Water and Agriculture: Developing World Solutions

On Thursday, November 12, 2009 the CSIS Global Water Futures project and the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) cohosted an event at the Capitol Visitor Center to launch the joint publication Water and Agriculture: Implications for Development and Growth.

Erik R. Peterson, CSIS Senior Vice President and Director of the Global Strategy Institute, offered opening remarks and summarized the outcomes from the joint SAIS-CSIS “Year of Water” initiative, which culminated in the release of the Water and Agriculture publication.

John Briscoe, the Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Environmental Engineering and Health at Harvard University, delivered a keynote presentation entitled “Water and Agriculture: The shortcomings and promise of United States Foreign Assistance.”

Mark Rosegrant, the Director of the Environment and Production Technology Division at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), offered remarks around the themes of climate change, water, and food security.

Margaret Zeigler, the Deputy Director of the Congressional Hunger Center, closed out the session with her briefing that addressed the role of water in agriculture; gender dimensions of agriculture and water management; and the nexus of food and water security.