The purpose of this Guide is to provide an overview of the major considerations and steps to be followed in organizing new irrigation farmers’ organizations or Irrigation Water Users’ Associations (IWUAs). The Guide should support developing or strengthening a specialized formal IWUA for implementing a program aimed at creating or improving a collectively managed irrigation scheme. The Guide is focused on programs involving construction of new irrigation schemes; rehabilitation, modernization or revitalization of existing irrigation schemes; or supporting farmers wishing to improve the performance of their irrigation scheme. While based on extensive research and evidence, the intended audience for this Guide is the set of practitioners responsible for planning and implementing communal irrigation programs. This may include managers of publicly or externally supported projects, government agricultural and irrigation officials, private investments and nongovernmental organizations.; The Guide draws on over 50 years of experience organizing farmers to participate in the creation, improvement and management of both farmer-managed and government-managed irrigation schemes. The major lesson learned is that investing in the “software” component – training and institutional development – of irrigation is critical for success. If the IWUA is weak or ineffective, the scheme will fail to achieve its potential, no matter how good the hardware is.; The Guide seeks to avoid imposing a specific organizational design for what an institution should look like and do, but suggests a process organized around six ‘steps’ to be followed, more or less in sequence. Using these steps creatively as a guideline, not as a recipe to be followed precisely, will increase the likelihood that irrigation investments achieve the desired project goals.
Local authorities / Communities / Socioeconomic environment / Infrastructure / Stakeholders / Sustainability / Nongovernmental organizations / Water availability / Water institutions / Water governance / Water policy / Evaluation / Monitoring / Training programmes / Gender / Costs / Investment / Policy making / Small scale systems / Collective action / Irrigation schemes / Farmers organizations / Guidelines / Best practices / Water user associations / Irrigation efficiency / Irrigation management / Irrigation water / Learning / Research and development Record No:H049026
This Atlas summarizes recent advances in interdisciplinary approaches and research to address the different components of West African urban food systems, including urban and peri-urban agriculture. It thereby draws on the results of several major collaborative research projects and stakeholder consultations conducted in West Africa over the past two decades, and in particular on the UrbanFoodPlus project in Ghana and Burkina Faso (www.urbanfoodplus.org). The publication targets with its innovative design a broad range of stakeholders.
Nutrition / Water resources / Wastewater treatment / Wastewater irrigation / Cultivation / Crop production / Backyard farming / Trees / Vegetation / Land use / Diets / Stakeholders / Household consumption / Food supply / Food policies / Food safety / Food composition / Food consumption / Food marketing / Forestry / Livestock production / Farming systems / Urban development / Urban agriculture / Urban areas Record No:H048998
Water and nutrition are linked in multiple ways, but few of these interlinkages are well understood. What is, for example, the exact relationship between water pollution and health or between water resource management and nutrition? Even less is known about the interactions across these various linkages. The importance of better understanding these connections has been highlighted as we pursue the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which challenge mankind to meet both water security as well as food and nutrition security goals, while also improving water-based ecosystems. It has become increasingly clear that progress toward these goals can only be achieved if measures in the food and nutrition space (SDG 2) do not constrain progress on water (SDG 6) and if measures undertaken to support targets under one of these SGDs also support the outcomes of the other. This paper provides an overview of water–nutrition linkages as reflected in the SDGs, and it identifies key gaps in these linkages and suggests a way forward to support the achievement of both water and nutrition goals and targets.
Irrigation water / Risk management / Communities / Ecosystem services / Wastewater treatment / Public health / Landscape / Equity / Economic aspects / Policy making / Climate change / Drinking water / Agricultural systems / Sustainable agriculture / Diet / Food production / Food security / Sanitation / Waterborne diseases / Water availability / Water use / Water pollution / Water security / Water quality / Water supply / Water management / Water resources / Integrated management / Nutrition / Sustainable Development Goals / Learning / Research and development Record No:H048974
Current patterns of agricultural expansion and intensification are bringing unprecedented environmental externalities, including impacts on water quality. While water pollution is slowly starting to receive the attention it deserves, the contribution of agriculture to this problem has not yet received sufficient consideration.
We need a much better understanding of the causes and effects of agricultural water pollution as well as effective means to prevent and remedy the problem. In the existing literature, information on water pollution from agriculture is highly dispersed. This repost is a comprehensive review and covers different agricultural sectors (including crops, livestock and aquaculture), and examines the drivers of water pollution in these sectors as well as the resulting pressures and changes in water bodies, the associated impacts on human health and the environment, and the responses needed to prevent pollution and mitigate its risks.
Economic aspects / Good agricultural practices / Reservoirs / Lakes / Eutrophication / Erosion control / Sediment / Water policy / Environmental health / Public health / Freshwater / Irrigation water / Soil salinization / Salts / Phosphorus / Nitrogen / Nutrient management / Livestock production / Aquaculture / Pesticide application / Fertilizer application / Intensification / Farming systems / Models / Water quality / Food wastes / Pathogens / Organic matter / Pollutants / Risk management / Groundwater / Surface water / Population growth / Food consumption / Agricultural wastewater / Agricultural waste management / Water pollution Record No:H048855
This report outlines a participatory approach for mapping actors along value chains. The methodology provides novel ideas on how to combine value chain analysis with participatory statistics and visual network research approaches, to generate valuable insights about complex value chains together with local stakeholders in a cost effective way. A framework is introduced, which provides a canvas for mapping actors onto different analytical dimensions relevant in value chain analysis. After outlining some of the conceptual foundations and the methodological approach, a sequence of steps for mapping actors and their relationships is described. The experience from a case study is used to illustrate the steps involved. The case study is on fodder value chains in the Sahelian agro-ecological zone of Burkina Faso, but the mapping approach can be adapted to a range of contexts.
Case studies / Surveys / Livestock / Relationships / Agricultural trade / Agricultural production / Production structure / Markets / Communities / Cost analysis / Social aspects / Statistical data / Participatory approaches / Mapping / Supply chain / Value chain Record No:H048396
This paper provides a brief synthesis of research conducted on gender in irrigation, and the tools and frameworks used in the past to promote improvement for women in on-farm agricultural water management. It then presents results from the pilot of the Gender in Irrigation Learning and Improvement Tool (GILIT) in locations in Malawi and Uzbekistan in 2015. Through the results of the tool, the paper looks at benefit sharing between men and women farmers: (i) access to irrigation scheme resources (including information, for example, in the design phase; land, water and other inputs); (ii) participation in scheme management; and (iii) access to scheme benefits, including access to market information, packaging and payments. The indicators for the tool were modelled after principles reflected in existing gender policies and strategies, and intended to improve performance at field level in line with national and regional goals. The paper concludes with informal and formal constraints to gender-equitable outcomes from irrigation investments identified during the pilot, and suggests how the tool can be used by various development actors to improve the benefits for women from investments in agricultural water management.
