Annual freshwater withdrawals, agriculture (% of total freshwater withdrawal)
This indicator measures the pressure on the renewable water resources of a country caused by irrigation. According to Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) agriculture accounts for more than 70 percent of freshwater drawn from lakes, rivers and underground sources. Most is used for irrigation which provides about 40 percent of the world food production. Poor management has resulted in the salinization of about 20 percent of the world's irrigated land, with an additional 1.5 million ha affected annually. Water withdrawals can exceed 100 percent of total renewable resources where extraction from nonrenewable aquifers or desalination plants is considerable or where water reuse is significant. Withdrawals for agriculture and industry are total withdrawals for irrigation and livestock production and for direct industrial use (including for cooling thermoelectric plants).
Definition:
Not available
Food system outcome type: environmental impacts
Category: ConservOfNaturalResources
Unit(s) of measurement description:
% of total freshwater withdrawal
Unit of measurement:
- Not specified
Supply chain components: