We, at IWMI, are strong supporters of basin-level analyses of water resource issues, such as those presented in this report. Indeed, the basin perspective enables one to assess the upstream and downstream impacts of water allocation policies, and to determine opportunities for optimizing the sum of benefits across many residents.

At the same time, we must remember that poverty and food insecurity are often most severe - and most challenging - at the farm and household levels. Even in basins with substantial, untapped water resources, simply putting that water to work will not be sufficient to lift all residents out of poverty or to ensure their food security. In addition to basin-level analyses, we must also examine the economic, cultural and political issues that prevent so many households from gaining affordable access to the resources they need to improve and sustain their livelihoods.

In sum, we applaud the results of the study on major river basins coordinated by the CPWF, while redoubling our commitment to also maintain a keen focus on the issues that prevent so many poor households from gaining access to the land and water resources they need to achieve and sustain food security."

 

Dr. Dennis Wichelns