State intervention / Decision making / Resource management / Stakeholders / Community involvement / Investment / Market access / Farmers / Water allocation / Water management / Productivity / Agricultural production / Agricultural extension / On-farm production / Assessment / Improvement / Participation / Irrigation schemes / Men / Women’s participation / Women / Performance evaluation / Training programmes / Learning / Gender equity / Research and development Record No:H048368
Public sector / Private sector / Risk reduction / Sustainability / Management techniques / Watershed management / Water conservation / Soil conservation / Fodder plants / Income / Living standards / Land degradation / Land management / Land use / Community involvement / Local communities / State intervention / Governance / Guidelines / Youth / Women / Gender / Natural resources management / Energy sources / Renewable energy / Habitats / Woodlands / Milk production / Livestock production / Smallholders / Stakeholders / Economic situation / Ecosystems / Capacity building / Learning / Research and development Record No:H048081
Regional organizations / Governmental organizations / Food security / Land management / Water resources / Institutional development / Research programmes / Strategy planning Record No:H047067
Case studies / Living standards / Impact assessment / Sustainability / Land use / Water management / Water use / Irrigation water / Geology / Hydrology / Research / Wetlands / Ecology / Sociology / Agrarian structure / Farmers / Smallholders / Ecosystem services / Groundwater irrigation Record No:H046997
Nicol, Alan; Langan, Simon; Victor, M.; Gonsalves, J. 2015. Water-smart agriculture in East Africa. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE); Kampala, Uganda: Global Water Initiative East Africa (GWI EA) 352p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (8 MB)
Case studies / Collective action / Learning / Natural resources management / Gender / Dams / Smallholders / Incentives / Income / Wetlands / Catchment areas / Arid lands / Sustainable development / Erosion / Highlands / Participatory approaches / Soil conservation / Rehabilitation / Groundwater / Water storage / Water use / Water conservation / Water harvesting / Rain / Watershed management / Land management / Livestock production / Maize / Rice / Sorghum / Crops / Drought tolerance / Food security / Adaptation / Climate change / Vegetable growing / Drip irrigation / Irrigation schemes / Small scale farming / Water productivity / Agriculture Record No:H046950
Drechsel, Pay; Heffer, P.; Magen, H.; Mikkelsen, R.; Wichelns, D. 2015. Managing water and fertilizer for sustainable agricultural intensification. : Paris, France: International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Georgia, USA: International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI); Horgen, Switzerland: International Potash Institute (IPI) 270p. More... | Fulltext (13.13 MB)
Arid zones / Evapotranspiration / Biochemical compounds / Wastewater irrigation / Wastewater treatment / Rainfed farming / Subhumid zones / Humid climate zones / Crop yield / Water supply / Water use efficiency / Ecosystem services / Food security / Soil fertility / Nutrients / Nitrogen fertilizers / Intensification / Irrigated farming / Irrigation systems / Sustainable agriculture / Water productivity / Water management Record No:H046805
Food security / Land management / Water management / Water security / Institutional development / Research programmes / Research institutes / Strategy planning Record No:H046742
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2014. Ecosystem services and resilience framework. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 46p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (6 MB)
Case studies / Decision making / Monitoring / Impact assessment / Planning / Soil conservation / Farmers / Stakeholders / Investment / Income / Public health / Nutrition / Food security / Poverty / Living standards / Rural areas / Communities / Sustainability / Governance / Rice / Productivity / Agroecosystems / Landscape / Agriculture / Ecosystem services Record No:H046683
River basins / Women / Social aspects / Economic growth / Farmers / Drought / Flooding / Climate change / Ecosystem services / Sustainable development / Energy / Food security / Wastewater / Water accounting / Water policy / Domestic water / Water management / Water resources / Groundwater / Water quality / Water governance Record No:H046660
Food security / Land management / Water management / Water security / Institutional development / Research programmes / Research institutes / Strategy planning Record No:H046441
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; FAO; International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2014. Wetlands and agriculture: partners for growth. : Gland, Switzerland: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; Rome, Italy: FAO; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 16p. More... | Fulltext (2.19 MB)
Farmers / Irrigated farming / Food production / Water resources / Ecosystem services / Biodiversity / Aquaculture / Agricultural production / Agroecosystems / Wetlands Record No:H046396
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2014. Gender strategy. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 21p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (3.23 MB)
Research programmes / Capacity building / Budgets / Decision making / Households / Living standards / Ecosystems / Natural resources management / Empowerment / Discrimination / Women / Gender Record No:H046341
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2014. Wetlands and people. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 32p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (3.19 MB)
Case studies / Income / Economic aspects / Social aspects / Rice / Fish farming / Poverty / Living standards / Lakes / Deltas / Dams / River basins / Ecosystems / Natural resources management / Wetlands Record No:H046304
Rice / Yields / Soils / Poverty / Wetlands / Groundwater irrigation / Tsunami / Drinking water / Water sharing / International waters / Technology / Water management / Electricity supplies / Water use / Contamination / Case studies / Institutions / Organizations / Development policies / Marketing techniques / Stakeholders / Uptake / Research Record No:H046204
CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE). 2013. WLE Annual Report 2012. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) 32p. More... | Fulltext
Investment / Living standards / Information systems / Water use / Wastewater / International waters / River basins / Food security / Ecosystems / Rainfed farming / Irrigated farming / Agriculture / Poverty Record No:H046042
Irrigation management / Water resource management / Research projects / Research priorities / Agricultural research / Research institutes Record No:H044741
In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems have very low coverage or function poorly, resulting in large-scale water pollution and the use of poor-quality water for crop irrigation, especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can pose significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw.; Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater.; This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on ‘making wastewater an asset’.
Developing countries / Irrigation methods / Wastewater treatment / Economic impact / Leaf vegetables / Vegetables / Diseases / Excreta / Sewage sludge / Epidemiology / Risk assessment / Health hazards / Public health / Wastewater irrigation Record No:H044457
Landscape / Policy / Rainfed farming / Livestock / Rangelands / Biodiversity / Agroforestry / Climate change / Fisheries / Poverty / Hunger / Developing countries / Environmental flows / Decision making / Water use / Wetlands / Water productivity / Water management / Water scarcity / Food production / Food security / Agriculture / Agroecosystems Record No:H044268
Pant, N.; Verma, R. K. 2010. Tanks in Eastern India: a study in exploration. : Hyderabad, India: International Water Management Institute, IWMI-TATA Water Policy Research Program; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India: Centre for Development Studies 215p. More... | Fulltext (1.30MB)
Policy / Colonialism / Water market / Case studies / Ethnic groups / Irrigated sites / Surveys / Fisheries / Tank irrigation / Tanks Record No:H044211
Pant, N.; Verma, R. K. 2010. Tanks in Eastern India: a study in exploration. : Hyderabad, India: International Water Management Institute, IWMI-TATA Water Policy Research Program; Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India: Centre for Development Studies 215p. [DOI] More... | Fulltext (1.30MB)
Policy / Colonialism / Water market / Case studies / Ethnic groups / Irrigated sites / Surveys / Fisheries / Tank irrigation / Tanks Record No:H044209
Market research / Production costs / Root vegetables / Carrots / Farmers associations Record No:H043597
Dukhovny, V.; Mukhamedjanov, S.; Manthrithilake, Herath; Averina, L.; Kazbekov, Jusipbek; Platonov, Alexander; Ruziyev, I.; Umirzakov, G.; Sagdullayev, R. 2010. Innovative partnership: on the way to water productivity improvement. : Tashkent, Uzbekistan: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Water Productivity Improvement at Pilot Level Project (WPI-PL); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Scientific Information Center (SICwc) 119p. More...
