ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the current state of knowledge on existing and emerging options for meeting water and electricity needs. The chapter focuses on identifying the range or mix of options available today to meet water and electricity needs in different societies and in urban and rural settings. It indicates options that represent significant opportunities across all contexts and provides snapshots of opportunities in specific countries, regions or contexts. Irrigated agriculture has contributed to growth in agricultural production worldwide, although inefficient use of water, inadequate maintenance of physical systems and institutional and other problems have often led to poor performance. Emphasis on large-scale irrigation facilitated consolidation of land and brought prosperity for farmers with access to irrigation and markets. The range and scale of energy resources and technologies for electricity demand-side management and supply have expanded dramatically in the last quarter-century due to advances in individual technologies and greater success in adapting existing and new technologies to local settings.
