Mogens Bay
Chairman, Robert B. Daugherty Foundation
Board Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
When we first started the Daugherty Global That concern turned out to be unfounded. Water for Food Institute 10 years ago, my concern was whether we would become a relevant voice in the global dialog to protect and stretch the world’s freshwater resources for food production. That concern turned out to be unfounded. There is not a major conversation taking place globally regarding freshwater for agriculture without the Daugherty institute being at the table.
The next priority became how we could best add value. I have been impressed with the global partnerships we have developed through our conferences, projects and research that has advanced our understanding of, and response to, improving water use in agriculture.
The proof that we will have accomplished Bob Daugherty‘s vision is this: If somewhere in our country, or throughout the world, governments or public agencies would say, “We had a real challenge managing our freshwater resources for agriculture and turned to the Daugherty Global Water for Food Institute for help. They assisted us with technology and policy development, and we have successfully addressed our challenge.” That is what success looks like in my opinion.
Felicia Marcus
Member, Water Policy Group
Board Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
Congratulations on a superb 10 years of and innovative spirit are what the world needs service to the world. In an amazingly short time, the Daugherty institute has become a well-recognized and well-regarded international institution and a go-to source of inspiration and practical best practices. Their research and innovative spirit are what the world needs more of in facing an increasingly unpredictable future, where efficiency in agricultural water use will help maintain agricultural productivity while also protecting the natural world.
Hank Bounds
Executive Coach, Bounds Bailey LLC
Faculty, University of South Alabama
Former President, University of Nebraska
Board Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
On this 10th anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, I think it important to pause for a moment and express appreciation for the incredible work of a truly global team of researchers. The institute’s scientists wake up every day focused on how to improve water and food security for more than 7.5 billion people. I count it as a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented group of scientists who are dedicated to changing the world.
What started as a conversation between President J.B. Milliken and Valmont CEO Mogens Bay has turned into an institute that is working in dozens of countries, has advanced our understanding and response to improving water use in agriculture, and has produced policies and practices that have enhanced water management and governance. My sincere thanks to the Daugherty Foundation for its investment and vision to create a water and food secure planet.
Howard W. Buffett
Associate Professor & Research Scholar, Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
Board Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
There are few efforts that carry more global significance than the mission of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. For the past 10 years, DWFI has worked tirelessly to ensure society’s ability to sustainably address our world’s food security challenges. The institute plays a critical role in bringing attention to the importance of water resources and water resource management for increased agricultural productivity. Further, DWFI is unique in its reach across all scales of output, ranging from smallholder farmers using basic irrigation tools to boost yields and to double crop, to large high value and row crop farmers working to more effectively manage crop irrigation to avoid aquifer depletion.
To deliver its mission, DWFI has gone far beyond applying its research into the field. The institute provides its expertise and uses its far reach to build meaningful partnerships across government agencies, NGOs, philanthropy, private industry and other universities around the world to collaborate and advance much needed innovation.
I would like to take this occasion to thank and congratulate all who have been a part of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and its continuing success. I look forward to what the next 10 years will bring.
Mike Johanns
Former United States Senator, Nebraska
Former Secretary of Agriculture, United States
Former Board Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
It is truly an honor for me to offer my congratulations to the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute on its 10th anniversary. I could not be more excited about all that has been accomplished by the institute in the last 10 years. It is safe to say that any discussion about water worldwide will include the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute. This has happened in just 10 years of existence.
The reason why is because, from the very beginning, the institute reached out worldwide to create partnerships. Further, the world class research and policy proposals of the institute have shown over and over again that it rightfully deserves a place at the table.
As I think about agriculture in the future, I can’t help but think that water use will be the key issue as we search for ways to feed a growing world population. I am confident that with continued leadership from the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute we will meet this challenge in the years to come.
