ICID/UEA International Seminar - Towards a political ecology of irrigation & water use efficiency and productivity

This international seminar will unpack irrigation/water use efficiency and productivity as a contested subject. The topic of irrigation efficiency and productivity is of critical significance if developing countries (commonly where irrigation depletes 70-90% of freshwater) are to better manage water and provide opportunities for the re-allocation of water from irrigation to other pressing needs.  Irrigation sits at the heart of this reallocation imperative because of the widespread belief that surface irrigation is largely inefficient, and that spare water can be freed up - or a ‘water footprint' reduced - by making savings.  However, these beliefs are predicated upon how scientists and society account for water use, withdrawals, productivity and efficiencies at the field, system and basin level - ideas that are being reconsidered by researchers at universities, IWMI, ICID, FAO and other international organisations.

Who is presenting?

We are very pleased to host presenters from IWMI and eight different international universities & institutes. We particularly welcome David Molden, editor of ‘Water for Food, Water for Life,' A Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture.