Water & Food Security

at the 6th World Water forum

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Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to su cient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Poverty encompasses di erent dimensions of deprivation that
relate to human capabilities and is thus closely intertwined with food security. In the last 50 years, the worlds cultivated area has grown by 12% and agricultural production has grown 2.5 to 3 times (FAO, SOLAW, 2011). Agricultural water use has helped meet rapidly rising demand for food and has contributed to the growth of farm protability and poverty reduction as well as to regional rural development and environmental protection. 55% of the food production comes from irrigated or drained areas and 45% from the other areas.

by optimal use of water in agriculture

But...It takes in average 3 000 litres of water to produce the food needed to feed one person for a day. With the world population increasing to 9 billion by 2050, and most of that growth expected in urban areas, the challenge of feeding the world in a resource scarce environment has never been greater. Already today in an increasing number of regions and watersheds, the demand for water outpaces available supply, translating into environmental degradation and increased competition among di erent users. About 12%of the global land area is currently in use for cultivation of agricultural crops. Agriculture also uses 70% of all water withdrawn from aquifers, streams and lakes. After water has been used for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes, only lower quality water is returned to the system, directly or by non point sources pollution (nutrients, pesticides derived from crop and livestock management). Yet in some countries in the arid and semi-arid zone, food production is only possible by irrigating. Food production is not negotiable but what can be negotiated is where, when and how food is produced and consumed.

Complex challenges ahead for managers and decision makers

In the wake of increasing demand, changing consumption patterns, recent nancial turmoil, and climate change, food security and agricultural livelihoods have regained importance in development planning. The fundamental challenge is how to meet ever-rising demand for food, feed and bres in a context of volatile markets and climatic uncertainty while at the same time increasing farmers income, reducing poverty, adapting to climate change, using clean energy and ensuring environmental sustainability. All this is to happen learning from past agriculture and irrigation and drainage development, and with an increasingly constrained water resource base.

Moving from Targets to Solutions Join the debates at the 6th World Water Forum
Water and food security (multiple perspectives) Save water and produce more and better food Develop diverse water sources for agriculture and use them in a sustainable way Date & time
12/3 17.00-19.00 13/3 8.30 - 13.00 13/3 8.30 - 10.30

Reduce food waste and consume sustainably Balance between uses, in particular agriculture, and allocate equitably - Policy, strategies and actors

Session
Side Event - Launch of the Report Water and Food Security Facing Global Challenges: What Solutions (French Government) High-Level Roundtable - Water-Food-Energy Security Nexus (Closed session organised by the German and Oman Governments) Mediterranean Region Target 2.2 (ATA and F-IEA) Non-conventional water resources in the Mediterranean: the necessity of a common regulatory framework approach Mediterranean Region Target 2.1 (ATA and F-IEA) Fostering the inclusion of non-conventional water resources in water planning in the Mediterranean: towards making the term non-conventional obsolete Mediterranean Region Target 1.1 and 1.2 (Blue Plan and AFD, France) Water demand management in the Mediterranean High-Level Panel Water and Food Security (Organized by the French Government and FAO) Theme 2.2 (ICID & FAO) Opening - Contribute to food Security by optimal use of water, an introduction Target 2.2.5 (ICID & ICOLD) Be smart, store each drop to produce more food and get ready for changing climates Cross continental Arab countries (target 1) - Towards higher water use e ciency for sustainable development Target 2.1.7 (IWA) Water accounting and management for balanced multiple use of water Target 2.1.6 (ICID/AFEID and American Water Resources Association) Sustainable management of multiple water services Target 2.2.7 (FAO and French Ministry of Agriculture) Groundwater: Boom or bust for agriculture? Region Americas - Target 4.1 (Univ. of Nebraska) Sustainable food security through increased productivity of rainfed and irrigated agriculture Region Americas - Target 4.2 (Univ. of Nebraska) Sustainable food security through increased agricultural productivity by the use of treated wastewater or low quality water

Place
French Pavilion Palais des congrs (PC) N+2 - Room: PC3 Patio 1 Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 13 Patio 3 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 4

13/3 11.00 - 13.00

13/3 14.30 - 19.00 13/3 14.30 - 16.30 14/3 11.00 - 13.00 14/3 11:00 - 13:00 14/3 11.00 - 13.00 14/3 11.00 - 13.00 14/3 14.30 - 16.30 14/3 14.30 - 16.30 14/3 14.30 - 16.30 14/3 17.00 - 19.00

Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC 2 Endoume 3 Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 15 Auditorium Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 8 Callelongue Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 5 Palais des congrs (PC) N+2 - Room: PC17 Samena Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 9 Goude 1 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 5 PEv A2 - Salon Prsidentiel Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC5 Jardin 1 Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC5 Jardin 1

Many possible solutions for a sustainable agriculture in a water responsible world

There are many solutions to address growing water scarcity for food and agriculture. Technologies and management approaches that raise the e ciency of farming systems and the productivity of water use in agriculture, including aquaculture and livestock sectors, must be combined with recycling and reuse of water, and drainage. This has to be achieved amid increasing competition for water among domestic, industrial, energy and agricultural uses. Considerable reduction of food loss and waste can also been obtained in the supply chain: in storage, transportation, food processing, wholesale and retail. Behavioural changes, especially in diets and consumption patterns, also inuence water demand in agriculture. Policies and strategies are needed at all levels, from local sustainable agriculture plans to regional, national and global programmes.

