Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Thematic Group event
Less than 4% of arable land in Sub-Saharan Africa is irrigated, compared to nearly 40% in Asia. As population growth accelerates and climate pressures intensify, food security challenges in the region are set to worsen. Yet, unlike many other regions of the world, Sub-Saharan Africa possesses abundant untapped renewable freshwater resources. Why, then, is groundwater so underutilized in agriculture? What are the main barriers to investment, and how can they be addressed? Could overreliance on surface irrigation be a limiting factor? This webinar will delve into these pressing questions and explore practical solutions to unlock groundwater’s potential for sustainable food production.
Speakers:
- Maurizio Guadagni, World Bank retiree, FAO consultant
- Claudia Ringler, Director of the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit, IFPRI
- Petra Schmitter, Principal Researcher, IWMI
Discussants:
- Steven Schonberger, former Director, Water Global Practice, World Bank
- Herve Plusquellec, Sr. Hydraulic Engineer, World Bank retiree & Consultant
Moderators:
- Preeti Ahuja, Chair, Agriculture, Food & Rural Development Thematic Group
- Alex Bakalian, Chair, Urban & Water Thematic Group
Brief Bios:
Maurizio Guadagniis an agricultural development expert dedicated to climate adaptation to strengthen food security. After nearly 30 years at the World Bank, working across Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and Africa, he retired in 2022. Now based in Brussels, he collaborates with FAO and the private sector as a freelance consultant. Maurizio holds degrees from the University of Perugia and the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Claudia Ringler is the Director of the Natural Resources and Resilience Unit at the International Food Policy Research Institute where she coordinates research at the intersection of nature, agriculture, and development for tangible progress toward more equitable and resilient food systems. In 2021 she was awarded honorary life memberships by both the International Water Resources Association and the International Association of Agricultural Economics for her lifelong contributions to the fields of water resources economics and agricultural economics, respectively.
Petra Schmitter is a Principal Researcher at the International Water Management Institute, leading the Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Pathways Research Group. She develops water solutions for smallholder farmers to enhance resilience in irrigated and rainfed systems while assessing their impact on water resources. With 20+ years of experience in SE Asia and Africa, she specializes in solar irrigation, water productivity, and hydrological modeling. Through action research, she collaborates with farmers, students, and policymakers to drive change. She has over 100 publications on climate-smart agriculture and water management.
Mr. Steven Schonberger is a distinguished economist and former Director of the World Bank’s Water Global Practice. With a lifelong passion for economic development and environmental sustainability, he has worked across public, private, and civil society sectors on agricultural development, water resources management, and microfinance services. Mr. Schonberger has also collaborated with UN agencies, private banks, and international NGOs in various regions, including Africa, Latin America, and North America.
Mr. Herve Plusquellec, a hydraulics engineering graduate from the University of Grenoble, France (1960), has over 60 years of experience in water resources and irrigation, including nearly 50 years as Bank staff and consultant. His diverse career spans roles in a Moroccan government agency, an Italian engineering consulting firm, and the World Bank. He has worked on projects in around 40 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, and Latin America. Since retiring from the World Bank in 1997, he has consulted for organizations like FAO and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He gained practical experience in large-scale irrigation in Morocco and has published on various water-related topics. Renowned for transferring innovations globally, he successfully introduced North African water control technology to Mali and geosynthetics for canal lining in several countries. Nominated by the World Bank for the ICID Prize in 2012 and 2013, Mr. Plusquellec continues to contribute to the field.
Preeti Ahuja is Chair of the Agriculture, Food & Rural Development Thematic Group at the 1818 Society of World Bank Group alumni. Her career spans over three decades at premier international development agencies such as the World Bank, FAO and Inter-American Development Bank, where she has worked in senior advisory, managerial, technical and/or operational roles. She also brings strong private sector (management & economic consulting, and commercial banking) experience from her early career. Currently, as a senior advisor (consultant) with FAO, Preeti is providing strategic and technical advice to Investment Center management and staff. She volunteers with Bankers without Borders/Grameen Foundation, advising on Asia & Pacific Region agri-business operations and sectoral development. She also serves on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, an opt-in research community, advising HBR on strategic content and strategic directions. Preeti holds degrees from Delhi University, Boston University and INSEAD, France.
Registrations:
In-Person (MC 1-860 – 1818 Society conference room)
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