The following points highlight the top eight institutions set up for water management in the world. The institutions are: 1. International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka 2. International Center for Water Technology, California State University, Fresno 3. Directorate of Water Management (DWM) – ICAR, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India and Few Others.
1. International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka:
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a non-profit research organisation with headquarters at Colombo, Sri Lanka and offices across Africa and Asia. Research at the institute focuses on improving how water and land resources are managed, with the aim of underpinning food security and reducing poverty while safeguarding vital environmental processes.
Its research focuses on: water availability and access, including adaptation to climate change; how water is used and how it can be used more productively; water quality and its relationship to health and the environment; and how societies govern their water resources.
IWMI is a member of CGIAR, a global research partnership that unites organisations engaged in research for sustainable development and leads the CGIAR Research Programme on Water, Land and Ecosystems. IWMI is also a partner in the CGIAR Research Programs on: Aquatic Agricultural Systems (AAS), Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Dryland Systems and Integrated Systems for the Humid Tropics.
The Institute was originally founded under the name International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) in 1985 by the Ford Foundation and the Government of Sri Lanka, supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the World Bank. IIMI’s researchers discovered that problems affecting irrigation were often more institutional than technical.
It advocated ‘Participatory Irrigation Management’ (PIM) as the solution, an approach that sought to involve farmers in water management decisions. In 1992, the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit gave credence to this approach by recommending that water management be decentralised, with farmers and other stakeholders playing a more important role in managing natural resources.
Initially met with resistance, PIM went on to become the status quo for governments and major lending agencies. IIMI became a member of the CGIAR system in 1991. In 1998, its name changed to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), reflecting this new wider approach.
2. International Center for Water Technology, California State University, Fresno:
The International Center for Water Technology was established to provide education and research to assist in developing and adopting innovative solutions and technologies that improve water use efficiency. The programme’s broad mandate includes water supply and quality; flood protection and environmental enhancement. Activities focus on extended education, laboratory and field research and policy development. Water is a finite resource.
Responsible management requires the inclusion of all stakeholders to determine appropriate long-term use and allocation. While the programme targets opportunities and issues within the San Joaquin Valley region, solutions and experiences are applicable worldwide. Center for Irrigation Technology Created in 1980, CIT is internationally recognised as an independent testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource. California Water Institute Established through Proposition 13 funding, CWI is an academic center of excellence for research, education and policy analysis of issues involving water resources.
The International Center for Water Technology is a public-private partnership dedicated to the development and application of advanced technologies that enhance water use for urban, environmental and agricultural purposes. California State University, Fresno, in collaboration with a growing consortium of members in the water technology industry, have joined together to form ICWT.
Through applied technology, its goal is to provide efficient first use and effective reuse of water supplies worldwide.
Main focus on:
1. Laboratory testing, evaluation and product development,
2. Field and applied product testing,
3. Partnerships to identify “Water Smart” technologies,
4. Water treatment demonstrations, and
5. Renewable energy water pumping.
3. Directorate of Water Management (DWM) – ICAR, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India:
Directorate of Water Management (DWM) is a premier research institute in the field of agricultural water management working under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India. It started its functioning since 12th May 1988 formerly known as Water Technology Centre for Eastern Region (WTCER).
In pursuance of ICAR orders, the change in the mode of function of WTCER has been ratified by the Governing body of ICAR as Directorate of Water Management (DWM). The centre is located in Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. It is about 8 km north of Bhubaneswar railway station and at about 15 km away from Biju Patnaik airport, Bhubaneswar.
Mandate:
1. To undertake basic and applied research for developing strategies for efficient management of on-farm water resources to enhance agricultural productivity on sustainable basis
2. To provide leadership role and coordinate network of research with the state agricultural universities in generating location specific technologies for efficient use of water resources
3. To act as a center for training in research methodologies and technology update in the area of agricultural water management
4. To collaborate with the national and international agencies in achieving the above objectives.
Major Programmes:
Directorate of Water Management conducts its research activities in the field of agricultural water management through five research programmes as follows:
1. Rainwater Management Programme,
2. Canal water Management Programme,
3. Groundwater Management Programme,
4. Waterlogged area Management Programme, and
5. On-farm-research and Transfer of Technology Programme.
4. Water Technology Center, IARI, New Delhi, India:
The Water Technology Centre (WTC) is an inter-disciplinary facility for research, teaching, training and extension in agricultural water management. It was established in 1969 with the technical collaboration of University of California, Davis and partial financial support from the Ford Foundation (USA). Since then, the Centre has evolved into a unique institution, addressing a wide range of issues pertaining to water management at farm, large irrigation commands and watershed scales.
