Food and water security: Analysis of integrated modeling platforms

Given the role of the agricultural sector in consuming critical resources like water and energy, a balance should be achieved between the harvest and exploitation of these resources and the amount of agricultural produce by their proper management. Security measurement indicators are a criterion for managerial evaluating of farmers regarding water, food, and energy security nexus. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a tool for managerial evaluating of farmers as the best local facilitators regarding the water, food, and energy security nexus in two phases. The geographical scope of the research is Iran. The first phase was related to reviewing the previous literature and extracting indicators for measuring water, food, and energy security, and the second phase focused on validation. The face and content validity of the questionnaire were conducted quantitatively and qualitatively by surveying subject matter experts and calculating CVR and CVI. The results identified 85 indicators for the managerial evaluation of farmers in three areas of water security (30 indicators), food security (37 indicators), and energy security (18 indicators). The use of soil moisture control, pressurized irrigation (access dimension), groundwater resources (availability dimension), and salinity-resistant cultivars (stability dimension) were significantly valid in measuring water security. Achieving product direct sale marketing (access dimension), using early yielding cultivars (availability dimension), and producing organic products in farms and orchards and attention to the calendar and planting time in the production process (dimension of stability) were the highly valid indicators in food safety assessment. Moreover, the most valid indicators in the field of energy security measurement were energy consumed to produce and transport the product (accessibility dimension), use of geothermal energy resources (availability dimension), and bioenergy production rate (stability dimension). Challenges to achieving water, food, and energy security at the farm level can be minimized using the extracted indicators and correct management principles obtained from reviewing the indicators. Therefore, researchers, planners, decision-makers, and executives in agriculture and horticulture are recommended to use these indicators approved by subject matter experts.

Water and food security are integral to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2 and SDG 6). Lack of water and food can severely affect human health and well-being, hampering SDG progress. Climate change-related extreme events further add spatial and temporal uncertainties in water and food availability. Multiple studies have so far focused on assessing water and food security at broader spatial scales, such as state or district levels; however, the lack of finer-resolution socio-economic data limits well-informed decision-making at the local level. In this context, the present study develops an indicator-based approach for assessing water and food security at the sub-district level in Maharashtra State, India. The literature review-based assessment framework consists of four key dimensions: availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. The water security index (WSI) was calculated using nine indicators, whereas the food security index (FSI) was calculated using twelve indicators. The water-food security index (WFSI) was developed by integrating WSI and FSI.
The results show significant spatial disparities across the state. Sub-districts in the relatively water-abundant Konkan and parts of the Pune division have consistently higher composite security levels. Many districts, including Dharashiv, Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, and Washim, which were selected as part of the Government of India's Aspirational Districts Programme, demonstrate persistent vulnerabilities in terms of both food and water security indices. WFSI reveals that 100% of sub-districts in Dharashiv and Washim, and 50% in Gadchiroli and Nandurbar, fall into the low category. The high prevalence of low WFSI scores in water- and food-insecure regions underscores the pressing need for targeted, location-specific interventions. The findings will provide policymakers, non-governmental organizations, and development partners with robust, data-driven evidence on the current state of food and water security, while helping researchers and practitioners better identify high-risk sub-districts, thereby facilitating informed decisions about priority research and targeted interventions in vulnerable regions

Economic Reforms and Food Security

This paper argues that the perception of global water stress is based on a hydrocentric view of societies' problems and that there is a failure to appreciate that there are alternative approaches to providing food and water security that do not require increased water abstraction from rivers. These alternatives can be managed better by the state than water resources planners and apply across the confines of river basins. The work draws on the “virtual water” concept (Allan, 1997; Hoekstra et al, 1997; 2003), showing how food imports provide an efficient substitute for indigenous water, and previous studies by the author on the myth of the connection between food security and water stress (Brichieri-Colombi, 2003). The paper examines ten possible interventions that, taken together, could allow a state to match supply and demand for water and to provide food and water security with minimal increased abstraction from rivers. The ten interventions are combined in a simple spreadsheet model and are applied to the 15 riparian states on the Nile and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Rivers, which together cover almost half the world's population. In each case, a balance is obtained within a set of constraints that represent a reasonable upper limit of applicability of each intervention. This paper does not claim the solutions are optimal, since such a term defies any hydrological or economic rationale, but merely that increased abstraction is not necessary. If this conclusion is correct, water resource planners need to reconsider arguments that the water crisis is inevitable in the search for water and food security.

