Irrigation against rural poverty: an overview of issues and pro-poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia

As the largest user of water, irrigated agriculture is under intense pressure to concede water to other, rapidly growing sectors. Subsidies for infrastructure are shrinking, the most accessible and cheapest water resources have been developed, and in an increasing number of river basins, all or most of the water resources have been committed. Demand for water for higher value uses—domestic, industrial and hydropower—is rising and there is growing pressure to allocate adequate water to environmental needs. A natural consequence of scarcity is conflict over water allocation, rights and entitlements among the various claimants. In the face of these problems, the irrigation sector must produce more food with less water. Achieving sustainable increases in the productivity of irrigated agriculture requires increased water use efficiency at farm and system levels, and integrated management of water resources in water basins. Aware of these issues, many Asian developing countries are preparing to reform their policies and institutional systems. ADB’s emerging water policy is helping this process. There is an urgent need for policy research and science-based solutions to improve the productivity and sustainability of irrigated agriculture, to ensure water-food security for poor men and women, a critical step in poverty eradication.