Development of appropriate technologies and practices for improved crop management and increased water use efficiency for potato cultivation combined with risk analysis of water shortages for potato under climate change scenarios
An important challenge that farmers face in temperate regions is water scarcity and uneven rainfall distribution. Extreme temperatures often exacerbate water stress in areas with continental weather patterns, as is the case in Northwest China and Central Asia. None of these challenges are easy to solve and some fall beyond the capacity of CIP.
The competition for water resources, for example, can lead to international conflicts as water demands for energy and agriculture converge. Where CIP can play a role, however, is in building institutional capacity and linking sectors.
In our view, CIP’s role is to help national partners assemble the best available genetic materials, improve farmer-based seed systems, develop effective crop management practices, and influence policies that promote more durable management of natural resources.