Why does water represent the future of sustainable agriculture?

One of the essential factors for agricultural production is water. Water is the decisive factor among drought, hunger and the health of entire populations. However, even thought people have different points of view, for everybody water is synonymous with “life”. In fact, some people think that water is just mere survival other consider it as well-being and other ones as “waste”. Far from be filled or flattening, this dichotomy that involves entire populations become increasingly sharp.

The forecasts are clear: in 2030, half the world’s population (mainly in Africa) will not have adequate access to water. Which role does this “need” play in the agricultural sector? According to FAO, agriculture is the sector consuming most water. In fact, fields receive 73% of the world’s water consumption, equivalent to about 2,500 km³ out of a total of about 9-14 thousand km³ of water resources accessible to people.

Water and agriculture

Although irrigated agriculture has so far allowed the increase in yields necessary to the Developing Countries in order to feed its own population – 20% of the world UAA is irrigated and produces 40% out of the total GMP – methods and quantities of water available and used by primary sector are criticized and weakened. However, there is the awareness that in the future, in order to meet the food needs of the world’s growing population; a large part of the agriculture production growth will come from the irrigated land.

In Europe, according to the latest report of the European Agency for the Environment (EEA), 24% of water ends up in fields; however, in the southern regions (including Italy) the average is 60% with peaks up to 80%. Even on the Community side, irrigation means profitability and benefit. According to EEA, in fact, in Italy and Spain irrigated agriculture generates 50% of production and 60% of total value of agriculture products, from 21% and from 14% from UUA respectively.

Despite the undoubted advantages brought by irrigation, the current water consumption levels in agriculture will not be sustainable in the future. However, an at least 35% “cut” is required to the primary sector. The challenge, then, according to the FAO will result in an increasing production with a lesser water consumption less water allowing investing in sustainable agriculture.

Water in sustainable agriculture

The turning point will be pursued through a more efficient use of water, also giving it an economic cost, proportioned to the current consumption. In agriculture in particular, the recipe is in a range of solutions: from the promotion of multiple uses, by reusing treated wastewater, to the improvement of the efficiency of irrigation techniques, from the so-called “deficit” agriculture to the use of varieties which are resistant to water stress, to the modification of agronomic practices and cropping calendars.

Currently, we need three thousand liters of water to feed a man. An accurate assessment of the water impact of the different foods is contained in the report edited by the Barilla Center for food and nutrition, which is the multidisciplinary workshop organized by the Barilla Group. The comparison of the virtual water content of certain agricultural products in different countries of the world highlights considerable differences both comparing different products, and taking into account the place of production. These figures have also impeached animal husbandry and a diet based on a high consumption of meat.

Water in animal farming and FAO objectives

The livestock products (meat, eggs, milk and derivatives) in fact have a higher virtual water content in comparison to those grown, since animals drink a big quantity of water for many years before being processed into food products. Water consumption may also greatly change from place to place, depending on the climate, the agricultural techniques used, the crop yield, the efficiency of irrigation method. For a ton of rice for example, Italy consumes 2,506 cubic meters of water, which is a lower average than the global one (3,419 cubic meters/ton), as well as for corn (530 cubic meters/ton in comparison to 909 cubic meters of world average).

However, the necessary water for grain in Italy (2,421 cubic meters/ ton) is almost twice the world average (1,334 cubic meters/ton). In order to allow also to individuals to consciously and responsibly participate in the mitigation of global problems mentioned above, VALDUCCI company has created technical means (tape) that allow, even at company level, pursuing and achieving the goal of a water saving set out by FAO by bearing in mind the environment protection and the increase of farmers’ revenues.