A research-development process for rapid improvement of on-farm water management through technology transfer is described. The process focuses on systematic research to identify problems, develop and assess solutions, and implement development programs at the farm level. An interdisciplinary team executes the research-development process with farmers. The technology transfer process consists of four interrelated phases as follows: (I.) Priority Problem Identification; (II.) Search for Problem Solution; (III.) Assessment of Solutions; (IV.) Program Implementation. Problem identification consists of the combination of an interdisciplinary approach with farmer participation to achieve an understanding of system operation. This results in an objective, quantitative definition of priority problems. The interdisciplinary team combines knowledge and experience with systematic research in Phase II to develop direct acceptable solutions to priority problems. Applied, adaptive, and evaluative research methods are used under farmer conditions in Phase III for the assessment of solutions. These results are used to redefine problems and improve solutions. In Phase IV an institutionalized development program is implemented. Trained personnel use the carefully designed technological package to work directly with farmers to solve farm problems.