Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Strategic Plan FY18 – FY23

Authors

Date of this Version

4-2018

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Through research and policy development, education and communication, the institute is enhancing knowledge, fostering future water and food security leaders and developing effective techniques to sustainably manage water and increase food security. DWFI focuses its efforts in five areas of expertise and has identified key outcomes in each area to drive impact and measure success in the next five years, FY2018 to FY2023:

Closing Water & Agricultural Productivity Gaps: • Develop and deploy global satellite-based decision support and monitoring tools based on daily evapotranspiration estimates in key agricultural areas in the US and selected countries. • Improve knowledge of best practices to close water and agricultural productivity gaps for key irrigation decision-makers in the US and selected countries and regions (e.g. Iowa, Nebraska, Brazil, India, and the MENA region). • Influence the adoption of technology and best practices to improve water productivity in key agricultural areas in Nebraska and participating countries.

Improving Groundwater Management for Agricultural Production: • Identify and improve knowledge of best practices and cost effective groundwater management policies given local context, climate conditions and constraints in key areas in the US and selected countries. • Influence groundwater governance and policy through education and pilot programs demonstrating best management practices and innovative technology and institutions in selected US states and countries. Establish and apply new methods to monitor improvements in groundwater conditions in selected areas that are currently degraded (e.g., quality, streamflow, depletion).

Enhancing High-productivity Irrigated Agriculture: • Identify and improve knowledge of cost-effective practices for water and energy use in agriculture. • Influence the adoption of technology and best practices to improve water and energy use in agriculture in the US and selected countries and regions. Document the improved use efficiency of water and energy resources in agricultural production as a result of DWFI activities, including DWFI faculty fellow activities and other partnerships.

Supporting Freshwater & Agriculture Ecosystems & Public Health: • Develop new methods and facilitate the adoption of water quality management best practices • Support agricultural practices that minimize negative impacts on water quality in Nebraska and selected countries. Influence the adoption of viable water markets in selected U.S. regions and countries. Develop new methods and facilitate the adoption of new knowledge about water reuse and other water conservation approaches in the dairy and other food processing industries.

Managing Agricultural Drought: • Develop and disseminate information and tools to build resilience to drought in agricultural systems in selected countries and regions (e.g. MENA). • Influence the adoption of tools and policies to reduce vulnerability and build agricultural resilience to drought in selected US regions and countries.