On the 19th May 2008, Pascal Vine, Director General of Cemagref and Colin Chartres, Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Antony, France, with the intention of developing a medium term collaborative research program in water management. Cemagraf and IWMI, who have been in partnership since 1992, hope to pursue this collaboration in a range of research topics covering selected areas of water management from irrigation systems to hydrographic basins. The memorandum of understanding spells out the collaboration between the two organizations which will involve joint research projects, exchange of personnel, sharing of scientific and technical knowledge, training etc.
In keeping with the agreement, a collaborative program will be carried out in the following research areas:
- modeling and development of water storage systems
- performance indicators for irrigation systems and tools
- water savings and use of water in agriculture
- integrated water resources management in irrigated areas
- drainage systems in irrigated areas
- concepts and tools for integrated water management in river basins
- predictions of water scarcity in ungauged basins
Thanks to this joint program, Cemagref and IWMI will develop research methodologies, systems and decision making tools for better water management.
Established in 1984, IWMI is an international research organizations supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which was founded in 1971, to foster the “green revolution”. IWMI’s mission is to improve the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and the environment. IWMI‘s research is aimed at improving the lives of poor communities in developing countries. Its research themes cover the following key areas: Agricultural basin water management, improving livelihoods through better land and water productivity, urbanization and the management of urban water, agricultural productivity and food security, and water management for the environment.
Cemagref is a public research organization specializing in water and land management. Its research is directed towards the development of new knowledge and innovative technologies for water managers, decision makers and business enterprises, in concrete response to questions posed by society in the area of resource management and infrastructure. Cemagref focuses its research on surface water resources, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, rural infrastructure, water and agricultural technologies and food security.
Source: http://www.iwmi.org/