World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008 - (Page 15)

Water for Food, agriculture & rural livelihood Agriculture is the main source of the world’s food supply and the prime source of livelihood for billions of people in rural areas. Irrigation for agriculture consumes large quantities of freshwater, leading in many places to increasing water scarcity. Mounting pressure on natural resources by a growing population leads to land and water degradation. The International Decade for Action: “Water for life” 2005-2015 presents an opportunity to promote the sustainable management of water in agriculture and to contribute to meeting the goals of poverty eradication and environmental sustainability. Of grain used for cereal production will come from irrigated land over the next 30 years. 70% a G r i c u lt u r E the challenge Global food production will have to increase by 60 percent from 2000 to 2030 to meet growing demands resulting from population growth. This requires a 14 percent increase in water used for irrigated agriculture. Irrigated land, which represents only about 20 percent of the world’s farmland, produces around 40 percent of the world’s food supply and 60 percent of cereals. Though more productive than rain-fed agriculture, irrigation is coming under close scrutiny for its relatively poor yield considering the resources used. Growing water scarcity in many regions calls for a much more productive use of water in agriculture and for more transparent water allocation mechanisms between sectors, giving special attention to the needs of the environment. One in five people in the world depend on fish as their primary source of protein, and fisheries provide direct or indirect livelihoods for 400 million people. More than 70 percent of the world’s fish stocks are either fully exploited or depleted, according to a Food and Agriculture Organization study, posing a serious challenge to food sources and employment in the future. Over-exploitation of water for irrigation and the intensification of agriculture also pose a threat to the sustainability of agricultural systems in many regions of the world. In recent decades, shallow groundwater has become an important source of water for irrigation, but has also led in most places to over-pumping of aquifers and pollution from agro-chemicals. The inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides can lead to pollution of drinking water, rivers and lakes. Wastewater is used widely in developing countries for irrigation and can be invaluable where water is scarce. However, it must be properly treated. In poor countries, sewage is often applied directly to the land, exposing farmers and food consumers to parasites and organic and chemical contaminants. What needs to be done? During the “Water for life Decade” and beyond, a greater effort is needed to help farmers around the world produce more food of better quality with less water and less stress on the environment. Only then can we expect to meet the dual goal of poverty eradication and environmental sustainability. action needed – Improve governance and radically change the way water is managed in agriculture – Ensure women have equal access to resources – Continue research and capacity building in sustainable agriculture techniques, modern technologies and efficient water usage www.heifer.org May/June 2008 | WOrlD Ark 15 http://www.heifer.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008

World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008 Contents Letters For the Record The Good Life Asked & Answered Why Water Matters The Carbon Hoofprint From Farm to Table Healing History Mixed Media Heifer Spirit Heifer Bulletin World Ark Market Calendar First Person

World Ark Magazine - May/June 2008

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