A G R I C U L T U R E

Quantifying Agriculture’s Thirst

AUTHOR: Chilombo (Olga) Priscila EconomicResearcher/Statistician@ RDJ Consulting

Agriculture entails growing crops and raising animals for human sustenance leading to economic activities, however, this comes at a significant cost from “water” demand and necessity Water is a critical input to life and for agricultural production and plays an important role in food security. According to the World Bank (WB), irrigated agriculture represents 20% of the total cultivated land and contributes 40% of the total food produced worldwide “Irrigated agriculture is, on average, at least twice as productive per unit of land as rainfed agriculture, thereby allowing for more production intensification and crop diversification” reported the World Bank.

Agriculture utilizes vast quantities for irrigation, livestock production, and various farming activities The exact amount of water used in agriculture varies by region, climate, crop type, and farming practices However, both the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the OECD agree that irrigated agriculture accounts for 70% of total freshwater withdrawals worldwide and over 40% in many OECD countries, making it the primary sector responsible for water consumption.

Due to population growth, urbanization, and climate change, competition for water resources is expected to increase, with a particular impact on agriculture

Population is expected to increase to over 10 billion by 2050, and whether urban or rural, this population will need food and fiber to meet its basic needs. Combined with the increased consumption of calories and more complex foods, which accompanies income growth in the developing world, it is estimated that agricultural production will need to expand by approximately 70% by 2050

As pointed out, the amount of water used in agriculture can vary significantly depending on factors such as the type of crop grown, climatic conditions, the efficiency of irrigation systems, and local water availability For example, water-intensive crops like rice and cotton typically require more irrigation than other crops

Let us look at some examples in Africa, comparing one extreme to another.

Ethiopia - This is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa, receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 2,000 mm over the south-western highlands and less than 300 mm over the south-eastern and northeastern lowlands according to the World Bank. Temperatures across Ethiopia can range on average from –15°C over the highlands, to above 25°C in the lowlands.

The country’s agriculture sector is an essential driver of economic growth accounting for 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP), while only using approximately 5% of the total water withdrawals for irrigation in the country due to the significant amounts of rainfall the country receives per year according to Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water, Irrigation, and Energy. In fact, smallholder farmers primarily practice rainfed agriculture, but irrigation schemes such as those along the Awash River contribute to water consumption in agriculture

Egypt - Moving on to the other extreme is Egypt - a dry, hot country, dominated by desert Located in the northeastern corner of Africa, Egypt is said to receive less than 80 millimeters of precipitation annually in most areas. Most rain falls along the coast, but even the wettest area, around Alexandria, is reported to receive only about 200 millimeters of precipitation per year, while dry areas like Cairo receives a little more than 10 millimeters of precipitation each year according to the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal. Because of this limitation, agriculture contributes roughly 11.3% to the country's GDP.

These examples do affirm that agriculture consumes large volumes of water, and at the same time if well developed, this sector plays an important role in sustaining livelihoods, while at the same time boosting economies. Therefore, improving water efficiency in agriculture, such as the adoption of drip irrigation, precision farming techniques, and water-saving technologies, are essential for mitigating the water consumption of the agricultural sector while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability

As always, the conversation continues esa@rdjpublishing.africa

Readings: https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/countr y/egypt/climate-data-historical https://www worldbank org/en/topic/water-inagriculture https://www unwater org/water-facts