Agricultural development in Ecuador: A compromise between water and food security?

A review of food and water security in the context of sustainable development is the purpose of this study. Food and water security are complicated sustainable development challenges that are linked to both health and sustainable economic development through malnutrition. These are contained in the sustainable development SDGs such as 2 and 6 (Zero Hunger) (Sanitation and clean water). This paper is a review of food and water security that has to do with the conceptual issues, stylized facts on food and water security, food and water security nexus, factors militating against food security around the world, related empirical studies and way forward, Having pointed out some of the factors militating against food and water security such global warming/ climate change, disease outbreak and insecurity etc. strong conclusion and recommendation were made such as fight against insecurity and diseases outbreak, good sanitation and hygiene should also be promoted and sustained, good agricultural policy formation and implementation amongst other things will play out to promote food and water security, hence, to achieve sustainable economic development.

Objectives: Household water insecurity, the inability to reliably access sufficient water for domestic use, has been negatively associated with food security and dietary diversity in settings where undernutrition is common, but these relationships are unknown in countries with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. We therefore aimed to assess whether water and food insecurity are associated with diets that decrease noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk among adults in Mexico. Methods: We used data from a random subsample of adults (≥18 years) from the 2021 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) who reported dietary intake in the prior seven days using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (n=1,009 men, 1,513 women). Consumed foods were assigned to at least one of 29 groups, which were used to generate dietary indicators according to WHO guidelines: NCD-Protect (consume healthy foods, range: 0-9) and NCD-Risk (avoid foods to limit, range: 0-9). Water insecurity was measured using the Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale and food insecurity using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. We developed multilevel models of each diet indicator that included urbanicity as a fixed effect, adjusted for confounders (region, socioeconomic status, household size, education, and ethnicity), and were stratified by gender. Results: Water and food insecurity scores were positively correlated (r=0.21, p< 0.001). Among men, moderate-to-high water insecurity was associated with 0.26 lower (95% CI: -0.52, -0.01) NCD-Protect scores relative to those with no-to-marginal water insecurity; there was no observed association with food insecurity. Among women, severe food insecurity was associated with 0.38 lower (95% CI: -0.64, -0.12) NCD-Protect scores relative to those with no food insecurity; there was no observed association with water insecurity. Across men and women, neither water nor food insecurity were associated with NCR-Risk scores. Conclusions: Gender may modify how household water and food insecurity are associated with diet healthfulness. Improving water and food insecurity has the potential to reduce the risk of malnutrition and NCDs. Funding Sources: NICHD, NIMH. Data are publicly available from the National Institute of Public Health, Mexico.

The sustainability and resilience of global water and food systems: Political analysis of the interplay between security, resource scarcity, political systems and global trade

