The recurrent threat of both flooding and drought looms large over many parts of the Mekong region. This variability is natural but is increasing due to climate change. Their destructive effects can be either relieved or compounded depending on the way dams are operated.
Water storage, however, can be a part of a solution. It just needs to be approached differently including a focus at smaller-scale solutions as well as conventional approaches, such as the use of large-scale flood protection infrastructure.
Governments and communities can adopt a number of innovative and low-cost water storage techniques proved to not only help minimise damage but also provide benefits.
The need for new approaches is urgent as climate change has made extreme weather events become more intense and unpredictable, putting lives and livelihoods at greater risk.
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