Preamble
There are countries in arid and semiarid regions like Middle East, North Africa that suffer from more severe water shortage and are under constant water stress. These conditions may lead to adverse environmental impacts and negative influences on food production in these countries and also to international conflicts related to water.Periodical drought occurance in water scarce regions would aggravate these negative impacts on food security and sustainability of marginal irrigated agriculture.Management of water on very scientific lines and adopting appropriate drought management strategies are therefore important and very critical items for the well being of the people in such area. A Working Group on Irrigated Agriculture Under Drought and Water Scarcity was therefore proposed to be established to address the related issues and to develop proper guidelines, keeping in view the latest technologies and management practices available for these purposes.Useful guideline developed by the working group may help the affected countries in formulation of strategies and action plans to ease the difficulties on account of scarcity of water and negative drought impacts.