The FAO funded joint applied network project of operational research, Andhra Pradesh Water Management Project (APWAM) to provide knowledge and experience in problems like water efficiency, unequal water distribution as well as loss of land and production due to waterlogging and salinity in farmers´ fields and was facilitate by Alterra – IWRM (the Netherlands) and the State Agricultural University in Hyderabad.
The aim of the study is to generate and disseminate knowledge as well as build research capacity on improved agricultural water productivity of canal and tank irrigation systems. Also, the objective is to strengthen strategic partnerships among research institutions, policy makers, line departments, NGOs and Water User Associations.
To facilitate the exchange of information and to up-scale the results of the research activities to command area scale to enable the line departments to use the project results, three working groups have been established, one on "RS/GIS for Canal Irrigation System Performance Evaluation", a second one on "Hydrological Modelling" and the third one on "Irrigation Modernisation and Management Improvement". Eight pilot areas throughout Andhra Pradesh were selected for the study. Local NGOs together with local project staff living in the villages are facilitating the participatory involvement of the pilot area farmers.
The project included both technical and non-technical measures. In addition, a very important goal is to support the development and design of innovative production systems to make more effective use of natural resources. An integral part of the project is to support institutional capacity of local authorities in implementing these approaches.