Emphasizing the importance of food and water security, this study aimed at studying and analysing food and water security situation in the Arab World with special emphasis on Sudan. The Study employed descriptive statistics using secondary data collected from various sources. Results obtained indicated that food consumption gap in the Arab World increased by 24% in 2010 compared to 1973. Results obtained indicated that the per capita available water in the Arab World decreased from 3430 m<SUP>3</SUP> in 1960 to 1250m<SUP>3</SUP> in 2000 to 876 m<SUP>3</SUP> in 2010. A further decline in per capita available water to 667m<SUP>3</SUP> in 2025 and 500m<SUP>3</SUP> in 2050 is expected. These figures reflects a threatening situation for water and food security in the Arab World during the current century bearing in mind that the water poverty line is estimated at 1000m<SUP>3</SUP>.The separation of Sudan into two countries has adversely affected the per capita available water in the democratic republic of Sudan. Results of the study proved that the self-sufficiency ratio of cereals in Sudan was less than 100% for most of the seasons during the period 1986/87-2006/07 indicating that production of cereal crops is below the consumption requirements of Sudanese people. The shift in consumption habits towards wheat in Sudan coupled with low comparative advantage resulted in low wheat self-sufficiency ratio during the period 1986/87-2007/08. This low self-sufficiency ratio in wheat gives an indication that the shortage in available food is mainly attributed to the significant consumption gap in wheat. Results indicated that wheat imports are real burden on Sudanese economy absorbing most of the foreign exchange generated from exports of Agricultural sector. Results obtained indicated that water productivity of Sorghum, Wheat and Groundnut grown in Gezira scheme in Sudan was very low compared to the average international water productivity. Based on the results of the study we recommend the allocation ofsubstantial financial resources to enhance food production, investment in water projects and efficient use of water with special consideration of health threats associated with the implementation of water projects. Development of along-termwater and food production plan for the Arab countries based on the principles of cooperation and equitable distribution is highly recommended.

Facing Global Environmental Change

Water, energy, and food insecurity are significant challenges that affect both economies and households, particularly in developing countries. These resources have an effect on households wellbeing, businesses, and all sectors of the economy, making them critical to ensuring household well-being, which is frequently measured by quintile welfare. As a result, there has been a significant increase in interest in securitizing these resources in order to mitigate their negative effects on household's wellbeing This study provides an empirical investigation of the determinants of water, energy, and food (WEF) security and the effect of water, energy, and food security on household well-being in Ghana. This study provides an empirical investigation of the determinants of water, energy, and food (WEF) security and the effect of water, energy, and food security on household well-being in Ghana. The study used a sample of 2,735 households from the Ghana Living Standard Survey (GLSS) Wave 7. We applied an instrumental variable probit, complementary log-log and ordered Probit estimation techniques for analysis. Empirical analysis reveals several important findings. Firstly, factors such as age, credit access, household location, employment status, and livestock ownership positively contribute to household water security, while remittances, water supply management, water bills, and water quantity have negative impacts. Secondly, age, marital status, household size, remittances, and livestock ownership significantly influence household energy security. Thirdly, marital status, household income, credit access, and household size are crucial determinants of household food security, with residence and region of household location exerting negative effects. Additionally, while water and energy security have a relatively lower impact on household well-being, food security emerges as a key driver in promoting household wellbeing. The study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders design and implement robust programs and interventions to sustain households' water, energy, and food supply.

This chapter has attempted to focus on the effects of climate change that are likely to affect the food and water security needs of global community. We, as a global community of researchers and policy-makers, must initiate joint efforts to develop innovative technologies, values of good governance of collaboration rather than competition and globally acceptable policies to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Since agriculture is one of main contributors of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, agricultural community and food industry need to play a positive and supportive role in curbing greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen oxide to the atmosphere. Farmers need to adopt carbon sequestration farming practices and cutting-edge tools to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. The development of climate-smart solutions including digital farming, improved plant technologies, innovative irrigation methods like drip irrigation, reduced tillage and good nutrient management practices for crop production will reduce agriculture’s impact on climate change. Digital tools and precision agriculture techniques to make on-site decisions to grow more food on less acreage, offering the potential to reduce the number of acres, are needed to feed a growing population. This chapter presents the results of two case studies, one conducted in India and second in the Midwestern part of the USA. These studies investigated the effect of climate change on crop productivity and water security. The results of both studies indicated that future research needs to focus on optimizing input use efficiency to sustain natural resources for attaining food and water security. Elevated CO2 emissions from agriculture and increasing temperatures should become the focus of future research to mitigate climate change. On-farm management systems (tillage, crop rotations, irrigation practices, and nutrient and pest management) and resource conservation technologies need to be developed for local landscapes in different regions of the world. Incentive-based policies need to be developed for the adoption of future farming and water use systems, and innovative practices must be shared among countries to assure food security.

