Asian Irrigation Forum

Manila, Philippines : 11 April 2012 - 13 April 2012


Background

Irrigated agriculture has been the backbone of rural development in Asia. About 70% of the world’s irrigated area is in Asia. The Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, released by the International Water Management Institute in 2007, noted that “the challenge for irrigated agriculture in this century is to improve equity, reduce environmental damage, increase ecosystem services, and enhance water and land productivity in existing and new irrigated systems.”

With a global population of 7 billion, Asian irrigation is now at a crossroads. Increasing populations, changing diets, growing cities, and expanding energy and industrial production each demands a greater share of available water resources. With increasing concerns about water scarcity and food security, agriculture as the largest user of water must find ways to increase the productivity of irrigation to produce the food, fiber and fuel needed by the growing population. Improving the productivity of irrigated agriculture is expected to be the foundation for securing affordable food for the population of Asia-Pacific.

ADB’s Water Financing Program aims to assist Asian countries in providing more productive and efficient irrigation and drainage services to over 40 million farmers by 2020. ADB has financed more than 200 irrigation projects, with investments totaling US$6.6 billion, and has some US$1.1 billion of irrigation projects pipelined. In line with its Water Operational Plan, ADB is organizing the Asian Irrigation Forum to review the region’s performance in irrigation and irrigated agriculture, explore the future of irrigation and drainage in rural development, and identify needs and opportunities for strengthened partnerships to deliver more productive irrigation services throughout the region.

Objectives

  • Review history, current performance, and future trends in irrigated agriculture in the Asia and Pacific region
  • Identify the investment needs to support the transformation of irrigated agriculture to meet future challenges with appropriate solutions to the water-food-energy nexus over the next 10 years

Speakers

ADB is inviting leading irrigation and drainage policy makers, practitioners, R&D professionals, leaders of government and private sector irrigation and drainage service providers, representatives of farmer organizations and agri-business, and agricultural supply chain entities to lead discussions on key irrigation and drainage issues for the coming 20 years. 

Invited speakers include: Anggun, FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Water and Food; Dr. Prabhu Pingali, Deputy Director of Agricultural Development, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Dr. Gao Zhanyi, President, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage; Dr. Chris Perry, United Kingdom; Dr. Mark Rosegrant, International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Soman, Senior Vice President, Jain, India; Thierry Facon, Food and Agriculture Organization, Regional Office for Asia Pacific (FAO-RAP); and principal researchers from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

Exhibition

An exhibition showcasing emerging irrigation technologies, services and management innovations will be held in parallel to the main forum sessions. Providers of irrigation technology, advanced land management systems, and consultants are invited to join the Asian Irrigation Forum, participate in the Forum discussions and serve as resource persons, and meet with representatives of irrigation organizations from across the region, and project development staff from ADB and other development agencies.

Organizers

The Forum is being organized by the Asian Development Bank.

Participants

The following are invited to register their interest to participate:

  • Irrigation, water resources, and finance experts from ADB’s developing member countries
  • Representatives of farmer organizations and agro-business organizations
  • Academics and researchers from universities and research institutions
  • Agricultural and rural development finance providers
  • ADB staff responsible for development of irrigation and water resources projects
  • Media representatives and members of civil society organizations

Registration is free; however participation will be limited to 250 persons. ADB will confirm participation by email by first week of March 2012. A limited number of representatives of government agencies in ADB developing member countries will be supported.

Forum Mechanics

Participants will be provided background briefing papers for each topic (3-4 pages max) before the Forum. Forum sessions will include short summary presentations of the key discussion points from the briefing papers. Each session will include time for questions and discussion with the speakers, panel members and other participants. Table discussions and parallel breakout groups will be used for more detailed discussions and brainstorming on topics selected by the participants.

Outcomes

The workshop outcomes will include recommendations on how to revitalize Asia’s public and private sector program in irrigation and other rural infrastructure investments, including the identification of sub-regional differences and requirements.

Outputs

  • All background briefing papers and a summary of panel discussions will be published in the ADB web page and will be available on CD
  • Media interviews and news releases for broadcast and print media

Field visit

A study visit is being considered before the official start of the AIF. Upon registration, please indicate if you would like to join this field visit. The visit is intended to showcase advance research in rice and water management technologies at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Laguna. The one-day field visit will include a video presentation, a dialogue with some IRRI technical staff, and visit of some demo farms.

The field visit will be offered only if there will be enough interest from participants.

Timelines

Online registration will be closed by 15 February 2012. Acceptance and processing of registration will immediately follow the closing date. It may not be possible to accept all applications due to available space in the venue.

For further information, please contact: