The WATDEV project (Climate Smart Water Management and Sustainable Development for Food and Agriculture in East Africa) concluded its four-year journey with the Final International Conference entitled “Integrating Grassroots Knowledge and Research into Water and Soil Management in Africa”, held on 15–16 June 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, and online for participants from around the world.
Organized in a hybrid format by ASARECA, KALRO, and CIHEAM Bari, the event brought together researchers, policymakers, development practitioners, representatives of regional and international organizations, government institutions, and other stakeholders from Africa, Europe, and beyond. The conference provided a platform to reflect on innovative approaches to the sustainable management of water and soil resources for food systems and agriculture.
Through interactive sessions and thematic presentations, participants explored how local knowledge, scientific research, and innovative tools can be effectively integrated to improve water and soil resource management while strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems to climate change. Among the project’s key achievements, attendees had the opportunity to explore the Water Management Toolbox, designed to support climate-smart planning and resource management through the simulation of scenarios based on Best Management Practices. Furthermore, the conference fostered synergies and dialogue with ten other DeSIRA-funded initiatives and Afro-European cooperation projects, jointly examining how local knowledge and scientific innovation can contribute to sustainable agricultural development and climate resilience.
The Final International Conference represented an important opportunity to share experiences, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to ongoing efforts toward sustainable and climate-resilient water and soil resource management for food systems and agriculture in Africa.
Funded by the European Union under the DeSIRA Initiative, WATDEV is implemented by a multidisciplinary consortium comprising the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) – Cairo Office, CIHEAM Bari, ASARECA, the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), the Water and Land Resources Center (WLRC) in Ethiopia, Heliopolis University in Egypt, the Water Research Center (WRC) in Sudan, the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), and ISRIC – World Soil Information in the Netherlands.
