Unlocking the Water Potential of Agriculture

On the occasion of the third World Water Forum (WWF-3), being held in Kyoto, Japan, from 16 to 23 March 2003, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) presented an overview of the priority issues facing the agricultural decision-makers of the world in the field of agricultural water development and their implications for the management of water resources in a wider context. FAO has placed its participation in the WWF-3 debates in Kyoto under the motto "unlocking the water potential of agriculture". Indeed, all the
statistical evidence confirms agriculture as the key sector for water management both now and in the coming decades. Nevertheless, the rural water development sector is currently failing to achieve priority compared with other competing sectors in international fora. At present, rural water promoters lack a valid strategy and marketing presentation to keep the focus on the
issues.

Agriculture is by far the biggest water user, accounting for some 70 per cent of all water withdrawals. In comparison, industry accounts for only 20 per cent, while domestic use is limited to 10 per cent, FAO says in a new study entitled, Unlocking the Water Potential of Agriculture.