By Erica Oakley, Humanitas Global Development
Annually since 1986, the World Food Prize has recognized the achievements of individuals that have improved “the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world.” This year, Dr. Daniel Hillel, an Israeli scientist, is the 2012 World Food Prize Laureate for "conceiving and implementing a radically new mode of bringing water to crops in arid and dry land regions — known as 'micro-irrigation.'"
Micro-irrigation has proven revolutionary and provided a more viable alternative to existing irrigation systems. Dr. Hillel’s technology entails the application of "water in small but continuous amounts directly to the plant roots." His system has allowed crop growth to occur in some of the world's most arid lands — impacting millions with advantages such as reduction in water and energy usage and increased crop output.
Dr. Hillel’s water management concepts — promoted by the FAO — have spread around the world and are now used in more than 30 countries, totaling more than 6 million hectares worldwide. His work has been ground-breaking and life-changing, particularly in regions with harsh, arid environments such as the Middle East where water is even more valuable than oil.
These regions experience fluctuating availability of food and often suffer from inflating food prices — creating an environment that facilitates hunger, malnutrition, strife, and unrest. Water conservation is more than just a matter of environmental security, but also of human security. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), it is estimated that 47% of the world's population "could be living under severe water stress by 2050." And nearly 1 billion people do not have access to clean water around the globe. This translates into a millions suffering from preventable diseases and premature deaths.
Dr. Hillel's micro-irrigaiton system is one step toward ensuring that this precious resource is used wisely and sparingly. Given that we will need to produce 70% more food by 2050 to feed our ever-growing global population, water will become even more invaluable. Thus, Dr. Hillel's work is instrumental in getting more out of each drop.
Congratulations to Dr. Hillel on his achievements in creating a brighter and more sustainable future for us all.
