scholarly journals Water–Food Nexus through the Lens of Virtual Water Flows: The Case of India

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 768
Author(s):  
Suparana Katyaini ◽  
Mimika Mukherjee ◽  
Anamika Barua
Keyword(s):  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Environmental Governance ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Water And Soil Pollution ◽  
Water Scarce

For a water-secure present and future, there is a need for a transition from water scarcity towards water security. This transition necessitates a look at the complex relationships, and interdependencies, between water and other resources, and the institutions governing them. Nexus approach encompasses these interdependencies. This paper focused on the water–food nexus through the lens of the virtual water (VW) flows concept with the aim to explore the role of the VW flows concept in governing the transition towards water security in a water-scarce economy like India. The key findings of the paper suggests that the highest VW outflows are from highly water-scarce states of India, such as Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, and the moderate to highly water-scarce state West Bengal from 1996–2014. Major VW outflows from these states are to other highly water-scarce states, resulting in the concentration of water scarcity. The main priorities for the governance of the water–food nexus in these states emerge from policies and action plans. These priorities are groundwater overexploitation, water and soil pollution, and uncertainty in rainfall and are linked to agricultural intensification. The water footprint-based VW flow analysis has important insights for sustainable intensification of agriculture, and rectification of the unsustainable VW flow patterns. The study concludes that the VW flows concept embodies the water–food nexus and is particularly relevant for the sustainable future of developing and emerging economies, such as India, grappling with water scarcity and challenges of fragmented environmental governance systems.

scholarly journals The water footprint of Indonesian provinces related to the consumption of crop products

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Bulsink ◽  
A. Y. Hoekstra ◽  
M. J. Booij
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
External Water ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
Water Accounts ◽  
National Water

Abstract. National water use accounts are generally limited to statistics on water withdrawals in the different sectors of economy. They are restricted to "blue water accounts" related to production, thus excluding (a) "green" and "grey water accounts", (b) accounts of internal and international virtual water flows and (c) water accounts related to consumption. This paper shows how national water-use accounts can be extended through an example for Indonesia. The study quantifies interprovincial virtual water flows related to trade in crop products and assesses the green, blue and grey water footprint related to the consumption of crop products per Indonesian province. The study shows that the average water footprint in Indonesia insofar related to consumption of crop products is 1131 m3/cap/yr, but provincial water footprints vary between 859 and 1895 m3/cap/yr. Java, the most water-scarce island, has a net virtual water import and the most significant external water footprint. This large external water footprint is relieving the water scarcity on this island. Trade will remain necessary to supply food to the most densely populated areas where water scarcity is highest (Java).

scholarly journals The Water Footprint of European Agricultural Imports: Hotspots in the Context of Water Scarcity

Resources ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iulia Dolganova ◽  
Natalia Mikosch ◽  
Markus Berger ◽  
Montserrat Núñez ◽  
Andrea Müller-Frank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Product Categories ◽  
External Water ◽  
Agricultural Imports ◽  
Water Scarce

This study investigates the Water Footprint (WF) resulting from the agricultural imports of the European Union (EU-28). Import trade statistics were compiled and linked with crop- and country-specific water consumption data and water scarcity factors. Within the study, the virtual water imports of 104 agricultural commodities for the baseline year 2015 were assessed and product and country hotspots were evaluated. It was shown that (a) Europe imported 100 million tons of agricultural goods and 11 km3 of associated virtual irrigation water; (b) the highest impacts of water consumption do not necessarily result from high import amounts, but from water-intensive goods produced in water scarce countries; (c) the largest external EU-28 water footprint occurred due to the product categories cotton, nuts and rice; and (d) the highest share of the EU external water footprint took place in the United States (US), Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and India.

Food and Water Security in West Asia

2018 ◽  
pp. 512-529
Author(s):  
Eckart Woertz
Keyword(s):  
Role Model ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Agricultural Trade ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Trade Surplus ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
Policy Solutions

West Asia is one of the most water-scarce regions of the world and one of its foremost importers of virtual water despite sustained efforts at self-sufficiency, especially in cereal production. Technology-oriented policy solutions eye a reorientation of agriculture towards fruit and vegetables that are less water-intensive than cereals and provide more value added per water unit consumed. Turkey is a role model here; the country has an agricultural trade surplus and ranks among the top ten agricultural economies globally in value terms. Yet technology-oriented policy prescriptions overlook the sociopolitical ‘problemsheds’ that emerge (along with new agro-lobbies) and agriculture as the main water consumer has to compete with other economic sectors and sprawling urbanization. This article looks at the different categories of countries and their specific challenges.

scholarly journals Water Footprint and Virtual Water Trade of Maize in the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 1769
Author(s):  
Maria Macarena Arrien ◽  
Maite M. Aldaya ◽  
Corina Iris Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Buenos Aires ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Buenos Aires Province ◽  
Pollution Load ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Water Volumes ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
First Time

