Page 14 - Water Every Drop Counts

WATER USE EFFICIENCY IN AGRICULTURE : MAKE OR BREAK

About 69% of worldwide water use is for irrigation.
This makes the role of techniques that enable better
water use efficiency in irrigation critical for relieving
shortages of fresh water.
Modern techniques reduce water consumption in
irrigation by applying water only when and where it is
needed! Methods used to improve on-farm irrigation
efficiency vary widely between regions and with the
crop being irrigated.

The ways to improve on-farm irrigation efficiency
include:
l adopting technology to match irrigation application to
plant requirements;
l reconfiguring irrigation layouts;
l installing infrastructure, such as recycling systems and
piping, to improve on-farm storage and delivery systems;
l installing new infrastructure, such as drip or spray
systems, to improve in-field application systems.

GROWING CITIES : SCARCER WATER

Developing countries are urbanising at a rapid
and unprecedented rate. Urban population
in developing countries which was 37% in
1990, is predicted to be 61%. by 2025.

Urbanization changes the way a society
produces and consumes natural resources,
including water. Due to the amenities of typical
urban life, (flush toilets, washing machines...)
people living in cities tend to lead more water
intensive lives.

In India, cities are already home to an
estimated 340 million people, or 30% of total
population, and expected to rise to 590 million
by 2030. Fast growing urban population
and rapid expansion of the “middle class”
is expected to accelerate the water crisis in
India.

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