Water and Food; the forgotten top sector!
Description
Through the supermarket, food and drink seem infinitely available. The food supply is fantastically well taken care of. Globally, farmers and gardeners make this possible. They can only do this if there is sufficient water available locally.
The world's population continues to grow. River deltas continue to expand; thus 'fertile' land and 'water-rich' areas are often used up. What does this mean for food supply worldwide? Will enough water remain available for the required agricultural production?
This question affects the welfare and prosperity of many people. It involves coherence in space use, water availability and food supply. The first World Irrigation Forum from 29 September to 3 October 2013 in Mardin, Turkey, will focus on this nexus. It is being organised by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. ICID was founded in 1950, also then with a view to securing food supplies worldwide. ICID functions as a global network of individuals, governments, knowledge institutes and universities. The Dutch Committee for Irrigation and Drainage has represented the Netherlands within and through ICID since 1950.
The past shows that Dutch expertise can be adequately deployed in this large-scale challenge.
Reason for organising the 15th NETHCID symposium on World Water Day. The motto "Water and Food; the forgotten top sector!". Are knowledge institutes and industry alert enough to play a role in the global challenge? What opportunities are we missing? How can NETHCID contribute to raising the profile of Dutch knowledge and expertise that has been built up over decades and is applied worldwide? How do we put this top sector in the spotlight? Also, the reverse applies-how can the Netherlands benefit from knowledge built and applied abroad. How can NETHCID contribute to this mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas?
The symposium is co-organised in memory of Gerrit van Vuren, who has always dedicated himself to this topic during his working life.
Students and Young Professionals are asked to make a poster about their innovation ideas on the question "Surely there is enough water for food?", in particular how can they contribute to the mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas The posters can be explained at the symposium and will be used as examples/building blocks for the debate
10.00 Walk-in with coffee and tea
10.30 Explanation of the theme
Nick van de Giesen, chairman NETHCID
10.45 Experts as nomads!
Margreet Zwarteveen, Chair of Water Resources Management, Wageningen University
11.15 The added value of Dutch Knowledge abroad,
Henk Sterk, Dienst Landelijk Gebied
11.45 Importance of expertise in securing food supply
Mott MacDonald Euroconsult (IDD)
12.15 Water and food, the conversation in the corridors to inspire the debate
Including lunch
13.30 Water and food, the forgotten top sector?
Debate led by Charlotte de Fraiture, UNESCO-IHE
14.45 The message
Summary by chairman NETHCID
15.00 Closing and drinks
Location
Great Hall, Building KIVI NIRIA
The Hague
Organiser
Land Use and Water Management
Wageningen University / NETHCID
Name and contact details for information
Bert Pijpers, board member of the NETHCID Foundation on behalf of KIVI NIRIA Land Use and Water Management