Dr. David Molden, winner of the CGIAR award for “Outstanding Scientist of the Year” and Deputy Director General – Research, at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) says that agriculture is both the cause and solution to many of the world’s water problems. The solutions lie in tapping the unmet potential to grow more food with limited water, and the greatest potential lies within areas of high poverty.
At their annual awards ceremony held this year in Montpellier, France, the CGIAR formally acknowledged Dr. Molden’s exemplary leadership of the Comprehensive Assessment along with the many valuable contributions he has made over the years in water productivity and water accounting research.
Media Files
Video – Presentation
Video – Interview
Media Release
CGIAR
[English PDF 32KB]
Other Resources
- CGIAR Science Awards
- Press Release on the CGIAR website
- Watch the webcast on the GCARD website
- Photos from the GCARD Flickr site
- Virtual Water Management Summit
Publications by David Molden, 2007-2010:
Download the list of publications [PDF 57KB]
CGIAR 2009 Awards Ceremony at GCARD Summit, Montpellier, 2010
IWMI’s Dr. David Molden, receives his award for CGIAR Outstanding Scientist of the Year from Katherine Sierra, Chair of the CGIAR
Dr. David Molden of IWMI, receives the award for CGIAR Outstanding Scientist of the Year 2009
David Molden with the Chair, Vice Chair and other officials of the CGIAR after receiving his award
The Winners of the CGIAR Science Awards 2009
Presenting Dr David Molden, CGIAR Outstanding Scientist of the Year 2009
Enhancing capacity for system transformation
Strengthening and sustaining the enabling environment
Enabling gender and youth inclusion
Brokering knowledge for sustainability
Cultivating scaling preparedness
Fostering scaling partnerships
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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 
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 
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 
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 
