Das Projekt "RP7 Adaptive Food Production Systems and Natural Resources Management with Focus on a Changing Environment (ADFOOD)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Institut für Hydraulik und landeskulturelle Wasserwirtschaft durchgeführt. The Adaptive Food Production Systems and Natural Resources Water Management is set in a context of the appearing challenges and relevant natural processes, the water balance as well as socio/economic transformations concepts taking into account different soils, climatic conditions and land uses. Inappropriate management lead to a loss of natural resources, of organic matter, salinization, decrease of soil fertility and pollution of ground and surface fresh waters. Research efforts are necessary to allow a more sustainable exploitation of natural resources by African farmers, and support the increasing demand for locally produced food. More sustainable on site food production need to be studied, developed and implemented, which can revitalise the natural regenerative capacities of agricultural soils, reduce fresh water pollution and ensure healthy and resilient environments. Methodologies, devices and indicators, adapted to specific African situations, will be developed for monitoring and assess risk factors for natural resources like soil fertility, as well as for safe fresh water resources. Adapted innovative techniques to improve WRM and keep soil fertility at farm level need to be investigated and field-tested. The prevailing technical/scientific part of the project should be complemented by a true participatory approach by involving local stakeholders at different levels, such as farmers, local NGOs, relevant governmental organisations, as to make better and suitable use of existing potentialities and local knowledge, as well as to facilitate an easier implementation/adoption of the project's selected strategies. Studies on social processes and farmers rationales for implementing, adapting, innovating or rejecting the proposed strategies, should also be part of the project activities, as to ensure their acceptability by the end users (farmers and policy-makers) and thus producing the expected impact. A SWOT analyses is performed to identify the needs, risk and challenges (WP1) for the sustainable management at a cachtment scale and on farm level. Emphasize is given to farmers to have choices and to generate adaptive management concepts. Based on the findings concepts for adaptive management practises are promoted. The expertise of the cooperation partners ensures the coverage of this complex task.