Harnessing the capabilities of earth observation systems and digital technologies, innovative approaches to agricultural water management can provide crucial support in increasing water availability and efficiency, thus reducing agricultural land degradation in regions such as the Sahel. Technologies such as IoT-enabled irrigation systems or solar-powered smart irrigation systems contribute to climate change adaptation by promoting water conservation, resource efficiency, and improved crop resilience and productivity. By leveraging real-time data, remote control capabilities, and technology integration, within irrigation systems can improve system efficiency and enhance crop yields and quality, vital in adapting to changing climatic conditions.

This session seeks to explore how digital and innovative technologies can be utilized in agricultural water management to support water availability and enhance water efficiency as well as promote water efficiency and conservation. It also provides the opportunity to discuss other methods and reflect them on latest development and the challenges for implementation. Examples will be discussed to outline how innovations such as solar automatic irrigation systems, remote sensing, big data etc. hold enormous potential for regions such as the Sahel and other regions to increase agricultural land productivity and maintain healthy land.

Moderator: Ambe Emmanuel Cheo, UNU-VIE

Speakers:

• Giriraj Amarnath, IWMI
• Ajit Govind, ICARDA-Egypt
• Ermias Betemariam, CIFOR-ICRAF
• Nidhi Nagabhatla, UNU-CRIS
• Kamel Amer, AOAD