International Water Management Institute

**History and Evolution of IWMI:**
– Founded in 1985 as International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI)
– Advocated Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) in the 1980s
– Became a member of the CGIAR system in 1991
– Renamed to International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in 1998
– Shifted focus to river basin context in the mid-1990s
– Explored new research areas like water accounting and environmental flows

**Research and Publications:**
– Published ‘Water for food, Water for life’ in 2007
– Published findings on global water scarcity in 2007
– Defined physical and economic water scarcity in its report
– Reports in 2008 and 2009 highlighted water scarcity as a major threat
– Celebrated 25th anniversary in 2011 with commissioned essays

**Impact of Water Scarcity:**
– Water scarcity affects over 40% of the global population
– By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population could be under stress conditions
– Agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals
– Regions like the Middle East and North Africa are already experiencing severe water scarcity
– Climate change exacerbates water scarcity challenges

**Water Management and Poverty Reduction:**
– Example from Gujarat, India on improving water management
– Electricity subsidies led to groundwater depletion in Gujarat
– Suggested intelligent rationing of farm power supply as a solution
– Positive impacts observed after implementing the recommendations
– Improved power supply boosted well-being in rural communities

**Environmental, Social, and Economic Implications:**
– Water scarcity leads to ecosystem degradation
– Lack of access to clean water contributes to health issues
– Economic sectors such as industry and tourism are impacted by water scarcity
– Water-related conflicts can arise in regions facing scarcity
– Investments in water infrastructure are essential for economic development