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World’s largest vertical farm to be built in Dubai
27 June, 2018
Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and Crop One will co-invest $40 million to build the world's largest vertical farming facility near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. When complete, the vertical farm facility will cover 130,000 square feet but have a production output equivalent to 900 acres of farmland.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/worlds-largest-vertical-farming-facility-in-dubai
Robots can redefine the future of farming: Sydney Researchers
27 June,
2018
Farming in the 21st century is becoming more and more automated, as time goes on. In fact, it seems that fully autonomous agri-bots are poised to take on at least some of the grunt-work around the farm. These questions may apply to large-scale operations that raise hundreds of acres worth of crops. Farming robots - which are still in the last stages of development before formal employment as laborers - may be associated with costs that are only feasible for farmers at an industrial scale.
https://www.evolving-science.com/intelligent-machines/robots-redefine-future-farming-sydney-researchers-00704
Nabard publication on water productivity mapping of major Indian crops released
14 June, 2018
Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari recently released a book ‘Water productivity mapping of major Indian crops’ published by NABARD in a function at New Delhi, India. The book ‘Water productivity mapping of major Indian crops’ is based on study of 10 important crops by a team under the leadership of leading agricultural economist Dr. Ashok Gulati. The ten important crops include rice, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton and potato etc.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179963
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CLIMATE CHANGE
World at risk of dangerous climate change: Study
27 June,
2018
Sensitive regions of the world would remain at risk of the dangerous and potentially irreversible effects of climate change, even if we meet the target of not increasing the global temperature above 1.5 degree Celsius over the next 100 years, a study has found. The research, led by Open University and University of Sheffield in the UK, reviewed the targets set in the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and concluded that regions of the world, such as the Arctic and South-East Asian monsoon region, could be damaged irreversibly as they are particularly sensitive to changes to global temperatures.
https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/world-at-risk-of-dangerous-climate-change-says-study/1222009/
Zimbabwe unveils three climate change policies
26 June, 2018
With increasingly extreme weather taking a toll on farming and income, Zimbabwe has released a trio of climate change policies designed to make the country more resistant to climate pressures and help it meet its international carbon-cutting pledges.
https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/world/africa/2018-06-26-zimbabwe-unveils-three-climate-change-policies/
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DROUGHTS
Children act as 'green agents' in Rajasthan's drought-hit Baran: India
27 June, 2018
The "green agents" of Baran district in Rajasthan are nurturing foliage in their villages, despite a two-year rainfall deficit in the region. Over 3,000 children across 20 villages have planted 7,000 saplings thus far. For two consecutive years, most of the villages in the district have not received substantial rainfall, leading to severe drought-like conditions.
http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2018/jun/27/children-act-as-green-agents-in-rajasthans-drought-hit-baran-1834455.html
California's drought prompts wildfire concerns
25 June, 2018
A forestry scientist says it's difficult to forecast how severe California's wildfires will be this year, but said the drought-dried vegetation throughout the state is a bad omen. Keith Gilless, the dean of the University of California, Berkeley's department of environmental science, said that the dry grass and brush is cause for concern.
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article213789354.html
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FLOODS
Floods, landslides kill 22 residents in northern Vietnam
27 June,
2018
Up to 22 people had died and nine others gone missing due to flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rains in northern mountainous provinces by June 27. Lai Chau province suffered the heaviest losses in humans with 16 residents being killed, followed by Ha Giang, with five dead persons and Quang Ninh with one deceased victim, reported the Standing Office of the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control. Preliminary statistics showed that floods and landslides destroyed 124 houses, damaged 597 homes and submerged 1,500 others.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/203241/floods--landslides-kill-22-residents-in-northern-vietnam.html
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FOOD SECURITY
Two scientists win World Food Prize for developing food for mothers, children
19 June, 2018
The World Food Prize will be awarded this year to two men who have dedicated their careers to improving the availability of nutritious food for pregnant women and children in an effort to reduce the effects of malnutrition in developing countries. Lawrence Haddad, who is a British economist and food policy researcher, and Dr. David Nabarro, who has worked with the World Health Organization and United Nations on health and hunger issues, were named the 2018 prize recipients in a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington.
