| Making Irrigation Investments Pro-Poor |
| Focus |
Female Farmers in Nepal Highlands Post Major Gains from Simple Drip Irrigation Kits
Female farmers in Nepal's rural and highland areas talk about life before and after drip irrigation. The changes are remarkable — backyard kitchen gardens turned profitable commercial enterprises, children sent to better schools, more time for other activities. They also talk about what could make the drip kits even more effective.
Study Uncovers What Makes Irrigation Initiatives Pro-Poor
Irrigation can be a major change agent in agriculture. It offers higher productivity and greater earnings. But for whom? Without explicit pro-poor irrigation strategies, the poor are bypassed. A recent study by the International Water Management Institute uncovers the elements of a truly pro-poor strategy by looking in-depth at irrigation initiatives in five Asian countries.
Mixed Results in India, PRC's Irrigation Point to Same Key Factor: Equal Access to Water
Facing rapid population growth and high rural poverty, PRC and India embarked on different roads to boost pro-poor agricultural growth. While their experiences differ, the key lesson is the same: The poor must have equal, if not greater, access to irrigated water.
PRC reduced its rural poverty from 31 percent to just 3.4 percent through pro-poor reforms in project areas. India's efforts to decentralize operations to water user corporations and associations produced valuable lessons. Learn from these experiences.
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| News |
Review Process for ADB's Water Policy Implementation Picks Up Pace with Three New Activities
August promises to be a busy month for the ADB water policy implementation review process. The review panel will have its second working session in Indonesia, 26-31 August. Two in-country consultations, in Fiji, August 9 and Indonesia, August 25, will also allow water stakeholders in those countries to voice their views.
Pursuing Private Sector Participation in India's Sector
Last month's meeting between ADB and officials from five Indian state governments on the role of private sector in water supply and sanitation yielded positive results, among them concrete action plans to bring 24 x 7 water supply to the five states. Agreements will be shared with all of India's chief or principal secretaries for urban sector this 9 August 2005.
Preparations for 2nd Southeast Asia Water Forum (2SEAWF) in Full Swing
The Indonesian Government and its partners are gearing up for 2SEAWF, 29 August - 3 September in Bali, Indonesia. Around 400 water stakeholders are expected to attend and build a regional commitment to integrated water resourcess management and water governance. ADB will organize four sessions, including a high level panel on financing water supply and sanitation for growing cities.
ADB Approves New Local Initiatives in Nepal and Viet Nam
ADB recently approved two new pilot and demonstration activities (PDA). The PDA in Nepal will promote sanitation and hygiene practices through the education system while the Viet Nam PDA will work toward establishing a Water Resources Review Committee for the Vu Gia Basin.
Improving Urban Water Supply, Wastewater Management and Sewerage System in Jilin Province, PRC
ADB approved a US$100 M loan to help improve the urban environment of Jilin Province. This improvement, expected to boost public health and quality of life of the residents, will include reduction of water pollution and protection of water resources. The loan marks ADB's first major intervention in directly addressing pollution control in the Songhua River Basin.
ADB Supports Research on Inland Fisheries in Cambodia
A new US$300,000 ADB grant will enable the Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute (IFREDI) to conduct researches and disseminate findings on sustainable management of inland fisheries. Cambodia's inland fisheries, the fourth most productive in the world, is in crisis. The institute's ability to influence policy makers, fish farmers, and other stakeholders to undertake sustainable fisheries could help stem this problem. |
| Multimedia |
Photo Essay
Nepal: Women Working for Every Drop
From Kathmandu's ancient stone waterspouts to tap stands in rural districts surrounding Pokhara. Anywhere there is water, there are women — walking the distance, waiting in lines, and hauling heavy loads back home, where they also do the cooking, cleaning, laundering, and — in many farming households — irrigating gardens and fields. |
Video Documentary
Saving Cambodia's Great Lake
Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake is in deep crisis. The culprits? Overexploitation, illegal fishing, pollution, soil erosion and more. But all is not lost as communities work together to protect the lake and improve their livelihood. Order your free copies of ADB's new documentary showcasing the Tonle Sap Lake. E-mail water@adb.org. |
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