Water user associations / Indicators / Economic aspects / Production costs / Maize / Wheat / Cotton / Farmers attitudes / Training / Appropriate technology / Irrigation water / Evaluation / Water use efficiency / Water productivity / Irrigation programs Record No:H043384
Dukhovny, V.; Mukhamedjanov, S.; Manthrithilake, Herath; Averina, L.; Kazbekov, Jusipbek; Platonov, Alexander; Ruziyev, I.; Umirzakov, G.; Sagdullayev, R. 2010. Innovative partnership: on the way to water productivity improvement. In Russian. : Tashkent, Uzbekistan: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Water Productivity Improvement at Pilot Level Project (WPI-PL); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Scientific Information Center (SICwc) 111p. More...
Water user associations / Indicators / Economic aspects / Production costs / Maize / Wheat / Cotton / Farmers attitudes / Training / Appropriate technology / Irrigation water / Evaluation / Water use efficiency / Water productivity / Irrigation programs Record No:H043298
Dukhovny, V.; Mukhamedjanov, S.; Manthrithilake, Herath; Averina, L.; Kazbekov, Jusipbek; Platonov, Alexander; Ruziyev, I.; Umirzakov, G.; Sagdullayev, R. 2010. Innovative partnership: on the way to water productivity improvement. : Tashkent, Uzbekistan: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Water Productivity Improvement at Pilot Level Project (WPI-PL); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Scientific Information Center (SICwc) 119p. More...
Water user associations / Indicators / Economic aspects / Production costs / Maize / Wheat / Cotton / Farmers attitudes / Training / Appropriate technology / Irrigation water / Evaluation / Water use efficiency / Water productivity / Irrigation programs Record No:H043297
Hoanh, Chu Thai; Szuster, B. W.; Kam, S. P.; Ismail, A. M; Noble, Andrew D. 2010. Tropical deltas and coastal zones: food production, communities and environment at the land-water interface. : Wallingford, UK: CABI; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish Center; Los Banos, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Bangkok, Thailand: FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific; Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 477p. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 9) More... | Fulltext (5.08 MB)
Food security / Food production / Salinity / Cropping systems / Coastal area / Rice / Fisheries / Aquaculture Record No:H043045
In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems have very low coverage or function poorly, resulting in large-scale water pollution and the use of poor-quality water for crop irrigation, especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can pose significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw.; Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater.; This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on ‘making wastewater an asset’.
Developing countries / Irrigation methods / Wastewater treatment / Economic impact / Leaf vegetables / Vegetables / Diseases / Excreta / Sewage sludge / Epidemiology / Risk assessment / Health hazards / Public health / Wastewater irrigation Record No:H042759
In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems have very low coverage or function poorly, resulting in large-scale water pollution and the use of poor-quality water for crop irrigation, especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can pose significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw.; Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater.; This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on ‘making wastewater an asset’.
Developing countries / Irrigation methods / Wastewater treatment / Economic impact / Leaf vegetables / Vegetables / Diseases / Excreta / Sewage sludge / Epidemiology / Risk assessment / Health hazards / Public health / Wastewater irrigation Record No:H042600
The intention of the manual is to promote and impart simple ways of preparing creative cultivation structures, suitable for any surrounding, whether urban, periurban or rural with limited space and resources.
Case studies / Non governmental organizations / Local government / Costs / Appropriate technology / Water purification / Water storage / Runoff / Water harvesting / Wells / Rural areas / Gender / Poverty / Water governance / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water supply / Research projects / Water productivity / Models / Multiple use Record No:H042917
The intention of the manual is to promote and impart simple ways of preparing creative cultivation structures, suitable for any surrounding, whether urban, periurban or rural with limited space and resources.
Economic aspects / Milk production / Livestock / Crop yield / Cereals / Water allocation / Water quality / Irrigation systems / Irrigation practices / Multiple use / Water use efficiency / Water productivity Record No:H042633
Pumping / Water lifting / Surface irrigation / Groundwater management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Water transfer / Water allocation / History / Water use / Water governance / Hydrology / River basin development / River basin management Record No:H042460
Pumping / Water lifting / Surface irrigation / Groundwater management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Water transfer / Water allocation / History / Water use / Water governance / Hydrology / River basin development / River basin management Record No:H042436
van Koppen, Barbara; Smits, S.; Moriarty, P.; Penning de Vries, F.; Mikhail, M.; Boelee, Eline. 2009. Climbing the water ladder: multiple-use water services for poverty reduction. : Hague, Netherlands: International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 215p. (IRC TP Series 52) More... | Fulltext
In low- and middle-income countries, people need water for drinking, personal hygiene and other domestic use. But they also use it for livestock, horticulture, irrigation, fisheries, brickmaking, and other small-scale enterprises. Multiple-use water services (MUS) are best suited to meeting people’s needs. However, most water services are designed only for domestic water or only for agriculture, and fail to reflect its real-life use. The action research project ‘Models for implementing multiple-use water supply systems for enhanced land and water productivity, rural livelihoods and gender equity’ developed case studies in eight countries (Bolivia, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand and Zimbabwe) involving 150 institutions. The project analysed two models: homestead-scale and community-scale MUS and developed a ‘multiple-use water ladderapos; to show how better livelihoods flow from increased access to water. This book shows how livelihoods act as the main driver for water services and how access to water is determined by sustainable water resources, appropriate technologies and equitable ways of managing communal systems. Climbing the water ladder requires a small fraction of total water resources, yet has the potential to help people climb out of poverty. Local government can be the pivot to make this happen. But, it needs support to implement its mandate to meet multiple-use demand and to become more accountable to people in communities.
Case studies / Non governmental organizations / Local government / Costs / Appropriate technology / Water purification / Water storage / Runoff / Water harvesting / Wells / Rural areas / Gender / Poverty / Water governance / Irrigation water / Domestic water / Water supply / Research projects / Water productivity / Models / Multiple use Record No:H042336
Water user associations / Drip irrigation / Water conservation / Water allocation / Water rights / Groundwater management / Pricing / Price policy / Water market / Water policy / Irrigation management / Water management / Water demand Record No:H042147
Development projects / Livestock / Water productivity / Soil degradation / Nitrogen fertilizers / Groundwater irrigation / Water reuse / Wastewater irrigation / Zero tillage / Irrigated farming / Water resource management / Soil salinity / Water quality / Water shortage / Water scarcity Record No:H042133
Wani, S. P.; Rockstrom, J.; Oweis, T. 2009. Rainfed agriculture: unlocking the potential. : Wallingford, UK: CABI; Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 310p. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 7) More... | Fulltext
Watershed management / Water productivity / Supplemental irrigation / Models / Yield gap / Water harvesting / Irrigation methods / Climate change / Crop production / Soil degradation / Rainfed farming Record No:H042126
Agricultural policy / Rainfed farming / Sprinkler irrigation / Drip irrigation / Water conservation / Water productivity / Supplemental irrigation / Water harvesting / Irrigation efficiency / Groundwater irrigation / Food demand / Water demand / Irrigated farming / Water requirements / Development projects / Environmental flows / River basins Record No:H042029
Wani, S. P.; Rockstrom, J.; Oweis, T. 2009. Rainfed agriculture: unlocking the potential. : Wallingford, UK: CABI; Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 310p. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 7) More... | Fulltext (7.62MB)
Watershed management / Water productivity / Supplemental irrigation / Models / Yield gap / Water harvesting / Irrigation methods / Climate change / Crop production / Soil degradation / Rainfed farming Record No:H041989
River basins / Farmer-led irrigation / Economic aspects / Irrigation canals / Pumping / Aquifers / Wells / Water lifting / Gravity flow / Groundwater irrigation / History / Water governance / Irrigation management Record No:H041788
Goddard, T.; Zoebisch, M. A.; Gan, Y.; Ellis, W.; Watson, A.; Sombatpanit, S. 2008. No-till farming systems. Special publication no.3. : Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation; Penang, Malaysia: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South East Asia Office; and others 544p. More... | Fulltext
Thirty-four contributions from renowned experts and practitioners around the world provide a comprehensive review of the rapid growth of no-till, the barriers that have been overcome and the challenges that still lie ahead. Chapters cover current research and new directions as well as policy needs, adoption and extension.
