Water utilization intensity varies considerably within, as well as between, countries. The use of over 100 percent of renewable water in some areas suggests that water has become a production constraint where water sources are being depleted faster than they can be recharged. At the other extreme, low utilization suggests that potential may exist for better use of water. Agriculture is a major user of water in certain countries. Increasing levels of competing uses, from urban users, for example, makes the efficient use of water imperative. Better technologies and policies, and the means and incentives to implement them, will increase the efficiency of water use in agriculture and food production.


< BackHomeForward >