Assuring water for food: The challenge of the coming generation

There are many problems facing us on the road to a water-secure future. This paper addresses only one: the need for more water for food production to meet the needs of a population that will increase by some 2 billion before it stabilizes. Irrigation accounts for about two-thirds of total water withdrawals and as much as 80-90% in many developing countries. Of a total of 1500 × 106 ha under cultivation, 300 × 106 ha of irrigated land provides some 40% of total food production. Expansion in rain-fed areas would mean huge environmental costs, and therefore, a combination of increased efficiency in irrigation, better crop deployment, agricultural research in all areas and changes in dietary profiles will all be needed. As none of these solutions is quick-acting, we must start on all these fronts promptly if we are to manage our water resources wisely.