It is widely acknowledged that the world is currently experiencing an unprecedented water shortage, with agriculture being a crucial contributor. This paper presents a synthesis of available evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and make a state-of-the-art synthesis on green water management in Ethiopia. A systematic review methodology was implemented, encompassing the compilation and analysis of peer-reviewed and gray literature. The paper demonstrates that rainfed agriculture, which relies on “green water” (soil moisture from rainfall), accounts for 80% of cultivated land and 60-70% of global crop production. However, green water management has not received adequate attention in water policy and land rehabilitation programs in Ethiopia, where irrigation is limited. The analysis reveals a large yield gap and water productivity gap for major crops like maize, sorghum, and wheat in Ethiopia’s rainfed agriculture. Increasing crop yields through better soil, water, and crop management practices can significantly improve water productivity, offering “windows of opportunity” to enhance food and water security. Thus, a paradigm shift from the traditional narrow focus on soil erosion control towards an integrated green-blue water management approach in water and agricultural policies and programs is urgently required. Increased investments and expertise in green water management at the government level are crucial. Optimizing the use of green water resources in rainfed farming can also unlock Ethiopia’s export potential while improving domestic water and food security through strategic virtual water trade. In conclusion, the review highlights unlocking the potential of green water resources through targeted investments and policy support for rainfed agriculture can significantly contribute to Ethiopia’s water and food security objectives in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner.

The energy demand in South Asia is increasing at a rapid rate and it is becoming harder to meet the demand due to the high cost of conventional energy sources, the unsustainability of energy use, and the high emissions caused by the energies. South Asia is blessed with a high potential for renewable energy, especially hydropower, but that has not been adequately tapped. This has highly compromised the food, water, and energy security of the people in South Asian countries. This article identifies the roles of renewable energy sources in achieving energy, water, and food security for South Asian nations and provides suggestions for enhancing the utilization of renewable resources. The article identifies the potential for the promotion of hydropower and other renewable energy sources as well as opportunities and potential challenges for multilateral energy trade for increasing the availability of energy. It also recommends possible solutions and approaches for the promotion of hydropower and other renewables in South Asia. The article infers that a nexus approach for integrated planning, policy coherence, and institutional harmonization increases the benefit by reducing transaction costs, generating additional synergies, and reducing the trade-off at different scales. These approaches enhance energy, food, and water security, and eventually improve the quality of life in the region. Improved access to renewable energy can contribute directly and indirectly to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in this region.

It is well known, Asia has nearly 60% of the world’s population, however, the fresh water resources in Asia is less than that of any other continents except Antarctica. Therefore, Asia is facing the most serious water security issue in the world. The security in water, energy and food sectors is the fundamental requirement to human life and the development of a society. To cope with water security in Asia, attention would have to be given to energy and food security as all these three are closely linked. The water, energy and food security nexus means that actions in one area more often than not have impacts on one or both of the others. According to statistics released by the UN, global demand for water is set to rise by 30%, energy by 40% and food by 50% by 2030. This means that though the linkages amongst the three sectors of water, energy and food have always been present, as the world’s population hurtles towards eight billion with increasing demands for basic services and growing desires for higher living standards, there is increasing pressure on the need for more conscious stewardship of these vital resources. As a regional research center, Asia-Pacific Center for Water Security, namely APCWS, was set up by Tsinghua University in collaboration with Asian Development Bank (ADB). Its missions are basically to promote advanced research, knowledge sharing and smart decision marking in relation with water security issues among Asian countries. As one of its milestone activities, APCWS organized and hosted the 2 International Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus workshop in Nov. 2012, in Beijing. The main objectives of the workshop were to share experiences and knowledge on Water-Energy-Food security nexus issues and discuss the framework for the development of Asia Water Development Outlook III (AWDO III). Following this workshop, a total of 14 papers were collected. These include wider topics related to Water Security such as WEF, Urban water management issues and international experience for the water management. This encouraged APCWS to make a dedicated journal to better disseminate these papers. The FESE Editorial Office’s assistance is much appreciated.