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More than two billion people and 40% of global agricultural production depend upon unsustainable groundwater extraction. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), the practice of strategically recharging water to replenish subsurface storage, is an important subbasin scale practice for managing groundwater more sustainably. However, it is not yet reaching its full potential to counterbalance growing global groundwater demand. Agricultural managed aquifer recharge (Ag-MAR) is an emerging method for spreading large volume flows on agricultural lands and has capacity for widespread global implementation. Yet, knowledge gaps, synergies, and tradeoffs in Ag-MAR research still exist. We identify six key system considerations when implementing Ag-MAR: water source, soil and unsaturated zone processes, impact on groundwater, crop system suitability, climate change and impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and social and economic feasibility. We describe the present distribution, need for common terminology, and benefits of Ag-MAR including groundwater storage, increased environmental flows, and domestic wells support. We then outline major gaps, namely, water quality impacts, and crop health and yield. We showcase the multidisciplinary approach needed for communication and coordination of Ag-MAR programs with stakeholders and the public and provide a framework for implementation. Finally, we outline a vision for the path to Ag-MAR implementation. Ag-MAR is an important approach for achieving groundwater sustainability. However, it is one of many necessary solutions and does not offset the need for groundwater conservation.

More than two billion people and 40% of global agricultural production depend upon unsustainable groundwater extraction. Managed aquifer recharge (MAR), the practice of strategically recharging water to replenish subsurface storage, is an important subbasin scale practice for managing groundwater more sustainably. However, it is not yet reaching its full potential to counterbalance growing global groundwater demand. Agricultural managed aquifer recharge (Ag-MAR) is an emerging method for spreading large volume flows on agricultural lands and has capacity for widespread global implementation. Yet, knowledge gaps, synergies, and tradeoffs in Ag-MAR research still exist. We identify six key system considerations when implementing Ag-MAR: water source, soil and unsaturated zone processes, impact on groundwater, crop system suitability, climate change and impact on greenhouse gas emissions, and social and economic feasibility. We describe the present distribution, need for common terminology, and benefits of Ag-MAR including groundwater storage, increased environmental flows, and domestic wells support. We then outline major gaps, namely, water quality impacts, and crop health and yield. We showcase the multidisciplinary approach needed for communication and coordination of Ag-MAR programs with stakeholders and the public and provide a framework for implementation. Finally, we outline a vision for the path to Ag-MAR implementation. Ag-MAR is an important approach for achieving groundwater sustainability. However, it is one of many necessary solutions and does not offset the need for groundwater conservation.

The fish agri-food system connects supplies of fish and other aquatic foods through multiple pathways and scales to diverse consumers across the planet and is a key component of the global agri-food systems. Fish and other aquatic foods contribute to the livelihoods of 800 million people and provide 20 percent of daily animal protein, as well as key micronutrients and essential fatty acids, for more than 3.1 billion people. A diverse array of fish and aquatic foods from ocean to inland waters contributes to many national economies and diets, particularly of low-income food-deficit countries, providing one of the most accessible and often most sustainable animal source foods. With nutrient deficits high and growing in many regions and as global demand for fish and other aquatic foods grow, so does the challenge of improving and sustaining the fish agri-food system to deliver healthy and nutritious food, positive social, economic and environmental outcomes, including those represented in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The CGIAR Research Program on Fish Agri-Food Systems (FISH) was launched in 2017. It was led by WorldFish together with its managing partners, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Aquaculture and Fisheries Group at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University (JCU) and the Natural Resources Institute at University of Greenwich (NRI). FISH was designed as the main programmatic vehicle for WorldFish to achieve its 2017–2021 organizational strategy objectives, specifically to identify innovative solutions to contemporary food and nutrition challenges and contribute to more sustainable and resilient fish agri-food systems. FISH developed and adopted a theory of change and an integrated approach that addressed challenges for developing and managing sustainable aquaculture and small-scale fisheries in inland and coastal waters

This brief highlights the major project achievements for the Egypt country program in line with the FISH Research Program strategic goals and indicators. The brief was produced taking as reference a series of key resources such as the country's Theory of Change, annual reports and the MEL platform.

This brief highlights the major project achievements for the Nigeria country program in line with the FISH Research Program strategic goals and indicators. The brief was produced taking as reference a series of key resources such as the country's Theory of Change, annual reports and the MEL platform.

This brief highlights the major project achievements for the India country program in line with the FISH Research Program strategic goals and indicators. The brief was produced taking as reference a series of key resources such as the country's Theory of Change, annual reports and the MEL platform.

This brief highlights the major project achievements for the Zambia country program in line with the FISH Research Program strategic goals and indicators. The brief was produced taking as reference a series of key resources such as the country's Theory of Change, annual reports and the MEL platform.

This brief highlights the major project achievements for the Cambodia country program in line with the FISH Research Program strategic goals and indicators. The brief was produced taking as reference a series of key resources such as the country's Theory of Change, annual reports and the MEL platform.