NL-CGIAR Water-Food Nexus grants awarded

The projects will study the scaling of soil moisture retention practices for smallholder farmers in rainfed agri-food systems. With the increased severity of dry spells, increasing the moisture holding capacity of the soil works as a buffer against agricultural production losses. The research focuses specifically on socio-economic and governance aspects of scaling soil water retention practices. The research projects take place in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria.

The NL-CGIAR water-food nexus call facilitates cooperation between researchers from CGIAR Research Centers, Sub-Saharan African and Dutch knowledge institutes, as well as stakeholders from National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES) and cooperation partners from local governments. The total value of the funding awarded is 8.4 million Euros. Projects will start in spring 2026.

ACCEL-3R: Accelerating the adoption of Water Retention, Recharge, and Reuse Measures in the Horn of Africa: Multi-level intervention bundles to trigger socio-hydrological tipping points

Tackling barriers faced by smallholders in Kenya and Ethiopia to adapt to drought by increasing the adoption of water retention, reuse and recharge measures.

Scaling Water bunds for climate Resilience Management in Kenyan rainfed agri-food systems (SwaRM)

To understand water bunds adoption behavior by communities and individuals and identify efficient and equitable scaling pathways of nature-based water retention practices.

Taking integrated SOil and WAter MAnagement to scale by addressing social and institutional challenges through experiential learning games (SOWAMA)

To assess and address instrumental and relational values and institutions affecting integrated soil and water management decision-making processes in Uganda.

Understanding scaling of soil moisture retention practices for climate-resilient food production in semi-arid Ethiopia and Kenya (SMARTSCALE)

 Helping farmers in semiarid Kenya and Ethiopia use soil moisture more effectively to grow food, cope with drought, and improve their livelihoods.

Soil moisture and Scale-making in West Africa: Multiplying water retention practices for increased resilience and food security in Benin and Burkina Faso (SMSM)

Exploring how soil moisture retention (SMR) practices can be improved and expanded.

Harvesting the Rain: The Adoption of RWH Techniques at Scale in the Sahel

 Identifying barriers to adoption in new areas, co-design and test interventions, and pilot and scale them.

About the NL-CGIAR research program

The Water-Food Nexus call is one of the instruments of the NL-CGIAR research program phase II (2024-2030). The program is part of the partnership between the Dutch government and CGIAR and aims to promote knowledge, knowledge utilisation and innovation for global food and nutrition security (SDG2). This is achieved by strengthening cooperation between CGIAR, Dutch research and knowledge.