Strengthening policy innovation for water use in agriculture

Experts from high-income countries and client countries came together last week during a joint World Bank-OECD workshop to discuss the shared goal of improving policy design and implementation for water use in agriculture.

Although efficient use of water is becoming a central aim of agricultural practices, much work is yet to be done to meet steep water demands and curtail pollution from agricultural production.

“Facilitating Policy Change Towards Sustainable Water Use in Agriculture” brought together staff from the World Bank staff and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), but also representatives from the European Commission, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), various government agencies and offices of World Bank supported projects.

The workshop panels and discussions focused on better understanding policy options to tackle complex challenges facing the water and agriculture space. Guangzhe Chen, Senior Director of the World Bank’s Water Global Practice, outlined the key challenges facing the water and agriculture interface in his opening remarks: decreasing per capita water availability, increasing water pollution due to current methods of agriculture production, and increasing variability of water supplies due to climate change.

“These challenges will continue and intensify unless additional meaningful action is taken worldwide, including improving […]

Full article: Strengthening policy innovation for water use in agriculture

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