Agriculture is the largest fresh water consuming sector, and maize is the most produced and consumed crop worldwide. The water footprint (WF) methodology quantifies and evaluates the water volumes consumed and polluted by a given crop, as well as its impacts. In this work, we quantified for the first time the green WF (soil water from precipitation that is evapotranspired) and the green virtual water exports of maize from Buenos Aires province, Argentina, during 2016–2017, due to the relevance of this region in the world maize trade. Furthermore, at local level, we quantified the green, blue (evapotranspired irrigation), and grey (volume of water needed to assimilate a pollution load) WF of maize in a pilot basin. The green WF of maize in the province of Buenos Aires ranged between 170 and 730 m3/ton, with the highest values in the south following a pattern of yields. The contribution of this province in terms of green virtual water to the international maize trade reached 2213 hm3/year, allowing some water-scarce nations to ensure water and water-dependent food security and avoid further environmental impacts related to water. At the Napaleofú basin scale, the total WF of rainfed maize was 358 m3/ton (89% green and 11% grey) and 388 m3/ton (58% green, 25% blue, and 17% grey) for the irrigated crop, showing that there is not only a green WF behind the exported maize, but also a Nitrogen-related grey WF.

A multi-region input-output model for optimizing virtual water trade flows in agricultural crop production

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen B. Aviso ◽  
Sed Anderson K. Holaysan ◽  
Michael Angelo B. Promentilla ◽  
Krista Danielle S. Yu ◽  
Raymond R. Tan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Trade Flows ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Virtual Water Trade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Productivity

Purpose The onset of climate change is expected to result in variations in weather patterns which can exacerbate water scarcity issues. This can potentially impact the economic productivity of nations as economic activities are highly dependent on water especially for agricultural countries. In response to this, the concepts of virtual water and water footprint have been introduced as metrics for measuring the water intensity of products, services and nations. Researchers have thus looked into virtual water trade flows as a potential strategy for alleviating water scarcity. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Environmentally extended input-output models (IOMs) are often used to analyze interactions between economic and ecological systems. This work thus develops a multi-regional input-output model for optimizing virtual water trade between different geographic regions in consideration of local environmental resource constraints, product demands and economic productivity. Findings A case study on agriculture crop production and trade in different regions of the Philippines is utilized to demonstrate the capabilities of the model. The results show that the optimal strategy does not necessarily limit a water-scarce region to produce less water-intensive crops. Research limitations/implications The model uses an input-output framework whose fixed coefficients reflect a fixed technological state. As such, the model is best used for short-term projections, or projections for mature technological state (i.e. where no major gains in efficiency or yield can be foreseen). Practical implications The proposed modeling framework can be used in any geographic region (provided relevant statistical data are available for calibration) to provide decision support for optimal use of limited water resources. Originality/value The model proposed in this work has general applicability to the optimal planning of agro-industrial systems under water footprint constraints. This modeling approach will be particularly valuable in the future, as climate change causes changes in precipitation patterns and water availability.

Calculation and Analysis of Water Footprint in Shunyi District of Beijing

2013 ◽  
Vol 295-298 ◽  
pp. 964-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Ling Liu ◽  
Yu Xin Wang ◽  
Xiao Hui Mao
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Consumption Pattern ◽  
Water Resources Carrying Capacity ◽  
Per Capita

The water footprint and consumption pattern is an effective tool for quantitifying the volume of water resources consumption in certain region [ ].Shunyi’s water footprint in the period 2006-2010 is calculated in this article from the view of virtual water. The general water footprint in Shunyi District at the year 2010 reached 790 million m3 and water footprint per capita was 536.48 cubic meters. Shunyi 's water resource quantity per capita was 501.27 m3 in the same year and the Water Scarcity Index was 1.98. The result of calculation shows that the water resource volume of exploitation in Shunyi District of Beijing has been beyond the water resources carrying capacity.

scholarly journals Globalization of agricultural pollution due to international trade

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 503-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. O'Bannon ◽  
J. Carr ◽  
D. A. Seekell ◽  
P. D'Odorico
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Water Transfer ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Environmental Costs ◽  
Grey Water ◽  
Water Transfers ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Water Scarce

Abstract. Almost 90% of freshwater resources consumed globally are used to produce plant and animal commodities. Water-scarce countries can balance their water needs by importing food from other countries. This process, known as virtual water transfer, represents the externalization of water use. The volume and geographic reach of virtual water transfers is increasing, but little is known about how these transfers redistribute the environmental costs of agricultural production. The grey water footprint quantifies the environmental costs of virtual water transfers. The grey water footprint is calculated as the amount of water necessary to reduce nitrogen concentrations from fertilizers and pesticides released into streams and aquifers to allowed standards. We reconstructed the global network of virtual grey water transfers for the period 1986–2010 based on international trade data and grey water footprints for 309 commodities. We tracked changes in the structure of the grey water transfer network with network and inequality statistics. Pollution is increasing and is becoming more strongly concentrated in only a handful of countries. The global external grey water footprint, the pollution created by countries outside of their borders, increased 136% during the period. The extent of externalization of pollution is highly unequal between countries, and most of this inequality is due to differences in social development status. Our results demonstrate a growing globalization of pollution due to virtual water transfers.

scholarly journals Water footprints of cities – indicators for sustainable consumption and production

