When regions are water-stressed, local farmers are forced to use less water (or lower-quality water) for irrigation, which affects not just the quality and quantity of the crops, but also the quality of life for the growers, in terms of lost income. And with droughts hitting many areas of the world, developing more efficient ways to water crops, while still maintaining yields, could make a big difference in local food systems.
One project, called FLOW-AID (Farm Level Optimal Water Management Assistant for Irrigation Under Deficit), has been working on innovative technologies that would allow farmers to increase their water use efficiency by up to 60%, while also reducing the fertilizer demands by up to 30%. These same technologies could also help to reduce nutrient leaching, which not only affects the soil in the fields, but also any waterways downstream from them. Read more
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