There is opportunity to make systemic changes in agricultural water management that could significantly impact food security challenges around the world. This is according to Peter G. McCornick, PhD, PE, D.WRE, an internationally known authority who will deliver a joint keynote address at the co-located annual meetings of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and the Irrigation Association (IA) December 5-9 in Las Vegas, NV.
McCornick’s address, which is open to all IA and NGWA show attendees and exhibitors, is titled Water for Food Security: Solutions for the Context. “Food and water security are two major interrelated challenges facing the world. Producing enough food for a growing, urbanizing and wealthier human population requires increasing the use of water and land, placing more pressure on already degraded ecosystems, especially if we do not manage the use of these resources well,” said McCornick.
McCornick has been the Deputy Director General for Research at the International Water Management Institute, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and later this year, will take the reins at the Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His educational background is comprised of Doctoral and Master’s Degrees in water resources and irrigation engineering from Colorado State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural engineering from Newcastle University, UK. McCornick has accumulated numerous accolades from universities and organizations worldwide throughout his 30-plus years of experience in international water policy, water resources management and climate adaptation.
Drawing on insights gleaned from his work in Africa and Asia, as well as the US, McCornick will delve into the ins and outs of the water-for-food challenge and explore some of the potential solutions and opportunities to systematically address the challenges. Particular emphasis will be given to agricultural water management solutions, in terms of technologies, practices and policies and to the opportunities to address the sustainability of critical groundwater resources.
According to NGWA CEO Kevin McCray, CAE, McCornick’s message is sure to resound with attendees of both Groundwater Week and the Irrigation Show. “As irrigation is dependent upon groundwater in many cases, the colocation of the two events is a natural complementary fit, as is having Dr. McCornick address both audiences.” McCornick will also be featured in NGWA’s Water Well Journal Q&A in its November issue, which focuses on global water.