Tomorrow’s challenge: By 2050, United Nations’ experts say our planet must double food production to feed an anticipated population of 9.3 billion people.
A dwindling water supply coupled with farmers in need, increased demands for energy, and a rapidly changing climate have placed more pressures on agriculture than ever before. How do we overcome these obstacles? Understanding all the challenges is the first step to creating solutions. Innovation holds the key.
Spotlight on Sustainability: Water
This September will mark the 20th anniversary of World Water Week 2010 in Stockholm. The The Stockholm International Water Institute will bring together experts, practitioners, decision makers and leaders from all over the globe to foster relationships, exchange ideas, and develop solutions to the help the planet’s developing water quality challenge.
According to the World Health Organization, 2.6 billion people – or 39 percent of the world’s population – live without access to improved sanitation.
While agriculture is a dominant component of the global economy, more and more communities around the world are increasing their farming landscape. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the pressure to produce enough food has had a worldwide impact on agricultural practices. Food requirements have required the expansion of irrigation to achieve and sustain higher yields.
With this growing demand for food sources in tandem with increasing water quality issues comes the need for sustainable agriculture. Through sustainable agriculture, farmers can be on the forefront of protecting the Earth’s most precious commodity – clean water. Explore this month’s Spotlight to learn more.
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The Solution to the Water Problem—Agriculture Minus Irrigation? As water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of the population increase, agriculture is affected.
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Soil and Water: Striking the Right Balance Water and soil go hand in hand when it comes to agriculture and crop production. Find out why.
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Explore the Mississippi River Partnership Project Learn about the partnership that's helping to reduce runoff into the Gulf of Mexico.
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Facts About Sustainability and Agriculture Check your knowledge of sustainable agriculture with this list of facts.
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Actions Needed to Control Water Usage to Meet Global Demands An overview of water scarcity and global demand based on the World Economic Forum Water Initiative report.
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Marc Gunther talks with Jason Clay, World Wildlife Fund (Part One of Two) Journalist Marc Gunther talks with Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund.
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Marc Gunther Talks with Jason Clay, World Wildlife Fund (Part Two of Two)
The second of a two-part interview series with Jason Clay of the World Wildlife Fund.
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The Irrigation Sensation How do different types of irrigation affect agriculture and food production? Find out here.
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Learning at the Gothenburg Water Utilization Center How do we maximize a crop's water use, and what are the tools farmers need to do this?
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Water Quality Issues in Mexico City Play video A video about the water quality issues and water shortages in Mexico City.
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Spotlight on Sustainability: Water Play video Do you know how much water it takes to produce a person's daily food supply? Or that food demand is expected to double by 2050? Find out how important water is to our planet and our dinner tables.
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Water Quality Issues in Luanda Play video Watch this video to learn more about the water issues in Luanda.
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Biotechnology and Drought: Producing More Crop per Drop Play video A video from CBI that shares new developments in agricultural biotechnology which can play a role in helping American farmers produce crops that use water more efficiently, thus reducing the negative consequences of drought.
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Water Utilization Learning Center Play video The Gothenburg Water Utilization Learning Center features both best agronomic practices while using less resources and the technology used to implement these practices.
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Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) Brief
Read about this project that's providing "better tools, better harvests, better lives" to farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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World Water Day 2010 Brochure
Take a look at the official World Water Day 2010 brochure, and read all about water quality. To learn more, visit the World Water Day site.
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Agriculture and Water
Do you know how much water is used in crop production? Find out here.
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How is Drought Defined?
Learn about drought and the important role irrigation plays in agriculture.
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Water Quality Outlook
A document from the UN World Water Day Organization discusses global water issues.
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Charting Our Water Future
A report from the 2030 Water Resources Group about the future of one of our most precious resources: water.
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Water and Agriculture: Implications for Development and Growth
Essays from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies' (SAIS) November 2009 Year of Water conference.
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Irrigation Wheeline Get a close look at an irrigation wheeline system, which moves across the field under its own power. Photos courtesy of Idaho Farm Bureau.
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Gothenburg Water Utilization Learning Center How can farmers utilize technology to conserve water and mitigate drought? Check out the tools and innovations at the Gothenburg Water Utilization Learning Center.
Latest news View all news
Country Snapshots
Explore progress being made in sustainable agriculture around the world.
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