Agroecology / Carbon sequestration / Cotton / Maize / Wheat / Crop production / Soil water / Infiltration / Rainfed farming / Case studies / Irrigated farming / Conservation tillage / Soil management / Soil properties / Soil fertility / Cropping systems / Livestock / Zero tillage Record No:H043633
Food security / Water governance / Water resource management / Research priorities / Institutional development / Research institutes / Strategy planning Record No:H041708
Sustainable development / Rural development / Nature reserves / Natural resources / Participation / Environmental degradation / Watersheds / Mangroves / Lagoons / Lakes / Case studies / Conservation / Poverty / Biodiversity / Wetlands / Ecosystems Record No:H041620
Bossio, Deborah; Geheb, Kim. 2008. Conserving land, protecting water. : Wallingford, UK: CABI; Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water amp; Food 235p. (Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 6) More... | Fulltext (3.32MB)
Irrigated farming / River basins / Poverty / Food security / Evapotranspiration / Ecology / Ecosystems / Soil conservation / Land management / Recycling / Water conservation / Water productivity / Water resource management Record No:H041588
Lundqvist, J.; de Fraiture, Charlotte; Molden, David; Berndes, G.; Berntell, A.; Falkenmark, M.; Holmen, H.; Karlberg, L.; Lannerstad, M. 2008. Saving water: from field to fork: curbing losses and wastage in the food chain. Draft for CDS, May 2008. : Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Goteborg, Sweden: Chalmers University; Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) 36p. (SIWI Paper 13) More... | Fulltext
This report and the Side Event at CSD 16, May 5–16, 2008, are following up reports that have been prepared for two previous CSD meetings, “Water – More Nutrition per Drop” (2004*) and “Let it Reign: The New Water Paradigm for Global Food Security” (2005**). The topics addressed in the previous reports, and also in this report, are the links between water, food and development, which are high on the agenda for Swedish international development collaboration. This report highlights the magnitude of losses and wastage in the food chain, i.e. from field to fork. It is shown that a reduction of losses and wastage would save water and facilitate the achievement of multiple development objectives.
Irrigated farming / Rainfed farming / Developed countries / Developing countries / Bioenergy / Water scarcity / Climate change / Water requirements / Water conservation / Food consumption / Food supply / Food production Record No:H041461
Goddard, T.; Zoebisch, M. A.; Gan, Y.; Ellis, W.; Watson, A.; Sombatpanit, S. 2008. No-till farming systems. Special publication no.3. : Bangkok, Thailand: World Association of Soil and Water Conservation; Penang, Malaysia: International Water Management Institute (IWMI), South East Asia Office; and others 544p. More...
Thirty-four contributions from renowned experts and practitioners around the world provide a comprehensive review of the rapid growth of no-till, the barriers that have been overcome and the challenges that still lie ahead. Chapters cover current research and new directions as well as policy needs, adoption and extension.
Agroecology / Carbon sequestration / Cotton / Maize / Wheat / Crop production / Soil water / Infiltration / Rainfed farming / Case studies / Irrigated farming / Conservation tillage / Soil management / Soil properties / Soil fertility / Cropping systems / Livestock / Zero tillage Record No:H041263
Organizations / Environmental management / Wastewater treatment Record No:H041240
Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF); FAO-Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP); International Water Management Institute (IWMI); International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); WorldFish Center; Burapha University. 2007. Managing the coastal land-water interface in tropical delta systems. Conference Program, Bang Sean, Thailand, 7-9 November 2007. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: Challenge Program for Water and Food (CPWF); Rome, Italy: FAO-Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Los Banos, Philippines: International Rice Research Institute (IRRI); Penang, Malaysia: WorldFish Center; Bangsaen, Thailand: Burapha University 55p. More...
Case studies / Risk assessment / Sustainable development / Vermicomposting / Aquatic weeds / Acidity / Spatial distribution / Aquatic environment / Salt water intrusion / Shrimps / Rice fields / Profitability / Ecosystems / Resource management / Oils industry / Natural resources management / Local government / Local communities / Wetlands / Incentives / Mangroves / Environmental impact assessment / Environmental sustainability / Environmental policy / Living standards / Salinity / River basins / Delta / Water use / Water quality / Water governance / Water management / Land degradation / Land use / Land management / Coastal waters / Coastal area Record No:H049068
Rainfed farming / Farmer-led irrigation / Ecosystems / Water rights / Poverty / Water scarcity / Policy / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H042334
Rainfed farming / Farmer-led irrigation / Ecosystems / Water rights / Poverty / Water scarcity / Policy / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H041261
Rainfed farming / Farmer-led irrigation / Ecosystems / Water rights / Poverty / Water scarcity / Policy / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H041260
Rainfed farming / Farmer-led irrigation / Ecosystems / Water rights / Poverty / Water scarcity / Policy / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H039769
Ecosystems / Ecology / Wetlands / Health hazards / Public health / Water quality / Irrigated farming / Poverty / Gender / Research policy / Institutional development / Governance / Public health / Water quality / Erosion / Models / River basins / Groundwater management / Land management / Productivity / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H042253
A pre-conference to Humid Tropical Ecosystems, 5 -9 December, 2006, Kandy, Sri Lanka, commemorating the 50th anniversary of UNESCO Humid Tropics Programme Organized by United Nations University and the International Water Management Institute.
Water quality / Reservoirs / Water availability / Models / Runoff / River basins / Ecosystems / Rain / Water management Record No:H041415
Sri Lanka. Central Environmental Authority (CEA); IUCN Sri Lanka; IWMI. 2006. National wetland directory of Sri Lanka. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Central Environmental Authority (CEA); International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 342p. More...
Decision making / Water harvesting / Watershed management / Simulation models / Water balance / Groundwater irrigation / Aquifers / Water quality / Artificial recharge / Groundwater development / Governance / Groundwater management Record No:H039304
Obuobie, Emmanuel; Keraita, Bernard; Danso, George; Amoah, Philip; Cofie, Olufunke O.; Raschid-Sally, Liqa; Drechsel, Pay. 2006. Irrigated urban vegetable production in Ghana: characteristics, benefits and risks. : Accra, Ghana: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Accra, Ghana: Network of Resource Centres on Urban Agriculture and Food Security (RUAF); Colombo, Sri Lanka: CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food (CPWF) 150p. More... | Fulltext (3MB)
This CD contains all published research and scientific outputs of IWMI and partners
Environmental effects / Natural resources / Irrigated farming / Water management / Agricultural research Record No:H038394
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2006. IWMI Strategic plan 2004-2008. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 28p. More... | Fulltext (2.13MB)
Financial planning / Environmental effects / Land management / Irrigated farming / Water management / River basins / Research projects / Research priorities / Assessment / Research institutes / Strategy planning Record No:H038269
Disease vectors / Mosquitoes / Rehabilitation / Wells / Drinking water / Water supply / Natural disasters / Salinity / Aquifers / Groundwater Record No:H038656
Lundqvist, J.; Falkenmark, M.; Berntell, A.; Bergkamp, G.; Molden, David; Rosegrant, M. 2005. Let it reign: the new water paradigm for global food security: final report to CSD-13. : Stockholm, Sweden: Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI); Washington, DC, USA: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 40p. More... | Fulltext
For the 13th meeting of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-13), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) commissioned the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to produce “Let it Reign: The New Water Paradigm for Global Food Security”. The report presents recommendations for policy and decision makers with regard to sustainable food production, sustainable food consumption and ecological sustainability. The topic addressed in this report is an issue identified as being of very high priority for Sida. The views put forward in this report, on the other hand, are expressed solely on behalf of the authors. Collaborating partners for the report have been the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), IUCN – The World Conservation Union and International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
Land management / Environmental effects / Coastal waters / Groundwater / Public health / Poverty / Fisheries / Rivers / Climate change / Water footprint / Water productivity / Water use / Irrigated farming / Food security / Food policy / Food consumption / Financing / Capacity building / Water governance / Water requirements / Food production Record No:H038129
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2005. IWMI medium term plan 2006-2008. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 100p. More...
Strategy planning / Research priorities / Agricultural research / Water management / Research institutes Record No:H038049
Sharma, Bharat R.; Samra, J. S.; Scott, Christopher; Wani, S. P. 2005. Watershed management challenges: improving productivity, resources and livelihoods. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) xiii, 336p. More...
Common property / Climate change / Catchment areas / Policy / Drought / Common property / Watershed management Record No:H037662
Soil-Water Management Research Group. 2005. Controlling siltation in dug-out ponds. : Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Morogoro, Tanzania: Sokoine University of Agriculture iii, 10p. More...
Manual produced under the IWMI financed project “Options for Increasing the Productivity of Harvested and Stored Rainwater for Smallholder Farmers in the Dry Area of Western Pare Lowlands”
Bunds / Catchment areas / Siltation / Ponds Record No:H037650
Irrigation management / Financing / Organizations / Institutions / Governance / River basin development Record No:H036300
Fujimoto, Naoya. 2005. Research on intensification of effective water-use policy. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Annual Project Report FY2003 (37670SL JAP21) - IWMI/Government Cooperative Programme Trust Fund Project with Government of Japan. IWMI, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 6p. More...
Water law / Maintenance / Operations / Pricing / Water market / Water conservation / Crop production / Rice / Water policy / Water rights / Water use Record No:H035941
Income / Households / Conflict / Labor / Maintenance / Watercourses / Irrigation canals / Water delivery / Water user associations / Irrigation management / Water management Record No:H036246
Institutions / Irrigation management / Investment / User charges / Water allocation / Water rights / Equity / Water distribution / Irrigation systems / Irrigation programs / Poverty / Irrigated farming Record No:H036146
Irrigation canals / Water delivery / Farmers attitudes / User charges / Irrigation management / Watercourses / Cropping systems / Livestock / Crop production / Farm income / Water resource management / Surveys / Water user associations Record No:H035506
Manual pumps / Water supply / Rural development / Domestic water / Irrigation water / Farmers / Wastewater / Case studies / Catchment areas / Households / Productivity / Water use / Poverty Record No:H035330
The quot;Ruhuna Basinsquot; defined for this case study encompass three of the main rivers that flow through ancient Ruhuna, including the longest and most important river in the region, Walawe. The Ruhuna basins are important in the broader Sri Lankan context, the basin being the location of a major hydropower plant, irrigation schemes that make a significant contribution to national food production, and important nature reserves. However, even before the proposed development begins to be implemented, the basins are experiencing major water resources problems, clearly demonstrated by the recent drought that led to reduction of water supplies to agriculture, insufficient domestic water supply, and which contributed to nationwide power cuts upto 8 hours a day. These challenging issues motivated the Government of Sri Lanka to select the cluster of three important rivers, Walawe, Menik and Kirindi, and the smaller basins confined by them as the area for the case study for the World Water Assessment Program.
Irrigation water / Drought / Risks / Social participation / Financing / Water supply / Domestic water / Public investment / Legislation / Institutions / Political aspects / Tanks / Hydroelectric schemes / Water use / Ecosystems / Waterborne diseases / Pumps / Wells / Fisheries / Water resources development / Water quality / Aquifers / Groundwater / Surface water / Land use / Population / Evapotranspiration / Rain / Climate / Ecology / Soils / Topography / River basins Record No:H035301
International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Scientific Information Center, Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC). 2003. How to establish a water users association?: practical steps for social mobilizers. : Tashkent, Uzbekistan: International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Tashkent, Uzbekistan: Scientific Information Center, Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC ICWC) 27p. More... | Fulltext
Institutional development / Water user associations Record No:H041639
The WaterDome was organized by the African Water Task Force, AWTF, with IWMI as its implementing agency.
Environmental sustainability / International cooperation / Water demand / Recycling / Deforestation / Water transfer / River basins / Irrigation water / Water pollution / Water conservation / Water allocation / Poverty / Health / Climate / Energy / Food security / Technology / Water policy / Conferences / Water resource management Record No:H034031
Water rights / Poverty / Water conservation / Water scarcity / Rice / Ecosystems / River basins / Fisheries / Groundwater / Rain-fed farming / Arid zones / Crop production / Productivity / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H032471
History / Villages / Small scale systems / Governmental interrelations / Farming systems / Maintenance / Irrigation design / Watersheds / Water distribution / Water management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Hydrology / Tank irrigation Record No:H036586
Indicators / Financing / Water management / Catchment areas / River basin development / Fisheries / Ecosystems / Productivity / Crop production / Food production / Irrigated farming / Agricultural research Record No:H031285
Water policy / Rain-fed farming / Sustainability / Groundwater / Prices / Water use / Crop yield / Irrigated farming / Water scarcity / Water management / Water supply / Water demand Record No:H031283
The core of this study involved an examination and analysis of certain key features of the traditional small tank cascade systems: a) the location and design of the systems in the past b) the hydro-system which considers the overall hydrological balance and groundwater conditions c) maintenance and tank use d) tank management and integration with local farming systems
History / Villages / Small scale systems / Governmental interrelations / Farming systems / Maintenance / Irrigation design / Watersheds / Water distribution / Water management / Irrigation management / Water quality / Hydrology / Tank irrigation Record No:H029980
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2001. IWMI Strategic plan 2000-2005. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 28p. More...
Public health / Environmental effects / Groundwater management / Land management / River basins / Irrigated farming / Water management / Research projects / Research priorities / Assessment / Research institutes / Strategy planning Record No:H041454
Book mainly based on papers presented at a workshop held in Ghana by IBSRAM (now part of the IWMI) and FAO on waste management and environmental protection, ameliorating problems by turning organic waste into compost for use as an agricultural fertilizer in urban and peri-urban areas.
