Water management in agroecology : Fewer drops, more foods, better nutrition

Water – as a component of an agroecosystem – is essential for agriculture as it represents one of the limiting
production factors in many parts of the world.

Water fills a number of important roles:

1. It represents 25% of soil composition and commands life in the soil by keeping soil biota alive
2. It transports soil and plant nutrients and gives drinks to human and animals
3. It provides ecosystem services through temperature regulation (cooling plants by evaporating from the leaf surface)
4. Water for irrigation and livestock is one the ways food security can be achieved (as without water, neither crop, nor animal production is feasible)

However, food production remains one of the most water-consuming human activities as agriculture accounts for 70% of total water use.

As water is the “lifeblood” of agriculture, improved soil water management is critical for sustainable food production. Sustainable agricultural water management is one of the principles on which agroecology bases its foundations. Water management in agroecology refers to sustainable use of on-farm water resources by managing the soil-water system through the optimized use of water sources: rainfall water and irrigation as well as through the reduction of water losses (for example through runoff and evapotranspiration).