Programme
15.45 – 16.00: Arrival, Coffee/Tea
16.00 – 17.30: Presentations and Discussion
17.30 -- onwards: Drinks
Today, on World Water Day, the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture (CA) synthesis report Water for Food, Water for Life was released. Its main finding is that it is probable that today’s food production and environmental trends, if continued, will lead to crises in many parts of the world. Only if serious investments are made in improving water use in agriculture will it be possible to meet the acute freshwater challenge facing humanity over the coming 50 years.
To present and discuss the CA report, a seminar will be held in Wageningen on 28 March.
Linden Vincent, Professor of Irrigation and Water Engineering, WUR will chair the seminar.
David Molden, Editor and Coordinator of the CA, and Deputy Director General of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) will present the major findings and recommendations of the CA.
Flip Wester, University Lecturer at the Irrigation and Water Engineering Group, WUR and one of the lead authors of the River Basin Development and Management Chapter of the CA synthesis report, will highlight policy action 8 of the CA Dealing with tradeoffs and making difficult choices.
Gerardo van Halsema, University Lecturer at the Irrigation and Water Engineering Group, WUR will highlight policy action 6 of the CA Adapting yesterday’s irrigation to tomorrow’s needs.
After the presentations, discussions will be held on the recommendations of the report and how they can inform the research and capacity building efforts of WUR in the field of international land and water management.
The CA synthesis report is the product of a multi-institute process that brought together over 700 researchers to develop, write, and review the chapters. The CA assessed the current state of knowledge and innovative ideas on how to better manage water resources to increase food production, reduce poverty and food insecurity and enhance environmental sustainability. The summary for decision makers can be downloaded from the CA website (www.iwmi.cgiar.org/ assessment).