Despite the increase in water use by sectors other than agriculture, irrigation continues to be the main water user on a global scale. However, there is an increasing pressure for water to be used more efficiently in agriculture. On the other hand, irrigation is regarded as one of the main ways to increase food production and rural incomes. It is therefore imperative to improve water management in order to achieve both, high water productivity and higher rural income. Since the beginning of 2002 IPTRID The International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage and the Water Resources Management Development Service started a joint survey on modernisation of irrigation. Eighteen case studies have been prepared and analysed.

Website: http://www.fao.org/landandwater/aglw/watermanagement/