1) Examine the evolution of water management practices, incentive mechanisms, water allocation, water rights and their relationships with water and other related policy and institutional issues in the YBR;

2) Identify the effects of innovations in water management practices and institutional arrangements on access and productivity of water, poverty alleviation, food security and environmental security in the YRB;

3) Identify the effects of water allocation, water rights, water pricing policy and incentive mechanisms on the access and productivity of water, poverty alleviation, food security and environmental security in the YRB;

4) Explore the possible water policy and institutional changes that promise to improve access to water and/or unlock water productivity potential to alleviate poverty and enhance food and environmental security.