The purpose of this study is to analyze variations in wheat yields and to assess the range of factors affecting wheat yields and profitability of wheat production in the selected irrigation systems in India and Pakistan. The study attempts to identify constraints and opportunities for closing the existing yield gaps. It is hypothesized that substantial gains in aggregate yields can be obtained by improved water management practices at the farm and irrigation-system levels.

Enduring low agricultural productivity is one of the major causes of rural poverty in South Asia. Based on a review of recent empirical studies, this paper focuses on three key questions: (1) why is agricultural productivity low in the region?; (2) what are the key constraints and opportunities for enhancing agricultural productivity; and (3) what are the effective mechanisms to improve access to key productivity enhancing technologies, factors and services. Two major points raised in the paper are: (a) improved management of land and water is important for increasing productivity, but equally important is farmer access to non land and water-related inputs and services, which through their complementary relationships with water, increase the productivity and value of water. Even if most of the constraints related to land and water are removed through improved management, the resulting gains in productivity may not be sufficient-in the presence of constraints related to other factors and services-to have any significant impacts on poverty. Therefore, in order to generate any major increases in productivity, improved access for farmers to non land and water-related factors and services is also important; (b) access to these factors and services can be improved by providing them in an integrated manner with public-private sector partnerships. Based on examples of various models, initiatives and practices from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, China, Sub-Saharan Africa and other countries, the study suggests a framework for integrated services provision in the agriculture sector, and raises key research issues and questions to be explored.

his report analyses water productivity and water-saving initiatives in the Syr-Darya river basin in Central Asia and presents institutional and political aspects of water management in the basin.

Indus River Basin: Water Security and Sustainability provides a comprehensive treatment of water-related issues within the Indus River basin. Each chapter is written by an expert in the field, hence this book serves as a single, holistic source covering the whole region, not just a single country. Many of the challenges faced by this region are trans-boundary issues, especially within the context of climate change and water scarcity. Topics covered include extreme engineering and water resource management (one of the largest irrigation systems in dry to semi-desert conditions), social sciences (population dynamics linked to water resources) and political sciences. As such, this book is relevant and important to all researchers interested in these issues. Includes detailed chapters provided by specialists in each different field as compiled by well experienced editors Presents work from related fields across the Indus basin and makes them easily accessible on one single place Shows the Indus River as a type case and shares issues relevant to other locations across the world

Contributed articles.

Catastrophic floods, droughts, and cyclones have plagued Pakistan in recent years. The 2010 flood killed 1,600 people and caused around $10 billion in damage. The 2015 Karachi heat wave led to the death of more than 1,200 people. Climate change-related natural hazards may increase in frequency and severity in the coming decades. Climatic changes are expected to have wide-ranging impacts on Pakistan, affecting agricultural productivity, water availability, and increased frequency of extreme climatic events. Addressing these risks requires climate change to be mainstreamed into national strategy and policy. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of climate change science and policy in Pakistan.

This study assesses the impacts of climate risks and development alternatives on water and agriculture in the Indus basin of Pakistan. It analyzes inter-relationships among the climate, water, and agriculture sectors and provides a systems modeling framework for these purposes.

The biennial Water Resources Management conference is one of the most important of several water-related conferences organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology.As water becomes an increasingly precious resource, communities all over the world Are under extreme pressure to ensure its continued adequate supply to their populations. It is therefore essential that those responsible for managing water resources share their expertise in dealing with issues of water quality, quantity, management and planning, as well as other related concerns that help or hinder sustainable management of this vital resource. In this volume, containing research on recent technological and scientific developments associated with the management of surface and sub-surface water presented at the Sixth International Conference on Water Resources Management, they do just that. The research covers: Water management and planning; Waste water treatment, management, and re-use; Markets, policies and contracts; The right to water; Urban water management; Water quality; Pollution control; Irrigation problems; River basin management; Hydraulic engineering and Hydrological modelling; Flood risk; Decision support systems; Remediation and renaturalisation; Climate change and water resources; Governance and monitoring; Regional and geo-politics of water; Economics; Water ecology; Sanitation; Wetlands; and Extreme events.

The paper presents a framework for water use in rice-based irrigation systems, which is based on linear programming (LP). This framework intends to facilitate improved understanding of a system's internal and external conditions and the constraints to productive use of the available land and water resources, and thereby create a reference for the assessment of the physical, economic and environmental performance of a given system. The framework is conceived as a tool that is used interactively in technical group sessions with farmers, system operators and extension workers, where structured discussions lead to improved data confidence, and understanding of complex irrigation systems.