Priority setting / Vegetables / Recycling / Farming systems / Case studies / Crop yield / Agricultural production / Environment / attitudes / Farmersapos / Social aspects / Economic aspects / Waste management Record No:H029240
Syers, J. K.; Pening de Vries, F. W. T.; Nyamudeza, P. 2001. The sustainable management of vertisols. : Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing; Bangkok, Thailand: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) xiv, 304p. More...
This publication reports on a study of the increase in river salinity and the implemented control programs in five major irrigated basins in the arid zone. The study is limited to salinity.
Salinity control / Legislation / Pollution control / Water use / Water allocation / Drainage / Irrigation effects / Water quality / Arid lands / River basin development / Irrigation management / Water resources development Record No:H026535
Irrigation programs / Agricultural research / Research priorities / Research institutes / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H026387
International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Turkey. General Directorate of Rural Services. 2000. Irrigation in the basin context: the Gediz study. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI) xv, 105p. More...
Dams / Decision making / Evapotranspiration / Priority setting / Performance evaluation / Irrigated farming / Water user associations / Canals / Soils / Hydrology / Mapping / Climate / Surface water / Water allocation / Water balance / Models / Environment / Irrigation programs / River basin development / Irrigation management / Water resource management Record No:H026194
Sustainability / Tube well irrigation / Agricultural production / Irrigated farming / Food security / Groundwater management / Water resources development / Poverty / Water scarcity Record No:H026191
Groundwater offers us few but precious opportunities for alleviating the misery of the poor; but it poses many—and daunting—challenges of preserving the resource itself. A big part of the answer is massive initiatives to augment groundwater recharge in regions suffering depletion; but, in the ultimate analysis, these cannot work without appropriate demand-side interventions. The water vision of a world that future generations will inherit will have to be the one in which groundwater plays its full developmental, productive and environmental role but in a sustainable manner; and the framework of action to realize this vision will mean eschewing the current free-for-all in groundwater appropriation and use, and promoting a more responsible management of this precious resource that is easy to deplete or ruin—through depletion, salinization and pollution
Water harvesting / Recharge / Pumps / Water pollution / Aquifers / Salinity / Waterlogging / Sustainability / River basins / Rural development / Poverty / Water shortage / Water scarcity / Groundwater depletion / Groundwater resources Record No:H025885
Rural development / Organizational development / Water users / Investment / Infrastructure / Women in development / Gender / Water rights / Irrigation canals / Networks / Water distribution / Training / Communication / Farmer participation / Social participation / Planning / Irrigation programs Record No:H024844
Water is being transferred out of agriculture to meet the growing demand in other areas, often without an agreement of or compensation to farmers with irrigated land and water rights. Furthermore, there is a failure to recognize that irrigation systems supply water not only for the main fields, but also for domestic uses, home gardens, trees and other permanent vegetation, and livestock. Other productive uses include fishing, harvesting of aquatic plants and animals, and a variety of other enterprises such as brick making. In addition, irrigation systems can have a positive or negative effect on wildlife habitats. Thus, the withdrawal of water affects the rural household, rural economy, and the environment in a number of ways. This paper argues that to ensure efficient, equitable, and sustainable water use, to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of the community, irrigation and water resources policies need to take into account all uses and users of water within the irrigation system. The multiple uses of water in the Kirindi Oya irrigation system are examined in this paper. An interdisciplinary group of scientists have investigated a number of areas including water accounting, water quality, household water use, the valuing of water for alternative uses, and the complementarities, competition, and conflicts among uses and users.
Case studies / Water costs / Pricing / Households / Gender / Water rights / Water user associations / Domestic water / Water quality / Water policy / Water resources development / Irrigated farming / Water use efficiency / Water allocation / Water management Record No:H024568
This paper aims to describe the state of theart of both water harvesting (WH) andsupplemental irrigation (SI) techniques in the temperate and sub-tropical dry lands, especiallyin the countries of WANA that are characterized by a Mediterranean-type climate. In addition,three case studies of water harvesting are presented (see annex). These were selected from the case studies presented at the FAO Expert Consultation Cairo (1994). By sharing with us the success and the failure of these endeavors, the authors of the case studies illustrate many of the points that are made in the text. They also illustrate how difficult it is to successfully introduce new technologies to farmers, who at the outset are not usually familiar with the intended purpose of the changes. Also, this paper emphasises that it is difficult to assess the potential for adoption without more studies to assess the risks and economic returns of the alternative techniques and practices.
Case studies / Research priorities / Environmental effects / Irrigation scheduling / Supplementary irrigation / Rain-fed farming / Water resources development / Arid lands / Water use efficiency / Crop production / Water storage / Runoff / Water harvesting / Productivity Record No:H024198
The world is facing severe and growing challenges in maintaining water quality and meeting the rapidly growing demand for water resources. In addition, water used for irrigation, the largest use of water in most developing countries, will likely have to be diverted increasingly to meet the needs of urban areas and industry whilst remaining a prime engine of agricultural growth. Finally, environmental and other in-stream water demands become more important as economies develop. The river basin has been acknowledged to be the appropriate unit of analysis to address these challenges facing water resources management; and modeling at this scale can provide essential information for policy makers in their decisions on allocation of resources. This paper reviews the state of the art of modeling approaches to integrated water resources management at the river basin scale, with particular focus on the potential of coupled economic hydrologic models, and concludes with directions for future modeling exercises.
Water supply / Optimization methods / Decision support systems / GIS / Surface water / Conjunctive use / Drainage / Groundwater management / Reservoir operation / Hydrology / Economic aspects / Policy / Water allocation / Simulation models / Mathematical models / River basin development / Agricultural production / Water resources development / Water quality Record No:H024075
Water user associations / Legislation / Water policy / Water rights / Cost recovery / Financing / Water costs / Water resources / Water distribution / Constraints / History / Privatization / Water management / Irrigation management Record No:H023806
The System-Wide Initiative on Water Management (SWIM) has defined its central theme and objective as “enhancing the productivity of water and agriculture in an environment of growing scarcity and competition.” One program area of SWIM, namely SWIM 7, has the aim of improving the utilization of water resources from the catchment perspective. This paper has been prepared as part of the process of planning research that is to be undertaken by SWIM 7. The paper includes a historical review of research that has involved the use of catchment experiments and a discussion on hydrological modeling techniques. Options for improving water utilization at the catchment and farm scales are identified, and recommendations are made for research that might be undertaken by SWIM 7. The case is argued for interdisciplinary catchment studies that involve the participation of local communities and other stakeholders.
