Taking integrated SOil and WAter MAnagement to scale by addressing social and institutional challenges through experiential learning games (SOWAMA)

The six projects will study the scaling of soil moisture retention practices for smallholder farmers in rainfed agri-food systems. With the increased severity of dry spells, increasing the moisture holding capacity of the soil works as a buffer against agricultural production losses. The research focuses specifically on socio-economic and governance aspects of scaling soil water retention practices. The research projects take place in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Nigeria.

In the face of climate change, Integrated Soil and Water Management (ISWM) can maintain and increase agricultural productivity in rainfed agri-food systems. This transdisciplinary SOWAMA project will assess and address instrumental and relational values and institutions affecting ISWM decision-making processes in Uganda. For this, it will facilitate the co-development of socio-technical innovation bundles (STIBs) addressing bottlenecks, develop experiential learning games to address drivers of implementation, strengthen governance and support innovation bundles. The project responds to demand expressed by government and civil society partners to develop their capacity in implementing innovative approaches to expand ISWM implementation at large scale.