The International Platform for Saving Water in Rice (IPSWAR) was created at the international workshop “Water-Wise Rice Production” held at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), 8-11 April 2002, Los Baños, the Philippines. IPSWAR aims to be a mechanism to increase the efficiency and to enhance the coherence of research on water savings in rice-based cropping systems in Asia. The overarching goal is to conserve water resources, safeguard food security and alleviate poverty.

 
Objectives

	Facilitate the exchange of information on research activities, data collection and research methodologies.
	Foster research and extension partnerships.
	Identify critical research issues, gaps and opportunities (strategies).
	Facilitate project proposal development.
	Create public awareness and broadly disseminate knowledge on relevant opportunities.

 
Methodology

	Create partnerships on saving water and increasing water-use efficiency in rice-based cropping systems in Asia.
	Organize joint field visits, meetings and workshops.
	Maintain a website with general Platform information plus links to member project sites.

 Dr. B.A.M. Bouman

 Crop, Soil and Water Sciences Division
 International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
 DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila, Philippines

 WEBSITE: www.irri.org
 TEL: +63 (2) 845-0563
 FAX: +63 (2) 845-0606
 EMAIL: b.bouman@cgiar.org