Concurrent Session Tracks:
- Concurrent Session
- General
- Plenary Session
- Special
7:30am-Noon
Registration - Day III
Stop by the Water for Food Global Conference Registration Desk to pick up your nametag and conference materials.
7:30-9:00am
Breakfast - Day III
Join your conference colleagues for coffee and breakfast before the sessions begin. The buffet will be located next to the conference center banquet hall.
9:00-10:30am
Concurrent session V
Irrigation Management: Advancements in Measuring Evapotranspiration and Crop Water Demand
This session delves into the latest advancements in technologies and methodologies for accurately measuring evapotranspiration (ET) and estimating consumptive use in irrigation water management. We will explore a range of cutting-edge approaches, including:
- Remote Sensing Techniques: Utilizing satellite imagery, drones, and other remote sensing platforms to monitor ET and crop water status across large areas with high spatial and temporal resolution.
- Eddy Covariance Systems: Measuring the exchange of energy and mass between the land surface and the atmosphere to directly estimate ET fluxes.
- Soil Moisture Sensors: Monitoring soil moisture dynamics to better understand plant water uptake and optimize irrigation schedules.
- Modeling Approaches: Utilizing crop growth models and weather data to simulate ET and crop water demand, enabling more precise irrigation planning and scheduling.
This session will share best practices for data collection and analysis, and explore how these advancements can improve irrigation efficiency, optimize water use, and enhance agricultural productivity.
Smallholder agricultural water management: Tackling myths, Moving forward
Smallholder farming is the mainstay of rural livelihoods in many countries in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Development banks and agencies, as well as national governments, have invested in irrigation development for decades, but the sector continues to lag behind demand. In some cases, inaccurate perceptions and assumptions about smallholder and small-scale agricultural water management, especially irrigation, contribute to poorly designed development programs and low private sector investment. Despite long-term research into how to improve interventions and support small-scale farmers to improve water management, a number of ‘myths’ continue to skew the development of the sector. At the extreme, these ‘myths’ threaten to constrain future investment and jeopardize meeting food and nutritional security in the Global South.
This session aims for an interactive dialogue to tackle misunderstandings, highlight nuances in actual experience, and propose innovative thinking that could move us closer to effective policy and practice.
The session will feature several speakers who will take on such ‘myths’ or defend prevailing narratives. The aim is to provide a space for productive dialogue and debate, which will lead to deeper understanding on issues that currently hinder expansion of irrigation and agricultural water management in the Global South.
Protecting Public Health Through Water Quality Management and Monitoring
This session will explore the critical link between agricultural and industrial practices and public health outcomes by examining global and local water quality challenges.
Topics discussed will include:
- Emerging Contaminants: Discuss the rise of emerging contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, microplastics) in water sources and their potential impacts on human health.
- Agricultural Runoff: Analyze the effects of agricultural practices, such as fertilizer use and livestock waste management, on water quality and human health.
- Industrial Pollution: Explore the impact of industrial discharges on water resources and the associated risks to human health.
- Innovative Solutions: Showcase innovative technologies and management strategies for monitoring, mitigating, and preventing water pollution.
- Policy and Regulation: Discuss the role of policy, regulations, and stakeholder engagement in ensuring safe and accessible water for all.
Speakers will share insights and foster dialogue on effective strategies for protecting public health through robust water quality management.
10:30-10:45AM
Break VI
10:45-11:00AM
Flash Talk by Olsson: Sustainable Water Use: Leveraging the Groundwater Accounting Platform and the Groundwater Evaluation Toolbox (GET)
Drought conditions and situations like population growth exacerbate the challenges communities face regarding water use, demanding more stringent measures and innovative solutions to manage scarce resources effectively. It is crucial for water managers and agricultural users to have access to high-quality data for balancing supply and demand effectively. Initially created for the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District in California, the platform is now being deployed in other markets. Dr. Jim Schneider (Olsson Technical Expert) will tell this groundwater story from its 2019 inception, that will include an overview of the private-public partnerships (e.g. CA-DWR under Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), CA Groundwater Sustainability Agencies such as the Merced Irrigation-Urban Groundwater Sustainability Agency (MIUGSA), Environmental Science Associates, California Water Data Consortium, Environmental Defense Fund, and others). He will also discuss current applications, benefits, and the future road ahead.
11:00-11:15AM
Flash Talk by SunCulture: Debunking Investment in Africa
Many companies hesitate to invest in Africa because of outdated perceptions about corruption, risk, and infrastructure. But these narratives are not only misleading—they're costing businesses and investors massive opportunities. In this talk, Samir Ibrahim of SunCulture will break down the biggest myths about investing in Africa and show why the continent is actually one of the most dynamic, high-growth, and investment-ready regions in the world.
Using real-world examples—from how to achieve 96% collection rates to how to use carbon revenue to manage FX risk—he’ll show how Africa is leapfrogging outdated systems and driving innovation in ways the West isn’t. He’ll also explain how companies can successfully enter and scale in African markets by leveraging existing technologies, local expertise, and business models that work.
Africa isn’t a risk—it’s a missed opportunity for those who don’t understand how to navigate it. This talk will show you how to do it right.
11:15AM-Noon
Plenary V - Agronomic Solutions for Water-Resilient Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems
Global water and food security face unprecedented challenges, exacerbated by weather extremes and increasing population pressures. This plenary session will explore the critical role of agriculture in addressing these interconnected issues. Experts will delve into the complex relationship between water availability, soil health, and crop production, examining cutting-edge research and practical applications. The session will highlight the importance of integrated approaches, including sustainable soil management practices to enhance water retention and nutrient cycling, and innovative crop breeding strategies to develop resilient and high-yielding varieties. Discussions will focus on identifying opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing to translate scientific advancements into actionable solutions for farmers and communities worldwide, ultimately contributing to a more secure and sustainable food future.
Noon-12:15PM
Closing
Dr. Peter McCornick, executive director of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute will synthesize outcomes and close the 2025 Water for Food Global Conference.
12:15-2:00pm
Lunch - Day III
Enjoy a delicious lunch in the banquet hall while networking with fellow attendees, or venture outside for some fresh air.
2:00-5:00pm
Nebraska Innovation Campus Tour (Pre-registration required)
The tour will include a stop at the Nebraska Innovation Studio, one of the nation's top makerspaces. The studio houses a metal shop, wood shop, rapid prototyping room, art studio, and ceramics and textiles equipment. It provides resources and support for entrepreneurs and startups as well as a glimpse into the future of agriculture and innovation.
Finally, attendees will tour the Greenhouse Innovation Center . It features state-of-the-art computer environmental controls, a LemnaTec High-Throughput Plant Phenotyping system, and 22-foot eave heights to allow for optimal air circulation. The greenhouses are heated and cooled with sustainable energy. Additional fee applies and pre-registration is required.
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