Agricultural production in Ethiopia is characterised by subsistence orientation, low productivity, low level of technology and inputs, lack of infrastructures and market institutions, and extremely vulnerable to rainfall variability. It has a rapidly increasing population currently close to 74 million and yet about 39 percent of the population lives on absolute poverty of less than a $1 a day poverty line while close to 80 percent falls below US $2 a day poverty line.

Research was done in the upper part of the Genale River basin in the Sidama Zone, Ethiopia. The research focussed on answering the question whether coffee-based agroforestry could ve an impact on the local hydrology. Discharge data, land use data and soil data was collected in the field and from literature and together put into a SWAT model to investigate the hydrological cycle of the basin. Several scenarios were created in which the amount of coffee in the area was altered.

Reliance on rainfall for agriculture and increased climate change and variability pose growing production risks in developing countries. Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa is dominated by smallholder farmers who depend mainly on rain-fed agriculture, putting food security at both household and national levels at risk, especially in the event of drought. Investment in smallholder irrigation becomes a priority in developing countries if food security and national development goals are to be met, as their economies are agro-based.

A comprehensive literature review on current state of knowledge on the impacts of dams on Mekong fisheries. Covers 'fisheries basics', impact of dams on fish migration, flood pulse, biodiversity, fish habitats, aquaculture production and reservoir fisheries.

Irrigation has a large potential to increase agricultural output and yield per unit area. However, the long term sustainability increased production, together with degradation of the soils (and associated water bodies) in irrigated areas may be irreparably damaged by inappropriate watering schedules. In Ethiopia, surface and groundwater irrigation has been promoted intensively throughout the country. While many projects focus on individual or scheme level water access, very little is known about the sustainability of irrigation in Ethiopia.

Examines the concept of water efficiency, the impact of water recycling and implications for water management. Distinguishes between "wet" and "dry" water savings, and explores opportunities for creating "wet" savings-savings that make more water available for use in a basin.