Dr. Peter G. McCornick To Deliver Keynote Address At Co-Located Groundwater Week And Irrigation Show

There is opportunity to make systemic changes in agricultural water management that could significantly impact food security challenges around the world, according to Peter G. McCornick, PhD, PE, D.WRE, an internationally known authority who will deliver a joint keynote address at the co-located annual meetings of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and the Irrigation Association (IA) Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

McCornick’s address to NGWA’s Groundwater Week and the Irrigation Association’s 2016 Irrigation Show and Education Conference is titled, “Water for Food Security: Solutions for the Context.”

“Food and water security are two major interrelated challenges facing the world. Producing enough food for a growing, urbanizing, and wealthier human population requires increasing the use of water and land, placing more pressure on already degraded ecosystems, especially if we do not manage the use of these resources well,” said McCornick.

McCornick has been the deputy director general for research at the International Water Management Institute, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and later this year will take the reins at the Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. His educational background is comprised of doctoral and master’s degrees in water resources and irrigation engineering from Colorado State University, and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

McCornick has accumulated numerous accolades from universities and organizations worldwide throughout his 30 plus years of experience in international water policy, water resources management and climate adaptation.

Drawing on insights gleaned from his work in Africa and Asia, as well as the United States, McCornick’s presentation will focus on “Water for Food Security: Solutions for the Context.” He will delve into the ins and outs of the water-for-food challenge, and explore some of the potential solutions and opportunities to systematically address the challenges. Particular emphasis will be given to agricultural water management solutions, in terms of technologies, practices and policies, and to the opportunities to address the sustainability of critical groundwater resources.

According to NGWA CEO Kevin McCray, CAE, McCornick’s message is sure to resound with attendees of both Groundwater Week and the Irrigation Show. “As irrigation is dependent upon groundwater in many cases, the colocation of the two events is a natural complementary fit, as is having Dr. McCornick address both audiences.”

McCornick will also be featured in NGWA’s Water Well Journal Q&A in its November issue, which focuses on global water.

The keynote address is open to all IA and NGWA show attendees and exhibitors.

For more information on Groundwater Week, visit GroundwaterWeek.com. To learn more about the Irrigation Show, visit www.irrigationshow.org.

About NGWA
NGWA, the leading worldwide advocate for professionals teaming to provide, protect, manage, and remediate groundwater, conveniently and promptly delivers an extensive range of resources contributing to member success through relationships, leading edge and emerging practices, and credible new ideas and solutions. For more information, visit www.NGWA.org.

About The Irrigation Association
The Irrigation Association is the leading membership organization for irrigation companies and professionals. The IA is committed to promoting efficient irrigation and to long-term sustainability of water resources for future generations. IA works to improve industry proficiency, advocate sound water management and grow demand for water-efficient products and services. For more information, visit www.irrigation.org.