Water 'Capture, protect, utilise'

Efficient water management crucial for food security

When it comes to tackling climate change and global food insecurity, “We need to step up our efforts.” This was the succinct declaration made at GreenTech Amsterdam in June (2024) by Meike van Ginneken, Water Envoy for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Speaking (via video recording) during a seminar entitled Water: Innovative Solutions, van Ginneken noted that nearly one billion people globally are now food insecure. “This is unacceptable. And water is the cornerstone of food production. Actually, agriculture accounts for 70 per cent of water use and this significantly impacts our [the world’s] water systems.”

She warned that, to feed the world, we must manage our water resources efficiently – and that necessitates collaborations between the agriculture (including horticulture) sector and decision-makers, such as those responsible for water-related planning and waterbody restoration. In fact, van Ginneken highlighted that: “By working together we can make water the engine of climate adaptation, we can ensure sufficient food production despite the changing climate.”

She added: “Horticulture is a critical sector that contributes significantly to global food security, nutrition, and economic development. It provides jobs and livelihoods – especially in developing countries. The success of horticulture is deeply intertwined with the availability and management of water."

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