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1004313/two-scientists-win-world-food-prize-for-developing-food-for-mothers-children
World Food Programme's 'Food Assistance for Assets' to tackle food insecurity
25 June, 2018
The most food-insecure people often live in fragile and degraded landscapes and areas prone to recurrent natural shocks and other risks. Food Assistance for Assets (FFA) is one of WFP’s flagship initiatives aimed at addressing the most food-insecure people’s immediate food needs with cash, vouchers or food transfers and improving their long-term food security and resilience. WFP aims to integrate multiple types of FFA activities with government strategies and other WFP and partners’ interventions, including UN partners such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to reinforce each other’s impact.
https://www.devdiscourse.com/Article/42203-world-food-programmes-food-assistance-for-assets-to-tackle-food-insecurity
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IRRIGATION
World’s biggest lift irrigation project in Telangana set to water state’s crops, villages: India
31 May,
2018
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme of Telangana state is said to be the world’s biggest irrigation project that is set to end water woes of the state where many regions are parched. In a state that accounts for the second highest number of farmers’ suicides after Vidarbha in Maharashtra state often because of poor monsoon rains or lack of irrigation facilities, the project holds the potential to change the tragic tale of Telangana. The Rs. 80,000-crore project envisages irrigating 18 lakh acres of land in 13 districts, stabilising another 17 lakh acres in another seven districts – virtually covering the entire state.
https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/rs-80000-crore-worlds-biggest-all-about-the-kaleshwaram-irrigation-project-that-will-make-you-proud-of-telangana/1222115/
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WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
New World Bank financing provides access to safe water, sanitation for up to four million Tanzanians
27 June,
2018
More than three million Tanzanians in rural areas will be connected to safe water supply, while another four million people will gain access to improved sanitation through a new IDA credit for a Rural Water and Sanitation Program-For-Results approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors. The new $350 million Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program aims to increase access to rural water supply and sanitation services in 17 administrative regions and support the Government in building strong institutions to sustain access to rural water supply.
https://www.cnbcafrica.com/apo/2018/06/27/new-world-bank-financing-provides-access-to-safe-water-and-improved-sanitation-for-up-to-four-million-tanzanians/
Ukraine puts water strategy high on development agenda
21 June,
2018
A campaign to raise awareness of water security in Ukraine could be an inspiration around the world, after it forced a change in the country’s approach to its water resources. After almost five years of promoting a vision of water security and proactive water management among various stakeholders and the government in Kiev, the issue of water security is now a top development priority for the government.
http://www.ipsnews.net/2018/06/ukraine-puts-water-strategy-high-development-agenda/
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
International Conference and 69th International Executive Council Meeting of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, 12–17 August 2018, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, on the theme: Innovative and Sustainable Agri-water Management: Adapting to a Variable and Changing Climate.
Website: http://www.icid2018.org/
Global Water Security for Agriculture and Natural Resources (GWSAN), 3-6 October 2018, Hyderabad, India: An ASABE Global Initiative Conference.
Website: http://www.asabewater.org/
9th International Micro Irrigation Conference, 16-18 January 2019, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, on the theme: Micro Irrigation in Modern Agriculture.
Website: http://www.icid.org/conf_microirri.html
International Dam Safety Conference 2019, 13-14 February 2019, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India
Website: www.damsafety.in/idsc2019
3rd World Irrigation Forum (WIF3) and 70th International Executive Council Meeting, 1-7 September, 2019, Bali, Indonesia, on the theme: Development for water, food and nutrition security in a competitive environment.
Website: http://www.icid2019.org/
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LATEST PUBLICATION(S)
Water Saving in Irrigated Agriculture in Egypt: Case Studies and Lessons Learned, November 2017
The Egyptian National Committee for Irrigation and Drainage (ENCID) has launched a new book titled 'Water Saving in Irrigated Agriculture in Egypt: Case Studies and Lessons Learned.' The publication is a compilation of successful water-saving innovation ideas at the farm level and is a rich source of reference work for all the professionals engaged in agricultural water management aspirating for "More and more crop per drop." For more info, kindly write to Encid@link.n
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