Clean and high-quality water is not only an important daily comestible, but also essential in agriculture. The availability of water – either through storage in the soil or additional irrigation – is vital for food security, in addition to soil fertility. AGES underpins the sustainable use of this valuable resource through the work of its Food Security Division.
The FAO (Food and Agricultural Organisation) expects there will be a shortage of water available for irrigation in many regions in the foreseeable future. The agricultural sector is already among the biggest water consumers. Quality is also a vital criterion, in addition to availability.
Water pollution can have various causes – from nuclear incidents, industrial processes, municipal wastewater to agricultural production. Using substances contrary to good agricultural practice could lead to problems. This applies to both the improper use of mineral-based and organic fertilisers, such as manure or slurry, and the improper use of pesticides.
Moreover, groundwater deposits often used for drinking water are also affected by the risk of pollution, in addition to surface waters, such as rivers and lakes.
The responsible and sustainable use of water is one of the major challenges in the agricultural sector and can contribute considerably to food safety, food security and environmental protection.
AGES coordinates and integrates a variety of approaches to meet both agricultural production and water protection needs.
The AGES Division of Food Security focuses on the following criteria and expert services with regards to “Water and Agriculture”: