Food security from a water perspective

Abstract

Access to enough food to eliminate hunger is a fundamental right of society. Lack of food is an obstacle to social, political, economic, and cultural development of society. Investment in agriculture, support of education, and health development in the community can lead to food security. Water is fundamental to agriculture and hence to food and nutritional security. Water is also vital for plants and livestock. Agriculture has the largest share of water consumption, accounting for about 70% of all freshwater earmarked for human use, and good quality water is needed for production of a wide variety of non-food products, such as cotton, rubber, and industrial oils. In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirmed everyone's right to adequate food. However, accessing adequate food in rural areas in many developing countries depends on access to natural resources, including water. On 28 July 2010, the UN General Assembly declared access to clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right. Significant changes in policy and management across the entire agricultural production chain are necessary to ensure the best use of available water resources to meet the growing need for food and other agricultural products. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) works with countries around the world to improve food security. It has been assisting member states in cooperation with public and private financial institutions since 1964, and has implemented numerous programs to invest in agriculture and rural development. In recent years, emergency aid to meet the urgent needs of people in Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states has been provided through these programs in times of crises, such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, and avian influenza.