Water productivity describes how much production or yield is produced in industrial or agricultural processes per unit of water input. The units used to describe it are commonly litres per kilogram or cubic metres per tonne. Because it gives a numerical assessment of the effectiveness of water use, this idea is crucial to sustainable water management.
Climate, soil type, crop choice, irrigation techniques, and management techniques are all variables that affect water production. It is essential to measure water productivity to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of water use, pinpoint problem regions, and guide policy choices for water management.
Significance of Irrigation
• Benefits for the economy: As more effective use of the limited water resources is made possible, increasing water productivity can have a large positive impact on the economy. Farmers may see a rise in agricultural yields and revenues as a result, while businesses that use water as a major input may see a decrease in expenses.
• Security of the food supply: The demand for food is rising as the world’s population expands. Even in areas with limited water resources, water productivity can contribute to ensuring that there is enough food production to fulfil the demands of the expanding population.
• Water conservation: Since less water is required to generate a given amount of output, increasing water productivity can also help to save water resources. This is particularly significant in areas with scarce water supplies and water rivalry between various users.
• Environmental advantages: Improving water productivity can also help to lessen the environmental effects of water consumption by reducing the amount of water used in industrial and agricultural processes. This entails minimising water extraction from rivers, lakes, and aquifers as well as minimising water loss due to evaporation or runoff.
• Climate resilience: Increasing water productivity can help make agricultural and industrial systems more resistant to the effects of the more frequent and severe droughts brought on by climate change. This entails utilising water more effectively, introducing drought-tolerant plants, and putting in place water-saving devices
Challenges in Water Productivity
- Lack of access to water: In many regions of the world where access to water is constrained, improving water production might be difficult. This is particularly true in rural areas where small-scale farmers lack access to irrigation equipment or other water-saving techniques.
- Lack of understanding: Farmers and other water users usually lack knowledge of the importance of water productivity and methods for boosting it. This could lead to inefficient water use behaviours like over-watering, which reduce water yield.
- Lack of financial resources: It may be difficult for small-scale farmers and households with modest incomes to invest in the infrastructure and technologies required to increase water production.
- Lack of technical expertise: Improving water productivity requires technical expertise and specialised knowledge, including an understanding of irrigation systems, crop water requirements, and soil moisture levels. It’s probable that many farmers and water users don’t know this information, though.
- Climate change impacts: It include increased frequency and severity of droughts, which can make it difficult to sustain high levels of water productivity in industrial and agricultural processes.
Way Forward
- Investing in water-saving technology: Governments and development agencies can provide funding for the creation of water-saving inventions including drip irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and water reuse technologies. These technological advancements can decrease water use and improve water efficiency.
- Assisting with improved water management techniques: Among the techniques that can assist soil retain moisture and use less water include intercropping, mulching, and crop rotation. Governments and organisations dedicated to international development can support these efforts.
- Raising awareness and providing training: Authorities and development agencies can inform farmers and other water users of the importance of water production and the best strategies to boost it. To do this, you could make use of workshops, training sessions, and extension services. Defining water rights, supporting the responsible use of water resources, and upgrading the processes for allocating water are other ways that governments can improve water governance. Water can be used more efficiently as a result of fewer conflicts.
- Fostering Partnerships and Collaborations: In order to improve water production, it is crucial to promote partnerships and teamwork. Farmers, corporations, and governments all work together as stakeholders. The utilisation of multi-stakeholder platforms, public-private partnerships, and participatory techniques can help with this.
- Integrating water productivity into national policies and development plans: Governments have the option of integrating water productivity into national policies and development plans, including national water policies, plans for agricultural development, and strategies for coping with climate change. This can guarantee the long-term viability of development plans and support water productivity as a whole.
