In the development of hydropower schemes, displaced rural people generally receive financial compensation for their losses. But they still face significant challenges in adapting to new places and building viable livelihoods.
To provide support in such circumstances, the CGIAR Research Program on Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics has developed a publication that offers researchers guidelines on how best to engage with marginalized, ethnic-minority farming communities in the Greater Mekong region, with a focus on enabling rural people to access and benefit from research innovations. Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu, a senior researcher with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and head of the Institute’s office in Southeast Asia, co-authored the publication.
The document derives from a review of literature on ethnic minorities and agriculture in China and Vietnam, a gender norms study carried out at a village in Northwest Vietnam, three expert workshops, and in-depth qualitative research in two villages of Northwest Vietnam as well as one district in Northern Lao PDR.
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 theÂ