Linking water and food for future developments

This blog has sought to illustrate the ways in which infrastructures of water supply, both concrete and abstract, are essential for the health, sanitation and development of the communities. Hydrological issues must be considered in their full dimension since water is not only experienced in its liquid form. Water is involved in every step of the food chain from production, to storage and transport. Current challenges for food production are the need to increase to meet the population growth rates. Storing food may become increasingly challenging, as preservation conditions are bound to change for the benefit pest and pathogen introduction (Niang et al., 2014) This will primarily affect rural communities dependent on locally sourced crops, which make up over 50% of the African population (Desanker and Magadza, 2021). Consequently, calls for external support will increase dependency on international trade. However, imports will be troubled as increased extreme events damage food transport routes and infrastructure (Niang et al., 2014) 

A few years ago, a lecture brought to my attention a diagram of cascading events which unfolds as: lack of water threatens irrigation which combines with increased food demand, resulting from population growth, and increased rainfall variability to cause food insecurity, itself inherently associated with hunger. It represented the clear link from the trigger in water to the consequence in hunger. However, a different seminar I attended abroad stressed the social values hidden behind the food production industry. It is evident food is produced as a commodity, appreciating the profit it generates over the capacity it provides to support populations. Thus, following the incentives, food production is oriented towards those products which sell most and in the markets which will pay highest prices. This highlights inequalities and the socio-political factors of behind famine which often relate to poverty and marginalisation. The case is illustrated with the 72-74 famine in Ethiopia which unraveled while the country remained a net food exporter (Kebbede and Jacob, 1988). 

Graffiti sign on a public water fountain in Bristol, UK 

The goals and priorities statement for the Agenda 2063 of the African Union seek to end poverty through improved access to basic necessities of life, alluding to water and sanitation. In addition, priorities include achieving a well-nourished population and modernising agriculture for improved proactivity and production. Lastly, a goal refers to the importance to build ‘environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities’ (African Union, 2015). Moreover, the Transformation Outcomes for an Integrated Africa  aim for free movement of goods, services and capital with an increased continental trade of agricultural products. All of these are pressing matters, demonstrating acknowledgement for the current status of development of water and food provision.

Throughout the blog, different aspects were explored on the links between water and food. Although much remains to be discussed, I considered these topics the most pressing and relevant to the timeline of the blog. I sought to illustrate the issues with reference to different countries to attempt to demonstrate a variety of political regimes, inequalities, expertise and innovations across the continent. One of the key messages is that prospects should “aim for a future different than business as usual” (Van der Zaag, 2005). This is especially accurate considering that water is involved in everything humans do, and humans influence every role of water. New solutions seem to be already under way, observed in water usage for irrigation schemes, water recycling techniques, crop adaptation strategies and new forms of water trade. In the future, to defy all the challenges approaching, we need to improve adaptation capacities, promote educated developments and boost innovation.