Globally, agriculture is the largest user of water resources, making up around 70% of all freshwater extractions. Additionally, agriculture contributes an even greater portion to what is termed “consumptive water use” because of water loss through crop evapotranspiration. With escalating water shortages in regions where water extraction rates are unsustainable, there is a risk of limiting agricultural output, endangering food security and ecosystems. One approach to establishing sustainable water usage in agriculture is to implement regulations that control the quantity of water used. More research is needed to consistently track national water quantity regulations across the world.
Globally, agriculture is the largest user of water resources, making up around 70% of all freshwater extractions. Additionally, agriculture contributes an even greater portion to what is termed “consumptive water use” because of water loss through crop evapotranspiration. With escalating water shortages in regions where water extraction rates are unsustainable, there is a risk of limiting agricultural output, endangering food security and ecosystems. One approach to establishing sustainable water usage in agriculture is to implement regulations that control the quantity of water used. More research is needed to consistently track national water quantity regulations across the world.