The FAO's 2020 State of Food and Agriculture report highlights the urgent need to improve water management in agriculture to ensure food security and meet growing demand. With agriculture accounting for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, making water use more sustainable and equitable in this sector is critical.

Key findings from the report

• About 1.2 billion people live in areas with severe water shortages or scarcity in agriculture. This includes 520 million in rural areas.
• Roughly 11% of rainfed cropland and 14% of pastureland face frequent droughts, while over 60% of irrigated cropland is under high water stress.
• Water constraints vary significantly across and within countries. Southern Asia, Northern Africa and Western Asia are disproportionately affected.
• Population growth, economic development, urbanization and climate change are intensifying water challenges for agriculture.
• Both irrigated and rainfed agriculture face growing constraints, requiring different management approaches.

The report emphasizes that solutions must be tailored to local contexts, considering factors like production systems, water availability, climate, and governance structures. Key recommendations include:

For rainfed agriculture:

• Improve rainwater management through water harvesting, soil moisture conservation, and supplemental irrigation
• Adopt climate-resilient crop varieties and farming practices
• Strengthen drought preparedness and early warning systems

For irrigated agriculture:

• Rehabilitate and modernize irrigation infrastructure
• Improve water accounting and allocation systems
• Adopt water-saving technologies and practices
• Explore non-conventional water sources like treated wastewater

Cross-cutting priorities:

• Strengthen water governance and institutions
• Improve policy coherence across agriculture, water and related sectors
• Create incentives for sustainable water use
• Enhance access to finance, especially for smallholder farmers
• Leverage data and digital technologies for better water management

The report highlights that achieving more sustainable water use in agriculture requires an integrated approach addressing technical, institutional and policy dimensions. With the right strategies, it is possible to boost agricultural productivity while reducing pressure on water resources.

How Smart Metering Can Help Reduce Agricultural Water Waste

While not specifically discussed in the FAO report, smart water metering is an emerging technology that can play an important role in reducing agricultural water waste. Smart meters provide real-time data on water consumption, allowing farmers to better monitor and optimize their water use.

Key benefits of smart metering for agriculture include:

1. Accurate measurement: Smart meters provide precise data on water usage, helping detect leaks or inefficiencies.
2. Real-time monitoring: Farmers can track water consumption patterns in real-time and quickly address any issues.
3. Data-driven decision making: Detailed usage data enables farmers to make more informed irrigation decisions.
4. Automated controls: Smart meters can be integrated with automated irrigation systems to optimize watering schedules.
5. Benchmarking: Farmers can compare their water use to industry benchmarks to identify improvement opportunities.
6. Regulatory compliance: Smart meters help farmers comply with water allocation limits and regulations.
7. Pricing incentives: Time-of-use pricing enabled by smart meters can incentivize off-peak water use.

By providing granular data on when, where and how water is being used, smart metering empowers farmers to significantly reduce waste and improve water productivity. This aligns with the FAO report's emphasis on leveraging data and technology to enhance agricultural water management.

How Resource Monitor Addresses Agricultural Water Management Challenges

Resource Monitor offers a comprehensive solution that directly addresses many of the water management challenges highlighted in the FAO report and aligns with the benefits of smart metering in agriculture:

1. Real-time monitoring and data-driven decision making: Resource Monitor's advanced flow meters and intuitive app provide farmers with real-time data on water usage, enabling them to make informed decisions about irrigation and quickly address any inefficiencies or leaks.
2. Improving water accounting and allocation: The platform's budgeting and allocation tracking tools help farmers and water management districts accurately monitor and manage water resources, supporting more equitable and sustainable use.
3. Enhancing regulatory compliance: Resource Monitor's automated compliance reporting simplifies the process of adhering to water rights administration and allocation limits, reducing the burden on farmers and water management authorities.
4. Leveraging digital technologies: By combining advanced metering technology with a user-friendly software platform, Resource Monitor exemplifies the FAO report's recommendation to leverage data and digital technologies for better water management.
5. Strengthening drought preparedness: Resource Monitor's real-time data and alert systems can serve as an early warning mechanism for water scarcity, helping farmers and water managers prepare for and mitigate the impacts of drought.

By offering a comprehensive, easy-to-use solution for water management, Resource Monitor empowers farmers and water authorities to address the critical challenges outlined in the FAO report, contributing to more sustainable and productive agricultural water use.

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Photo by Nikita Sypko on Unsplash