Our work on global challenges
In a world of rapid social, economic and environmental change, water scarcity and declining water quality pose serious and undeniable threats to food security, growth and the natural resources on which human well-being depends. Of increasing concern is the social instability that can result, as rising competition for water aggravates unequal access to this vital resource, leading to the exclusion of poor communities and marginalized groups.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) conducts research for development through programs whose purpose is to build an evidence base for new approaches that address key water-related challenges:
- Building Resilience
- Sustainable Growth
- Rural-Urban Linkages
Our work brings to light striking insights on the status and possibilities of water and land management, develops innovative solutions
to the most pressing problems (often through collaboration across diverse sectors of the economy and environment), and helps put in
place the knowledge, policies and investments needed to reach the water-related targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Read on to learn what we aim to achieve, how our researchers work and where we concentrate our collaborative efforts.
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