The debates on water and food security are organised around 4 priorities and integrated sessions (introduction, roundtables, dialogue, synthesis). The program below highlights some of the major events about water and food, including the 11 sessions (9 targets, introduction, multi-stakeholder panel and synthesis sessions) of the Theme 2.2: Contribute to food security by optimal use of water in agriculture, coordinated by FAO and ICID; 7 sessions at regional level; and many others related to water supply or uses in competition with other sectors. Check the 6th World Water Forums programme for a complete list of events. Date & time
14/3 17.00 - 19.00 14/3 17.00 - 19.00

Session
Theme 2.2 (ICID and FAO) Multi-Stakeholder Panel Contribute to food security by optimal use of water Theme 2.3 / Target 2.3.7 Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Existing and innovative solutions for better water management practices in biofuel production Target 2.2.3 (ICID and AFEID) Sustainable productivity and lower costs of water management for food security at a ordable prices for all Target 2.2.8 (SIWI and FAO) & Target 3.2.4 (French Ministry of Finance and Climate KIC) Water savings and sustainable diets: reducing post-harvest losses and food waste for multiple gains Target 2.2.4 (International Center for Biosaline Agriculture) Be creative Use non-conventional waters for agriculture and aquaculture Region Asia and Pacic - AP2.1 (FAO-RAP and ESCAP) Water in green growth and economy, food and water security Target 2.2.1 (ICARDA and ICRISAT) A little rainfall can go a long way and could feed many more: act now Target 2.2.9 (CCFD and French Ministry of Agriculture) Make water work for small farmers also: an answer to food security and production challenges Cross continental Arab region - Develop solutions for using non-conventional water resources with focus on the use of renewable energy to bridge the water gap in the Arab region Target 2.2.2 (Univ. of Nebraska and FAO) Sustainable food security through increased productivity of irrigated agriculture Target 2.2.6 (Arab Water Council and Institute of National Planning, Egypt) Optimal use of water for food security - Regional visions and local agricultural plans Press Brieng on Theme 2.2 Contribute to food security by optimal use of water in agriculture High-Level Panel Water, food and energy nexus (organized by Electricit de France, CGIAR and CPWF) Synthesis Session (FAO and ICID) on Theme 2.2 Contribute to food security by optimal use of water

Place
Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 8 Callelongue Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room PEU 3 Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC 3 Patio 3 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 8 / Europa 8 Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC 3 Patio 3 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 7 Europa 7 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Room: PEU 2 / Europa 2 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 1 / Europa 1 Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 11 Morgiou Palais des congrs (PC) RDJ - Room: PC 13 Patio 3 Palais de l'Europe (PEU) Hall 8 - Room: PEU 2 Palais des congrs (PC) Room: PC 7 Escalette Palais des congrs (PC) Room: PC 15 Auditorium Palais des congrs (PC) N+1 - Room: PC 10 Goude 2

15/3 8.30 - 10.30 15/3 8.30 - 13.00

15/3 11.00 - 13.00 15/3 11.00 - 13.00 15/3 14.30 - 16.30 15/3 14.30 - 16.30 15/3 14.30 - 16.30

15/3 17.00 - 19.00

15/3 17.00 - 19.00

16/3 9.30 - 10.30 16/3 11.00 - 13.00 16/3 11.00 - 13.00

Farmers at the centre of the solutions

Agricultural policies have primarily beneted commercial farming with productive land and access to water. However, a signicant part of small-scale producers are still locked in a poverty trap of high vulnerability, land degradation and climatic uncertainty. Billions of small farmers, including herders and shermen, have their share in feeding the world and managing its landscape and resources. They need appropriate support as well, through incentives and governance practices. Development, agriculture, land, and water institutions in particular need to respond more e ectively to the needs of farmers. Secure, equitable and reliable access to land and water are essential conditions to ensure sustainable production intensication. Urban planning must connect to rural development, as farmers are the most secure source for a diverse food basket. Increasing transparency in water allocation and management will be needed together with well targeted investments in modernization of irrigation management, infrastructure and service provision, institutional restructuring, synergies with the agricultural policies and upgrading of the technical capacities of farmers and water managers. In some areas, it is about managing transitions.

Innovate and rethink water, food and nutrition security answers

Todays agriculture sector faces in fact a complex series of challenges: i) produce more food of better quality while using less water per unit of output; ii) provide rural people with resources and opportunities to live a healthy and productive life; iii) apply clean technologies, as well as irrigation and drainage management that ensure environmental sustainability; and iv) contribute in a productive way to the local and national economy, from producer to consumer. This last point relates to the dimension of the post-harvest losses and food waste issues, and the need to consider the e ciency of the food supply chain from eld to fork, in order to reduce unnecessary waste, as well as to promote sustainable diets and to prevent hunger and malnutrition. The awareness of the interactions between food, its supply chain, energy supply, poverty, environment and climate change is increasing as well as the recognition that water plays a central role in all those issues. Water for food needs to consider the overall context in which water management and its management for agriculture takes place. The agriculture sector must become climate-smart to successfully tackle current food security and climate change challenges. For this it should be water-smart. More information online FAO www.fao.org/nr/water and ICID www.icid.org/index.html

After the 6th World Water Forum, the dialogue continues on Water and Food Security
www.worldwaterweek.org 26-31 August 2012 22 March 2012 www.unwater.org/worldwaterday
Partners engaged with FAO and ICID in the preparations of the sessions on water and food security at the 6th World Water Forum: IFAD, ADB, Consortium of Indian Farmer Organisations/India, International Youth Council, Ministry of Agriculture/France, OECD, IDE, IFAD, ICARDA, ICRISAT, Daugherty Water for Food Institute/University of Nebraska/USA, ICBA, ICOLD, Arab Water Council, INP/Egypt, SIWI, CCFD, ESCAP and many more