WageningenX: Agricultural Water Management: Water,-Society and Technology Interactions

Would you like to meet the increasing food demands around the world by contributing to optimisation of water governance and technologies? At Wageningen University & Research, the No. 1 agricultural university of the world, we approach water management from both a technical and a social perspective. Because, properly deploying water technologies for successful water management requires social and institutional agreement. Join us and learn the fundamentals of agricultural water management.

Agricultural Water Management: Water, Society and Technology Interactions

Course Description

"Agricultural Water Management: Water, Society and Technology Interactions" is an innovative and comprehensive course offered by WageningenX that addresses the critical issue of sustainable water management in agriculture. This intermediate-level course explores the complex interplay between water resources, societal needs, and technological advancements in the face of increasing global challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and population growth.

What students will learn

Understanding of water allocation, distribution, governance, and usage in agriculture
Basic principles for estimating irrigation water requirements
Relationships between water management practices and local agricultural conditions
Interplay between water technologies, management, and governance
Analysis of institutional and infrastructural designs for sustainable agricultural water management

Prerequisites

A basic understanding of social and biophysical sciences is required to fully engage with the course material.

Course Coverage

Global water issues and their impact on agriculture
Crop water requirements and irrigation calculations
Agricultural water distribution and technology
Water management and governance at various institutional levels
Real-world application through a case study in Morocco

Who this course is for

This MOOC is ideal for professionals, students, and individuals with a basic knowledge of social and biophysical sciences who are passionate about contributing to improved agricultural water management. It's particularly suited for those interested in environmental studies, agriculture, water resource management, and sustainable development.

Real-world Applications

Developing sustainable irrigation strategies for farms and agricultural projects
Implementing water-saving technologies in agricultural settings
Advising on water governance policies at local, regional, or national levels
Conducting research on sustainable water management practices
Participating in rural development projects focused on water resource management
Addressing water scarcity issues in urban and peri-urban agriculture
Contributing to climate change adaptation strategies in the agricultural sector

Syllabus

Module 1: Addressing Global Water Issues

Introduction to agricultural water management in the global context of water and food

Module 2: Water Demand for Crop Production

Basics of calculating crop & irrigation water requirements, relationship between climate, crop water requirements, and crop types, actual field practices of farmers

Module 3: Agricultural Water Distribution & Technology

Basics of technology in agricultural water management, water management needs of different crops and local conditions

Module 4: Agricultural Water Management & Governance

Management and governance dimensions of irrigation technologies, exploration of various institutional levels

Module 5: Agricultural Water Management in Morocco – Putting knowledge into action

Integration of technical and social factors, final assignment applied to a real-life case study in Morocco

This course offers a unique socio-technical approach, combining water technologies with social factors to provide a comprehensive understanding of agricultural water management. By enrolling, students will gain valuable insights and practical skills to address one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.