Humans can survive on a few sips of water a day, but we often forget that the food we eat also involves the use of water – just think of the 15,000 litres needed to produce one kilo of meat. In World Water Week we bring you 5 key facts from FAO. Because every drop counts!
- It is often enough to drink 2 litres of water per day, but it takes about 3,000 litres to produce the food a person needs every day.
- Globally, groundwater provides about 50% of all drinking water and 43% of all agricultural irrigation.
- Irrigated agriculture accounts for 20% of cultivated land but contributes 40% of the total food produced in the world.
- FAO estimates that irrigated land in developing countries will increase by 34% by 2030, but the amount of water used by agriculture will increase by only 14% due to improved irrigation management and practices.
- Two-thirds of the world’s population could be living in water-stressed countries by 2025 if current consumption patterns continue.
Can you help us achieve SDG 6? Join us by following these recommendations!