In search of breakthroughs

18 May 2017

In developing countries, relevant data on water quantity and quality often are non-existent or not affordable. Consequently, farmers cannot make well-informed decisions on daily operations or investments, resulting in sub-optimal harvests and overuse of valuable water.

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The Government of Australia, the World Bank Group, Australian Aid and partners recently launch the Water Data Challenge. This challenge aims to improve the access to information, enabling resource-poor farmers make use of affordable, timely water data, resulting in better management of scarce water resources to support resilient, productive farms.

Innovation applications are accepted in three areas:

  1. Water Data Solutions:  To identify, develop and test data-led, highly cost-effective solutions, which satisfy the information needs of farmers—male and female, or the extension agents who support farmers, to reduce farmer’s water-related risks and costs.
  2. Water Data Investments:  To apply new approaches to facilitate and foster investments in the implementation of innovative data solutions, such as institution building, stakeholder platforms, public-private knowledge sharing methods, or mobilizing innovative financial mechanisms (e.g. insurance schemes).
  3. Capacity Development for Impact:  To promote the capacity development of farmers/small farming communities, extension agents, or data-provider operations/services ensuring user-centered solutions that result in higher production/yields or more efficient use of water.

To apply, please visit:  Waterdatachallenge.org

Applications due May 31, 2017

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Summary

In a Call to Action on September 21st 2016, the eleven Heads of Government and State and Special Adviser who make up the UN/World Bank High Level Panel on Water (HLPW) called for more innovation as part of a fundamental shift in the way the world looks at water. Leaders specifically made an appeal for the launch of challenge events, to stimulate thinking that will shift the needle in implementing a new water agenda. Heeding this call, the Government of Australia and other partners (including the World Bank) are launching the Water Data Challenge. This challenge aims to improve the access to information that is so crucial to ensuring that farmers thrive – especially in lower-income settings – and water resources are managed well.