Plenary 2
OPTIMIZING CROP PRODUCTION AND CROP WATER MANAGEMENT UNDER REDUCED WATER SUPPLY
MARTIN SMITH
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
Senior Officer Irrigation Management, Land and Water Development Division, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome 00100, Italy - E-mail: martin.smith@fao.org
Dwindling water resources and growing competition for water will reduce water availability for irrigation, while the need to meet growing food demands will require that more food is grown with less water. A more effective water use and greater water productivity will be a primary challenge for the near future.
Concepts on water use efficiency and water productivity relationships are presented and the technical and agricultural options to optimize water productivity are elaborated. Crop water management is highlighted as a key area to achieve higher water productivity. Advances in more accurate estimates on water use consumption are described as well the use of water management models to optimize water supply under various conditions. Measures to overcome the socio-economic constraints are indicated, including the introduction of irrigation advisory services to farmers. FAO methodologies in crop water management and the experience in several countries in irrigation extension are highlighted.
