IWMI with its regional partner, the Scientific Information Centre of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination introduced new institutional structures with user participation to improve agricultural water management in Central Asia (see MTP Project 4, MTP 2004-2008). This involved developing smaller user groups from hydrographically identified areas, amalgamating them into Water User Associations (WUAs) and involving these in main canal governance, a process that is unique for the ex-Soviet countries. These proposed institutional reforms were adopted by the governments of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and examples of uptake include:
- Establishment of the first ever user-involved “Joint Management Board” for the Aravan Akbura Canal (Kyrgyzstan) in February 2006.
- Registration of a Union of Canal Water Users for the Khoja-Bakirgan Canal (Tajikistan) in November 2006.
- Federation of the WUAs along the South Fergana Canal (Uzbekistan) in preparation for participation in canal governance.
The success of these new institutions has been acknowledged by local and regional print and broadcast media including Pravda Vostoka (Rus); Osh Janirigi (Voice of Osh) and an Osh TV feature on Water as a Precious Resource; and Central Asia websites including Press-Uz (English, Uzbeki, Russsian languages).
Importantly, the reforms have proven to be an effective mechanism for canal users to influence water management planning, and performance indicators at each level show positive results. The success of these initiatives has led to requests from all three participating countries to introduce these institutions in adjoining areas.
Brokering knowledge for sustainability
Enabling gender and youth inclusion
Co-developing innovation bundles
Strengthening and sustaining the enabling environment
Enhancing capacity for system transformation
Fostering scaling partnerships
Cultivating scaling preparedness
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