Notwithstanding the importance of the sector, productivity levels are lagging behind the full potential. There are several alarming facts, such as that without improved efficiency measures, agricultural water consumption is expected to increase by about 20% globally by 2050. Or, that in regions where crops are entirely rain-fed, a reduction of 50% in the seasonal rainfall may result in a total crop failure. Today, aspects of water management are getting intensively interrelated and connected. The debate on devastating climate extremities and water scarcity cannot be brought to success without considering the environmental background, the social impacts, the economic consequences, technical limits, and the policies harmonized.

Jointly organized by the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM), the Land and Water Division (CBL) of FAO, and the Partnership for Agricultural Water in Africa (AgWA), the Thematic Workshop on “Emerging Practices form Agricultural Water Management in Africa and the Near East” was held in Bari for the period from 28 to 31 August 2017.  The main objectives of the workshop were to share experiences/best practices, and promote knowledge amongst a wide-range of partners including government and inter-government organizations; research, educational and training institutions; financing institutions; and international water management networks around seven thematic areas of agricultural water management included in projects implemented by FAO in African and NE.

The workshop considered  the following themes: Crop Water Productivity; Water Use Efficiency; Water Harvesting; Conjunctive Use of Surface and Groundwater; New Techniques in Measuring Water; Water Accounting; Solar Energy for Irrigation

These main driving questions guided participants throughout the thematic workshop: 

1. How far have the seven thematic areas been applied in target countries?
2. What are the proven strengthens and weaknesses of applied approaches?
3. How can the experiences gained be extended in and beyond target countries?