The center also renders training and consultancy services to a wide range of clientele on the various aspects of agricultural water management through an innovative range of programmes of 3 days to 6 months duration. In fact it was the first center in the country to undertake the responsibility of training senior, middle and junior level administrative and technical personnel of the Command Area Development Authorities & Irrigation Departments, Central Water Commission, Agricultural Universities, State Soil and Water Conservation Departments and sponsored candidates from foreign countries on interdisciplinary aspects of water management.
As a result of which, it was recognised as the “Centre of Excellence in Water Management” by the Directorate of Extension of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and was also one of the headquarters for the two All India Coordinated Research Projects on the Agricultural Drainage and the Pumps and Wells.
A unit of the Precision Farming Development Centre scheme, of the Ministry of Agriculture, is also housed in the center. In 1996, the Academic Council of IARI recognised the Centre for the award of the M Sc and the Ph D degrees in the discipline of Water Science and Technology.
Mandate:
1. To conduct basic and applied research on all aspects of water management in agriculture and develop technologies for improved water management,
2. To participate in the post-graduate teaching programmes of IARI for developing human resources and organise training programmes for the in-service field and research personnel working in the area of water management in agriculture, and
3. To disseminate knowledge developed through appropriate documentation.
5. Indian Society of Water Management (ISWAM), Water Technology Centre, IARI, New Delhi, India:
In order to promote rational use of the limited and precious water resource with sustainability, the “Indian Society of Water Management (ISWAM)”, a professional body, was established in 1985 with its headquarter located at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana).
With the establishment of the Directorate of Water Management Research (DWMR) at Rahuri (Maharashtra), the headquarter of ISWAM was shifted from Karnal to Rahuri in 1991. With the relocation of DWMR at Patna in 1996, the Society Headquarter was again shifted to Patna.
Realising the multiple difficulties in the satisfactory execution of ISWAM activities at Patna, the General Body of the Society decided to shift the Headquarters of ISWAM to the Water Technology Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, where it is operating since October 1998.
Objectives:
1. To promote efficient and economic management of water for optimising crop production
2. To promote basic and applied research and training in water management
3. To disseminate the information on scientific and technological aspects of water management
4. To arrange symposia/workshops/seminars on specific aspects of water management
5. To publish a journal, bulletins, monographs etc. on water management
6. To develop close collaboration and linkages with national and international professional societies with similar interests.
6. Water Technology Centre (WTC), TNAU, Tamil Nadu:
Water Technology Centre (WTC), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) is one among the three WTCs in the country which was established during 1982 to cater to the needs of the southern region in relation to research, extension and teaching. It plays a key role in making an assessment of the available resources of water and economic utilisation for maximising agricultural production with suitable on-farm water management practices developed for different situations.
Water Technology Centre which encompasses five inter-disciplinary units viz. Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Economics, Crop Physiology and Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry are involved in developing a package of practices with the main focal theme on increasing Water use efficiency (WUE) with simultaneous increase in crop production.
Some of the major thrust areas given due recognition are: cropping system and water management, micro-irrigation and fertigation, watershed management, conjunctive use, water quality and waste water recycling, agricultural drainage and water policy. Besides, the center is handling State Government aided plan schemes, international collaborative schemes, Government of India schemes, ICAR schemes and private agency funded schemes.
Functions:
1. To conduct, coordinate and promote applied water research through multi- disciplinary approach
2. To collect, collate and disseminate information relating to available water resources and water management research and effective utilization of water
3. To function as a nodal agency for planning, programming and policy making in the management of water at all levels
4. To act as a nerve-centre in organising workshops, seminars, training programs at national and international levels and to conduct short courses to acquire broad understanding of all aspects of water technology and management.
Major Thrust Areas:
1. Cropping system and management
2. Irrigation and drainage
3. Micro-irrigation and fertigation
4. Groundwater management and utilisation
5. Low cost affordable irrigation systems
6. Water stress management
7. Waste and problem water management
8. Wasteland development
9. Watershed development and management
10. Scaling up of water productivity in agriculture.
7. Water Technology Centre (WTC), ANGR Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh:
Keeping in view of the growing importance and needs of the farming community in Andhra Pradesh on water conservation and improved water productivity of crops “Water Technology Centre” was established as a premier research institute at the state level in the field of agricultural water management at ANGR Agricultural University on 1st July 2006. The center was established with an objective of promoting research, teaching and extension on Agricultural Water Management. The functions and major thrust areas are similar to that of WTC, TNAU.
8. Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI), Himayatsagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh (Now Telangana State), India:
The Water and Land Management Training & Research Institute (WALAMTARI) was established in the year 1983 under World Bank aided project at Himayatsagar, Hyderabad- 500 030, Telangana State, India. It was registered as a society in the year 1992 under the Societies Registration Act. The Institute is recognised as one of the only four Class-I Institutes in AP and is widely known in India and outside for the activities under Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM).
The Institute has faculty from two major streams connected with Irrigated Agriculture i.e. Irrigation Engineering and Agriculture. Faculty from both these streams is mainly practicing professionals and hence their inputs are straight from the field and hence more practical and hands-on.
There are 22 faculty members and a vast pool of resource persons from the institutions around. In addition, WALAMTARI has collaboration from professional engineering bodies like the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI), National Construction Academy (NAC) etc. WALAMTARI is in the process of developing a pool of Roving Trainers (RT) from out of practicing farmers and engineers for more effective and enlarged practical capacity building at local level.
WALAMTARI will strive to be a Center of Excellence in Water and land management training and research in general and PIM in particular.
The Mission:
1. Provide need based and quality capacity building services
2. Establish and manage institutions of capacity building at filed level
3. Provide induction and refresher and career based trainings to irrigation engineers
4. Build sustainable institutions of the farmers
5. Undertake on farm research on various aspects of irrigated lands and irrigation water management
6. Enhance understanding of engineers and farmers on the link between water management and crop productivity
7. Facilitate up scaling of cost effective crop management practices aimed at increasing productivity
8. Carry out project work, consultancies, evaluation and impact assessment of the state as well as central government projects
9. Bring out publications/documents based on filed experience and ensure effective knowledge sharing.
The Mandate:
The WALAMTARI provides Capacity Building Services to various wings of the Irrigation & Command Area Development Department (I&CAD) like the Commissioner CADA, E-in-C I&CAD, APSIDC, GWD. WALAMTARI also provides CB support to Externally Aided Projects (EAP) like APILIP (JBIC), APCBTMP (World Bank), APWSIP (World Bank) etc. Capacity building services are provided to both the government staff – irrigation engineers, technical staff and ministerial staff as well as the Farmers’ Organisations – Water Users’ Associations (WUA), Distributary Committees (DC) and the Project Committees (PC).
In addition to this, WALAMTARI also undertakes on-farm research on various aspects of irrigation water management and crop productivity. It also carries out studies and evaluations for both the state government as well as for the MOWR, GOI. Since last year, WALAMTARI is hosting PRMs from IRMA, Anand for organisational attachment and B Tech Agril Engineering students for experiential learning.
The Functions:
1. To train different level Govt. functionaries of the Dept of Irrigation and Command Area Development, the Dept of Agriculture and other allied depts and agencies of the State Govt. dealing with aspects relating to water and land management in planning, designing, construction, operation and maintenance of irrigation and drainage networks etc. with due emphasis on micro level functioning and on- farm irrigation practices to ensure optimum utilisation of water and land resources
2. To ensure full understanding among the water users of the optimal utilisation of water
3. To provide a better understanding among the water users of the optimal utilisation of water and land resources and to inculcate a sense of belonging, Coordinate the functions of the various units and the activities of the institute
4. To function as an apex body on all matters relating to water and land management and render advise to the State Govt. and the Depts of the State Govt. dealing with this matters, pertaining to policies of water and land management with a view to improve performance and deal with any other issues entrusted by the Govt. to the institute
5. To provide consultancy services to the Govt. local bodies associations and individuals in the areas of water and land management
6. To undertake intensive and need based research on water and land management with the collaboration of other institutions, associations and societies interested in similar subjects
7. To establish and maintain project training centers and create such facilities as may be necessary for field training of officials and non-officials, farmers and conduct research on field oriented problems in irrigation water and land management as considered desirable for the promotion of the objectives of the society
8. To depute within the country and abroad the staff of the institute for specialised trainings in water and land management and allied areas.