Floods, droughts and others associated threats to water resources are the most significant of all the potential risks posed by the climate crisis and variability for our society and the environment. Water-related climate impacts affect all aspects of societies, including agriculture, health care, energy, economic sectors and ecosystems.
Approximately 70% of global groundwater withdrawals are used in the agriculture, for the production of food, livestock and industrial crops. Non-judicious groundwater use and its depletion is an increasing concern globally, as it can undermine food security, basic water supply, environmental integrity and climate resilience.
The World Water Day (WWD) has been observed on March 22 every year since 1993. WWD is a reminder about the importance of sustainability of water use and provides us with an occasion to think of actionable insights to tackle the global water crisis. About 2.2 billion people in the world are deprived of access to safe water.
The Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all – is a critical aspiration of the 2030 Agenda of the SDGs. Unfortunately, the world is widely off-track regarding the progress towards this goal. Homes of billions of people, innumerable schools, businesses, health care centres, farms and factories do not have access to safe water and sanitation services. In addition, the interconnected systems of land, soil and water are strained to the limit. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO’s) latest report on the State of the World’s Land and Water Resources for Food and Agriculture (2022) states that the agricultural systems are breaking down, with effects felt across the global food system. Present-day trends of agricultural intensification are not proving sustainable. Pressures on land and water resources have reached a tipping point where the productivity of key agricultural systems is compromised, and livelihoods are threatened. Farming systems are becoming polarised, where large commercial holdings now dominate agricultural land use, while smallholder producers are increasingly marginalised to work on fragmented holdings on lands susceptible to degradation and water scarcity.
Agricultural production depends upon effective land and water risk management. Land, soil and water management must find better synergy to help systems thrive. Water and land resources will need safeguarding. There is now only a narrow margin for reversing patterns in resource deterioration and depletion, but the complexity and scale of the task should not be underestimated.
The Government of India recognises the importance of natural resources, including water and continues to take vital actions to improve access to safe water and to conserve this precious resource. Some key initiatives include Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which was rolled out in 2019, and envisioned to provide adequate safe drinking water through individual household tap connections to all households in rural India by 2024, and Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), under which rural sanitation has made commendable progress since its inception in 2014. Till 2021, more than 10.86 crore toilets have been built in rural India. Other relevant initiatives include Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), which pioneers participatory groundwater management in India, Sahi Fasal campaign and ‘Catch the Rain’ campaign under the National Water Mission.
FAO supports the GoI’s actions towards water conservation and productivity. FAO is the custodian agency for SDG indicators 6.4.1 (Water Use Efficiency) and 6.4.2 (Water Stress), and is working closely with the GoI for their adoption in the National Indicator Framework for regular monitoring and reporting. Technical assistance was provided by FAO to the Farmer Water School (FWS) programme (2016-20) under the government of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
FWS is a pioneering farmer-based approach developed by FAO. It was used for improved on-farm crop water management practices through knowledge and skill development, focusing on smallholder farmers in project areas. This method led to sustained productivity growth. Further, FAO implemented the Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS) project, covering 63 hydrological units, comprising 638 habitations spanning seven drought-prone districts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The project developed a participatory hydrological monitoring (PHM) programme to provide farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the hydrology of groundwater resources, and thereby sustainably manage groundwater resources. This approach has been an effective model for groundwater management and adaptation to climate change in rain-fed areas of the country.
To accelerate change, we need more action. Water and land governance must be more inclusive and adaptive. Inclusive governance is essential for allocating and managing natural resources. Technical solutions to mitigate land degradation and water scarcity are unlikely to succeed without them. Integrated solutions need to be planned at all levels if they are to be taken to scale.
Moreover, technical and managerial innovation can be targeted to address priorities and accelerate transformation. Caring for neglected soils, addressing drought and coping with water scarcity can be addressed by adopting new technologies and management approaches. Increased social spending in these areas is a critical need, resulting in exponentially high benefits.
Individuals can make a difference by changing how we consume and manage our water needs. Water is an indispensable resource for existence, and we must protect these natural resources for the well-being of humanity and the planet’s future. Be the change you want to see.
Dr Konda Reddy Chavva is officer-in-charge, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in India
The views expressed are personal
