Collaborative Research Approaches to Cope With Uncertainty of Water Management Practices in Tidal Areas

Abstract

Throughout the world, tidal areas are being developed. The initial development is generally for agriculture, often in combination with flood protection. The development focus in tidal areas is, however, gradually moving to ports, harbours, transportation routes, industries, and aquaculture, housing and recreation facilities. Models are often used to develop strategies for sustainable land and water practices. These models normally require long-time data sets that are often not available in emerging countries, thus new ways have to be found to address the traditionally validated simulation models. This paper presents case studies in Surinam, India and Vietnam in which the traditional validation process was replaced by joint plausibility discussions and shared vision building in order to improve the understanding of cause-effect relationships and proposals for water management measures. The aim was to match the tacit knowledge of the local stakeholders with explicit scientific knowledge in order to create a mutual basis for an integrated approach as opposed to single-issue measures, and a mutual agreement on follow-up steps needed to sustain both the livelihood of the people as well as natural resource functions. The collaborative modelling approach proved to be a useful tool to obtain a consensus of opinion among the stakeholders. RÉSUMÉPartout dans le monde, des zones sous contrôle de la marée sont en cours d'élaboration. Le développement initial est généralement l'agriculture, souvent en combinaison avec la protection contre les inondations. L'accent sur le développement dans les zones de marée est cependant de plus en plus orienté vers les ports, les voies de transport, les industries, l'aquaculture, le logement et les installations récréatives. Les modèles sont souvent utilisés pour élaborer des stratégies de gestion durable de l'eau et les pratiques afférentes. Ces modèles exigent normalement des ensembles de données de longue durée qui souvent ne sont pas disponibles dans les pays émergents; ainsi de nouveaux moyens doivent être trouvés pour nourrir les modèles de simulation traditionnels. Cet article a présenté des études de cas au Surinam, en Inde et au Vietnam où le processus de validation traditionnel a été remplacé par des discussions conjointes et l'élaboration de visions partagées afin d'améliorer la compréhension des relations de cause à effet et les propositions de mesures de gestion de l'eau. L'objectif était de faire correspondre les connaissances tacites des acteurs locaux aux connaissances scientifiques explicites dans le but de créer la base de réciprocité d'une approche intégrée, par opposition à une approche imposée, et un accord consenti sur les mesures de suivi nécessaires pour soutenir à la fois les moyens de subsistance des populations ainsi que les fonctionnalités des ressources naturelles. L'approche de modélisation collaborative s'est avérée être un outil utile pour obtenir un consensus d'opinions entre les parties prenantes.

Barriers to Implementing Irrigation and Drainage Policies in An Giang Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam

“…Ritzema et al . (2008; Ritzema, ) and Franks et al . () conclude that capacity development activities are highly important for increasing farmer participation.…”

“…Therefore, we ought to consider how implementation of an irrigation and drainage policy might be more successful. One solution, as suggested in much of the literature, is that knowledge and awareness of farmers and local officials about a given policy proposal be further developed before attempting policy implementation (Franks et al ., ; Li et al ., ; Lukianas et al ., ; van Alphen and Lodder, ; Ritzema et al ., ; Ritzema, ; Wang et al ., ).…”

“…A framework for developing the knowledge and capacity of farmers and local officials should be built into irrigation and drainage system planning for effective water management. Ritzema et al (2008;Ritzema, 2013) and Franks et al (2008) conclude that capacity development activities are highly important for increasing farmer participation. This can occur via seminars or training workshops, where there is also a chance for increasing interaction, and thereby likely facilitating cooperation, between farmers and local officials.…”

“…Irrigation and drainage systems in the floodplains of tidal river deltas typically include pumps, canals, and dikes or polders (Lukianas et al, 2006;Ritzema, 2013). In the floodplain of the VMD, irrigation and drainage systems are most often based on private and collective pumping stations to pump water in and out of fields, which are protected against flooding by a number of low and high dikes ( Figure 2).…”