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Project properties |
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| Title | Understanding smallholder irrigation dynamics in Mozambique through mapping |
| Group | Water Resources Management group |
| Project type | thesis |
| Credits | 36 |
| Supervisor(s) | Gert Jan Veldwisch, Alex Bolding |
| Examiner(s) | |
| Contact info | timon.weitkamp@wur.nl |
| Begin date | 2020/05/01 |
| End date | 2022/01/01 |
| Description | Country: Mozambique
Host institute: Resiliencia Problem context Smallholder irrigation is seen as a useful approach to improve agricultural productivity, increase food security, reduce poverty and increase resilience to climate variability. However , irrigation is not as productive and sustainable as it could be. Research suggests that the area covered by smallholder irrigation may be twice as large as official statistics mention, indicating that farmers do see irrigation as beneficial and are investing in expansion of irrigated areas. However, it is currently unknown how much area is irrigated and where this occurs. One way of finding out is by analysing satellite images (remote sensing). Research Objective/Question This research will try to understand spatio temporal dynamics of irrigated agriculture in two provinces of Mozambique (Gaza & Manica) through remote sensing and fieldwork. A research question could be: How does the area under irrigation change throughout the irrigation season? What is expected from the student (type of research) The student is expected to compare combinations of different field sizes, types of irrigation, crop types or water sources for either one or both of the provinces. Data will be collected with basic GPS tools and optionally through interviews. Analysing the different areas with GIS software is preferable. Remote sensing requires clear sky's, which means fieldwork should take place in the period May until November/December. Fieldwork will be assisted by the local host institute Resiliencia |
| Used skills | Interviews; field observations; literature review; basic GIS |
| Requirements | |