Scientific and Technical Cooperation in the Field of Agricultural Water Management

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) signed Work Plan (2018-2022) for furthering scientific and technical cooperation in the field of agricultural water management through collaborative research and capacity building with a vision of “A Water Secure World” . The proposed collaboration includes Strategic Research Programs under the Consortium Research Program: Water, Land and Ecosystems and implementation of the activities, projects for climate smart agriculture, Capacity Building and other activities for promoting research, influencing policy and knowledge dissemination.  

The session was Chaired by Dr.Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) and Co-Chaired by Dr. Claudia Sadoff, Director General (IWMI), Colombo.

Dr Mohapatra elaborated the importance of water in Indian agriculture and urged IWMI to work towards bringing global lesson on scientific water management to India and evolve a practical oriented approach towards enhancing water use efficiency and water productivity. He emphasized that production (improving land productivity, water productivity) focus has now shifted towards increasing income as Govt. of India intent to doubling farmer’s income by 2022. This is possible through diversification, which need lot of water, he added. He also urged to explore the possibility of desalination of sea water using solar energy to meet challenges of water scarcity.  He said India can provide technological backstopping in South-South Collaboration.

Dr. Sadoff highlighted the need for research for development for a water secure world, water energy food nexus, and climate smart practices.

Dr. A.K. Sikka, IWMI-India Representative, briefed about action taken report of the last Steering committee meeting recommendations, and progress of the the ongoing project under ICAR-IWMI work plan.

Earlier, Dr. S K Chaudhari, Assistant Director General (S&WM), ICAR welcomed the delegates and highlighted need for collaboration between ICAR and IWMI with brief background of ICAR-IWMI collaboration.

The meeting was attended by scientists from ICAR Institutes, IWMI, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Senior officers from Ministry of Water Resources, River development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR), Central Water Commission (CWC), and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

Chander Mohan
Krishi Jagran