{"id":11585,"date":"2023-10-30T05:44:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T04:44:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/?p=11585"},"modified":"2023-10-30T05:44:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T04:44:04","slug":"how-much-water-used-in-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agriculturelore.com\/how-much-water-used-in-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Water Used In Agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Agricultural water use accounts for one-third of all freshwater consumed globally, which is made possible partly by efficient irrigation technologies and management. With a growing population and changing climate, more and more water resources are being tapped for agriculture, leading to water scarcity and competition for access. It is vital for agricultural populations to be aware of the amount of water used for growing food to increase water-use efficiency, manage resources sustainably, and ultimately increase yields. The amount of water used for agriculture can vary greatly depending on the type of crop, climate conditions, and cultural practices.<\/p>\n

Irrigation is one of the largest uses of water in agricultural production, and accounts for roughly 70% of all water used in the sector. Therefore, it is essential to make wise decisions about when and how much water to apply creating an efficient irrigation system. Innovations in technology are helping to develop better irrigation schemes, such as drip and sprinkler systems, that apply water reliable precisely to where it is needed. This helps to reduce water and energy usage, and is also instrumental in maintaining soil health and minimizing soil and aquatic pollution.<\/p>\n

Cultivation practices also play an essential part in water-use efficiency. Soil conditioning, such as application of organic fertilizers and mulching, helps to retain soil moisture and retain water. Traditional farming techniques, including crop rotation and diversified cropping, can also be extremely useful in promoting better water management. Intercropping and agroforestry, for example, reduce evaporation and runoff and increase organic matter accumulation in the soil.<\/p>\n

In addition to irrigation and cultivation, livestock and aquaculture systems can also take up a lot of water from groundwater, rivers, and lakes. Livestock need water for drinking and sanitation, and for cooling purposes in hot climates. Aquaculture needs large quantities of water for feeding, aeration, and wastewater treatment. In recent years, there is an increasing demand for meat and fish, leading to an increasing number of intensive animal breeding and aquaculture systems.<\/p>\n