Agricultural irrigation uses 70-75% of global freshwater withdrawals and up to 95% in South and Central Asia. These withdrawals are expected to increase as the appetite for water-intensive foods grows in rising-income nations. This briefing note lays out several aspects of sustainable water management for agriculture and food security. Briefing notes are two-page summaries on selected topics. They are prepared by GWP’s Global Secretariat and its partners.
Women produce up to 80% of food in developing countries, yet women’s role as farmers is frequently overlooked by agricultural extensionists, including those working for irrigation agencies, and by policy makers. This brief approaches role of women in water resources development and aims to further gender-sensitive IWRM policies, strategies and plans. Technical Briefs disseminate technical knowledge about water resources management. They are written by the GWP Technical Committee, a group of internationally recognised professionals in integrated water resources management.
This paper is a personal contribution from Ivan Cheret in support of IWRM as a means towards coordinating the development and management of water, land, and related resources to provide water security for all. It belongs to the series of Technical Technical Background Papers, written or endorsed by the GWP Technical Committee, a group of internationally recognised professionals in integrated water resources management.
