Innovations in water management: Agriculture

Agriculture continues to be a major consumer of global water with increasing demand in the sector due to increasing human population and extreme climate events (increasing temperature and severe drought) in most regions. These human and natural factors continually cause water distress by increasing water risk areas (limited water for agricultural use) around the globe over the past decades and threaten food production in most regions. It is clear that innovations that strategically enhance water use efficiencies in agricultural systems are required more than ever to sustain current and future food production for our growing population. This chapter elaborates some strategies used in agriculture to manage water use for food, feed, and fiber production. Some of the strategies discussed include soil health practices, irrigation methods, water harvesting, steep and slope management, precision agriculture, wastewater management, and biotechnology/breeding programs. Research and extension programs continue to help promote their wide use, but more sectoral efforts are required to help promote adoptions in practical areas.