This paper is the outcome of a research project conducted with the participation of several partners: Initial participants were: The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), World Agroforestry Research (ICRAF), WorldFish and the Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF). However, several other research partners joined during the project implementation stage. The research is funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) with a matching fund from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).