The United Nations/Pakistan International Workshop on Integrated Use - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The United Nations/Pakistan International Workshop on Integrated Use of Space Technologies for Food and Water Security Venue: Islamabad, Pakistan, Date: 11 - 15 March, 2013

OUTLINE  WATPLAN- origins & methodology  The shared Incomati basin  Why WATPLAN- capabilities & applicability  Water use in Swaziland  Potential benefits of WATPLAN  Taking WATPLAN forward

The WATPLAN PROJECT  A tool for spatial earth observation monitoring for planning and water allocation in the INCOMATI basin  An operational earth observation monitoring system  An online state of the art near real-time monitoring system  Monitoring based on satellite images and ground measurements  Water and biomass related indicator data updated weekly through a website accessible to registered stakeholders

The WATPLAN PROJECT  A demonstration project funded by EU- from Feb 2011 – June 2013  Combined forces from 7 specialist institutions  Data generation- SEBAL model used (developed and owned by eLEAF based at Wagenigen university)  Rainfall derived thru- microwave data from FEWS- NET sensors with in- situ rainfall data  Crop yield estimates from biomass production estimates  Data disseminated using internet based portal- an operational monitoring website www.watplan.com

THE INCOMATI BASIN

TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION

LOCALISED BASIN MAP

INCOMATI BASIN CHARACTERISTICS  Situated in the south-eastern corner of the African continent  Shared between South Africa, Swaziland, and Mozambique  Water use intense- : 50 % of the water generated in the basin being withdrawn  Water scarcity evident since the mid-1980s, becoming more severe in the last decade.  Effects of droughts & floods, ever more pronounced

WHY WATPLAN??  Competition over water is real in INCOMATI, and water abstractions are fast approaching limits of sustainability.  Equitable and efficient water allocation requires transparent and rational decision making, based on objective and regular monitoring.  Good quality data and monitoring systems are lacking  Quantitative, objective and regular measurements needed.

WHY WATPLAN??  Remote sensing technologies used to provide objective and high quality data on a regular basis.  WATPLAN developed as a tool to support transparent and rational decision making on water allocation, verification of water use and sustainable water utilisation.  Tool provides information which increases knowledge & can be incorporated into latest technology and water modeling applications

COMPONENTS PROVIDED  Actual Evapotranspiration (mm/week)  Biomass production (kg/ha/week)  Precipitation (mm/week)  Precipitation – Evapotranspiration (mm/week)  Spatial resolution: 30 * 30 meter  Temporal resolution: weekly

SWAZILAND’S WATER USE PROFILE  Agro based economy (highest contributor to GDP)  Irrigation takes 96 % of available water resources  Sugar cane , the dominant crop  Intensive farming systems employed  Monitoring of performance of irrigation systems important  Water allocation across sectors key  Need to ensure beneficial & efficient utilisation of available water resources  Exotic Forest Plantations another income generator  Need to understand stream flow reduction impacts of exotic forestry

SWAZILAND’S WATER USE IN THE KOMATI  Large and small scale sugarcane plantations exist (15 000 ha)  Shared Maguga dam located in this basin and requires accurate water releases and accounting  Forestry, a major economic activity in the basin  Decentralisation- The Komati RBA has to plan developments, operate the river and allocate & monitor all water diversions from the river in a manner that meets transboundary obligations.

IMPORTANCE TO SWAZILAND’S WATER MANAGEMENT  Water allocation and verification of water use.  Calculation of water balances  Determines actual water use up to farm level  Independent verifiable information generated (creates trust amongst stakeholders)  Ensures equitable and efficient water allocation.  Key for sustainable utilisation of water  Monitoring of hydro- meteorological parameters  Data used in designs of water infrastructure  Water resources and land use planning

BENEFITS OF WATPLAN TO SWAZILAND  Compare water use efficiency in agriculture  Across different hydrometric regions  Between production and irrigation systems  Estimates biomass production to assist to determine water use efficiency  Compare water consumption across different biophysical areas of interest  Quantify water consumption / requirements weekly  Quantify water use by forestry  Estimate environmental water requirements

WATER CONSUMPTION Biomass production (Kg/ha/day)

BENEFITS OF WATPLAN TO SWAZILAND  Provide useful information for irrigation scheduling  Information on when to irrigate  How much water required  Which pump to switch when and for how long  Biomass production info useful in estimating fertilizer application rates and useful in drought monitoring  Monitoring compliance to Treaties

BENEFITS OF WATPLAN TO SWAZILAND  Data generation  Weekly generation of evapotranspiration data  Biomass production data  Rainfall data  Correlation of rainfall and evapotranspiration data  Land cover information  Feed reliable data to rainfall- runoff models  Ensure better water allocation and assist in water accounting  Verification of water use, monitoring water licensing compliance  Overall sustainable water utilisation

CROP DEVELOPMENT Evapotranspiration (mm/day)

MOVING FORWARD  WATPLAN is a demonstration project- ending soon  Data acquisition is not cheap  Need for data application to show value addition of the WATPLAN products  Need for joint roll out of transboundary projects to utilise the generated data (opportunity for cost sharing)  Capacity building

….END…. THANK YOU