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Climate, Water and Rainwater Harvesting Practices for Food Production

Overview

Welcome to Module 1. In this module, you will explore the relationship between climate, water and food production. You will learn why rainwater harvesting and conservation (RWH&C)  is important in water-scarce and climate-affected contexts, and you will be introduced to selected RWH&C practices that can support household, homestead and small-scale food production. This module also prepares you for Assignment 1, where you will investigate local rainwater harvesting and conservation practices through farmer interviews, local observation, or a review of your own involvement in RWH&C practices.

The purpose of this module is to build participants’ understanding of climate variability, water scarcity, food production systems, and selected rainwater harvesting and conservation practices. It supports participants to analyse local RWH&C practices through farmer interviews or practice review.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

  • Explain the importance of water for food production.
  • Describe how climate change and climate variability affect food production.
  • Explain the role of rainwater harvesting and conservation in strengthening household, homestead and small-scale food production.
  • Identify different RWH&C practices used in farming systems.
  • Describe selected catching, holding, storing and reusing practices.
  • Explain the basic purpose and use of roof water harvesting, diversion furrows and greywater harvesting.
  • Use farmer interviews, observation or practice review to investigate local RWH&C practices.
  • Reflect on local water challenges, farmer knowledge and opportunities for strengthening RWH&C practices.

Each unit in this module helps you prepare one part of Assignment 1. You will first explore water, climate and farming systems. You will then work through selected RWH&C practice units. Finally, you will prepare to interview farmers or review your own RWH&C practice. By the end of the module, you should have enough information to complete your Local RWH&C Practice Review or Farmer Interview Report.

Course Content

Unit 1: Water for Food and the Amanzi for Food Approach
Unit 2: Climate Change, Climate Variability and Food Production
Unit 3: Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation in Farming Systems
Unit 4: General Principles of Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation
Unit 5: Roof Water Harvesting for Food and Household Use
Unit 6: Diversion Furrows for Catching Water for Food Production
Unit 7: Greywater Harvesting for Food Production
Unit 8: Selecting Appropriate RWH&C Practices for Local Contexts
Unit 9: Preparing for Farmer Interviews or Practice Review