More than a third of the world’s population live in water scarce regions. Rising global temperatures and greater rainfall variability are accelerating the frequency and intensity of drought and expanding the extent of area experiencing water scarcity. While agriculture is currently the largest user of freshwater globally, it also offers considerable opportunities to improve water use efficiencies, availability, and quality where it is needed most. Nature-positive food production practices can help protect, manage, and restore freshwater resources, offering a pathway to safeguard and sustainably use this precious resource to mitigate the impacts of drought and water scarcity.