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16th October 2023 (9 Topics)

The world needs to stop taking water for granted

Context:

Sustainable water management is critical to address impending food and nutrition security threats.

Importance of Wise Water Management

  • Adoption of innovative, collaborative approaches is urged by UN food agencies to manage, conserve, and make water resources available.
  • India’s agricultural usage: 60% of India's net sown area relies on rainfed agriculture, contributing significantly to food production.
  • Balancing Freshwater Use: Addressing the balance between irrigated agriculture and freshwater use is essential for sustainable and resilient food production.

Threats:

  • Degraded Freshwater Supplies: Approximately 40% of global land is degraded, reducing productivity for farmers, particularly small-scale ones.
  • Agricultural Impact: Indian government projections using climate models indicate substantial declines in crop yields without adaptation measures.
  • FAO's Initiatives: FAO is implementing a crop forecasting framework incorporating climate, soil, and market information in Indian states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Steps to be taken

  • State-specific interventions: The Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems project extended its reach to 638 habitations across seven drought-prone districts, implementing a comprehensive hydrological monitoring program.
  • IFAD's Climate Adaptation Strategies: The focus is on merging modern technologies with traditional knowledge systems to build productive and resilient agricultural systems and value chains.
  • WFP's Collaborative Efforts: The World Food Programme (WFP) collaborates with the Government of Odisha to devise solutions for smallholder farmers, with a special focus on empowering women.
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