Rural household economies dependent on rainfed agriculture are increasingly turning to irrigation technology solutions to reduce the effects of weather variability and guard against inconsistent and low crop output. Organisations are increasingly using market-based approaches to disseminate technologies to smallholder farmers; and, although women are among their targeted group, little is known of the extent to which these approaches are reaching and benefiting women.

Glass sector is a major energy consuming sector. Gujarat ( India) is a hub of large scale Glass industries. Cleaner Production assessment was carried out in selected Glass industries of Gujarat with technical study of process, we streams etc. After study, Energy conservation, water conversation, solid waste and liquid waste reduction options were successfully implemented.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of Kenya’s economy. To reduce poverty in the country, Kenya must improve its agricultural production, generate employment and prosperity, and feed a growing population. Irrigation is a key element of agrifood development, but current diesel-powered irrigation pumps are highly polluting and carbon intensive.

Futurepump, has developed a new model to enable smallholder farmers in Kenya to adopt sustainable irrigation solutions with a proprietary solar powered irrigation pump, combined with a finance programme that allows for flexible payments.

Nicaragua is an energy-poor and agriculture-dependent country. While the cattle and dairy sector is a dominating force among the country’s agricultural sectors, its productive output is remarkably low compared to that of neighbouring countries. Inefficient herding and farm management leads to hygiene issues, high loss of livestock and low production. Most small scale farmers lack access to modern energy. The sector is in dire need of productivity improvements to remain competitive in the region. 

The handbook contains 31 articles by individual authors covering the following issues: policies and legislation on F-gases and related issues (Part 1), safety concerns and means to overcome (Part 2), a technical assessment of natural refrigerants in different applications (air conditioning, commercial and industrial refrigeration and heat pumps) (Part 3) and case studies by manufacturers and end-users providing insights into market developments and examples of successful conversions to natural refrigerants (Part 4).