ICBA Contributes to the UNESCO book “Free Flow – Reaching Water Security through Cooperation”

The article “Alternative water resources in agriculture for improving production and poverty reduction” by Shoaib Ismail, Ian McCann, Shabbir Shahid, Fiona Chandler and Mohamed Amrani from the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), has just been published as part of the UNESCO book “Free Flow – Reaching Water Security Through Cooperation”. This UNESCO publication was digitally launched at the Stockholm World Water Week 1-6 September 2013 (now live at http://digital.tudor-rose.co.uk/free-flow), with the printed version to be launched at the Budapest Water Summit on 8-11 October 2013.

By declaring 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation, the United Nations General Assembly recognizes the broad benefits of cooperation in the water domain for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This UNESCO publication has brought together a broad range of water professionals and stakeholders to share their knowledge and experiences. The chapters in this book reflect the progress and challenges encountered in the fields of water management and cooperation around the world.

ICBA’s article includes case studies from the Abu Dhabi Farmer’s Service Center project, MAWRED project (the use of modeling and remote sensing for water and agriculture), and ICBA’s work in supporting policy (Oman Salinity Strategy). ICBA’s contribution to this book makes a compelling case on how to overcome the challenges of using saline and brackish water in agricultural production to develop sustainable and economical production systems in marginal environments.