Water management plays a crucial role in food production and the management of ecosystems.  Climate change is expected to affect the hydrological cycle and the availability of freshwater resources for agriculture. The relationship between climate change and water cannot be analysed in isolation. It must be situated within the larger context of socio-economic development. The drivers that are shaping this development, particularly population growth, increased food consumption, and urbanization, all have significant influences on the quantity and quality of water resources. Climate change puts greater pressure on water resources in areas where the sustainable management of water resources is already extremely challenging. 

The objective of this module is to explore the relationship between climate change and water management in agriculture and help stakeholders assess and define climate-smart agriculture strategies for addressing changes in water supply and demand. The module also analyses the overall development context in which water is managed in agriculture and provides an overview of the current status, trends and challenges in this area. 

The module is addressed to a broad audience, including policy makers, project managers, researchers, rural advisory services and agricultural extension agents, and farmer organizations and civil society organizations engaged in issues related to water resource management, climate change and agricultural development. The module is intended to inform them about potential adaptation and mitigation options that are based on a sound understanding of the impacts of climate change and the vulnerability of rural communities.