Earth Precision Agriculture
Irrigation and Water Management Conference Track
Advancing global food security through integrated research in water management, precision irrigation, technology, and policy innovation
About the Irrigation and Water Management Conference Track
The Irrigation and Water Management Conference track at EPA 2026 addresses a critical global challenge: agricultural water security is central to global food security, ensuring the sustainable production of food for a growing world population.
The track offers a platform for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to share cutting-edge research and innovation across the full spectrum of agricultural water management.
We bring together experts in hydrology, agronomy, data science, engineering, economics, and policy to address the complex challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture. The track emphasizes how complementary, multidisciplinary approaches can generate richer, more actionable insights into water productivity, resource resilience, and food system sustainability.
We invite submissions that explore a wide range of research in agricultural water security, innovation, and management, including but not limited to:
Key Topics at Irrigation and Water Management Conference
Climate-Resilient Water Management
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Research on adapting irrigation and drainage infrastructure to withstand climate variability and extreme weather events, including droughts and floods.
- Hydrological Modeling: Studies on modeling and forecasting the impacts of climate change on water availability, quality, and demand at various scales (farm, watershed, basin).
- Nature-Based Solutions: Investigations into the use of natural systems and ecological principles for water retention, flood mitigation, and improving the resilience of agricultural landscapes.
- Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment: Development and application of frameworks to assess the vulnerability and resilience of existing irrigation and water management systems to climate stressors.
Smart and Precision Irrigation Technologies
- AI and IoT in Irrigation: Development and application of advanced technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things) for real-time monitoring and optimization of irrigation scheduling.
- Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis: Use of drones, satellites, and geospatial technologies to assess crop water stress, monitor irrigation infrastructure, and improve water management decisions.
- Smart Sensor Technology: Research on the development and deployment of advanced in-field sensors for monitoring soil moisture, nutrient levels, and plant physiological status to enable precision water and nutrient application.
- Technology Adoption and Economics: Studies on the socio-economic factors influencing the adoption of precision irrigation technologies, including cost-benefit analysis, farmer training, and policy incentives.
Sustainable Water Sources and Efficient Use
- Non-Conventional Water Resources: Research on the safe and effective use of recycled water, treated wastewater, and desalinated water for agricultural irrigation, including studies on soil health and crop quality.
- High-Efficiency Irrigation Systems: Studies on the design, performance, and management of micro-irrigation systems (drip, sprinkler) to maximize water use efficiency and crop productivity.
- Agroecological Integration: Research on integrating efficient irrigation with agroecological practices such as cover cropping, conservation tillage, and soil health management to enhance water retention and reduce non-productive water losses.
- Water Productivity and Benchmarking: Studies on improving water productivity ("more crop per drop") in both rainfed and irrigated systems and developing benchmarks for water use in different agricultural production systems.
Policy, Governance, and Socio-Economic Dimensions
- Water Economics and Policy: Research on the effectiveness of water pricing, water markets, and other economic incentives and regulatory frameworks for promoting sustainable water use in agriculture.
- Water Governance and Institutions: Studies on community-based water management, participatory governance models, and the role of institutions in resolving water conflicts and ensuring equitable allocation.
- Socio-Economic Impact Analysis: Research on the socio-economic impacts of water scarcity, irrigation investments, and water policy reforms on rural livelihoods, poverty, and food security.
- Transboundary Water Management: Studies on international cooperation, public-private partnerships, and institutional arrangements for managing shared water resources for agriculture.
Our Leadership Team
Dr. Willemijn Appels
Senior Research Chair
Applied Research Chair in Irrigation Science
Lethbridge Polytechnic
Prof. Chusnul Arif
Professor
Faculty of Agricultural Technology
IPB University
Dr. Gaurav Jha
Assistant Professor Precision Agriculture
Department of Agronomy
Kansas State University