An almond requires an average of 3.2 gallons of water to grow. A large banana needs around 42.2 gallons. And a single serving of rice demands about 73 gallons.
It takes a lot of water to produce our food, and the climate crisis is forcing us to confront tough questions about how we use this precious resource. But the solution to this complex climate equation may not necessarily come from new technology; communities on the front lines of water scarcity are finding that traditional methods and ancient technologies might alleviate present-day issues.
Maximizing water efficiency
We know that agricultural practices are central to supporting livelihoods and addressing global challenges such as hunger and poverty. And extreme weather events caused by the escalating climate crisis — droughts, wildfires and flooding — threaten our environment and livelihoods. Our food systems are especially susceptible to climate variations due to the dependence of agricultural production on weather and climate.
Growing enough food to sustain one person requires between 2,000 and 5,000 liters of water each day. Currently, more than 40% of the global population is affected by water scarcity.
Agriculture, which accounts for 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, holds part of the solution to the global water crisis. Adopting climate-smart practices means addressing food insecurity while maximizing water efficiency. The resurgence of community-based agricultural practices suggests that traditional methods may hold the key to climate-based solutions.
Ancient irrigation in the face of modern drought
Morocco’s “khettaras” are ancient underground irrigation systems that lead water from aquifers to agricultural fields. This gravity-fed method, which does not exceed an aquifer’s natural ability to replenish its groundwater, is helping combat Morocco’s six-year drought by replenishing arid lands.
Morocco’s terrain is accustomed to occasional droughts; however, the escalating climate crisis has made rainfall increasingly less frequent and unpredictable. This unpredictability worsens water scarcity in the country, where the agriculture sector consumes 90% of the available water resources.
While most traditional irrigation systems face issues with evaporation and runoff, the cost-effective khettara method reduces evaporation. Drip irrigation, while highly efficient, is expensive to install, which can be a barrier for small-scale farmers. As the climate crisis intensifies and water security becomes increasingly urgent, we must expand our range of solutions by integrating knowledge from across different eras and environments.
Seeds of resilience
In Tunisia, some farmers use traditional seed variants, which are well-suited to the local environment, resist pests and diseases, and tolerate drought. Yet hybrid seeds, some of which are genetically blended and imported from abroad, appeal to many farmers due to their flexibility and genetic stability. However, local seed variants, which have adapted over time to local climate and soil conditions, possess greater durability, reusability and high yield.
Agricultural fields in southern Tunisia’s Medenine governorate. Photo credit: Sharing Underutilized Resources with Fishers and Farmers (SURF) project for FHI 360
Farmers and institutions involved in the agriculture sector in Tunisia have noted the climate-resistant nature of traditional seeds by using wheat variants such as Al-Msekni and Mahmoudi, leading to a reported increase in yield. This is not an entirely recent development; Tunisia’s olive trees have been at the heart of conversations around traditional seed variants due to their resistance to drought. Variants such as Chemlali and Chetoui have greatly contributed to Tunisia’s standing as one of the largest olive oil producers.
Ensuring a resilient tomorrow
To build climate resilience and support a global shift toward climate-smart agriculture, we must craft policies that provide rules and regulations about traditional agricultural practices. For instance, amending Tunisia’s Article 4 of Law 99-42 to ease restrictions on the use of local seed varieties can broaden their application in commercial farming.
Research centers, universities and cooperatives should also facilitate connections between farmers who have revived traditional agricultural practices and those who lack access to this knowledge. We must foster environments that facilitate the exchange of knowledge and raise awareness.
Addressing climate change and water scarcity in agriculture demands a blend of traditional practices and modern innovations. Techniques such as Morocco’s khettara and Tunisia’s drought-resistant seeds show the benefits of merging ancient wisdom with contemporary solutions to enhance water management, strengthen food security and ensure a resilient agricultural future.
