The 12th Steering meeting and INWEPF (The International Network for Water and Environment in the Paddy Field) Symposium 2015 was held in Negombo, Sri Lanka on November 3-5. The event was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment and Ministry of Agriculture.
The inaugural meeting and symposium took place on November 3. Minister Vijith Wijeyamuni Soysa, Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management in Sri Lanka, was the chief guest at the inaugural session. The aim of the symposium was to create a platform for professionals from the irrigated agriculture sector who play significant multiple roles in improving land and water productivity as well as protecting the related ecosystems. The symposium gathered around 220 local and international delegates. Those in attendance included INWEPF participants from 17 member countries and international member organizations. Local participants included researchers, engineers, practicing professionals from government and civil society organizations, academia and experts in agri-business enterprises.
IWMI’s Ian Makin, Herath Manthrithilake and Mohamed Aheeyar attended the symposium. During the technical session of the symposium, Ian and Mathrithilake presented on Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture with Sustainable Irrigated Agroecosystem Services. Aheeyar gave a presentation on Technical Efficiency of Paddy Cultivation in Anicut Schemes in the Walawe Basin. IWMI also had a publications booth at the event.
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the