Modernising irrigated agriculture to protect and restore aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem services in South East Asia

Project Summary

Billions of dollars have been invested into irrigation programs in Southeast Asia. Recent growing awareness of the benefits of multi-functional ecosystems, has led to an opportunity to apply considerable Australian expertise and technology to aquatic ecosystem management in the region.

This project will develop the tools, guidelines and in-country capacities required to systematically incorporate ecosystem service and biodiversity considerations into irrigation rehabilitation, extension, and modernization programs.

Project Details

Project Period
2019 – 2021

Project Funding
$484,107 (Australian Water Partnership/UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN FAO))

Project Location
Myanmar and Indonesia

Objectives

  • To harness existing expertise in Australia and across the South East Asian region, to develop detailed and context-specific technical guidelines and training materials specifically focusing on two case studies
  • To undertake extensive stakeholder consultation and buy-in, targeting champions and practitioners in Indonesia and Myanmar
  • To develop capacity and training programs targeting local champions and decision-makers
  • To align with existing on-ground initiatives (funded by CSU and ACIAR) in Myanmar and Indonesia seeking to improve fisheries productivity at irrigation infrastructure using engineering solutions

Team Members

Project Partners

  • Charles Sturt University (CSU)
  • Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
  • Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Indonesia
  • Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR)
  • Mekong River Commission (MRC)
  • South-East Asia Fisheries Development Centre
  • WorldFish
  • Delft-IHE
  • Murray-Darling Basin Authority
  • Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
  • International Water Management Institute