The Water scarcity and irrigation cost are increasingly representing a challenge for farmers producing irrigated rice.  ''Alternate Wetting and Drying'' (AWD) is a technology developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. It can help farmers to significantly reduce water requirements and cost for irrigation of rice production. 

AWD has been disseminated in Asia through the International Rice Research Consortium. It was introduced to Bangladesh in 2004 and promoted through agricultural research and extension, as well as development, private sector and non-government organisations. The status of dissemination, adoption and impacts of the technology were analysed by an independent study of the SLE Centre for Advanced Training in Rural Development, Humboldt University of Berlin, and commissioned by IRRI and GIZ. Important results of the study are highlighted in this article.

Dr. Ekkehard Kürschner
Consultant, Team Leader
ekkehard.kuerschner@t-online.de

Caroline Paul, Ema Jülich
SLE - Centre for Advanced Training in Rural Development
Humboldt University Berlin


Berlin, Germany