Upali S. Imbulana, Regional Coordinator, GWP South Asia Second ...

Knowledge and information requirements• The rural livelihoods are heavily dependenton agriculture. Therefore, improvedmanagement of water is vital for sustainingproductivity, food security & livelihoods• Need to distinguish between information requirements for long termwater resources planning and short term operation of irrigationsystems and farms.• The contribution of monsoonal rains is crucial for rural livelihoods.• Changes to rainfall pattern and characteristics impact small farmersand worry irrigation system managers and policy makers:– rainfall pattern such as delayed onset of monsoon rains– rainfall characteristics such as rainfall intensity, number of rainydays, number of wet spells

Missing LinksThere are some links which need to bestrengthened, though not entirely missing.• the links between the water systemmanagers and the academics, whichcould be improved through tailormadetraining programs andresearch funded by watermanagement institutions.• Communities and academics shouldbe brought closer as well,considering the ability ofcommunities to contribute to identifyresearch needs. Community-basedNGOs link could perhaps contributeto this effort.