Nebraska currently leads the U.S. in irrigated area with more than eight million acres and is the fourth largest user of groundwater, behind California, Texas, and Arkansas.
Nebraska agriculture relies on and enjoys a high level of research support from the University of Nebraska and particularly its Departments of Biological Systems Engineering, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Civil Engineering, School of Natural Resources, Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies, Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute, Nebraska Water Center, and other collaborating units.
This leading role in water-related research is evident from few recent new projects this year:
An interdisciplinary team of UNL researchers is investigating the climate’s effect on groundwater contamination from chemicals used in crop and animal production, including indirect effects from land use changes with support of Water Sustainability and Climate Program grant in the amount of $600,000 funded jointly by National Science Foundation-U.S. Department of Agriculture program.
University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers have earned a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a second generation of underground sensor technology that can automate decision-making when it comes to irrigating crops.
The National Drought Mitigation Center and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute at the University of Nebraska are co-leading a $4-million research effort with the Dubai-based International Center for Biosaline Agriculture. The project is designed to help the Middle East and North Africa region balance water consumption and increase agricultural productivity, with a focus on drought management.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is funding the one-year MENA Regional Drought Management System project. $1 million of the total grant is designated for research activities conducted by the National Drought Mitigation Center, Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute and Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies.
Strengthening education and research collaboration in area of water resources research will be mutually beneficial to the University of Nebraska and Sultan Qaboos University.