Fish4Thought Event: Fish Friendly Irrigation

  • Date
    17.11.20
  • Location
    Virtual

This Fish4Thought Event was part of the launch of a new joint publication by FAO, IWMI and WorldFish on “Increasing the benefits and sustainability of irrigation through the integration of fisheries” which serves as a user-friendly guide to assist the development and implementation of improved, sustainable irrigation systems.

Date: Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Time: 15:30 – 17:00 (UTC+8)

Click here to watch the event recording

There is increasing recognition for future aquatic food systems to be more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. One important way to achieve this is by better integration of fisheries into irrigation systems. This natural-based solution serves to increase the mutual benefits of both sectors, including the creation of new aquatic habitats and fisheries species in irrigated lands and the enhancement of inland fisheries capture through integrative systems, such as irrigated rice farming systems.

During this virtual event, a panel of multidisciplinary experts in water management, aquatic food systems, capacity building, research and development further explored these opportunities and benefits from a technical, social, institutional and a policy angle. They also discussed the importance of scaling-up this new generation of fish friendly irrigation investments to strengthen their resilience and sustainability and enhance the livelihoods of fisheries-dependent communities in Asia and Africa.

Opening and closing remarks

  • Matthew McCartney, Research Group Leader, Sustainable Water Infrastructure and Ecosystems, International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

Invited Panelists

  • Sophie Nguyen-Khoa, Senior Advisor Water Security Helvitas and Lead Author for the Fish Friendly Irrigation Guide
  • Simon Funge-Smith, Senior Fishery Officer, FAO
  • John Conallin, Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University
  • Alvin Lopez, Senior Natural Resources and Agriculture Specialist, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • H.E. Chann Sinath, Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Water Resource and Meteorology (MOWRAM)

Moderator

  • Mike Phillips, Director of Aquaculture and Fisheries Science, WorldFish and Director of the CGIAR Research Program on Fish in Agri-Food Systems (FISH)

Check out the virtual dialogue via @WorldFishCenter Twitter.