Improving water management in agriculture

Irrigated agriculture accounts for around 70% of global water use. However, an estimated 60% of irrigated cropland remains highly water-stressed, a problem intensified by the effects of climate change. Improving water management in agriculture: Irrigation and food production considers ways of addressing this challenge. It reviews advances in monitoring and optimizing irrigation efficiency, ways of retaining and re-using water resources as well as how farmers can work collaboratively with other stakeholders to manage watersheds more sustainably. The book highlights key areas where innovation is required to ensure that water use is optimised at farm and watershed scales. The book encourages farmers to reassess their current irrigation models and implement alternative practices which improve efficiency with a reduced environmental impact. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Improving water management in agriculture: Irrigation and food production will be a standard reference for researchers and scientists involved in water and irrigation science, agronomists, as well as government and private sector agencies responsible for agriculture and water resource management. Dr Jerry Knox is Professor of Agricultural Water Management in the Cranfield Water Science Institute at Cranfield University, UK. Professor Knox has an international reputation for his research on the science, engineering and management of water resources in agriculture. He has been a lead expert in water and agriculture for the FAO’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) Programme and has participated in a range of national and European research projects on irrigation and water management. He is Editor of Outlook on Agriculture and Associate Editor of Irrigation Science.