The world needs to stop taking water for granted

Source: The post is based on the article “The world needs to stop taking water for granted” published in “The Hindu” on 16th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Agriculture- different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage; food security.

News: The article discusses the importance of water for food production, especially with climate change causing extreme weather. Many farmers, especially in India, are affected. The UN and other organizations are helping with solutions like new farming methods and technology. Proper water management is crucial for future food security.

About World Food Day (October 16) 2023 Year:

Theme: The theme is ‘Water is Life, Water is Food.’

Climate Challenges: Water availability has become critical due to increasing climate extremes like droughts and floods.

UN’s Focus: The  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) — the UN’s food agencies – emphasize the need for innovative and collaborative approaches to manage and conserve scarce water resources.

SDG Deadline: There’s less than seven years left to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Water’s Role: Water directly impacts food and nutrition security, especially in countries facing climate challenges.

How does water affect India’s agriculture?

Dependence on Rain: 60% of India’s agriculture relies on rain. This means a majority of the farming area needs consistent rainfall for crops.

Food Production: Rainfed areas contribute to 40% of India’s total food production. So, any variations in rain and soil moisture can severely impact the nation’s food supply.

Climate Change Impact: Changes in weather patterns, like unseasonal rains or droughts, are becoming more common, which can hurt crop yields.

Projected Yield Reductions: By 2050, rainfed rice yields might drop by 20%. By 2080, this could be as much as 47%. Other crops, like wheat and maize, also face potential reductions.

Irrigation’s Role: Although helpful, irrigation consumes 72% of global freshwater. In some cases, it can harm ecosystems, affecting future agriculture.

What solutions exist?

Irrigation: Diversifying crops through effective irrigation can help farmers. In 2021, 8.7 million people in 49 countries benefited from such initiatives.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: The FAO promotes this approach, emphasizing water-use efficiency. Projects like the farmer water school programme in Uttar Pradesh are examples.

Groundwater Management: The Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems project included a hydrological monitoring program for better water management.

Combining Knowledge: Merging modern technologies with indigenous systems builds resilient production. IFAD-supported projects in several Indian states focus on climate-resilient seed varieties and sustainable practices.

How is the UN helping India?

Crop Forecasting: The FAO is piloting a crop forecasting framework in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra to help rainfed farmers make informed decisions regarding food security.

Irrigation Initiatives: IFAD is leveraging the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme to ensure that micro-irrigation infrastructure is both environmentally sustainable and financially viable.

Water Efficiency Projects: The FAO supported the farmer water school programme in Uttar Pradesh and the Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems project which reached 638 habitations in seven drought-prone districts.

Climate Change Adaptation: IFAD focuses on merging modern technologies with indigenous knowledge systems. They back projects in Maharashtra, Odisha, and other states, emphasizing climate-resilient seed varieties and crops.

Support for Smallholders: The WFP collaborates with the Government of Odisha to develop solutions that boost resilience, like using solar technologies and promoting a millet-value chain.

Innovative Collaborations: The UN’s food agencies work with the Indian government on innovations such as Solar 4 Resilience, Secure Fishing, and the revival of millets for renewable energy, food security, and nutrition.