As the global population increases, the benefits of increased agricultural production are distributed unequally, partly due to inequality in access to water resources. However, even in some countries where hydrological resources are abundant, water is not always readily available for agriculture, due to economic, institutional or infrastructural reasons. A study explores economic water scarcity in agriculture by repurposing an indicator from the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and observing the relation between economic water scarcity, agricultural productivity and water use efficiency at a global scale.

A key factor influencing land productivity, agricultural performance and, consequently, food security is the abundance and the accessibility of water. However, mapping the abundance — or lack — of water in a region is complex; many countries have a high level of water availability according to hydrological indicators, but still face severe difficulties in the use of water resources for human activities, for reasons ranging from lack of infrastructure to institutional inefficiencies. This concept is defined as ‘economic water scarcity’ (EWS)1

Quantifying the impacts of EWS on agriculture requires data-driven studies, but research suffers from a knowledge gap around EWS measurability. There are efforts to fill this gap under EU policies on sustainable water management, and as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals — specifically Goal 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), indicator 6.5.1, which describes integrated water resource management (IRWM). This indicator combines information on the legislative, managerial and financial environment for water management; on agreements about the management of transboundary watersheds and rivers; and on stakeholder participation processes. It quantifies the level of water management at the national level.
This study widens the scope of this indicator and uses it to quantify potential EWS, something that had not previously been attempted....read further from the source above

Source:
Vallino, E., Ridolfi, L., and Laio, F. (2020) Measuring economic water scarcity in agriculture: a crosscountry empirical investigation. Environmental Science & Policy 114: 73–85.

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