This is the thrust of the Delhi Declaration of 5th Asian Regional Conference (ARC) and 60th International Executive Council Meeting (IECM) on the theme of “Improvement in efficiency of irrigation projects through technology up-gradation and better operation and management” organized by the Ministry of Water Resources concluded here yesterday.

It says that a major part (about 70%) of the world's irrigated area lies in the Asian region, as is its share of global population. Agricultural Water Management in Asian countries plays a crucial role not only in coping with food demand but also in alleviation of poverty, especially in rural areas. National Governments need to invigorate their focus in modernization/improvement of publicly operated irrigation and/or drainage scheme creating a synergy between agricultural and water policies with a view to securing food.

Since secured food production comes mostly from irrigated agriculture, especially in semi-arid and arid countries, it calls for a considerable improvement in the overall performance of the irrigation and drainage sector with due synergisation of agricultural and water policies.

Recognizing the enormous challenges and complex issues facing the irrigation sector, increased investment both from public and private sources not only for expansion of irrigation area but also for modernizing existing infrastructure through the appropriate institutional arrangements are needed, it read.

Farmers as the principal stakeholders should be consulted. Women play a big role in food production. Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) with well introduced reforms can enhance irrigation performance. National and regional governments and donor agencies are urged to support PIM, and encourage reforms by mobilizing financial and technical sources. There is a need to make Water User Associations (WUAs) economically sound and legally empowered.

Enhanced support is needed for research and development, capacity building, improved extension services in the dissemination of technology/information/knowledge among all stakeholders, especially farmers.

Taking into consideration the likely impacts of climate change on the availability of water resources and crop yields, national governments and related organizations are called upon to develop work plans for adoption/mitigation measures and encourage their implementation.

Re-engage with an integrated approach of agricultural drainage by adopting modern technologies and tools for the reclamation of waterlogged and saline areas. It called for encouraging and supporting private sector participation in implementation of drainage.

It also called for encouraging the public private partnership in development and management of water resources for irrigation with the involvement of local stakeholders.

It sought to encourage an increase investment in water resources sector, particularly in irrigation from both private and public sources.
Promote best agricultural technologies and their dissemination to reach up to the level of the farmers.

The declaration urged the private sector to come forward and discharge their social responsibility in water and food sector.

The event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh who highlighted the challenge of food demand, climate change, floods and drought requiring integrated into resource management to conserve water and ensure equitable distribution of resources, through citizen and State action.

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Union Minister for Water Resources, Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, Dy. Chairman of Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the Minister of State for Water Resources, Shri Vincent H. Pala addressed the closing ceremony. A special postal cover and a postage stamp on the Diamond Jubilee of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) was released by the Minister of State for IT & Communication, Shri Sachin Pilot.

More than 700 professionals, experts, researchers, policy makers, managers, donors, development partners and representatives from national, international organizations from 40 countries participated in the event.#