Dry areas: saving water by rethinking agriculture

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Sound policies for food security and agricultural water management are critical for national economies - and particularly for dryland areas, where water resources are already scarce. The International Conference: Policies for Water and Food Security in the Dry Areas , held in Cairo this week, examines the effectiveness of water and food policy options, and identifies strategies to enhance land and water productivity. IWMI research is helping inform the debate.

Read main article from this link http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/2013/06/dry-areas-saving-water-by-rethinking-agriculture/

2 Answers

  1. Food and agriculture are the largest consumers of water, requiring one hundred times more than we use for personal needs. Up to 70 % of the water we take from rivers and groundwater goes into irrigation, about 10% is used in domestic applications and 20% in industry. Currently, about 3600 km3 of freshwater are withdrawn for human use. Of these, roughly half is really consumed as a result of evaporation, incorporation into crops and transpiration from crops. The other half recharges groundwater or surface flows or is lost in unproductive evaporation. Up to 90% of the water withdrawn for domestic use is returned to rivers and aquifers as wastewater and industries typically consume only about 5% of the water they withdraw. This wastewater from domestic sewage systems and industries should be treated before being dismissed. thanks for sharing this Bunmi, hope everyone continue to start using agriculture water carefully.

  2. La naturaleza utiliza la vida de plantas o lo que sea para cubrir el suelo al cual se necesita proteger para que sustente la vida. La mejor manera de aumentar la retencion de agua en el suelo es con materia organica ,en mulching o en compost en el suelo o sembrando en vermicultura o añadiendo estiercol pero utilizar fertilizantes o arcilla esclaviza a la compra por siempre de estos insumos y aumenta la toxicidad para la vida