Integrated watershed development for food security and sustainable improvement of livelihoods in Bahrani, Pakistan

Abstract

ICARDA, in association with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (Vienna), the Barani Agriculture Research Institute (BARI), the Soil and Water Conservation Research Institute (SAWCRI), the National Rural Support Program (NRSP) and the Pir Mahar Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Pakistan developed a project to study various options for sustainable improvement of livelihoods, while conserving the natural resource-base within an integrated watershed development framework. The Government of Austria provided the financial support for the project, which was implemented during 2007–2010 in the Dhrabi watershed near Chakwal. The project focused on developing, demonstrating, and evaluating innovative and cost-effective technologies and methodologies for efficient monitoring and use of available water and land resources. This was aimed at sustainable improvement of livelihoods and protection of natural resources from degradation. The project was implemented by adopting an integrated watershed development (IWD) approach. The IWD approach considers a watershed as a consolidated biophysical and socio-economic unit for development planning. It integrates the key elements of the watershed in a fashion that permits sustainable development for both human and natural ecosystems. The approach is holistic, multi-disciplinary, community-based, and participatory. It combines natural resource development and conservation with agricultural production and social development in a balanced framework. The major accomplishments of the project follow.