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Agriculture is a major user of water resources and also contributes to water pollution from excess nutrients, pesticides and other pollutants. But the competition for water is increasing and the costs of water pollution can be high. Sustainable management of water in agriculture is critical to increase agricultural production, ensure water can be shared with other users and maintain the environmental and social benefits of water systems.

OECD work on water use in agriculture

Governments need to improve the economic efficiency and environmental effectiveness of policies that seek to improve water resource use efficiency and reduce water pollution from agricultural systems. 

To assist policy makers in addressing this challenge, OECD indicators and analysis contribute to formulating policy responses that will move agriculture towards the sustainable management of water.

>> Find out more: Water Resources in Agriculture: Outlook and Policy Issues (pdf, 2 pages, 90 KB)

• Water use and quality in OECD countries (OECD.Stat database)
  Supporting the report Environmental Performance of Agriculture in OECD Countries Since 1990, this database features statistics on the impact of agriculture on the quality and use of water in OECD member countries.

Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Agriculture Agriculture is the major user of water in most countries. It also faces the enormous challenge of producing almost 50% more food by 2030 and doubling production by 2050. This book shows the trends and outlook for water use in agriculture, examines the policy experiences of OECD countries in managing their resources - and recommends what countries should be doing and why. You can browse the book online for free at the OECD Online Bookshop and also access the background reports that support the book.

• Managing Water Resources in the Agricultural Sector (chapter from Managing Water for All: An OECD Perspective on Pricing and Financing)
  Water resources management in agriculture is complex, covering a diverse range of farming systems, climatic conditions, sources of water, property rights, institutional arrangements, and cultural and social contexts. This chapter looks at the challenges and options facing policy makers.
  
  

• Trends in Water Use and Quality Since 1990 (chapter from Environmental Performance of Agriculture in OECD Countries Since 1990)
  OECD agricultural water use rose by 2% over the period 1990-92 to 2001-03. Nearly half of OECD member countries record that nutrient and pesticide concentrations in surface water and groundwater monitoring sites in agricultural areas exceed national drinking water recommended limits - which brings significant treatment costs for some countries. This report analyses the impacts of agriculture in OECD member countries on water, air, soil, biodiversity and other environmental themes.
  
  

• OECD Workshop on water information systems
  International experts met for an OECD workshop in Zaragoza, Spain in 2010 to discuss how to develop water information systems to support more efficient and effective delivery of sustainable water resource management and policies. Consult the papers, presentations and outcomes of the workshop.

Find more OECD data, analysis and publications at these sites:

• Agriculture and fisheries
• Environment
• Water

For more information on OECD work on water use in agriculture, contact:

• Kevin Parris, Senior Policy Analyst, OECD Trade and Agriculture Directorate: kevin.parris@oecd.org

Bookmark this page: www.oecd.org/agriculture/water