Photo: IWMI
Water Futures conducts research to improve the understanding of the interplay between the decision-making environment (e.g. political economy, legal and governance factors) and the behavior of the physical hydrological systems. This is with reference to how the latter is affected by managerial, infrastructural and other human-induced pressures.
Research applies macro-economic/hydro-economic models to analyze future water use and security scenarios, explores the trade-offs inherent in water resources decision-making, such as the water-food-energy nexus, and assesses their socioeconomic and environmental impacts, and actively engages in shaping effective water management policies and practices at various scales.
At the global level, this theme coordinates IWMI’s involvement in processes such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At the regional level, it coordinates IWMI’s work on water resources decisions taken in a transboundary context.
Contact: David Wiberg (d.wiberg@cgiar.org)
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