J.B. Milliken
Chancellor, The University of Texas System
Former President, University of Nebraska
Board Director and Founding Chairman,
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
In 2010, Bob Daugherty, visionary philanthropist and businessman, approved an extraordinary gift of $50 million for the establishment of a global institute at the University of Nebraska to focus on the sustainable and efficient use of water for food production. Worldwide food production and related agricultural activities represent approximately two-thirds of freshwater usage annually. Bob recognized that there is no greater way to sustain freshwater resources than to invest in scientific research and innovation, public education and policy advocacy that ensures efficient use and protection of one of life’s essential anchors. Bob spent his career pioneering an industry based on this premise, and he considered it his life’s work – and the new institute is his legacy gift to the world. Sadly, Bob died before he could see the impressive progress the Daugherty institute has made in its first 10 years for the people of the world, but his legacy is intact. In considering its accomplishments, we often think first of the institute’s convening functions and its educational activities that prepare leaders in science and policy development. But I believe Bob would be exceedingly proud and gratified, as am I, of the essential research for good the institute supports. For example, the institute underwrites work to improve water quality for public health, to capture the critical role of rivers, like the Platte, in keeping the natural environment vibrant, and to close the yield gap for food and commodity crops in more than 70 of the world’s most important food producing countries. Research support is central to the institute’s global reputation as a leader in the sustainable use of water for agriculture. I consider it one of the rare opportunities of my life to have met Bob, learned about his interest, and helped provide a way to achieve his vision. Bob’s generosity and foresight have made the institute one of the crown jewels of the university, and I am excited about what the next 10 years will bring.
Jeff Raikes
Cofounder, Raikes Foundation
Former Chair of the Board and Director,
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
How will the world ensure the food security of 10 billion people by 2050? Water is the foundation for food security. And agriculture consumes 70% of global water resources on average, with pressures on demand likely to increase. By improving water efficiency in agricultural productivity, we support sustainability, increase yields and improve lives and communities. This was the vision that spurred the creation of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) in 2010.
I am enormously proud to have played a role alongside the Daugherty Foundation, Mogens Bay, J.B. Milliken, the leadership and faculty of the University of Nebraska, and many others, to create DWFI. Our original idea was to connect world-class research with stakeholders working on water security challenges in government, in the private sector and across the NGO landscape. On the 10th anniversary of DWFI, I am deeply gratified to see the contributions DWFI has made.
I am optimistic for DWFI’s next decades of global impact. The institute is well positioned to spur transformation efforts spanning the public and private sectors. With its talented team and global reach, DWFI will continue to spark innovations, expand the base of knowledge and engage with cross-sector partners in catalyzing and scaling systems change to achieve global water and food security.
The challenges are many and familiar to the DWFI community. Climate change threatens natural resources and public health. Economic disparities are widely felt across the world, against a backdrop of sociopolitical uncertainty and a concerted fight against racial injustice and racism in all its forms. DWFI’s work is inextricably linked to these and other global challenges. Having grown up on my family’s farm not far from the University of Nebraska, I remain steadfast in my belief that agriculture and water resources lay the foundation for social prosperity and vibrant communities.
Anchored by DWFI’s team and the University of Nebraska, and with your support and engagement, I am optimistic for our future – a world with dinner at every table and water in every glass due, in part, to DWFI’s global leadership, innovation and strong partnerships.
Ronnie Green
Chancellor
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
It is hard to believe that we are at the decadal mark in the history of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) at the University of Nebraska. I especially relate to it personally, as I came home to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln at the very time the institute was being formally launched here in 2010 by the tremendous vision and generosity of Bob Daugherty through the foundation bearing his name. To see the institute bear such tremendous fruit in its first decade – from becoming the primary international convener of everything to do with “water for food security,” to significant expansion of water research, education and policy efforts in Nebraska via the Nebraska Water Center, to the multitude of major partnerships across the globe in India, China, sub-Saharan Africa, Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina, as well as with the IHE Institute for Water Education, while becoming a leading voice in the World Water Forum – could not be more exciting. I had the pleasure of helping to build many of those international partnerships, and it is so gratifying to see them now maturing and having impact. I have no doubt that Mr. Daugherty would be pleased to see the thought leadership in this arena now rightly coming from Nebraska’s people’s university and emanating around the globe through the institute’s reach. Happy 10th anniversary, DWFI — here’s to an even more successful decade ahead!
