This note is part of an Action Notes series and provides guidance for governments and companies on how to ensure that the impact of agricultural investments on water resources is effectively measured, monitored, and regulated.

A two-day meeting was held in Bangkok with the goal of establishing a platform for improved sharing, networking, complementarities and synergies across the many R4D projects on production systems (agriculture, aquaculture) and water management in the Ganges coastal zone. The focus of the workshop was the Bangladeshi coastal zone. The 36 participants included representatives of NARS, international R4D organization, donors and NGOs.

Oil palm, currently the world’s main vegetable oil crop, is characterised by a large productivity and a long life span (?25 years). Peak oil yields of 12 t ha?1 yr?1 have been achieved in small plantations, and maximum theoretical yields as calculated with simulation models are 18.5 t oil ha?1 yr?1, yet average productivity worldwide has stagnated around 3 t oil ha?1 yr?1. Considering the threat of expansion into valuable rainforests, it is important that the factors underlying these existing yield gaps are understood and, where feasible, addressed.