Climate Change, Water Scarcity and Food Security Complex: A Case Study from Bahrain

Abstract

Food production is a complex and interrelated system. It operates within complex systems and is multifunctional in its nature. The complex connections between water, food security and climate change is likely to create negative impact on food production and this will remain a crucial policy issue. Due to hyperarid climatic conditions, the Kingdom of Bahrain is characterized by high temperatures, erratic and often scanty rainfall, high evapotranspiration rates and high humidity levels due to the surrounding Gulf waters, as a result of which water in Bahrain is inherently scarce. Water scarcity will reduce agricultural production and threaten country food security. Bahrain requires a reallocation of domestic resources in order to increase agricultural production and boost the contribution of agricultural sector to its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). To reduce the deficit between local food production and imports, Bahrain needs to achieve relative food security relying on local production of certain strategic items and to encourage agricultural investment and optimize the role of the private sector in developing the sector. Bahrain should also increase investment in research and development in agriculture sector. Thus, answers to the resolving issues of food security and stability in food production will increasingly come from improved water management, increased water use efficiency and its sustainable use in the agriculture sector.