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Throughout the three days of discussion on scientific advancement, programming, and technology adoption, one major theme kept recurring: in order to achieve sustainable food security, we must focus on training the next generation of agricultural scientists.

Dr. Woteki spoke about the importance of water conservation to agriculture, as agricultural production accounts for the largest share of water consumption in the United States.

Now when the water arrives, it is directed into the pond and small portions are siphoned off each day to a drip irrigation system that the farmers installed, ensuring continuous, even moisture for crops throughout the growing season.

A USAID-constructed anti-salt dike is keeping the rising river at bay and isolating water for use by farmers like Mané. By keeping the saltwater out, this dike has opened up more than 250 hectares of previously non-arable land, which can now be used for reforestation and growing rice, vegetables and grains.

An $85,000 capacity building grant from Feed the Future in 2011 dramatically improved the cooperative’s prospects for success, helping them to acquire motor boats, heavy-duty coolers, fishing equipment, and computers to improve reporting and accountability and support additional training.

To meet the need of growing more food with limited resources, including water, Feed the Future employs an approach that is both climate-smart and sustainable. Here’s a few ways we’re incorporating water management into agricultural development.

The purpose of my trip was to see how Feed the Future’s goals are being accomplished, particularly through the work of the IPM Innovation Lab with its many partners and programs in South Asia. What I learned was encouraging.