Paige Balcom July 30, 2015

Problems—Global Hunger & Water Scarcity Hunger causes more deaths than malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS combined 70% of the world’s fresh water is already being used 4b9cc69acb46f6366fcb54687/world-hunger7.jpg

Outline U.S. Involvement Solutions Irrigation Aquaponics Challenges Policy Recommendations Conclusion

Why should the U.S. be involved? National Security “lack of adequate food will be a destabilizing factor in countries important to U.S. national security.” Economics 50% lives on less than $2.50 a day Agricultural investment is FIVE times more effective – UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Current U.S. Involvement USDA—food aid USAID Farmer-to-Farmer Feed the Future—training & equipping farmers

Solution: Irrigation Irrigated land is TWICE as productive as rainfed land Only 16% of the world’s crops are irrigated Flood: 45-50% efficient Center Pivot: 90-95% efficient Drip: 90-95% efficient

Solution: Aquaponics Aquaculture (fish) + hydroponics (soilless plants) Water recycled Protein Cash crops Organic Weather resistant Source:

Aquaponics Emerging industry Some commercial ventures, mostly hobbyists International Aquaponics Society founded 2013 Huge potential 10x more productive Raft SystemMedia-filled Bed

Challenges Funding Training Distribution Aquaponics Data Roads-Affecting-Business-In-Lakes-State.aspx ey%20Products/currency.ashx

Policy Recommendations—Aquaponics Aquaponics Pilot Study Innovation Lab Aquaponics Farmer-to-Farmer Collect Aquaponics Statistics Existing surveys

Policy Recommendations— Irrigation & Aquaponics Funding Increase Public-Private Partnerships (PPP’s) Country-designed Funding Schemes PPP provides irrigation in Ghana

Policy Recommendations— Irrigation & Aquaponics Authorize Feed the Future Global Food Security Act of 2015 (H.R.1567 & S.1252)

Conclusion Source: Agricultural investment is FIVE times more effective at reducing poverty and hunger than investment in any other sector – UN Food and Agriculture Organization

Supporting Slides

Irrigation around the World Source: UN FAO

Water Losses in Irrigation Source: UN FAO

History of Aquaponics 1000 AD: Aztecs planted on rafts 1980s-90s: beginning of modern aquaponics Commercial ventures & hobbyists 2013: Formation of International Aquaponics Society AD: Rice-fish cultures in SE Asia

Challenges Funding Sustainability Distribution Holistic Farming Regional Differences Cultural Acceptance