Canada supports international water conference in Saskatoon

#2018annualconferenceoftheInternationalCommissiononIrrigationandDrainage; #Saskaton, #Saskatchewan; #WesternEconomicDiversificationCanada’sWesternDiversificationProgram; #RalphGoodale; #NavdeepBains; #WarrenHelgason; #CanadianWaterResourcesAssociation


Ottawa, Aug 13 (Canadian-Media): Experts around the world are attending the 2018 annual conference of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) -- not-for-profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) -- being held from Aug 12 -Aug 17 in in Saskatoon SK to discuss managing water for sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change, media reports said.

ICID/Facebook

The conference is being hosted by the Canadian Water Resources Association, a national not-for-profit organization with network of professionals in 80 countries consisting of members from the public, private and academic sectors who are committed to promoting responsible, innovative and effective management of water resources and has facilitated sharing of experiences and transfer of water management technology for more than six decades.

“As the globe experiences an increasingly variable climate, the need to share information regarding sustainable agricultural water management has never been greater. Saskatoon – and Canada – is pleased to host this international conference with delegates from over 40 countries sharing their technical knowledge and experience. We’re excited to showcase how Canada is contributing to meeting the challenges of feeding a growing world population and we look forward to a vibrant exchange of ideas,” said Warren Helgason, ICID Conference Co-Chair, Associate Professor of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, University of Saskatchewan.

The funding of $15,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Western Diversification Program in support of this conference was announced by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, at the conference’s opening ceremonies.

“Water is critical to agriculture in the Prairies...to realise that potential in the face of more severe floods and droughts caused by climate change, we need to better manage this precious resource. This investment is one example of what the Government of Canada is doing to enable Canadians to make better use of our exceptional water resources,” said  Goodale.

The theme of the conference is “Innovative and Sustainable Agri-water Management: Adapting to a Variable and Changing Climate.”

“Through the Innovation and Skills Plan and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Government of Canada is investing in innovations aimed at protecting the environment and improving the sustainability of agriculture and natural resource development. The fact that this conference is being hosted in Canada is a testament to the expertise of Canadian researchers and producers” said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.

In addition to conference sessions and workshops dealing with water resource management, delegates also get the opportunity to see Saskatchewan farms and learn about Western Canada’s innovative strategies and practices related to irrigation, drainage and water security.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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