Michael Boehm
Vice Chancellor, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources of the
University of Nebraska System
DWFI is truly the center of all things water at the University of Nebraska. It is the magic of combining Nebraska’s investment in water with our long, internationally recognized agricultural research efforts. Through the institute’s leadership, Nebraska has become a major global partner in achieving water and food security in this century. DWFI has achieved incredible momentum in its first 10 years, helping focus Nebraska’s efforts to improve agricultural and livestock production by using water effectively and more sustainably. The institute understands there is no onesize- fits-all program for improving water productivity, but rather, cultivates best practices to improve productivity suited at the local level, wherever that might be. That could include using drone imagery to create irrigation maps for thousands of acres in central Nebraska or encouraging low-cost irrigation options to farmers in developing parts of the world. Water security supports food security, which together support national security. Water security is the cornerstone for all other human needs and enhances quality of life through improved health, higher income and better opportunities for education and employment. DWFI is meeting its mission to improve the human condition through its research, policy and educational work to ensure water and food security for our world.
Harvey Perlman
Professor, College of Law, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Former Chancellor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
I think all of us involved in establishing the Daugherty Institute sensed its potential as an initiative that gave the University of Nebraska a unique opportunity. I was, however, surprised with how quickly we were embraced by the other international water organizations, as well as countries faced with the serious issues of water for food. I had the personal experience of participating in the institute’s engagement in the Middle East and in Indonesia and seeing firsthand the practical implementation of best practices derived from the institute’s expertise. Ten years of integrating academic research with the practical experience of Nebraska farmers and ranchers in managing water resources has made a real impact on the world.
Loïc Fauchon
President
World Water Council
Since its inception, 10 years ago, the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute has been a very active member of the World Water Council. The high level of research developed by the institute within the University of Nebraska has been widely recognized by the main representatives of the water community in the world on its relationship with agriculture.
During the last 10 years, the relationships between the DWFI and the WWC have been very active and the institute has participated in a great number of jointly organized conferences, as well as the last three World Water Forums, which were held in France, Korea and Brazil.
The World Water Council was also more than happy to participate in the 9th Water for Food Global Conference organized by the Daugherty institute in Lincoln, in 2019, which was very successful and valuable with 400 specialists from 15 countries.
Water for food is a key priority for the World Water Council. The World Water Council and the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute share the same objectives of international advocacy, as we both know that water is the main element to secure food for the future of mankind.
Our joint projects are aimed to promote solutions and responses for the sustainable and equitable development of humans on earth. The main research projects developed by the institute have clearly advanced our understanding and response to improving water use in agriculture. The institute has also contributed to focus on the necessity to adopt policies and best practices to improve water management and governance at global and local levels.
On my personal behalf, and on behalf of the 400 members from more than 50 countries of the World Water Council, I would like to thank Professor McCornick, executive director, for his everyday commitment to the international advocacy of water for food.
Melissa Ho
Senior Vice President, Freshwater and Food
World Wildlife Fund – U.S.
Agriculture and food systems are at the intersection of global policy agendas around sustainable development goals, climate change and biodiversity. Over the past decade, the delicate balancing act between agricultural and environmental needs, the two main uses of freshwater, has only intensified. Now, more than ever, the mission and work of DWFI is critical to the work of conservation. I have personally appreciated seeing how the institute has grown and evolved since its inception. The World Wildlife Fund values the partnership with DWFI because of a shared approach of convening multi stakeholder forums, which elevates local and regional challenges and solutions that have global and international relevance and impact, all the while being grounded in science. By 2030, humanity must address the critical challenge of securing enough food and nutrition for a growing population, within planetary boundaries. WWF looks forward to working with DWFI and others in the coming decade to advance the ideas and innovations needed to meet this goal.
Roberto Lenton
Chair, IWMI Board of Governors
Professor Emeritus, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Founding Executive Director, Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
I am truly delighted to join in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska. For me personally, it is always a treat to read the institute’s newsletters and reports and to learn about the many innovative research and policy activities DWFI is engaged in, the way in which its visibility, influence and impact is expanding both in Nebraska and around the globe, and the growing amounts of funding it is attracting. The institute has achieved so much in its first decade and will surely achieve even more in the years and decades to come.
