IFPRI is seeking a firm/organization to study sustainable groundwater use in India. This consultancy is applicable to firms/organizations based in India only.
Context:
Groundwater in South Asia is in crisis. In India, it accounts for two thirds of all irrigation, over 85 percent of drinking water in rural areas, and nearly half that in urban areas. In many regions, it is being mined to the point of sustained decreases in groundwater tables, and is also affecting water quality. Climate change is only likely to exacerbate this trend. Attempts to regulate water use in agriculture in South Asia have relied on several approaches, none of which has been able to address aquifer depletion.
Knowledge gaps:
Which sets of tools are most effective in enabling sustainable groundwater use depends on various factors, including for example, the particular hydrogeology, cropping patterns, family labor, opportunity cost, etc. of the region. But there is as yet no systematic analysis of which interventions seem to work under what conditions and environments.
Objective:
The objective of the proposed research is to document the various interventions that have been tried to address groundwater depletion in the face of climate change in India and identify the factors that are associated with success, in different contexts.
Activities:
Comprehensive search of published and grey literature on groundwater interventions in India, with particular reference to interventions since 2000. Supplemental interviews with groundwater experts, particularly those associated with key interventions Developing a framework for analysis of the interventions, particularly related to context, types of interventions, and outcomes Analysis of common threads on what does and does not work, where and in what context certain interventions are likely to succeed Writeup of lessons learned that can guide interventions in the future, with recommendations for interventions to augment water productivity and for potential for PES in promoting sustainable groundwater use. Presentation of results to relevant audiences, engagement with policymakers and other next usersExpected outputs:
Bibliography and list of groundwater interventions in India Journal paper manuscripts submitted for peer review Policy brief Presentation of results to relevant audiences, including policymakers and/or other next usersDuration/Period: Receipt of signed contract – December 15, 2024.
Qualifications:
Located in India Supervisor: PhD in relevant field (water resources, agricultural economics, sociology); demonstrated research expertise in the field of groundwater management Support staff: Experience with data collection and analysis, development of papers and reports Demonstrated experience with preparing research papers Familiarity with South AsiaApplication criteria:
Please include a financial proposal Please upload 1-2 research papers that demonstrated experience in developing and publishing scientific research papers in the field of water resources management of groundwater management***
*We are unable to respond to every applicant individually, only the selected firm/organization will be contacted*