Governing water for sustainable farming

Effective water management is increasingly critical in the face of global challenges such as climate change, population growth, and competing water demands. This comparative study examines various community-based water management systems worldwide, focusing on sustainable irrigation districts, water users' associations, and collaborative governance frameworks. Drawing insights from diverse case studies spanning regions like Arizona, Australia, California, Chile, France, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, and the Netherlands, this research explores how these systems address complex water challenges through adaptive management strategies, financial innovations and innovative structures for institutional support. Key findings highlight the pivotal role of collaborative governance in enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity among diverse stakeholders, including indigenous communities, agricultural sectors, and local governments. Capacity building and knowledge sharing emerge as essential tools for improving water management outcomes globally, facilitating the integration of local knowledge with scientific expertise. By applying these insights, communities can navigate water management complexities, ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing food security for future generations. This study underscores the importance of policy support for locally managed water associations and adaptive legal frameworks that promote long-term sustainability in farming.

Main takeaways

• Effective water management hinges on robust collaborative governance frameworks that engage diverse stakeholders, enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of environmental uncertainties.
• Implementing adaptive management strategies is crucial to responding flexibly to evolving water challenges, particularly under unpredictable climatic conditions and varying water demand patterns.
• Financial innovations are a key to incentivize sustainable water management practices and promote integrated water management strategies among stakeholders.
• Capacity building and knowledge sharing initiatives are essential for fostering collaborative governance, improving water management outcomes, and integrating local knowledge with scientific expertise.
• The insights from this study can support long-term sustainable farming practices and ensure food security by enhancing water management practices globally, thereby benefiting farming communities and other sectors reliant on water resources.