Regions in the world facing severe water shortages are responsible for growing more than 25% of global food production. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), this phenomenon is being exacerbated by climate change, affecting farmers in countries that rely on groundwater for crop irrigation. Many people are looking to find out which crops need the most water due to growing concerns about sustainability. In this article, we will tell you which crops are the most water-intensive and the current situation of water availability on the planet.
Which crops need the most water
Among the crops that require significant amounts of water to thrive, some stand out in particular. Below we will look at paradigmatic examples of crops that exert a strong pressure on water resources.
California Almonds
By 2050, the UN estimates that nearly 5 billion people will face water scarcity as a direct result of climate change. In regions with limited water availability, growing certain foods can consume significant amounts of water. A classic example is almond production in California, USA.
California produces 80% of the world's almonds, and water consumption is alarming: it takes 12 liters of water to grow a single almond. A study carried out between 2004 and 2015 revealed this high water consumption, which is also linked to the intensive use of groundwater for irrigation.
Furthermore, mass almond production consumes more than 2 billion liters of water per year, exacerbating scarcity in the region. During the historic drought between 2011 and 2018, the Central Valley, one of the main production areas, suffered an annual decrease in groundwater levels of half a meter, highlighting the long-term unsustainability of this crop if measures are not taken.
Farmers are now adopting new irrigation techniques such as micro-irrigation, which, according to studies, could reduce water consumption directly to the roots by up to 30%.
Avocados
The avocado, a fruit that has gained worldwide popularity in recent decades, requires a considerable amount of water to grow. On average, 2.000 liters of water are needed to produce one kilogram of avocado, which is equivalent to about 10 bathtubs full. In regions such as Petorca in Chile, where drought has intensified, this demand for water has endangered not only the local water resource, but also food security.
In Petorca, one hectare of avocados requires 100.000 litres of irrigation water per day. This has led to overexploitation of aquifers and the diversion of rivers. In addition, the increase in global consumption, with imports growing at a rate of 10% per year, has put even more pressure on resources.
The impact of climate change and the growing global demand for avocados reinforce the need to implement more sustainable agricultural practices, such as the use of more efficient irrigation methods. However, if the trend is not regulated, the future of this vital crop could be at risk.
Sugar cane in Pakistan
Sugarcane is another crop that requires a significant amount of water. To produce one kilogram of sugarcane, an average of 210 liters of water are needed, but if we talk about refined sugar, the water footprint shoots up to 1.780 liters per kilogram.
Pakistan is a country where sugarcane is grown with high water demand, and irrigation and underground reserves account for 80% of the water used. In addition, government subsidies for groundwater extraction have discouraged responsible use of this resource, which has aggravated the situation.
Sugarcane cultivation in a region with limited water availability such as Pakistan has become a controversial issue. According to recent studies, there is no justification for sugarcane cultivation in this country due to its long-term unsustainability.
Rice in the Punjab region of India
Rice is one of the most water-intensive crops in the world, especially in countries like India, where 1.670 litres of water are required to produce a single kilogram of rice. India is the largest exporter of the grain, but groundwater exploitation in regions like Punjab and Haryana is outstripping recharge capacity, triggering a water crisis.
Between 2000 and 2010, the rate of groundwater depletion in India increased by 23%, raising concerns among sustainability experts. This problem is even more worrying because more than one billion people depend on these depleted water sources.
The Indian government has stepped in with subsidies for diesel-powered pumps, allowing farmers to continue pumping water even during periods of drought, making the situation worse. Crop diversification has been proposed towards sorghum and maize, which require less water and offer similar yields.
Bananas from the Dominican Republic
Bananas, particularly in the Dominican Republic, are also on the list of water-intensive crops. A large banana requires approximately 160 liters of water for its growth. Although this country is the largest exporter of organic bananas, with more than 55% of the world's production, inefficient irrigation methods used by most farmers have aggravated the water shortage situation.
The Dominican Republic is currently experiencing a severe drought that has reduced its banana production by 50%, and it is estimated that by 2050, the country could face an annual water deficit of more than 500 billion liters.
The implementation of new, more efficient irrigation techniques is urgently needed to mitigate the shortage and ensure the sustainability of banana production in the long term.
Other crops with high water consumption
There are other crops that also contribute significantly to global water consumption. Here are some notable examples:
- Cotton: This crop, crucial for the textile industry, requires around 10.000 litres of water per kilogram. It is mainly grown in arid and semi-arid areas, which aggravates its impact.
- Fruits such as melon and watermelon: Although they are summer fruits, their high water content means they need a constant supply of irrigation to grow.
- Sweet corn: Although common corn is more resistant to lack of water, sweet corn will require constant irrigation during the growth phase to obtain good quality cobs.
Ultimately, crops that require more water to grow put significant pressure on water resources, especially in regions where scarcity is already critical. Farmers, governments and international organizations must work together to implement more efficient irrigation technologies and encourage more sustainable use of water, to ensure the availability of this essential resource for future generations.