I have received a communication from UN Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO ) to spread the word about joining the debate on Food and Water Security at the ongoing World Water Forum . Its a subject of great relevance and I am sure my fellow ambassadors are already doing a lot in thier own countries and would like to supplement their efforts by joining this debate . GIven below is a text extract :

Water & Food Security

Join the Debate  at the 6th World Water forum

Contribute to Food Security?.

?by optimal use of water in agriculture

In the last 50 years, the world?s cultivated area has grown by 12% and agricultural production has grown 2.5 to 3times (FAO, SOLAW, 2011). Agricultural water use has helped meet rapidly rising demand for food and has contributed to the growth of farm profitability 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. ?Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to su­cient, 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.

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 Agriculture also uses 70% of all water withdrawn from aquifers, streams and lakes.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. Moving from Targets to Solutions

Join the debates at the 6th World Water Forum Date

ACTION POINTS :

1.      Save water and produce more and better food

2.      Develop diverse water sources for agriculture and usethem in a sustainable waY

3.      Reduce food waste and consume sustainably

4.      Balance between uses, in particular agriculture, andallocate equitably - Policy, strategies and actors