Political

Nayakateni, a small village of 58 families underwent a process of transformation through the intervention of NYSASDRI. This case study outlines the process by which the community took development into their own hands and were able to design, implement and construct a water harvesting structure.

Image & Content Courtesy: World Water Week Second Announcement for the 2009 World Water Week in Stockholm, August 16 - 22 provides information on the programme of the 2009 World Water Week. The preliminary programme can be accessed here: 2009 Programme The theme for 2009 is Water - Responding to Global Change: Accessing Water for the Common Good with Special Focus on Transboundary Waters. Access the Second Announcement here: Second Announcement Learn more about the 2009 World Water Week here: http://www.worldwaterweek.org

This document by Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA) and Watershed Support Services and Activities Network (WASSAN) deals with experiences with System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Andhra Pradesh. The innovative system of growing rice SRI, with less water was initiated in the state of Andhra Pradesh drawing lessons from the experiences of the farmers in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and in Indian states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In the state, the progressive farmers, NGOs, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) and the State Department of Agriculture took active role in promoting this model of rice cultivation. 

The System of Rice Intensification, (Madagascar) method was developed in Madagascar island by the farmers and NGOs under the leadership of a local priest. The concept of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) focuses on managing the soil, water, plants and nutrients in a balanced relationship, enabling maximum growth of rice plants.

Image and Content Courtesy: DryToilet.org

The 3rd International Dry Toilet Conference- 2009- 2^nd announcement: The conference will be held from12^th to 15^th of August 2009 in Tampere University of Technology, Finland . The Conference is organised by The Global Dry Toilet Association of Finland, in cooperation with Tampere University of Technology, TAMK University of Applied Sciences and University of Tampere.

The main theme of the DT 2009 conference will be the evaluation of the achievements in sanitation after the International Year of Sanitation in light of the Millennium Development Goals.

Main topics of the Conference: 1. Health and safety 2. Technical development of dry toilets 3. Prospects and challenges in the reuse of excreta 4. Social, cultural, economic and gender aspects related to dry sanitation All experts are invited to submit their abstracts on any of the above mentioned topics or closely related ones.

In Maragondanaguni micro watershed of Kenganapalya sub watershed, bunding activities were very slow in the beginning. However, an idea was given to the area group members to form a team within the AG and start bunding work.

This fact-sheet by FAOWater titled “Water at a glance” traces the relationship between water, agriculture, food security and poverty. People who have better access to water tend to have lower levels of undernourishment.

System of rice intensification (SRI) is a improved method of rice cultivation that was developed in 1983 in Madagascar and has now spread to many parts of the world. There is a notion that what has been done in research plots and by scientists is modern and desirable.

The World Bank Institute has developed this multimedia toolkit in two parts, to help disseminate information and create awareness about SRI.

Part A: Improving rice productivity and achieving water savings (12 minutes)

AquaCrop is a crop water productivity simulation model, developed by the water unit at the FAO, to simulate yield response to water of several herbaceous crops, and is particularly suited to make decisions, in conditions where water is a key limiting factor in crop production.