Game changers for irrigated agriculture –
do the right incentives exist?
Jeremy Bird
International Water Management Institute
1st World Irrigation Forum
Mardin, Turkey, 29 September 2013

Game changers for irrigated agriculture –
do the right incentives exist?

Examples of water transfers exist
…as allocation to
agriculture was
reduced and
transferred to
urban use
Agricultural
production levels
maintained…

20
S
S
Social conflicts
between brackish
(shrimp) and
freshwater (rice)
environments
Higher income
US$2,150 /ha
8700 farmers
adopted
innovation
Reduced pollution
Low income
< US$ 1,500/ha
Polluted aquatic
environment
Improved locally-
responsive zoning
together with
sluice gate
management
…and co-management of competing uses
rice – shrimp production in Viet Nam (and Bangladesh)

Provisioning services
Regulatory services
Cultural services
Supporting services
Natural basin
Crops
Hydropower
Industrial
Regulation of
water balance
Erosion control
Climate
regulationSoil
formation
Nutrient
cycling
Recreation
Crops
Hydropower
Industrial
Regulation of
water balance
Erosion control
Climate
regulationSoil
formation
Nutrient
cycling
Recreation
Intensively utilized basin
Crops
Hydropower
Industrial
Regulation of
water balance
Erosion control
Climate
regulationSoil
formation
Nutrient
cycling
Recreation
Multifunctional “green” basin
Natural and built infrastructure… striking a
balance – increasing the total benefit stream

Wastewater
Piped water
A problem, but
also an
opportunity?

Agro-industrial waste - Energy
Wastewater – Water (irrigation,
aquaculture)
MSW, Faecal sludge - Nutrients (ag. production)
Innovative RRR initiatives – to close water and
nutrient cycles

Water Land and Ecosystem Vision:
A world in which agriculture thrives within
vibrant ecosystems, where communities
have higher incomes, improved food
security and the ability to continuously
improve their lives
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