“No Water, No Food: How can agriculture respond to the climate crisis?”

28 January, 2022 | Washington, D.C. During a lively panelist discussion moderated by Frank Sesno, Founder of Planet Forward, FAO North America and Planet Forward explored how the ongoing water crisis can be addressed within agriculture. Water in the agricultural context is vital. However, challenges arise when too little or too much of it is present. The threat of water scarcity or flooding is amplified by the unpredictable nature of climate change. For our food systems to be sustainable and resilient, we need to ensure that producers are equipped and ready to handle water issues in a timely and efficient manner.  

“Water is our most precious resource,” stated Jocelyn Brown Hall, Director, FAO Liaison Office for North America in her opening remarks. Brown Hall noted that only 3% of water is usable and pointed to farmers as the stewards of water. Brown Hall further emphasized how people in vulnerable situations are often the ones primarily affected by water issues, and how there is a need for tighter regulations around water in the agricultural sector due to issues of water theft and lack of adherence to regulations to water rights. 

The panel discussion highlighted many of the important dilemmas faced by farmers and the solutions that could help them. As part of the preparatory committee for the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, Matthias Berninger, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability at Bayer, discussed his hopes for the outcomes of the conference and noted that water is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. “One thing that I think is really important is that we improve our forecasting systems to better understand how the water cycles are affecting us,” stating that this is, of course, only the starting point. Berninger shared Brown Hall’s sentiments about the need to focus on those who have not at all contributed to global warming and yet are suffering most from its effects. 

“When we say there is a lack of water it does not mean that water does not exist, but that it is not in the form that is required,” stated ValereNzeyimana, Senior Water Development and Management Officer, FAO Regional Office for Africa. Nzeymana highlighted that while 60% of land in Africa is arable, only 4% is irrigated, which echoed Berninger's remarks on irrigation technology already existing but requiring better distribution strategies. Nzeyimana discussed the challenges faced in African countries around policies, human resources and training, as well as infrastructure development. “Water requires a lot of infrastructure which is very expensive,” he added. Nzeyimana also stated how, in places where electricity is not widely available, solar panels are essential for the electricity required to utilize irrigation systems. 

Dr. Kate Tully, Associate Professor of Agroecology, University of Maryland, highlighted the risk of increased salinity levels in water supplies due to the rising sea level in coastal communities, and how this is impacting the type of crops that can be grown. “We are finding that, in Maryland, our typical corn, soy, wheat rotations are just not viable in low lying areas because the salt water concentrations are so high,” stated Dr. Tully. She discussed the need to find crops that can thrive in such conditions coupled with appropriate management practices for them to flourish, and emphasized that the burden should also not fully fall on farmers' shoulders, stating “we have to do it in such a way that the farmer has the finances, the extension, and the technology to make these switches.” 

Ahead of the UN 2023 Water Conference, the panel discussion highlighted the important role that water plays in our food systems, how issues around it disproportionately impact rural communities and smallholder farmers, and the innovative solutions that are available but not yet widely distributed to those in need. 

Resources: