Message from the Executive Director

As we enter our 15th year as an institute, we reflect on just how far we’ve come.

It started with a question about how to address the water and food security issues facing the world and whether the University of Nebraska was up to the challenge. In 2010, Bob Daugherty, a visionary philanthropist and businessman, approved a generous gift of $50 million for the establishment of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska to focus on the sustainable and efficient use of water for food production.

Fast forward 15 years and DWFI is now a trusted expert and global thought leader in water management in agricultural and food systems, as well as related human and ecosystem health issues.

With a growing population and global food demand expected to rise by 50 percent by 2050, along with the increasing disruptions to our water and food systems due to climate change and global conflict, our work is never done.

DWFI continues to focus on ensuring a sustainable future with access to nutritious food and clean water. Throughout the past year alone, we’ve seen great progress toward our mission, major initiatives move forward and new opportunities for collaboration arise.

In this year’s annual report, you’ll find powerful stories of collaboration as we work toward a more water and food secure world, including these specific highlights:

• Launch of our new USAID-funded Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Irrigation and Mechanization Systems (ILIMS) providing $40 million over the next five years for the institute and partners to develop viable solutions to support the growth of vibrant irrigation and mechanization markets in the Global South;
• Expansion of our suite of water management tools, including our multi-state network of flux towers which accurately measure crop-water use and carbon-equivalent emissions. The information from the initiative supports water management decisions and interstate water agreement negotiations; helps validate carbon credits; and has generated numerous partnerships, grants and interest from partners;
• Along with our partners, provision of a free and secure decision-support tool for farmers to assist with improvement of agricultural water use and enhance crop productivity in the U.S. Corn Belt;
• Analysis and catalyzation of the agtech startup ecosystems in Nebraska, India and beyond to identify functional gaps in the ecosystem, facilitate and expedite commercialization, and aid startup founders and investors in leveraging existing resources;
• Exploration of how irrigation equipment reaches farmers through entrepreneurial pathways in Sub-Saharan Africa, which can increase smallholder incomes and climate resilience;
• Contribution to several high-profile publications through our Water, Climate and Health Program, including the federally-mandated Fifth National Climate Assessment; the first comprehensive assessment of drought and health in the US; and the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change Policy Brief for the U.S.;
• Participating and co-convening strategic regional and international events which further DWFI’s reputation, foster collaboration, enhance recognition of our work and generate impact;
• Explore solutions and enhance the understanding of water challenges in Nebraska, including supporting the successful Know Your Well, a collaborative citizen science program training high school students how to sample and test well water quality.

To continue to build on these significant accomplishments, we also welcomed 14 new members to our Faculty Fellow cohort this year, for a total of more than 136 University of Nebraska faculty of whom we support and work jointly. We also funded 11 new students working on mission-related research, in addition to the 20 returning students who continued their research with the help of DWFI funding.

Over the next year, we’ll continue to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the institute, culminating in our 2025 Water for Food Global Conference to be held April 28 through May 2 in Lincoln, Nebraska. I invite you to join us as we bring together thought leaders working to solve one of our world’s most pressing issues — feeding a growing planet while preserving our precious natural resources.

Together, we can create a more water and food secure world, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come. We look forward to sharing our continued journey with you.

Regards,

Peter G. McCornick
Executive Director
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute