By Morgan DIM

Rapid population growth,, urbanization, economic development and climate crisis have been identified as factors militating against global water resources .

Addressing news men in Abuja during this year’s World Food Day celebration on water as one of the planet’s most precious resources, Director General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Dr. Qu Dongyu added that increased extreme weather events, drought and flood were stressful to the ecosystem with very severe effects on global food security. As a result, peasant farmers, women,youth, refugees amongst others were exposed to very terrible conditions.

Represented at the occasion by the head of FAO Nigeria Northeast office AlHassan Cisse, Dr. Dongyu explained that with about 70 percent of global freshwaters going to agriculture, changing the ways the world produced food, fiber amongst others have become a most challenging task.
He warned that failure to address the situation would lead to very severe consequences, while insisting that freshwater as finite precious resource should not be taken for granted.

In his words, “consider that over the last two decades, each of us on earth has lost approximately one-fifth of the freshwater available to us. For some people the reality is much worse. In some regions it runs close to one-third. Unless we act urgently, we are on course to increase our water use by more than a third by 2050 globally, given our planet’s growing population. That means, collectively, we risk reaching a point of no return.”

As ways out of the quagmire Dr. Dongyu pointed out that good governance was crucial for sustained, equitable water allocation through integrated and inclusive approach with relevant partners.
He stressed on the need for water governance, tenure, pricing, regulations and incentive measures with a view to driving change and ensuring equitable access to clean and safe water resources.

On the successes recorded by the FAO recently the Director General revealed that his organization has provided mechanization opportunities to farmers in the Sahel region to improve on their water infrastructure as well as supported rural women and their households to access water.

Mr Qu Dongyu explained that FAO has piloted multi functional Paddy fields for fish and shrimp farming in addition to Rice produçtion in Sri Lanka and Zambia.
He observed that priority on green and blue infrastructure would enhance water quality, maintain biodiversity and provide other benefits to agrifood systems and rural areas.

The FAO boss urged governments to design science and evidence based policies that would capitalize on data and innovation across all sectors, to plan and manage water better.

He underscored the need for farmers and business men as agents of water management, needed to be equipped with the right tools to improve on water use efficiency thereby reducing pollution across the supply chain.

According to Dr
Dongyu, “wasting less water, preventing flooding disaster and pollution are easy ways for everyone to contribute to a positive action for a future of prosperity for people and planet..

Highlights at the occasion include leg walk and visit to farm clusters within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.