Case studies / Water balance / Participatory management / River basins / Models / Hydrology / Calibrations / Catchment areas / Water use efficiency / Water scarcity / Water management Record No:H023449
Over the past decade, we have witnessed a growing scarcity of and competition for water around the world. As the demand for water for domestic, municipal, industrial, and environmental purposes rises in the future, less water will be available for agriculture. But the potentials for new water resource development projects and expanding irrigated area are limited. We must therefore find ways to increase the productivity of water used for irrigation. This paper reviews the literature on irrigation efficiency and on the potential for increasing the productivity of water in rice-based systems. It stresses the continuing confusion over the concepts of irrigation efficiency and water productivity. It identifies the reasons for the wide gap between water requirement and actual water input (both irrigation diversions and rainfall) in irrigated rice production systems and discusses potential opportunities for increasing water productivity both on-farm and at the system level. Based on the reported low farm and system level irrigation efficiencies, the potentials for water savings in rice production appear to be very large. But we do not know the degree to which various farm and system interventions will lead to sustainable water savings in the water basin until we can quantify the downstream impact of the interventions. Studies on the economic benefits and costs, and environmental aspects of alternative interventions are also lacking. This paper emphasizes the need to measure the productivity of water at farm, system, and basin levels, and to understand how the productivity at one level relates to the productivity at another. Without water balance studies to measure productivity at these different scales, it is not possible to identify the potential economic benefits of alternative interventions and the most appropriate strategies for increasing irrigation water p; roductivity in rice-based systems.
Crop-based irrigation / Irrigation systems / Farming systems / Farmer participation / Modernization / Rehabilitation / Conjunctive use / Groundwater / Irrigation scheduling / On-farm research / Productivity / Irrigated farming / Water distribution / Rice / Water balance / Water requirements / Crop production / Water use efficiency / Irrigation management Record No:H023175
This paper reviews perceived notions of the relationships between catchment land use and hydrology and explores whether much of the widely disseminated folklore, so often inextricably linked with issues of land use, is based on myth or reality. Gaps in our knowledge of the underlying processes in relation to land use and hydrology are identified. Our ability to apply this knowledge at different scales ranging from the plot to the catchment and regional scales are discussed and specific examples are drawn from Indian and African case studies. Methods for linking spatially distributed land-use hydrological models with economics and ecology through decision support systems are outlined and proposed as a framework for the integrated management of land and water developments at the catchment scale.
Rain / Erosion / Deforestation / Forestry / Flow / Runoff / Decision support tools / Soil moisture / Evaporation / Models / Hydrology / Land use / Catchment areas / Case studies / Water use / Water resource management Record No:H022680
Rural development / Organizational development / Water users / Investment / Infrastructure / Women in development / Gender / Water rights / Irrigation canals / Networks / Water distribution / Training / Communication / Farmer participation / Social participation / Planning / Irrigation programs Record No:H026121
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Brokering knowledge for sustainability
As a research-for-development organization, IWMI is both a producer and broker of knowledge. IWMI generates evidence to support investment in innovations that sustainably increase agricultural productivity and economic returns, support human well-being, water security and safeguard ecosystems in a changing climate. Through forums and events, often co-convened with partners, IWMI brokers knowledge exchange to catalyze change in water and food systems and accelerate innovation scaling. These forums and events include multi-stakeholder dialogues, demand-supply linkage workshops and knowledge exchange conferences.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Enabling gender and youth inclusion
Agriculture is the bedrock of food and nutrition security and a major source of income and employment in many developing countries. Inclusive agriculture, provides opportunities for women and youth who have historically been excluded from agriculture-led economic growth. Enhancing gender and youth inclusion in high-value agricultural value chains has the potential to increase the production of nutrient-rich, profitable crops and create attractive job opportunities for currently disadvantaged groups. Inclusive agriculture includes ensuring that women, youth and other vulnerable groups gain equitable access to water resources and technologies to support agronomic growth.
IWMI conducts comprehensive analyses of the policy framework and interventions in value chains in key geographies to clarify the barriers to gender and youth inclusion. Inclusion segmentation is also carried out to understand the investment needs and abilities of women and youth regarding innovation. IWMI then makes recommendations and develops evidence-based strategies to enable public and private sector actors to achieve sustainable and inclusive scaling of water solutions and agricultural innovation bundles. Among these strategies are internships with private sector companies for young professionals and entrepreneurs. These create win-win situations in which companies benefit from interns’ specific knowledge or skills while interns gain valuable private sector work experience and mentorship.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Economics and equity
At IWMI, researching underlying economic and social trends helps us understand why people migrate. They also explain the impact of remittances and loss of agricultural labor, as well as consequences of migration on gender roles and food and water security. For instance, communities with higher levels of income inequality, or relative deprivation, may experience greater levels of out-migration compared to consistently low-income communities. In addition, migration changes intra-household gender-labor composition, which can change the access of smallholders to water resources, affecting the functioning of community-based institutions and consequently household and local food security. IWMI also focuses on circular economy, a strategy to recover and reuse waste, to boost food security and understand how interventions can encourage refugee and host communities to retain scarce resources.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Co-developing innovation bundles
Although agricultural water is still mainly funded by the public sector, private sector organizations and farmers are increasingly investing in innovative water management and irrigation technologies. At the same time, simply increasing the amount of finance flowing to the agricultural water sector is not enough to guarantee the uptake of innovative solutions. Investments must also be responsible, targeted and bundled with improved inputs and services, market information and access, and digital payment methods.
Consequently, IWMI partners with farmers and public and private sector actors to co-develop contextually relevant socio-technical-institutional-financial and process innovation bundles that are contextually relevant. IWMI integrates the scaling of innovation bundles into agricultural and food value chains, for instance by strengthening market linkages, to enhance the impacts on farmers’ investments, incomes and livelihoods.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Strengthening and sustaining the enabling environment
Making agricultural innovations and water solutions available to farmers on a massive scale is crucial if the world is to meet growing food demands and mitigate climate change impacts. However, innovation scaling efforts often do not have the desired impact because they do not sufficiently consider the factors enabling and inhibiting farmers’ adoption of these innovations. In some instances, they may even produce undesirable impacts, including environmental degradation, loss of access to resources and social inequality. IWMI develops tools and other evidence-based resources to help partners and stakeholders understand and sustain the enabling environment and introduce measures to ensure scaling success. In addition, IWMI co-designs innovative, inclusive financial modalities to accelerate investment in innovations by farmers and agri-businesses.
A key part of this focus area is the Accelerator Program, for which 12 small and medium-sized agribusinesses were selected to scale five innovation bundles that support climate information services and climate-smart agriculture.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Urban & rural transformation
As agricultural opportunities fluctuate in rural areas, migration, particularly to urban areas, is an adaptation technique to secure incomes and alternative livelihoods. Income generated by migrants is often sent back to family as remittances to support communities at home. At IWMI, we assess linkages between rural and urban areas, as well as the role of agricultural knowledge systems and food and water security. We recognize there are complex push and pull factors such as individual aspirations, economic opportunity, social norms, climate variability and government policies which drive migration and affect rural communities, particularly youth. Our work follows a ‘positive migration’ philosophy, framing migration as an adaptation technique and socio-economic choice (in many cases) rather than a problem to be solved, and focuses on establishing safer, more regular migration by supporting changes to migration governance in sending regions.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Covid-19 disruption & adaptation
Covid-19 has caused a rupture in migration logistics and exposed inequities in the migration system, yet drivers of movement remain. Government lockdowns and closed borders due to the pandemic curtailed movement for migrants, posing complex problems for migrant hosting and origin countries. There have been significant economic shocks, with a sharp decline in unemployment for migrants and an inability to send money home through remittances to support family. Some migrants face social stigma for returning home without an income, particularly if families relied on loans to support their journeys. Consequences have been severe for informal migrants who lack government protection in their host countries. Migrants, particularly those living in crowded, lower-income neighborhoods, have been experiencing stigmatization related to the spread of Covid-19. We look at the impacts of Covid-19 on migration governance and rural areas across seven countries,development planning in Ghana, migration challenges in Southeast Asia, and community-based disaster management and resilience building in South Africa.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Water, climate change and agrarian stress
Migration, water and climate stress are inextricably linked to rural development. Water stress and climate variability can act as a driver of fragility, intensifying pre-existing political, social, economic and environmental challenges. Initiatives designed to address migration-related challenges must tackle inequalities and the exclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups; governance opportunities to better manage water and natural resources and technology and innovations to help communities escape socio-ecological precarity and thrive despite climate challenges. IWMI intends to build climate resilience by implementing projects which tackle gender-power inequalities in the face of dynamic, economic-social-ecological challenges. Our work brings together affected communities, institutional stakeholders and social actors to manage water in response to climate variability and agrarian stress, striving to address complex physical and social variables.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Gender, intersectionality and social inclusion
It is critical to center gender and intersectional identities when unpacking migration phenomena. Gender as a social construct guides social norms and relations, including the decision-making processes and mechanisms leading to migration. We recognize that the intersections between race, age, class, sex, caste and region shape the migrant experience.
