Behind the images presented here lies an interdisciplinary approach to understanding issues, assessing options for change across sectors, and proposing solutions to benefit society and the environment that supports it. Such solutions may have their roots in cutting-edge technology, institutional reform or policy dialogue. Only together can these approaches make a real difference to those suffering from water insecurity.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2016. Watershed moments: a photographic anthology celebrating 30 years of research for a water-secure world (1985–2015 and beyond). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 96p. doi: 10.5337/2016.209
ISBN 978-92-9090-839-5
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
This isn’t the 30th anniversary. 32nd, or 33rd, depending on which starting point you choose. But IIMI was well underway before 1986.
The Sri Lankan parliament passed the law that established IIMI, in the latter half of 1983. There was an interim director-general (Ralph Cummings, I think) to get the operation going ; then the first full-time D-G, Tom Wickham, was selected in the first half of 1984. I think he took office formally about 1 June 1984. Certainly he addressed the ICID Congress in Fort Collins in May 1984, as D-G.
By 1985 many things were going on at Digana. My first visit to Digana was in May 1985, by which time about 4 or 5 international staff were already working there (Senen Miranda, Chris Panabokke, maybe David Groenfeldt). The initial focus through 1985 was on establishing offices in Asian countries (Pakistan, Philippines, Nepal as well as Sri Lanka). By 10 November 1985 I was in Madagascar, leading a team to prepare an “Africa strategy” for IIMI.
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