materials:

Technical Handbooks are educational books on specific topics - some are general and applicable for the whole eastern and southern Africa, while others are developed for a specific climatic or geographic region; some are large reference materials over useful plants in an area; others are small technical manuals for certain topics; Technical Reports present results from studies or experiences drawn from successful projects;
Workshop Reports are proceedings or other documentation from conferences, seminars and workshops;
Working Papers are produced when the documentation is of major interest only for a smaller audience, or when the content is valuable but the presentation not adapted to the RELMA target group - sometimes a Working Paper may form the basis for a future Technical Handbook;
Technical Pamphlets are small field guides focusing on a specific technical issue, in easy English or local language, for a specific target group.

Publications from RELMA can be ordered by sending an E-mail, fax or letter. Single copies will be distributed free of charge; alternatively they can be downloaded as pdf files.

9.21 Southern African Regional Commission for the Conservation and Utilisation of the Soil (SARCCUS)

Southern African Regional Commission for the Conservation and Utilisation of the Soil
Private Bag X250
Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA
Contact: Director
Tel: +27 12 206 3520
Fax: +27 12 329 3496
Geographic coverage: Southern Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Agriculture; Natural resource management

SARCCUS aims to promote closer technical cooperation among the territories comprising the Southern African region, with regard to all matters pertaining to agriculture and to the rational development, control and utilisation of all related natural resources; to ensure adequate interchange of information; and to promote exchange visits by specialists, concerted studies of and approaches to common problems and aid among Member States (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mosambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland) as regards personnel and materials.

It has 10 Activity Standing Committees:

Animal Health;
Animal Production, including Subcommittee for Aquaculture;
Conservation and Land-use Planning, including Subcommittees for Agricultural Engineering, Agrometeorology and Climatology, Control of Environmental Pollution, Land-use Planning and Erosion Control, Remote Sensing, Veld and Pastures;
Education and Extension;
Forestry;
Hydrology, including Subcommittee for Aquatic Weeds;
Nature Conservation, Wildlife Utilisation and Management, including Subcommittee for Elephant and Rhino Populations;
Plant Production, including Subcommittee for Seed;
Plant Protection, including Subcommittee for Migratory Pests;
Soil Science.

Member countries collaborate in facing problems of insect plagues, drought and animal diseases (SARCCUS makes vaccines available against many diseases). SARCCUS:

organises general and specialist regional conferences, seminars, symposia and workshops;
works towards uniform sanitary and phytosanitary requirements;
conducts regional maize, wheat, dry-field bean, sorghum and groundnut cultivar trials;
is working on a regional inventory of resources through the SARCCUS Agro-Ecological Zones Project;
supports ad hoc training of technicians and professional officers;
and provides no- or low-cost technical consultancy.

Its technical publications include guidelines for identification, management and utilisation of protected areas in the region; catalogues; conference proceedings; and seminar and symposium reports.

9.22 Water Research Commission (WRC)

Water Research Commission
PO Box 824
Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA
Contact: Ms Martha Pretorius, Coordinator, Information Technology Group
Tel: +27 12 330 0340
Fax: +27 12 331 2565
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.wrc.org.za/
Geographic coverage: Southern Africa
Languages: English
Subject areas: Water management
Publications: SA Water Bulletin; Water SA

The main aim of the WRC is to contribute effectively to the best possible quality of life for the people of South Africa, by promoting water research and the application of research findings.

The WRC endeavours dynamically and purposefully to:

promote coordination, communication and cooperation in the field of water research;
establish water research needs and priorities;
fund water research on a priority basis;
promote effective transfer of information technology.

WRC provides a comprehensive water information service which includes:

Waterlit Bibliographic Database - containing references to literature on all aspects of water and water-related subjects such as potable water, wastewater, sanitation, hydrology and limnology;
SA Water Research Database (SAWaR) - contains information regarding water and water-related research being conducted within South Africa - research projects funded by the WRC as well as other prominent organisations and agencies are included;
Water Resources and Sanitation Bibliography (WRS) - covers the period 1900 - 93, references are to publications resulting from research undertaken by South/Southern African authors, with special reference to the KwaZulu - Natal Region.

9.23 ZERO Regional Environment Organisation

ZERO Regional Environment Organisation [Updated June 2004]
158 Fife Avenue
Greenwood Park
PO Box 5338
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Contact: Director
Tel:/Fax: +263 4 791333 / 700030 / 720405 /
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.zero.org.zw/
Geographic coverage: Southern Africa
Languages: English; Shona; Ndebele
Subject areas: Land management; Women

ZERO Regional Environment Organisation is an NGO, registered in 1987 to contribute to environment and development solutions in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. Its vision is to be a leading organisation in advancing a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Southern Africa built on the equitable distribution and effective management of land and land-based resources. Its mission is to promote the development of new knowledge that enables rural communities of Southern Africa to articulate their land resource needs and to promote solutions through participatory policy advocacy, information sharing and networking.

ZERO's objectives are to:

contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of disadvantaged rural communities in Southern Africa, paying special attention to the plight of women and their access to and control over land and land-based resources;
enable communities to articulate their land-related needs to policy makers;
influence the national, regional and international environment policy formulation process to respond to people-centred demands for sustainable land resources management;
contribute to the region's search for sustainable development by offering well informed, long-term and forward-looking solutions;
contribute to capacity building for pursuing the goals of sustainable management of land and land-based resources in Southern Africa.

ZERO pursues this through applied research, policy analysis, advocacy, collaboration and partnerships, and information documentation and dissemination.

ZERO disseminates information in the form of newsletters, technical documents, outreach materials (e.g. T-shirts, caps, posters), and holds workshops and seminars throughout Southern Africa and globally. Outreach materials are mainly produced to raise awareness of the rural communities of the issue of land reforms, while workshops and seminars may be on advocacy on land reforms, renewable energy, macroeconomics and sustainable development.

Library: ZERO's information resource centre is a critical reference facility for research and information on land reforms and related issues. It is open to all members of the public, especially those working on or interested in environmental issues and related subjects. Interaction of the resource centre with other libraries facilitates information exchange and flow. ZERO operates a bibliographic database designed on CDS-ISIS software. This database contains information (published and unpublished, videos, press cuttings, journal articles, etc.) on an extensive range of issues covering environment, land and land reforms, land tenure systems, natural resources management and sustainable development.

Publications: information published since ZERO's inception includes books, working papers, special papers and reports, energy and sustainable development working/discussion paper series, training manuals (English and Shona), newsletters on energy and environment issues, perspectives on land reform in Southern Africa, and posters on wind energy (English, Shona and Ndebele).

Workshops/Seminars: information-sharing workshops have been held at national and local levels. Key topics covered by these workshops include land reforms, natural resources management and sustainable tourism. The target communities, in most cases, are rural communities, traditional leaders and other community representatives.