No Agriculture without Water Water for secure and viable photo Arthus-Bertrand

Why water is vital for food security l/day and capitaEssentialAbundantQuality Drinking24*** Domestic40400** Food (Evapotranspiration) * Water needs per person in litres per day

–About 50% of accessible water resources are currently mobilized for human use –Agriculture represents 69% of all water use (85 to 95% in developing countries) –Irrigation represents less than 20% of cultivated land but contributes 40% to overall food production Water use and food production

Freshwater withdrawal for Agriculture % Agricultural withdrawal No data –20 20–40 >40

No data < –5 5–20 20–35 >35 % undernourished 800 millions undernourished people

Will there be enough water to produce the food needed to feed the world? An increase in food production of about 50% is needed for 2030

Need for improved water use efficiency Water withdrawals is expected to grow by about 14 percent in developing countries by 2030

New approaches in agricultural water management No Agriculture without Water

Improving rain fed water productivity Soil and water conservation techniques –Reduce run-off and increase water infiltration –Increase soil moisture storage Selection of Water Efficient Crops and adoption Cropping Plans Storage for supplemental irrigation –Tanks or ponds, groundwater

Improving Irrigation water productivity Increasing irrigation efficiency –Water saving technologies and management –Introduction Water efficient crops (e.g. shift rice to wheat) Use of non-conventional water sources: –treated waste water –de-salinizated water Drainage and Flood control

Empowering people: Power and responsibilities to the users (water use associations) Allocation of land and water resources to users (men and women) Improving water management at scheme level Irrigation modernization, moving from: Protective to productive irrigation A supply-oriented to service-demand approach A centralised to a decentralised irrigation management

Improving water management at farm level Improving productivity at farm level implies the following actions: improving water use efficiency diversify crops This is done through: training and information (technical advice on water management) investment in water saving technologies improved market opportunities and credit

Reform of national water and land policies Ensuring fair and equitable access to water Secure water rights Water management at the river basin (upstream-downstream) Provide incentives to conserve water and reduce losses Recognising the full value while protecting the poor Regulations for protection of aquifers, rivers, lakes and wetlands (quality and quantity) International agreements on trans-boundary water resources Investments Supporting policies and regulations -at national and international level

Include technical and institutional costs. Operation and maintenance cost are estimated to be 10 % of the investment costs Investment costs per ha Investments and financing sustainability

No Agriculture without Water Pro-poor and affordable agriculture water management

Role of water in poverty alleviation Raise food supply and cash income Reduced migration from rural areas to cities Irrigation allows for timely, secure increase in production without increasing the land holding Conditions –Affordable technologies –Local manufacturing capacity –Land, water and technology should be under farmer control –low operation and maintenance costs –Easy to install and to operate Pro-poor policies, actions and technologies are needed

Empowering Women in Water Resources management Improved access to water for household use and food production (fruit and vegetables) Improve household food security and health Ensure women participation in water users groups Training of women in effective water use and income generating activities

Case 1: Conservation Agriculture Alternative forms of tillage prevents crust formation and maintains an organic soil cover Reduced erosion and water losses Example: South America

Collecting of water in structures ranging from small furrows to dams Allows farmers to conserve rainwater and direct it to crop for increased food security in drought prone areas Case 2: Water harvesting Example: Keita valley in Niger tree plantation with trenches

Case 3: Low-cost well drilling Hand drilling technique helps farmers to improve their access to water Example: From Africa

Case 4: Water lifting Simple pumping technologies combined with improved surface water distribution techniques helps farmers to manage the water better and reduce losses Example: Treadle pumps From Asia to Africa

Case 5: Family-kit drip irrigation Complete drip irrigation system for m 2 household food security, income from high value crops and major reduction in water losses

No Agriculture without Water Managing the environmental and health impacts of irrigated agriculture

Impacts of irrigation Salinization Overuse and misuse of water in irrigated agriculture deprive downstream users (inc. environment) Poor management of irrigation and lack of sufficient drainage waterlogging and salinity problems Drawbacks of drainage risk for flooding downstream and reduced groundwater recharge Overuse of groundwater falling groundwater levels Waterlogging Health hazards

On health and environment Water conservation Reuse of drainage water Treatment of drainage water Safe disposal of drainage water Reducing favorable conditions for vector-born and water- related diseases by: Mitigating of adverse effects –improved management of irrigation systems (decrease breeding sites) –regular maintenance of irrigation systems.

Prevention of water-borne and water-washed diseases can be done through: –Education, training, media campaigns –Improved drinking water supplies, sanitation and housing –Strict control over the wastewater effluent quality being discharged Problem: In many countries, treatment facilities are inadequate or lacking altogether. Prevention

Conclusions Water is an essential element to secure food production, but it is not the only one Development of land and water resources will need to be much more strategic; Re-adjust balance between formal irrigation and pro-poor water management; Agriculture has to improve water productivity We have to empower the water users Agriculture has to shoulder its environmental responsibilities Investments are needed

Thank you ! World food day: Water service: