OTTAWA, April 16, 2013 /CNW/ - Daniel Hillel, the 2012 World Food Prize recipient who pioneered methods of bringing water to crops in arid and dryland regions, will be at Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC) April 17th to discuss what can be done to improve the efficient use of land, water, energy, and renewable resources to ensure the integrity and sustainability of the environment.
When: Wednesday, April 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: IDRC, 150 Kent Street (Corner of Albert), 8th floor
Dr Hillel's pioneering scientific work in Israel revolutionized food production over the past five decades, first in the Middle East, then in other regions around the world. Dr Hillel is best known for demonstrating the scientific basis for "micro-irrigation"- the steady trickle of finely calibrated amounts of water onto crops - instead of the traditional cyclic flooding and drying of fields. His innovation allows farmers to irrigate their crops more consistently and efficiently while using less water resulting in higher crop yields to feed more people.
Dr Hillel is currently a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research, part of Columbia University's Earth Institute. Recently, he has been working on adaptation of agriculture to climate change in association with the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, affiliated to the Earth Institute. A former IDRC Research Fellow, he has worked with many international development agencies. His research was published by IDRC in the paper Computer Simulation of Soil-Water Dynamics - A Compendium of Recent Work.
The event is open to the media and the lecture will be webcast live at http://idrc.canwebcast.net/live. Journalists and the public can also join in the conversation through Twitter and Facebook.
About the World Food Prize
Considered the Nobel Prize of Agricultural Research, the World Food Prize was conceived by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1986, The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world.
For more information visit www.idrc.ca.
About IDRC
A key part of Canada's aid program, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supports research in developing countries to promote growth and development. IDRC also encourages sharing this knowledge with policymakers, other researchers, and communities around the world. The result is innovative, lasting local solutions that aim to bring change to those who need it most.
SOURCE: International Development Research Centre
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé / (+1 613) 696-2343 / [email protected] / @IDRC_CRDI
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