Subscribe now

Environment

Half of newly irrigated land is in water-stressed areas

Irrigating more land could help feed 1.4 billion people, but over half of new irrigation projects are in places that are already at risk of running dry

By James Dinneen

18 August 2022

A wide angle view shows piping laid along ten vegetable crop rows to irrigate with slow drips. Small green plants have sprouted along the rows.

A drip-irrigated vegetable farm in Panchgani, Maharashtra, India. Between 2000 and 2015, India saw the second largest increase in irrigated land.

Shutterstock/Hari Mahidhar

The world’s irrigated land has grown by more than 300,000 square kilometres since 2000. More than half of that increase occurred in places that lack enough water to irrigate without eventually running dry.

Around 90 per cent of all fresh water used by people goes toward irrigation, and irrigated lands produce food for 3.4 billion people. Irrigating rain-fed cropland could help grow food for an additional 1.4 billion …

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 14th June 2023.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account