International commission on irrigation and drainage (ICID): its objectives, achievements and plans†

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), a global network organization with 106 member countries in its fold, is dedicated to the promotion of best practices in water for agriculture, and addresses water supply and management for food production, including drainage and flood control. While striving to improve water and land management, and enhancing the world supply of food and fibre, ICID takes on board environmental concerns and seeks sustainable solutions. In its efforts to contribute positively to achieving the primary goal of halving the number affected by hunger, as set forth in the Millennium Development Goals, ICID aims to improve quality of life and reduce poverty in developing countries. ICID's efforts in stimulating and promoting the development of the art, science and techniques of engineering, agriculture, economics, ecology and social sciences for better land and water management are achieved through specialized internationally composed work groups. These work bodies attempt to produce updates that are focused not only on the scientific and technological aspects, but also emerging trends in management and sustainable solutions of water management for agriculture. ICID played a crucial role, together with other leading international organizations, to develop a joint vision on water for future generations. This included leading in the formation of the World Water Council. In the paper, an attempt has been made to highlight some of the recent achievements and other roles that ICID has played in the global water arena. ICID's strong country network enables best practices to be implemented at the local level. Thanks to the inherent strength of its broad-based National Committees, ICID's efforts and activities trickle down to irrigators, food producers and water user groups. The National Committees are also a source of identification of unique problems and challenges in the field, which require the concerted attention of the global body of expertise residing in ICID. The immediate challenges facing ICID are responses to the current global food crisis and the impacts of the global financial crisis on water and food security in a global context. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.