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 Assessment of food trade impacts on water, food, and land security in the MENA region

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 557-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Hyun Lee ◽  
Rabi H. Mohtar ◽  
Seung-Hwan Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Food Trade ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Food Imports ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Domestic Food

Abstract. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the largest water deficit in the world. It also has the least food self-sufficiency. Increasing food imports and decreasing domestic food production can contribute to water savings and hence to increased water security. However, increased domestic food production is a better way to achieve food security, even if irrigation demands an increase in accordance with projected climate changes. Accordingly, the trade-off between food security and the savings of water and land through food trade is considered to be a significant factor for resource management, especially in the MENA region. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the impact of food trade on food security and water–land savings in the MENA region. We concluded that the MENA region saved significant amounts of national water and land based on the import of four major crops, namely, barley, maize, rice, and wheat, within the period from 2000 to 2012, even if the food self-sufficiency is still at a low level. For example, Egypt imported 8.3 million t yr−1 of wheat that led to 7.5 billion m3 of irrigation water and 1.3 million ha of land savings. In addition, we estimated the virtual water trade (VWT) that refers to the trade of water embedded in food products and analyzed the structure of VWT in the MENA region using degree and eigenvector centralities. The study revealed that the MENA region focused more on increasing the volume of virtual water imported during the period 2006–2012, yet little attention was paid to the expansion of connections with country exporters based on the VWT network analysis.

Virtual water flows and trade liberalization

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ramirez-Vallejo ◽  
P. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Trade Liberalization ◽  
Formal Model ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Agricultural Trade ◽  
Virtual Water Trade ◽  
Water Flows ◽  
The Impact

The linkages between agricultural trade and water resources need to be identified and analyzed to better understand the potential impacts that a full liberalization, or lack thereof, will have on water resources. This paper examines trade of virtual water embodied in agricultural products for most countries of the world. The main purpose of the paper, however, is to examine the impact of trade liberalization on virtual-water trade in the future. Based on a simulation of global agricultural trade, a scenario of full liberalization of agriculture was used to assess the net effect of virtual water flows from the relocation of meat and cereals’ trade. The paper also identifies the main reasons behind the changes in the magnitude and direction of the net virtual water trade over time, and shows that virtual water trade flows are independent of water resource endowments, contrary to what the Heckscher-Ohlin Theorem states. Finally, based on a formal model, some input demand functions at the country level are estimated. The estimates of the income and agricultural support elasticities of demand for import of virtual water have the expected sign, and are statistically significant. Variables found to have some explanatory power of the variance of virtual water imports are average income; population; agriculture as value added; irrigated area, and exports of goods and services.

scholarly journals Assessment of food trade impacts on water, food, and land security in the MENA region

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sang-Hyun Lee ◽  
Rabi H. Mohtar ◽  
Seung-Hwan Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Water Security ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Food Trade ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
Food Imports ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Domestic Food

Abstract. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the largest water deficit in the world. It also has the least food self-sufficiency. Increasing food imports and decreasing domestic food production can contribute to water savings and hence to increased water security. However, increased domestic food production is a better way to achieve food security, even if irrigation demands increase in accordance to projected climate changes. Accordingly, the trade-off between food security and the savings of water and land through food trade is considered as a significant factor for resource management, especially in the MENA. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the impact of food trade on food security and water-land savings in the MENA region. We concluded that the MENA region saved significant amounts of national water and land based on the import of four major crops, namely, barley, maize, rice, and wheat, within the period from 2000 to 2012, even if the food self-sufficiency is still at a low level. For example, Egypt imported 8.3 million ton/year of wheat that led to 7.5 billion m3 of irrigation water and 1.3 million ha of land savings. In addition, we estimated the virtual water trade (VWT) that refers to the trade of water embedded in food products and analyzed the structure of VWT in the MENA region using degree and eigenvector centralities. The study revealed that the MENA region focused more on increasing the volume of virtual water imported during the period 2006–2012, yet little attention was paid on the expansion of connections with country exporters based on the VWT network analysis.

