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Can Irrigation Technology Address Water Scarcity? (Podcast and Infographic)

Posted on November 14, 2019

 

GAO keeps a close eye on the latest technologies, but today we’re looking at a truly ancient one: irrigated agriculture. Despite dating back at least 5,000 years, irrigation technology continues to improve. Micro irrigation, for example, applies water close to the crop for high efficiency. And precision agriculture uses satellite imagery, wireless moisture sensors, and other tools to optimize irrigation scheduling.

But are these technologies being used to save water in places facing water scarcity? And what options do policymakers have to reduce the impact of irrigated agriculture in those places?

Our new report tackles these questions. If you want an audio introduction, listen to our podcast with Tim Persons, GAO’s chief scientist:

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Topics
Agriculture and Food
Natural Resources and Environment
Science and Technology
Bureau of Reclamation
Department of the Interior
Federal Communications Commission
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Department of Agriculture
U.S. Geological Survey
Agricultural industry
Agricultural policies
Agricultural practices
Crops
Droughts
Farming
Farming systems
Freshwater
Global positioning system
Groundwater
Irrigation
Irrigation systems
Satellites
Science and technology
Sustainable agriculture
Water conservation
Water resources
Water resources conservation
Water supply
Water use
Watersheds
Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics
GAO Contacts
tim_persons
Timothy M. Persons
Chief Scientist
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