ICBA Groundwater Governance Review and Analysis

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), based in Dubai, is an international center undertaking applied research and development. Originally established in 1999 as a research and development institute focusing on the problems of salinity and using saline water for irrigated agriculture, ICBA’s work addresses the closely linked challenges of water, environment, income, and food security.

The Center’s applied research for development aims to address the agricultural challenges in marginal environments including assessment of natural resources, climate change adaptation, crop productivity and diversification, aquaculture and bio-energy, and policy analysis. Currently, ICBA is working on a number of technology developments including the use of conventional and non-conventional water (such as saline, treated wastewater, industrial water, agricultural drainage, and seawater); water and land management technologies; as well as remote sensing and modeling for climate change adaptation.  Building capacity and sharing knowledge is another important part of what ICBA does and the Center’s vision is to establish itself as a Global Center of Excellence for innovative agriculture in saline and marginal environments.
ICBA’s work reaches countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), South and South East Asia, sub Saharan Africa and Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Many of those we serve are in the least developed areas in the world where enhancing agricultural practices and increasing productivity goes a long way in alleviating poverty and improving food security for the most marginal populations.
Understanding water policy and governance in these water stressed areas is particularly important given the naturally arid conditions. In many of the countries ICBA works in falling groundwater levels are bringing additional water stress, yet use and over-abstraction are little controlled. Countries within MENA are able to learn from international and regional experiences in governance and policy measures that were successful or otherwise in controlling groundwater use. This consultancy work will add to this body of knowledge.