IWMI strives to offer transformative approaches and solutions for women, youth and marginalized groups, regarding them as equal partners in our work rather than passive end-users. For example, within communities that experience male out migration, socio-political systems are restructured to make women, youth and other groups active agents in their own agri-food transformation. Migration patterns contribute to the feminization of agriculture, and women may experience a greater burden of responsibility coupled with an increased ability to access and control resources and policies to build sustainable livelihoods. Acknowledging social complexities helps researchers and communities understand migration trends and address structural power imbalances to build a more equitable world.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Enhancing capacity for system transformation
Food, land and water systems are complex networks of actors, institutions and activities related to the production, value addition and consumption of food. These systems are connected to and influenced by the structures and supporting mechanisms that underlie them. System transformation cannot occur without changing these underlying structures and supporting mechanisms. However, the capacity for actors to take up specific roles and responsibilities in scaling processes is sometimes lacking. Stimulating system transformation therefore requires enhancing actors’ capacity to assume their roles and responsibilities in the system to ensure that scaling processes provide equitable opportunities and contribute to sustainable development.
As a research institution, IWMI stimulates system transformation by building capacity within institutions and facilitating dialogue and collaboration between various stakeholders across sectors and their respective networks. IWMI does this by developing evidence-based capacity-strengthening programs and strategies. These include demand-driven internships with private sector entities and innovation hackathons.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Fostering scaling partnerships
Private sector actors play a central role in the dissemination and adoption of technologies and services such as information, financing, and pre- and after-sales support. IWMI has established scaling partnerships with private sector companies across Africa and Asia. Besides technical assistance, IWMI provides its partner companies with research evidence and advice, risk and suitability assessments and capacity strengthening for effective climate change-related planning and management.
Armed with these tools and resources, companies are better equipped to identify and reach their target customers in ways that are equitable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable. At the same time, farmers benefit from better access to innovations vital for improving livelihoods and climate adaptation.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Cultivating scaling preparedness
Scaling preparedness is a set of actions undertaken throughout the scaling process to maximize the adoption of innovation bundles, accelerate scaling and increase the likelihood of achieving transformational change. In cultivating scaling preparedness, stakeholder engagement is key to gain stakeholders’ buy-in, commitment, resource contribution and investment as well as adaptability. By cultivating scaling preparedness, IWMI is better able to identify and develop high-potential innovation bundles with the greatest chance of being successfully scaled.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Innovation bundles
Farmer-led irrigation development is about much more than installing a pump in a field. It requires access to financing, labor, energy, and input and output markets, so that investments in irrigation translate into sustainable returns. IWMI uses a systemic approach to understand the farming system as well as the factors in the enabling environment that prevent women, men and youth from engaging in and benefitting equitably from farmer-led irrigation. We partner with farmers and the public and private sectors to test contextually relevant innovation bundles that combine irrigation technology such as solar pumps with financing mechanisms like pay-as-you-own or pay-as-you-go, agricultural inputs and agronomic techniques. We also look at ways to improve on-farm water management and nutrient use efficiency and reduce evapotranspiration through digital advances and agricultural extension. We integrate the scaling of innovation bundles into agricultural value chains to enhance the impacts on farmers’ irrigation investments, incomes and livelihoods.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Gender and social inclusion
The barriers facing women and men in accessing irrigation technologies are not the same. Neither are the benefits. Social, cultural and religious norms influence inter- and intra-household power relations. These, in turn, affect access to resources such as land, credit, information and training. IWMI carries out cross-dimensional analysis of gender and social inclusion in policy, financing, livelihood assets and access, institutional approaches and interventions as well as gender-based technology preferences. For example, we work with farmers, financial institutions and the private sector to address gender-based constraints in credit scoring and enhance women’s purchasing power. But benefitting from farmer-led irrigation does not stop at accessing and adopting technologies; enabling women and resource-poor farmers to participate in input and output markets is equally important to ensure that investments in irrigation result in improved nutrition and economic empowerment. Other ways we enhance gender and social inclusion include tackling agency issues around financial management and literacy, livelihood diversity and social capital as well as access to infrastructure, extension services and market linkages.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Environmental sustainability
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 Water Accounting+, solar irrigation mapping and internet of things. These are complemented by multi-criteria analysis to evaluate the potential of irrigation expansion, taking into consideration environmental flows. With our private sector partners, we are leveraging converging technologies, such as sensors on solar pumps that capture usage data, to encourage better resource management and governance.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Adaptive scaling and partnerships
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 requires scaling processes to be adaptive. This means diverse actors feed off, adapt to, support, cooperate, compete and interact with each other, forming different multi-actor networks and engaging in collective action to undertake various functions in the scaling ecosystem. IWMI works with farmers and public and private sector partners to co-design and pilot contextually relevant innovation bundles and their scaling pathways or strategies, influence policies and accelerate the transition to scale of innovations with demonstrated early impact.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Financing ecosystem
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 credit alone is not enough. Financing for irrigation equipment must be embedded in a wider financing ecosystem that bundles credit with inputs and services, market information and access, and technology such as digital payment. In several countries, irrigation equipment suppliers are stepping in to provide financing directly to farmers. In doing so, they increase their own risk. To address this issue, IWMI works with farmers, private companies, finance institutions and development partners such as the World Bank Group to analyze whether credit-scoring tools are inclusive. We also help to identify gaps in the financing ecosystem and de-risk the private sector from testing innovative end-user financing mechanisms that take into account farming system typologies, financial and social capital and crop seasonality.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas:
Human capacity development and knowledge exchange
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 development of or reinforce national multi-stakeholder dialogues with the aim of sharing scaling experiences and realizing win-win collaboration, interactive learning and capacity development. Other modalities for capacity development include hackathons, innovation research grants for bachelor’s and master’s students, private sector scaling grants and innovation internships with private companies. These all serve to stimulate local and contextually relevant innovation, close the research-private sector divide and enhance job readiness among young professionals.
This focus area contributes to the following One CGIAR impact areas: