A notable feature of almost all the discussions surrounding the energy–water–food nexus to date is that they have focused on national or supra-national scales. Most key background documents lack discussion of smaller, more localized scales. This is despite the fact that the majority of the food in developing countries is provided locally by smallholder farmers (IFAD and UNEP, 2013), fishers or herders; and the International Energy Agency’s calculation that 55 per cent of all new electricity supply will need to be from decentralized systems if we are to reach the goal of universal energy access by 2030 (IEA, 2010).
This paper uses Practical Action’s experiences with micro-hydro schemes to illustrate some of the nexus conflicts and synergies that arise for remote communities and smallholder farmers. It recognizes that electricity provision through micro-hydro schemes is not the only example of nexus issues connecting water, energy, and food for poor communities. However, using examples from Peru, Nepal, and Zimbabwe it exemplifies the potential added value of an integrated approach to energy, water, and food security.
Taking a ‘Total Energy Access’ perspective, it is demonstrated the huge potential for decentralized energy provision to deliver for poverty reduction. However, opportunities can be missed and inequalities arise where energy provision is not linked with mainstream
agricultural practices. Stand-alone energy schemes have reasonably good levels of sustainability, but they may perform below their optimum and fail to account for the full needs of the community without sufficient focus on nexus issues – which are well understood by communities themselves – as well as ensuring that the right kinds of institutions are in place to handle trade-offs as they arise.
Nexus debates are still relatively new; the practical lessons of adopting a nexus approach still need to be explored. There is an urgent need for capacity building at different levels within both donors and governments to bring better cross-sectoral working and a greater focus on decentralized scales and the needs of smallholder farmers. A focus on ‘productive uses’ should not over-emphasize off-farm enterprises, but build on what people are already doing. Initiatives such as the SE4ALL High Impact Opportunity on nexus issues which brings key players in the sector together must support this drive, and ensure that the emphasis lies not only on large-scale national and supra-national issues, but also on the needs of poor people.

By: L. Stevens, M. Gallagher (Practical Action)

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