Background and objective

According to an estimate by the UN, there are about 5.2 billion hectares of dryland that are used for crop production around the world. Millions of people live in such areas and their welfare is highly dependent on the extent that rainwater is used wisely, particularly for crop production. As such, attempts to improve water productivity in these areas can serve many countries around the globe; particularly the developing ones facing water scarcity.

The main objective of the workshop is to provide a forum to exchange experiences gained in different countries and environments, particularly on the planning and evaluation aspects of water harvesting, but also on the design and implementation aspects of water harvesting, for sustainable agriculture.

The workshop is held during the 55th meeting of the International Executive Council (IEC) of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. It is jointly organized by the ICID Working Group on Irrigated Agriculture under Drought and Water Scarcity (ICID IADWS-WG) and the FAO Land and Water Development Division (AGLW) and FAO Regional Office for the Near East (RNE), with the collaboration of the ICID Working Group on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources for Crop Production.

First drafts

During the ICID -FAO International Workshop on Water Harvesting and Sustainable Agriculture (Moscow, September 7), various case studies will be presented. First drafts are as follows:

		Semi-circular bunds for the production of almond trees (Ali Reza Tavakoli, 2004)
	Water harvesting in Latin America and the Caribbean: positive cases, causes of negative experiences and the role of Environmental Impact Assessment Country: Brazil Author: L.R. Palmier
	Effects of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) on Some Soil-Water Parameters Country: Turkey Author: A.K. Ozbek
	Evaluating the Sustainability of the In- Field Rainwater Harvesting Crop Production System Country: South Africa Authors: J.J. Botha, L.D. van Rensburg, J.J. Anderson, D.C. Groenewald, D.C. Kundhlande, M.N. Baipheti & M. F. Viljoen
	The Nature and Function of the In-Field Rainwater Harvesting System to Improve Agronomic Sustainability Country: South Africa Authors: L.D. van Rensburg, J.J. Botha & J.J. Anderson
	Floodwater Effect on Infiltration Rate of a Floodwater Spreading System in Moosian Gravelly Piedmont Plain in Dehloran, West Central of Iran Country: Iran Authors: S. Boroomand Nasab, A.H. Charkhabi & A. Pirani
	Water Harvesting By Groundwater Artificial Recharge in South of Iran Country: Iran Authors: M.R. Farjood & M.J. Malekzadeh
	Floodwater Harvesting, a Key to Sustainable Development in Arid and Semi Arid Areas Country: Iran Authors: M. Goodarzi & Y. Daghigh
	The Effects of Plough on Surface Runoff Country: Iran Authors: D. Nikkami, A.J. Ardakani, F.B. Movahed & P. Razmjoo
	Rainwater Harvesting For Establishment of Artificial Pasture on Eroded Lands in Arid Regions (Case Study in Khorasan, Iran) Country: Iran Authors: A. Rangavar, M. Nurberdiev & V.A. Rojkov
	Response of Almond Trees to Micro - Catchments _ Water - Harvesting (MCWH) Methods in the Northwest of Iran Country: Iran Author: A.R. Tavakoli
	Rain Water Harvesting is a way for Diminishing Drought Impact Country: Libya Authors: M. A. Razzaghi, M. Rabti, H. Talib & S. Abulkhair
	On-Farm Rainfall Harvesting Using Random Semi Circular Stone Bunds in Jordan Country: Jordan Author: M. Abu-Zreig
	Rainwater Harvesting for Alleviating Water Scarcity in the Drier Environments of West Asia and North Africa Country: Syria Author: T. Oweis
	Extracting Wetness from Dryness: Water Harvesting against Droughts in Pakistan Country: Pakistan Authors: A.S. Qureshi & V. Smakhtin
	Agricultural Drought and Crop Specific Water Management under Deficit Regime in the Eastern Region of India Country: India Author: D.K. Paul
	Potential of Water Harvesting As a Strategic Tool for Drought Mitigation Country: India Authors: B. R. Sharma & V. U. Smakhtin
	Traditional and New techniques of On- farm Rainwater Harvesting in North West Himalayan Region of India Country: India Author: I. P. Sharma
	Impacts on Environment: Check Dams in State Of Gujarat (India) Country: India Author: M.M. Singh
	If and How Expectations Can Be Met? An Evaluation of the Modernized Wadis Laba and Mai-Ule Spate Irrigation Systems in Eritrea Country: Eritrea Authors: A. Mehari, B. Schultz & H. Depeweg
	Earthen Dam Irrigation Schemes in Tigray, Ethiopia - Development Opportunities Versus Sustainability Challenges Country: Ethiopia Authors: E. Yazew, H. Depeweg & M. Haile

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