Water Availability

Water availability is a fundamental determinant of agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. However, the reliable supply of water for agriculture is increasingly threatened by climate change, population growth, urbanization, and competing demands from other sectors.

In agricultural systems, water is essential for germination, growth, and maturation of crops, as well as for maintaining soil moisture and fertility. Irrigation, both through traditional methods and modern techniques, accounts for a significant portion of global food production.

Moreover, water availability influences the types of crops that can be cultivated in a particular region, with water-intensive crops such as rice and sugarcane requiring ample irrigation and moisture.

The triangle of water- energy and food is based on Ecosystems that do need water to exist and function. Energy and Food need human interaction.

There are two very differnt ways of processing water. Water Use and Water consumption.
When water is used, for example in a turbine to produce energy the water is still avalibale downstream.
When water is consumed which is the case when in agriculture plants grow and evaporate water in the process the water is not available for further use.

The latter being what we describe as Virtual Water.

Example: Decision Support System for Irrigation in the Danube Basin

Vista’s crop model PROMET is simulating in a 1 km grid simultaniously the run off in the rivers and biomass as well as yield of plants.

Impact of irrigation on yield of maize in the Danube basin

Impact of large-scale irrigation on Danube basin runoff

For more information and to learn how Vista’s Virtual Water solution can provide you with valuable insight, let us talk!