Why rainwater management
matters in the Nile Basin
One step towards a possible synthesis paper or proposal
Don Peden
Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) Science Workshop
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 – 10 July 2013

Rainwater management
• Enables smallholder farmers to increase production.
• Focuses on livestock, trees, fish as well as crops.
• Makes better use of available rainwater while
sustaining water and soils.
• Received extensive investment but success limited.
Source: NBDC, 2013: CPWF R4D Series 5

NBDC’s 6 recommendations
• Shift the focus of targets from outputs to outcomes.
• Enhance monitoring and evidence collection on RWM with a focus
on impact and sustainability.
• Revitalise and capitalise on the DA system.
• Strengthen local institutions’ roles in NRM.
• Move towards more meaningful participation.
• Open lines of communication to foster innovation capacity.
(Source: NBDC, 2013: CPWF R4D Series 5)
Good! But is this enough? Is it unique? Will it improve
lives and livelihoods? Will it attract new investment?

Why rainwater management
matters in the Nile Basin
Let’s craft exciting story lines that will enhance
vision and attract new investment
• One candidate example now
• Then, please contribute your ideas!

Rain: The Source of the Nile
• ≈ 1900 billon m3
of rain/year
• ≈ 4% or 80 billion m3
reach L. Nasser
• What happens to the remaining 96%?
• Based on results of CA &CPWF Phase 1
Sources: Comprehensive Assessment & PN37 Project Report

5 priority Nile production systems
Arid grazing
Arid mixed
Temperate mixed
Humid grazing
Humid mixed
NBDC operates in 3 of systems

These five production systems
• Receive ≈ 85% of the Nile’s rainfall of 1900 bm3
.
• Lose ≈ 65% or 1400 bm3
of Nile’s rain as ET.
• Exhibit severe land degradation and loss of
vegetation implying excessive evaporation.
• But ratio of E:T needs to be determined.
How much ET can we capture and use
through improved RWM?

Imagine a future
• That attracts investments with positive returns
• That convert more E to T in these 5 systems,
• By capturing an additional 20% of current ET,
• Amounting to 280 bm3
or three times the flow of
water into Lake Nasser,
• For increased production, ecosystem rehabilitation
and improved livelihoods.
<This is but one reason why RWM matters>

Towards a possible synthesis paper or proposal
<<Your turn>>
• Please complete 2 cards:
– 1) What do you think is the most important reason
why RWM research and development matters?
– 2) What do you think is the most important future
research topic or intervention that the NBDC/WLE
should undertake, develop, or scale out and up?
• Place only one idea on each card.
• Use big letters and a maximum of 4 words/card.
Thank you!

Towards a possible synthesis paper or proposal
<<Your turn>>
• Please complete 2 cards:
– 1) What do you think is the most important reason
why RWM research and development matters?
– 2) What do you think is the most important future
research topic or intervention that the NBDC/WLE
should undertake, develop, or scale out and up?
• Place only one idea on each card.
• Use big letters and a maximum of 4 words/card.
Thank you!