South Asia's heavy reliance on groundwater for irrigated agricultural production supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of smallholder farmers but is being undermined by rampant overexploitation of groundwater. Without major intervention, this is expected to be further exacerbated by growing demand and climate change. Groundwater management, scientific and evidence-based, can make an important contribution to managing unsustainable groundwater use and strengthening the climate resilience of farmers due to groundwater's unique storage characteristics. This study brings together a set of strategies and solutions to better manage groundwater that cover the augmentation of groundwater recharge through managed aquifer recharge, management of groundwater demand through participatory groundwater management and other methods, and the harnessing synergies of co-dependent sectors. The opportunities, constraints and available evidence for each are analysed and the boundaries, barriers and specificities identified to establish entry points for positive change through policies and implementation programmes.

中文翻译：

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管理地下水以增强南亚可持续农业的复原力

南亚灌溉农业生产对地下水的严重依赖支持了数千万小农的生计，但正因地下水的过度开采而受到破坏。如果没有重大干预，预计需求增长和气候变化将进一步加剧这种情况。由于地下水的独特储存特性，地下水管理，科学和循证，可以为管理不可持续的地下水使用和加强农民的气候适应能力做出重要贡献。本研究汇集了一套更好地管理地下水的策略和解决方案，包括通过管理含水层补给增加地下水补给、通过参与式地下水管理和其他方法管理地下水需求，以及利用相互依存部门的协同作用。分析每个方面的机会、限制和可用证据，并确定边界、障碍和特殊性，以通过政策和实施计划建立积极变革的切入点。