Water for food security in a changing climate

Ahead of World Water Day 2024, SIWI Swedish Water House, SIANI and SLU Global will arrange a half-day seminar to highlight the role of water in agriculture. The topic is timely as Swedish food producers and retailers face fast-growing water risks. The summer of 2023 was marked by both exceptional droughts and extreme rain events, causing harvests to drop by 30 percent.

Unfortunately, the situation looks set to worsen. Climate change already impacts the water cycle, making farming more and more difficult. This is aggravated by poor water management and practices that lead to degraded soils.

What is inspiring, however, is how much research and innovation have gone into reversing the trend. More resilient agricultural practices are starting to take root, not least in regions that have been affected by droughts or floods for a long time. There are already many on-the-ground approaches for water-smart farming in Sweden, as well as around the world, that we can learn from.

With this seminar, SIWI Swedish Water House, SIANI and SLU Global want to create interest in new ways of climate-proof agriculture. We are proud to welcome a wide range of knowledgeable experts and hope for many interesting discussions. Join us to learn more and share your perspectives.

About World Water Day

World Water Day occurs on March 22 each year. It was established in 1992 by the UN General Assembly with the aim of raising water issues globally. Swedish Water House has acknowledged World Water Day since 2007 by arranging a half-day seminar in collaboration with various organizations. The general purpose is to contribute to increased knowledge about Swedish and international water issues.

This year's theme is focused on peace and security - and in this seminar we have chosen to take a closer look at food security and connections to water.