According to a study, around 2 litres of water can fulfil the day-to-day hydration needs of the human body. But on the other hand, a huge amount of about 3000 Litres is required to produce the daily hunger needs of an average human. Speaking of the usage of fresh water in agriculture, around 70% of it is used either in direct or indirect ways.
With such a large-scale usage of water in agriculture, the sustainability of ecosystems around the farmlands is in danger. Furthermore, the growing food demand of the planet is pushing the limits of sustainable water usage and a healthy ecosystem around.
Another study estimates that agricultural production will have to increase by 70 per cent in the next 27 years to cope with the food needs of humans. In this blog, we will discuss the important verticals of the usage of water in agriculture.
Importance of usage of water in agriculture
Water enriches plants with important minerals, salts and, most importantly, water itself. Water plays an important part in the food preparation of plants. The process of food preparation in plants is called photosynthesis. In this process, the energy of the sun, with the help of a plant element called chlorophyll, prepares its own food. Hence, a plant stands on its own ground to complete the food chain in an ecosystem.
In this way, every crop in agriculture uses water to grow and develop, ultimately producing the desired type of food for humans. Thus, the usage of water in agriculture ensures healthy food chains and fulfils the food demands of humans dependent on the crop.
Sustainable usage of water in agriculture and methods to control its wastage
As we have already discussed how the largely uncontrolled usage of water in agriculture has affected the ecosystems around. To counter-control the wastage of water, we, as progressive humans, have started smarter water usage in agriculture. These smarter water usage techniques took the responsibility of saving the ecosystems around them. The following techniques of agricultural irrigation define sustainable methods of water usage in agriculture.
- Localized Irrigation
This type of irrigation is one of the most efficient irrigation methods being used in irrigation today. Water in this method distributed at low pressure through a network of mapped pipes to the roots of each plant.
- Drip Irrigation
This type of irrigation uses the same mechanism as localized irrigation. While there is the problem of runoffs due to over-irrigation, and evaporation of overpopulated water, the mechanism of drip irrigation solves it all. The water drops delivered to the roots of the target plants.
- Sprinkler Irrigation
In this type of irrigation method, water sprinkled over the plants through high-pressure sprinklers and or guns from mapped locations. In some conditions, these sprinklers put on a movable base and thus moved around the farmland as per requirement.
- Center Pivot Irrigation
This type of irrigation made to serve large farmlands that can accommodate a large system of sprinklers on wheels. This type of sustainable irrigation made for flat farmlands.
The above four types of irrigation methods prove the point that sustainable usage of water in agriculture is important, possible and feasible.
Why is sustainable usage of water in agriculture important?
We already spoke about how we are losing freshwater resources such as groundwater and freshwater storage such as water wells, ponds, rivers, etc. Henceforth, sustainable usage of water is important as it saves ecosystems along with finding solutions to the wastage of water resources.
In addition to these factors, the topic being ignored at major levels across the globe. This has led to serious problems like depletion of soil fertility, desertification, etc. Therefore, the wastage of water resources should stopped at all costs.
How has the wastage of water in agriculture affected the ecosystem around the farmlands?
The imbalance in usage of water in agriculture has led to very serious problems. From infertile lands to the desertification of farmlands, the wastage of water resources is responsible for all the above problems. Let us know in detail about some of the already suffered earth scenarios as we speak.
- Drylands
Wastage of water in agriculture has led to infertile drylands, which ultimately lead to mishappenings such as droughts.
- Desertification
Wastage of water resources in agriculture has, is and will continue to lead to extreme loss of ecosystems around the world. This called desertification, in other words. Desertification has led to the extinction of local plant and animal species dependent on the ecosystem.
- Extinction of local water bodies
Wastage of water resources has also forced the local water bodies to extinction, such as ponds, rivers, canals, etc. Along with the loss of local water bodies, we also have lost the water species dependent on them. While some became extinct, some lost their numbers in a large manner.
- Imbalance of ecosystem
The wastage of water in agriculture has led to the loss of ecosystems surrounding farmlands. This ultimately leads to problems like soil erosion, soil infertility, and loss of biodiversity. Thus, breaking multiple food chains impacts farmers in one way or another.
All the above-mentioned after-affects of the wastage of water indicate the same facts about scenarios in the usage of water in agriculture, as seen nowadays. Although there are government schemes and projects promoting the cause, they seem lesser effective as studies above tell a different story. We suggest more flexible and rewarding government schemes so that irrigation methods such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, etc., get their importance for sustainable farmland.
What’s the addressable point of the hour?
This blog discussed the importance of the usage of water in agriculture and the sustainable usage of water in agriculture. We also discussed the methods to control the wastage of water in agriculture. This brings us to the addressable point of the hour, i.e. sustainable farming practices that use water in a controlled manner.
Speaking of which, the above-mentioned techniques may seem tough steps to take when taking current agricultural practices into concern. However, if not adopted, there will be significant harm to the environment in the coming future. The sustainable usage of water resources and related government programs (if any) need a global perspective and acknowledgement among farmers. There is only a solution if we start thinking about and acting on sustainable usage of water in agriculture.
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