VIDEO: Ricketts: University of Nebraska “Uniquely Positioned to Advance Water Management for Greater Food Security”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted the impact of the University of Nebraska’s Daughtery Water for Food Global Institute in developing sustainable solutions to global water and food security challenges.

“Water and food security are two of the most pressing issues facing the world today,’” Ricketts said. “With a growing population, growing demand for resources, and increasing disruptions to water and food systems, it is vital to find sustainable and practical ways to overcome these challenges. The University of Nebraska’s Daughtery Water for Food Global Institute is uniquely positioned to advance water management for greater food security. By leveraging the world-class research at the University of Nebraska, the state’s expertise in agricultural and water resource management, and private sector partnerships, the institute is making progress on a more water and food-secure future.”

Ricketts made the comments during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations focused on global food security. Witnesses included Ms. Dina Esposito, Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS) at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the State Department.

BACKGROUND:

The University of Nebraska hosts the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, addressing the need for irrigated food production to increase by 50 percent by 2050 to feed the world. In October of 2023, the institute received a $19 million grant from USAID to lead a global collaboration aimed at developing irrigation and mechanization for small farmers in developing countries. This partnership focuses on the technical aspects of irrigation and issues crucial to long-term success, such as workforce development, installation, maintenance, and more.