For over two decades, the partnership between the International Water Management Institute, Colombo and Tata Trusts, the IWMI-Tata Water Policy Research Programme (ITP) has played a defining role in strengthening India’s water, energy, agriculture, and livelihoods landscape through evidence-based field research, action-research and policy engagement. From influencing national programmes to shaping state-level interventions, the partnership has consistently bridged the gap between science and field action.
During December 4–6, 2025, the milestone 25 years of collaboration was marked at a three-day Partners’ Meet held in Anand, bringing together nearly 300 participants, including researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and sector experts from across the country. Key speakers included (in alphabetical order) Apoorva Oza (Aga Khan Foundation), Divyang Waghela (Tata Trusts), Johan Gély (IWMI), Mark Smith (IWMI), Prabhakar, L (ITC), Ravinderjit Singh (Tata Trusts), Sunita Narain (Centre for Science and Environment), Tushaar Shah (ITP’s founding leader), Veena Srinivasan (WELL Labs), and many others. The gathering offered an opportunity to reflect on the partnership’s journey, examine lessons from the field, and chart future pathways for water security and resilience.
ITP established in 2000 as a co-equal collaboration between the International Water Management Institute, Colombo and Tata Trusts, has become a recognised thought leader in the water–agriculture–energy–livelihoods domain. Its research has informed government policies, inspired large-scale development investments, and contributed to flagship initiatives at both national and state levels.
The Partners’ Meet featured high-level plenary discussions and thematic conversations across four focus areas: smallholder prosperity, solarisation of agriculture, the future of agriculture, and water for life and ecosystems. Sessions highlighted how grounded research, combined with field action and policy engagement, can drive scalable and sustainable solutions, particularly in water-stressed and underserved regions.
Participants also reflected on ITP’s evolving role in recent years, as the programme has strengthened its integration with the Trusts’ Associate Organisations and partners. With a renewed strategy that places greater emphasis on field pilots, programme design, and policy support, ITP continues to function as a key advisor on water and agriculture within the Trusts’ ecosystem.
The meet also underscored the value of long-term partnerships in addressing complex development challenges. As the IWMI–Tata collaboration enters its next phase, the focus remains on deepening impact, converting field evidence into effective programmes and, policies that strengthen water and energy security, livelihoods, and resilience across India.
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