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 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.

scholarly journals Direct and indirect water use within the Australian economy

Water Policy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1227-1239
Author(s):  
Beatriz Reutter ◽  
Paul A. Lant ◽  
Joe L. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
State Level ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Australian Economy ◽  
Australian Bureau Of Statistics

Abstract We present the first analysis of water use in the Australian economy to account for inter-state trade, exports and consumption patterns, across all economic sectors and incorporating a temporal analysis. This is achieved by using the environmentally extended input-output technique, combining state-level input-output and water accounts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Results show that the three big eastern economies (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland) rely mostly on water used within their jurisdictions. Approximately one-third of water consumption is for exported commodities, with the biggest export flows of virtual water being associated with agricultural production. Comparing results across the years (2000–2011), the water consumption associated with the provision of goods and services has decreased by 32% for exports, and by 38% for domestic markets. To date in Australia, the focus for improved trans-boundary water management (within Australia) has been on improved mechanisms for sharing physical allocation of water; these results provide the trans-boundary economic dependencies related to water availability. Recent innovations in the compilation of economic input-output models create an opportunity to progress this analysis, exploring in detail the economy–water interlinkages. It is our intention that the paper shows the value of analysing water flows using the multi-regional input-output techniques.

EAST ASIAN FINANCIAL SYSTEMS AND THE TRANSITION FROM INVESTMENT-DRIVEN TO INNOVATION-DRIVEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2000 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 253-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL CARNEY ◽  
ERIC GEDAJLOVIC
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Value Added ◽  
High Growth ◽  
High Technology ◽  
Financial Systems ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Financial Infrastructure ◽  
Technology Initiatives ◽  
Start Ups

Many of today's high growth and high value-added businesses are concentrated in the knowledge- and innovation-based industries of information technology, telecommunications, biotechnology, media, software and entertainment. Though the governments of Hong Kong, Singapore & Taiwan (Asian NIEs) have invested heavily in promoting these sectors, they have largely failed to produce internationally competitive firms. We argue that government-led initiatives that were appropriate for economies in the investment-driven stage of industrialisation need to be reformed. As some economic sectors approach the technology frontier, diverse financing arrangements are needed to direct capital to high technology start-ups. To complement existing government-related technology initiatives, a more varied financial infrastructure must be developed.

Analysis of China's Water Security and Virtual Water Trade

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 18-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Hongrui ◽  
Liu Xinghan ◽  
Dong Yanyan ◽  
Wang Junhong
Keyword(s):  
Water Security ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Virtual Water Trade

scholarly journals ASSESSMENT AND ANALYSIS OF SOME CHANGES IN THE SECTORAL STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (Suppl.1) ◽  
pp. 138-144
Author(s):  
Iv. Stoycheva
Keyword(s):  
Regional Policy ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
National Level ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Regional Economic ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Sectoral Structure ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Level Of Aggregation

The regional economic opportunities for the development of economy are linked to the dynamics of regional disparities formation and to the implementation of adequate regional policy in order to achieve economic efficiency. The socio-economic development of the country depends on the appropriate and effective construction of such regional economic structures, which provide favorable development at both regional and national level. The purpose of this article is to assess the changes in the sectoral structure of the indicators gross value added and employment for the period 2008-2017 and to prove the importance of the services sector as a sector with a growing potential for development. Structural divergences at national level have been assessed at the level of aggregation of three main economic sectors-agriculture, industry and services. The achieved results on the strength and direction of structural changes show that the restructuring takes place at different rates in individual regions, as in regions with a more developed economy and more favorable indicators the dynamics of these processes predetermines structure in which the supply of services is highly prevalent.

Water Wars by Other Means: Virtual Water and Global Economic Restructuring

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 86-103
Author(s):  
Andrew Biro
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Political Legitimacy ◽  
Economic Restructuring ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Policy Measure ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Historical Trends ◽  
Water Wars ◽  
American Primacy ◽  
Water Scarce

In the mid-1990s, Tony Allan coined the term “virtual water” to describe international grain shipments, arguing that for purposes of economic efficiency and political legitimacy, governments in water-scarce nations would be better served by importing grain and diverting limited domestic water supplies to higher-value purposes than by producing grain. This concept has gained considerable traction in explaining the absence of “water wars,” particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). As a prescriptive policy measure, I argue first that the exemplarity of the MENA serves an ideological function, premised on a market environmentalist approach, and framing “water crisis” as a problem of physical scarcity rather than underdevelopment. Historical trends in virtual water imports, as well as the problem of American primacy in virtual water exports, are then used to develop an account of virtual water trade that situates it within the political and economic restructuring associated with US-led globalization.

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