Stockholm launch of new program on Water, Land and Ecosystems
The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems will be holding an official launch event at Stockholm Water Week on Tuesday, August 28 at 5.30 pm at the IWMI-CGIAR booth. The event will be an informal opportunity to socialize and learn more about the program. In addition, you can learn more about the program through talking with the Program Director, Simon Cook and other senior researchers.
The CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems, one of CGIAR’s most ambitious research programs to date is a ten year commitment to bring about a radical transformation in the way land, water and natural systems are managed. It is one of the largest programs with 14 partners, including FAO and is being led by the International Water Management Institute, which has just been named this year’s Stockholm Water Prize Laureate.
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