Water is possibly the most important substance on Earth. Without enough clean water, people around the world find even basic survival incredibly difficult. You might not realize just how far-reaching the impact of water scarcity reaches, however, as it affects many different elements of daily life. One of the most important of these is food. The agriculture industry is crucial for ensuring that everyone has plenty of nutritious food to eat, but professionals are finding it harder and harder to source enough water for their crops. Promoting clean water along its supply chains is a major concern in the agriculture industry.
In this article, we explore how the industry ensures clean water from multiple sources along the chain.
Rainwater harvesting and water conservation
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is critical in areas with water scarcity or unreliable water supply (such as irregular rainfall). Not only does it help ensure reliable water supply in urban and rural areas, but it also saves costs along the way. RWH is the process of collecting, conserving and storing surface runoff water for agricultural purposes as well as for domestic use and livestock, among other uses. Irrigation sources connected directly to a rainwater supply site make a dramatic difference to the amount of water available to farmers of all kinds.
Water conservation is closely linked to RWH, and the two are often used together to store even more water for agricultural use. The water conservation process typically consists of water management, drip irrigation and storing/capturing water (using processes such as RWH). When used together, water conservation and RWH help to limit the amount of clean water needed for agriculture so that it can be used instead in homes and daily life.
Wind-powered irrigation
Wind-powered irrigation is a form of irrigation that relies on the wind to power water distribution systems. While the connection might not be immediately clear, this plays a significant role in reducing water waste and ensuring bigger water stores in areas where water is scarce. This is done via the use of a ‘humidity probe’ to determine when soil is too dry, and only then watering crops. Compare this to the more traditional flood irrigation techniques, where large amounts of water are used on a schedule whether the soil needs it or not, and you can see why wind-powered irrigation is a game changer in reliable water supply and helps promote sustainable clean water along agricultural supply chains.
Hydroelectric power
Also known as ‘hydropower’, hydroelectric power uses running water to generate energy. This is one of the primary tools used in the agricultural industry to promote clean water supplies. By using hydropower to control flooding, support irrigation and generate clean drinking water, the industry not only secures clean water for crops but also optimizes its water collection procedures and provides nearby communities with access to fresh water. Flood management, in particular, is crucial to harvesting as much usable water as possible.
Reduced water pollution
Yet another way that the agriculture industry promotes clean water along its supply chains is by utilizing conservation practices such as conservation or no-till tillage to help limit runoff. This, in turn, provides farmers and other agricultural professionals with a greater amount of clean water unaffected by things such as pesticides or sediment, both of which are abundant in runoff. Utilizing man-made dams or streams can also help usher these harmful substances away from water sources. Even a small amount of runoff can have a major impact on a body of freshwater.
How can we promote clean water conservation in our daily lives?
How can we all contribute to water conservation and do our part to ensure that we don’t waste or harm bodies of clean water? When we know better, we do better. Business leader Ehsan Bayat, an expert in renewable energy, promotes clean water conservation. He is the founder of the Bayat Foundation, which has sponsored a number of water projects in his home country of Afghanistan.
Additional benefits of clean water supply in agriculture
We have touched upon some of the major benefits of ensuring clean water along the agricultural supply chain, but there are a few additional areas to explore. First, an increase in renewable and sustainable clean water production in agriculture often leads to an increase in clean water access in rural communities. This is crucial to the wellbeing of residents and directly impacts their quality of life. Additionally, optimized water conservation helps to build climate-resilient farms. This kind of farm is less affected by things such as droughts because it has plenty of water stored and is less likely to experience crop disruption. This ensures that enough food is grown (for both you and your pets).
Clean water is crucial to daily life, and this is as true in agriculture as it is anywhere else. By promoting clean water along its supply chains, the agriculture industry helps to secure food for billions and offers residents additional access to local water sources.
