It goes without saying that water is an essential part of everyday human life. However, as we use it so often, we are not always conscious of how much of this finite resource we need to live comfortably. A person uses 62 gallons of water each day. Every time you flush the toilet, turn on a light, drive your car, or take a bite of your lunch, you are using water.
Apart from our daily needs, water is also a key ingredient in food production, using up majority of global freshwater resources. As an agriculture-based country, the Philippines relies on 85% of its freshwater to grow our food staples. In fact, it takes 650 gallons to produce a single pound of rice, while it takes another 144 gallons for a pound of corn. Without sufficient supply of water, we would not just be deprived of a shower or a drink of water, but also of our source of nutrients and energy.
While water is a renewable source, the world’s supply of clean water used to produce food is diminishing faster than it can be replenished. With warming temperatures and a rising population adding pressure to our already strained resources, the future of food production is at risk.
By 2030, the demand for water is anticipated to exceed supply by 40%. Since majority of our water is used for agricultural production, a lack of water will eventually result into lack of food. And with 9.5 billion to feed by 2050, we will need to find ways to optimize our water resources sowe can double our food supply.
“Water is critical to the Philippines’ food security, the country’s ability to feed its fast-growing population is closely linked to its ability to manage its water resources,” said Sandro Rissi, Monsanto Philippines Country Lead. “There is a clear need to increase water efficiency across our current agricultural practices to make the most of this valuable resource.”
As a company committed to sustainable agriculture, Monsanto has pledged to improve the efficiency of their water use in global seed production by 20% in 2020. This could save enough water to fill 45,000 to 110,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. These water-efficient practices include:
Seed Products: By utilizing breeding and biotechnology, the ability of local crops to thrive in water-limited drought conditions is steadily improved. Monsanto’s Water Efficient Maize for Africa initiative was created with the hopes of enhancing food security through the development of drought-tolerant corn for smallholder farmers.
Education and Research: In order to address water challenges, Monsanto invests in research and development to continuously innovate and deliver value to their farmers. In Peru, they tracked water use in seed production to discover more sustainable methods of irrigation.
Collaboration and Partnerships: Monsanto continues to partner with several non-government organizations to address local water issues. Their AquaTEK℠ initiative in Italy aims to increase efficiency in water management systems.
From water-efficient farming practices to drought-tolerant seeds, Monsanto is exploring a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world and make every drop count.