Water + Agriculture
The agricultural sector is the most dominant user of water, accounting for up to 70% of the world’s freshwater usage.
Agricultural water use is especially heavy in the developing world, with some countries in Asia, Africa, and South America using more than 79% of their total freshwater supply for agricultural purposes. In fact, 85-90% of all the freshwater that is used in Africa and Asia is for agriculture.
As the global water shortage worsens and global water resources are reduced,for developing countries, less water will mean less food. This will lead not only to people dying of water-borne diseases, but also to people dying from starvation and malnutrition.
Irrigation is by far the biggest user of agricultural water all over the globe. Even in the United States, 80% of agricultural water is used for irrigation. Maximizing irrigation efficiency may be an easy way to extend the global freshwater supply.
Farmers in developing countries use up to twice as much water than their
counter parts in industrialized countries, and often obtain crop yields that are
three times less. Therefore, if farmers implemented simple solutions to increase
their agricultural water use efficiency it has been estimate that global water use
could be reduced by between 20-30%. This aim can be obtained by through the
implementation of some of the following changes:
•Technology - Implement the use of more water efficient irrigation
systems like sprinklers or drip irrigation, like the one pictured above.
•Mechanization - Mechanize the release of water in order to increase
efficiency of use.
•Integration - Use both ground water and surface water in order to
maximize the use of the freshwater supply.
•Scheduled Irrigation - Irrigate early in the morning and at night when
evaporation is at its minimum.
•Land Preparation - Prepare the land so that it is able to take up the
maximum amount of water.
•Crop Choices - Produce less water intensive crops, or crops that are
more
tolerant to salt water. Reduce the amount of virtual water.
Maximizing Irrigation Efficiency
Farmers in developing countries use up to twice as much water than their counterparts in industrialized countries, and often obtain crop yields that are three times less. Therefore, if farmers implemented simple solutions to increase their agricultural water use efficiency it has been estimated that global water use could be reduced by between 20-30%. This aim can be obtained by through the implementation of some of the following changes.
1. Technology - Implement the use of more water efficient irrigation systems like sprinklers or drip irrigation, like the one pictured above.
2. Mechanization - Mechanize the release of water in order to increase efficiency of use.
3. Integration - Use both ground water and surface water in order to maximize the use of the freshwater supply.
4. Scheduled Irrigation - Irrigate early in the morning and at night when evaporation is at its minimum.
5. Land Preparation - Prepare the land so that it is able to take up the maximum amount of water.
6. Crop Choices - Produce less water intensive crops, or crops that are more tolerant to salt water. Reduce the amount of virtual water.
Agricultural water use is especially heavy in the developing world, with some countries in Asia, Africa, and South America using more than 79% of their total freshwater supply for agricultural purposes. In fact, 85-90% of all the freshwater that is used in Africa and Asia is for agriculture.
As the global water shortage worsens and global water resources are reduced,for developing countries, less water will mean less food. This will lead not only to people dying of water-borne diseases, but also to people dying from starvation and malnutrition.
Irrigation is by far the biggest user of agricultural water all over the globe. Even in the United States, 80% of agricultural water is used for irrigation. Maximizing irrigation efficiency may be an easy way to extend the global freshwater supply.
Farmers in developing countries use up to twice as much water than their
counter parts in industrialized countries, and often obtain crop yields that are
three times less. Therefore, if farmers implemented simple solutions to increase
their agricultural water use efficiency it has been estimate that global water use
could be reduced by between 20-30%. This aim can be obtained by through the
implementation of some of the following changes:
•Technology - Implement the use of more water efficient irrigation
systems like sprinklers or drip irrigation, like the one pictured above.
•Mechanization - Mechanize the release of water in order to increase
efficiency of use.
•Integration - Use both ground water and surface water in order to
maximize the use of the freshwater supply.
•Scheduled Irrigation - Irrigate early in the morning and at night when
evaporation is at its minimum.
•Land Preparation - Prepare the land so that it is able to take up the
maximum amount of water.
•Crop Choices - Produce less water intensive crops, or crops that are
more
tolerant to salt water. Reduce the amount of virtual water.
Maximizing Irrigation Efficiency
Farmers in developing countries use up to twice as much water than their counterparts in industrialized countries, and often obtain crop yields that are three times less. Therefore, if farmers implemented simple solutions to increase their agricultural water use efficiency it has been estimated that global water use could be reduced by between 20-30%. This aim can be obtained by through the implementation of some of the following changes.
1. Technology - Implement the use of more water efficient irrigation systems like sprinklers or drip irrigation, like the one pictured above.
2. Mechanization - Mechanize the release of water in order to increase efficiency of use.
3. Integration - Use both ground water and surface water in order to maximize the use of the freshwater supply.
4. Scheduled Irrigation - Irrigate early in the morning and at night when evaporation is at its minimum.
5. Land Preparation - Prepare the land so that it is able to take up the maximum amount of water.
6. Crop Choices - Produce less water intensive crops, or crops that are more tolerant to salt water. Reduce the amount of virtual water.
