This document is the fifth in the series of ten Policy Papers to be prepared under the IMPSA Program. It is based primarily on two Staff Working Papers on the issues related to the topic. The overall goal of irrigated agricultural research must be the production of research results that can significantly influence actual practices in the field leading to greater productivity, profitability and sustainability without causing environmental degradation. The research results must be useful to all connected with irrigated agriculture: farmers, managers and designers of irrigation systems, consultants, policy makers, donors and consumers.