Paper which helps address world food shortage wins international award

A research paper involving a USQ research fellow, helping to address water security and world food shortage, has been recognised with an international best paper award.

Dr Shahbaz Mushtaq, a research fellow in the Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments (ACSC) based at USQ, was one of part of the international team that received the prestigious award from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).

Established in 1950 the ICID is dedicated to enhancing the worldwide supply of food and fibre for all people by improving water and land management and the productivity of irrigated and drained lands.

'The project began in 1999 and ran until 2006 and looked at how improved water management would help grow more rice with less water, which helps to directly address food shortage and the food security issue,' Dr Mushtaq said.

'We analysed an irrigation system in China and developed a new modelling technique called hydro-economic modelling, which looked at water and food security analysis from an integrated, hydrological and economic perspective.

'From this research we found a number of ways to save water that benefits both agriculture and industry, particularly in China, where high groundwater level close to the Yellow River are resulting in high fallow evaporation.  Canal lining and the pumping of groundwater is the most effective way of increasing water availability to down stream water users.

'Along with myself there were researchers from CSIRO, Charles Sturt University, Wuhan University in China, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, so it was a true global effort.'

While the tests were carried out in China, Dr Mushtaq said that the results also had implications for Australian farmers.

'There isn't a food shortage issue here in Australia like in other countries but there are certainly water problems,'he said.

'This research shows ways in which farmers can use less irrigation, therefore less water but still grow more food.'

With over 150 papers submitted for consideration by the ICID, Dr Mushtaq added that to win the honour was a true indication of how important the research was.

'As a result of this project the team has produced more then 60 publications and the research is on-going.

'It is giving us concrete outcomes by taking into account economic and water saving aspects and providing ways in which we can address the global food shortage problems.'

The paper was honoured with the Best Paper Award 2008 during the ICID Congress in Lahore Pakistan last month.