I am particularly proud that in these 10 years DWFI has clearly fulfilled Bob Daugherty’s vision of an institute that draws on Nebraska’s vast experience and leadership in water governance and management to solve challenging problems both locally and across the world. One of the secrets of the institute’s success, in my view, is the way it not only helps to pull together faculty of different disciplines from across the university but also provides opportunities to bring together a range of actors: farmers, company representatives, government policymakers, researchers, and others from across Nebraska and the world, to figure out ways to solve problems of common concern. I have always loved participating in the institute’s Water for Food Global Conferences for precisely this reason – to see firsthand the way in which the institute brings people together to discuss challenging problems, develop a better understanding of one another’s perspectives, forge lasting partnerships – and jointly help create a better world.
Eduardo Mansur
Director, Land and Water Division
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has witnessed the role that the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute (DWFI) increasingly has played since its inception, in providing scientific leadership in the State of Nebraska and on the international scene, as an authoritative partner who contributes to the global agenda for sustainable agriculture water management. The institute is a valuable and well-recognized partner working with global players such as the CGIAR Centers, the World Bank and FAO. We are pleased to learn that DWFI work covers more than 70 countries, engaged in research, education, policy and projects on the ground, providing solutions that combine water use efficiency and environmental sustainability for food and agriculture. In this particular time of a global pandemic, the role of DWFI to help advance the global commitments towards the SDG 6 – water and sanitation for all – cannot be overemphasized.
The DWFI convening power is evident through the Water for Food Global Conferences, which have become the event where many global leaders in research, academia, business, civil society and agriculture converge annually to discuss solutions to water, food security and nutrition challenges.
We are particularly pleased with the institute’s commitment toward the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG) hosted by FAO, and of which DWFI is a founding partner. DWFI has been elected twice by the WASAG Partners to continue to serve on the Steering Committee, in recognition of the contribution that it brings as witnessed by the active participation of its experts in the different WASAG working groups, particularly on Sustainable Agriculture Water Use, Drought Preparedness, and Water and Nutrition.
AO looks forward to our continued collaboration. Happy celebrations of your 10th Anniversary, with the certainty of many more successful years ahead!
Letitia Obeng
International Advisory Panel
Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute
There is no food security without water security. So, the goal of ensuring both was indeed a visionary step forward 10 years ago when DWFI was founded. Over the past 10 years, the institute has grown from strength to strength, positioning itself strategically in the water and food worlds as it strives towards achieving that goal. I have watched the growth of the institute, initially from afar. Three areas have particularly stood out for me:
The institute has very successfully engaged both in the domestic (USA) and international water and in agricultural worlds. It has built strong partnerships within the U.S. and formed alliances with a broad range of international partners – bringing its unique perspective to dialogue and action around water and food security. It now has a strong and growing voice in the global arena.
The flagship conferences have attracted more and more active stakeholders, bringing together local and international, as well as south-north perspectives and knowledge. Many rich presentations and dialogues have led to new partnerships among the diverse conference participants. Big and small-scale farmers sit and discuss with scientists, government officials, development activists and students; all learning from each other, focusing on innovation and how to build resilience in this climate stressed world while enjoying the time spent with each other. This was very much my impression during my first conference in 2019.
And finally, I believe the focus on data and technology to help with managing water and improving food production has continued to successfully evolve. The tools and systems developed are important for farmers, researchers, policy- and decisionmakers alike.
This first 10 years have been so productive. I wish the institute even more growth and success towards its goal in the next 10.
Jennifer Sara
Global Director, Water Global Practice
World Bank
Today we mark the significant milestones that have been reached with regard to water in agriculture since the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute’s inception 10 years ago. DWFI and the World Bank have worked closely together on numerous conferences and projects, as well as on research that underscores the importance of improving water use in agriculture. This research has subsequently been used to develop improvements in water management and governance across the world.
The partnership between the World Bank and DWFI, under the leadership of Peter McCornick, has included numerous collaborations in water and food spaces, such as serving together as members of the World Water Council and advancing important global and regional dialogues on the development of farmer-led irrigated agriculture. Given the unprecedented global macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19, coupled with pre-existing climate, hunger, nutrition and fragility challenges, the World Bank and DWFI will continue to work together to sustain water resources, deliver services, strengthen food systems and build resilience in the developing world.