A young professional from Germany with extensive field and operational experiences in water resources management and climate change in South Asia. Currently working as a consultant to guide CIMMYT~s water related work in South Asia while completing a PhD at Wageningen UR. My work developed out of the CSISA Project~s (www.csisa.org) workstream on coping with climate variability. The project supports governments in designing and implementing sustainable intensification pathways in the region through systemic change by identifying better bet agronomic practices, engaging the private sector, and building capacity in local institutions. This means that we have a strong field presence and network with local stakeholders and institutions.

To be more specific, I work on the interlinkages between sustainable intensification, climate change adaptation, and the safe operating space of irrigated agriculture in the Eastern Gangetic Plains. The ecological and social complexity of the smallholder and rice-wheat dominated agroecosystems constitute one of the major challenges while prevailing poverty and food insecurity pose large potential for impact. I am currently conducting a study on identifying entry-points for supporting farmer-led groundwater irrigation expansion in Nepal~s Terai. I addition, I am developing a spatial crop modelling framework that can leverage assets in crop simulations as well as RS products.  A CV with more detailed qualifications is available upon request.

By joining the Workgroup of ICID, I wish to contribute to ICID~s mission on irrigation, drainage and food management in today~s changing climate, share my knowledge and innovative ideas to the existing framework, support ongoing organizational efforts, and broaden my network as well as potential work and research insights given the inter-disciplinary approaches of ICID.

(DM/IND/2020-23/3020)

Address : International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
Pili Drive, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines

Mobile : +9779810138707

Email : a.urfels@irri.org