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 2601-2639 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Hoff ◽  
P. Döll ◽  
M. Fader ◽  
D. Gerten ◽  
S. Hauser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Footprint ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
External Source ◽  
Trade Integration ◽  
Export Production ◽  
Source Regions ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Water Scarce ◽  
Water Imports

Abstract. Water footprints have been proposed as sustainability indicators, relating the consumption of goods like food to the amount of water necessary for their production and the impacts of that water use in the source regions. We have further developed the existing water footprint methodology by globally resolving virtual water flows and import and source regions at 5 arc minutes spatial resolution, and by assessing local impacts of export production. Applying this method to three exemplary cities, Berlin, Delhi and Lagos, we find major differences in amounts, composition, and origin of green and blue virtual water imports, due to differences in diets, trade integration and crop water productivities in the source regions. While almost all of Delhi's and Lagos' virtual water imports are of domestic origin, Berlin on average imports from more than 4000 km distance, in particular soy (livestock feed), coffee and cocoa. While 42% of Delhi's virtual water imports are blue water based, the fractions for Berlin and Lagos are 2% and 0.5%, respectively, roughly equal to local drinking water abstractions of these cities. Some of the external source regions of Berlin's virtual water imports appear to be critically water scarce and/or food insecure. However for deriving recommendations on sustainable consumption and trade, further analysis of context-specific costs and benefits associated with export production will be required.

Water footprint

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-174
Author(s):  
Mohammad Delpasand ◽  
Omid Bozorg-Haddad ◽  
Erfan Goharian
Keyword(s):  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
The Public ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Basin Water ◽  
Public Economy

Abstract Uneven water distribution in the world is the main reason today that some countries face problems due to water scarcity. Human activities consume and pollute large amounts of water. Globally, agriculture is the largest water user by volume. However, the water used by industrial and household sectors is still significant. Water consumption and pollution are caused by specific activities such as irrigation, bathing, washing, cleaning, cooling and by various other processes. Little attention has been paid to how much water use and pollution ultimately result from such activities, and how much water is consumed by communities, compared to the attention paid to the structure of the public economy that supplies consumer goods and services. Overall, to mitigate water scarcity problems, there are several approaches that can be made, such as inter-basin water transfer, increasing efficiency of water consumption and also using new concepts such as virtual water and the water footprint. The footprint of a product is the amount of fresh water used to produce it, measured across the complete supply chain. Water footprint is a multidimensional indicator that shows the amount of water consumed by the source as well as the amount and types of contamination.

scholarly journals An Improved System Dynamics Model to Evaluate Regional Water Scarcity from a Virtual Water Perspective: A Case Study of Henan Province, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7517
Author(s):  
Zhaodan Wu ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Yu Hua ◽  
Quanliang Ye ◽  
Lixiao Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
System Dynamics ◽  
Water Scarcity ◽  
Total Population ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
System Dynamics Model ◽  
Dynamics Model ◽  
Structure Adjustment ◽  
Regional Water

An accurate and practically useful evaluation of regional water scarcity is a necessary procedure in scarcity monitoring and threat mitigation. From the perspective of virtual water, this study proposed an improved system dynamics model to evaluate regional water scarcity (WS), including a case study of Henan province, China. We enhanced the existing system dynamics model of WS evaluation from a virtual water perspective by (1) defining WS as the ratio of the consumption-based blue water footprint to water availability, in order to compare the water requirements that need to be met to satisfy the local demand of goods and services with water supply; (2) integrating the economic growth, trade, and water use efficiency in the tertiary industry (e.g., accommodation, food and beverage services) into the model, in order to improve the accuracy of WS assessment and help find more specific measures to reduce WS by factor adjustment; (3) distinguishing the product use structure matrix, as well as the sectoral direct water use coefficient, in local regions from that in other domestic regions and foreign countries, and identifying the regional use structure matrices of products from these three kinds of regions, in order to increase the calculating veracity; and (4) displaying performances of the society, economy, and environment in WS reduction, in order to offer a more comprehensive reference for practical policy decisions. The case study results show that Henan has been suffering from, and in the near future could continue to face, water scarcity, with an average of 2.19 and an annual rise of 1.37% during 2008–2030. In the scenario comparison of current development, production structure adjustment, technology upgrade, and trade structure adjustment in supply-side structural reform of Henan from 2019 to 2030, WS could be reduced by updating production structures into less production of agricultural products or other sectors with a high production-based water footprint (with the smallest average WS of 2.02 and the second smallest total population and GDP, i.e., gross domestic production), technology enhancement in water saving, purification and pollution control (with the second smallest average WS of 2.04 and the largest total population, GDP and total available water resources). Furthermore, for the agricultural products or other sectors with high domestic/international virtual water outflow (inflow), if we reduce (increase) their percentage of outflow (inflow) in the industry involved, WS will increase only more slightly than that when we keep the current development trend, with the smallest total population. Potential measures for alleviating WS should be taken comprehensively, with priorities being identified according to the socioeconomic and environmental performance. Our model can be useful for practical policymaking and valuable for relevant research worldwide.

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