Myanmar irrigation analysis

This research proposal attempts to address the following research questions:

a) To what extent could irrigation expansion, rehabilitation and improvement increase production, boost crop exports, and reduce undernutrition under growing climate variability and change? The hypothesis is that irrigation development can reduce or eliminate growing net food imports to the region.

b) What are the economic costs and benefits of irrigation development and the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative irrigation investments and technologies? Is there an evolving role for tapping groundwater for agriculture, including tubewells, drip and sprinkler irrigation?

c) What are the current institutional and economic arrangements regarding access to, distribution and use of water resources?

d) Which type of irrigation technology is more climate resilient (to extremes and long-term change)—improved watershed management, small-scale pumping; small reservoirs, etc?