Message from Chairman

Dr Hu Heping (Chair, left), Dr Sylvain Roger Perret (Vice-chair, centre), Dr Michael van der Laan (Secretary, right) Irrigated agriculture has massively evolved during the 20th century; it must keep changing in coming decades. Although global food and fiber production is increasing, many intensified farming systems cause high environmental impacts and resources depletion. Yet, all recognize that irrigation has a central role to play to feed the global population expected by 2050. To meet the challenge, irrigated agriculture must further evolve, improve factors’ productivities, and decrease environmental impacts. The ICID Working Group on Environment is a cross-country forum, where environmental and sustainability issues in the irrigation and drainage sectors are discussed. Our aim is to contribute to the sector’s necessary evolution, to share information and knowledge, and to develop policy guidelines. Newly-elected office-bearers (in 2010) commit to build upon the excellent work already done. We hope to see all WG-ENV members, and all interested individuals, at the next ICID conference in Tehran in October 2011. Let’s deliver, together, towards more sustainable irrigation and drainage systems! - Dr Perret

62nd International Executive Council Meeting, Tehran, Iran [Previous Agendas]

61st International Executive Council Meeting, Yogyakarta, Indonesia [Previous Minutes]

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) was established on 24 June, 1950 as a Scientific, Technical and Voluntary Not-for-profit Non-Governmental International Organization (NGO) with headquarters in New Delhi, India.

The Commission is dedicated to enhancing the worldwide supply of food and fibre for all people by improving water and land management and the productivity of irrigated and drained lands through appropriate management of water, environment and application of irrigation, drainage and flood management techniques. [For more information contact http://www.icid.org]

To provide guidance to policy makers, planners, designers, and managers in the irrigation and drainage sector on the environmental aspects of drainage and irrigation systems. The environmental aspects are physical, chemical, ecological, socio-economic and cultural, as well concerns to the effects on climate and human health. By looking at environmental aspects, the group will aim for the management of a sustainable environment, maximizing positive and minimizing adverse effects of irrigation and drainage systems.

Established : 2008

Members: (1) Dr. Hu Heping, Chairperson, 2005 (China, 2000); (2) Dr. Sylvain-Roger Perret, Vice Chairman (France, 2009); (3) Dr. Michael van der Laan, Secretary (2010) (South Africa, 2010) ; (4) Mr. Barkat Hadid (Syria, 1991); (5) Prof. Almeida Fernandez (Portugal, 1997); (6) Mr. Mohammed Kazem Siahi (Iran, 2000); (7) Mr. Osmo Antero Purhonen (Finland, 2002); (8) Mr. Stefano Salbitani (Italy, 2003); (9) Dr. Choi, Joong-Dae (Korea, 2003); (10) VPH Dr. Jose A. Ortiz Fdz.-Urrutia (Spain, 2005); (11) Dr. Dennis Wichelns (USA, 2005); (12) VPH Dr. Illahi B. Shaikh (Pakistan, 2006); (13) Prof. Dr. N. Hatcho (Japan, 2006); (14)  Mr. Taner Kimence (Turkey, 2006); (15) Mr. C.K. Agrawal (India, 2009);  (16) Mr. Clarke Ballard (Australia, 2010) and (17) Secretary General, ICID

Observers/Permanent Observers: (1) FAO Representative; (2) ICOLD Representative; (3) World Bank Representative; (4) Dr. D. Zimmer, France; (5) Mr. Primoz Banovec, Slovenia; (6) VPH Dr. H. El-Atfy, Egypt and (7) VPH  Prof. Hector Malano, Australia

Modernisation of an Irrigation Business (Ian Moorhouse)

Life cycle assessment of irrigation systems: Assessing regional and global potential environmental impacts (Sylvain R. Perret)