Event

For more information from the event, please visit http://searca.org/index.php/news/1337-twenty-three-southeast-asians-learn-and-share-about-climate-change-adaptation-in-watersheds

For materials from the event, please click here.

Background

Food production depends highly on the availability of water, a precious and limited resource. According to a recent FAO study, it takes about 1,500 liters to produce 1 kg of wheat and 10 times more to produce 1 kg of beef.  Indeed, water is a key driver to production, such that water scarcity or insufficient supply of water can constrain agricultural productivity and adversely impact food security (Hanjra and Qureshi, 2010). 

With a global population that is projected to increase to 9 billion in 2050 coupled with economic growth, the demand for irrigation water to meet food production requirements and for household and industrial uses will also increase.  So how do we then protect this precious resource? Management of watersheds and protection of water resources play a very important role for the attainment of water and food security. 

APAN through their thematic node for agriculture- SEARCA, call upon the Southeast Asian leaders and champions from different sectors to understand the intricate interrelationships among climate change and various extractive practices and measures affecting watersheds. This attempt is to abate grim scenarios of scarce water, food and harsh environments in the future.  

Participants

The workshop is intended for Southeast Asian researchers, policy advisers, program planners and decision-makers in government, civil society, and public and private organizations who are concerned with policy, program development, and initiatives toward food and environmental security. It aims to enable these participants to understand the issues and challenges in watershed management in a changing climate in relation to water, food and environmental security and analyze gaps toward sustainable watersheds management.

Objectives

The training-workshop is aimed to equip participants to:

1. Understand the issues and challenges in watershed management in a changing climate in relation to water, food and environmental security;
2. Analyze gaps toward sustainable watersheds in a changing climate for water, food, and environmental security; and
3. Draw up an agenda for action towards sustainable watersheds for water, food and environmental security in a changing climate within their work contexts, be it in research, teaching, action programs and practices, and policies.