Water Management in Sustainable Agriculture

Water Management in Sustainable Agriculture

In a world where resources are finite and the population is steadily growing, agriculture faces the challenge of feeding more people in a sustainable way. A key element in addressing this challenge is water management. But why does water management play such a crucial role in sustainable agriculture? Our article sheds light on the importance of innovation and sustainability in water management and how they can contribute to making agriculture future-proof and support a sustainable transformation of the existing agricultural and food systems.

The Essence of Life

Water is the basis of all life – without it, we cannot survive. Yet, our society's handling of this precious resource has led to water scarcity which greatly harms the balance of our planet. In agriculture, water is not only a vital factor for plant growth but also for maintaining soil quality and biodiversity. Considering that agriculture is responsible for 70 % of the world's freshwater consumption[1], the importance of sustainable water management becomes clear.

Challenges and Solutions

The biggest challenge in sustainable water usage lies in optimizing water consumption without compromising profits. The good news is that there are numerous innovative practices and technologies that make this possible and lead to a more careful and effective use of the valuable resource water:

• Drip irrigation: This method minimizes water loss through evaporation or seepage by delivering water directly to the plant root zone, thereby increasing water efficiency significantly.
• Water storage: The collection and storage of rainwater allows farmers to bridge drought periods and reduce dependence on groundwater.
• Soil mulch: Covering the soil with organic material helps to retain moisture and reduces the need for frequent irrigation.
• Smart farming: Technologies such as soil moisture sensors and drones can help farmers to precisely control water consumption and only irrigate when truly necessary.

Benefits of Sustainable Water Management

The benefits of effective water management in agriculture extend far beyond mere water conservation:

• Resource conservation: Efficient use of water helps to preserve limited freshwater resources for future generations.
• Maintenance of soil health: Balanced water management prevents soil erosion, salinization, and nutrient loss.
• Higher productivity: Targeted irrigation allows farmers to achieve higher yields, thereby improving food security.
• Environmental protection: Reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides through efficient irrigation practices protects water quality and promotes biodiversity.
• Climate resilience: In the face of climate change, adaptability to changed precipitation patterns and extreme weather events is crucial. Sustainable water management strengthens this resilience.

Interim conclusion: Essential in Times of Climate Crisis

Given the global challenges for today’s agriculture, a process of rethinking is essential in which water management plays a central role. By implementing efficient irrigation systems and techniques, we cannot only conserve valuable water resources but also lay the foundation for a future-proof, productive, and environmentally friendly agriculture. It's time to reevaluate the importance of water in agriculture and take actions that are beneficial for our planet and, as a consequence, for future generations.

Importance for the Orientation of Port International

At Port International, we recognize the undeniable importance of water as a finite resource and are determined to protect it for future generations. With the objective of ensuring a sustainable relief for the environment and an adequate water supply in general, we commit to resource-saving practices in collaboration with our partners all along our supply chains. For this purpose, Port International has defined specificgoals and initiated concrete measures.

Implementation of Recognized Standards in Risk Regions

The sustainable management of water resources is a core concern of the Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV). As a member of this initiative, we have committed to implement by 2026 recognized guidelines for efficient water management for at least 70 % of our products sourced from areas with high water risk. To identify these areas, we use the WWF Water Risk Filter. The certifications accepted by SIFAV are outlined in the SIFAV Basket of Water Standards:

Standards within the Basket of Water Standards

·         Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard V2.0

·         Bio Suisse

·         CAAE Legal and Sustainable Water Use

·         Fairtrade Standards Hired Labor

·         Fairtrade Standards Small-scale Producer Organizations

·         GlobalG.A.P. + FSA

·         GlobalG.A.P. + On the Way to Planet Proof

·         GlobalG.A.P. + SIZA

·         GlobalG.A.P. + Spring

·         Leaf Marque

·         Naturland

·         Rainforest Alliance (RFA)

·         SAI Platform Farm Sustainability Assessment 2.1

·         Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) Environmental Standard

·         Sustainably Grown

These certifications vary in their comprehensiveness, regional adaptation, and focus on specific water issues, allowing producers to choose a certification that best suits their individual situation. In the first SIFAV reporting year 2022, the suppliers of 77 % of our product quantities from countries with high water risk were certified with one of the standards from the SIFAV Basket of Water Standards. Thus, we met the final goal of 70 % in the first year already.

Support for Water Conservation Projects in Doñana and Murcia

Photo: Alex F. Poulussen – Good Stuff International

As another concrete measure for sustainable water use, Port International joined a collaborative project of the English NGO Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) for sustainable water management in southern Spain in 2023, a project which is also supported by SIFAV. The project assists in the regions of Doñana and Murcia in southern Spain, where the problems caused by water scarcity are particularly severe. It pursues goals such as the initiation of cooperation projects on topics like biological corridors, the selection of plants adapted to the local climate, the revitalization of coastal lagoons, and the design of water management strategies for the mentioned areas. An important first step is the creation of a comprehensive overview of the supply chains, followed by the definition of specific measures. We will continuously report on the developments and progress of the project.

Conclusion

One thing is clear: water is our most important resource, and as such, it urgently needs to be protected. For this reason, it is of essential importance that the agricultural industry finds solutions for a more sustainable water management. Producers have a variety of options to optimize their handling of water. But the responsibility does not lie with them alone. As an importer of fresh fruits and vegetables, we, too, should promote the resource-efficient handling of water along the entire supply chain by demanding, for example, recognized standards for water risk areas.

[1] Water in agriculture - giz.de