New Crop Distribution Model- An Attempt to Water Conservation

Irrigation cannot be possible without water. A huge amount of water is used in farm lands that could be used otherwise. The research shows that there are many places where there are wastages in water use and nutrient production But those wastages can be mitigated by swapping in crops that have greater nutritional quality and lower environmental impact. It has been forecasted that agricultural demand will rise drastically over the next few decades because of population growth, richer diets, and rise in bio fuel use.

We will have to suffer by water shortage more in near future due to climate change and as global warming. The researchers targeted 14 crops that make up 72% of all crops harvested around the world. Fruits and vegetables were not included in that as there was no sufficient data available. By innovation in crop distribution on existing farm land we can meet growing demand for food and bio fuels in coming decades, while reducing enough water stress. This target could be achieved by increasing production of groundnuts, roots, soybeans, sorghum and tubers and avoiding millets, rice, sugar and wheat, which consume more water but have lower calorie and protein yields.

These crop redistributions would create substantial water savings. It will save 20 percent of water demand for agricultural production. The new paper's crop distribution model will not cause loss of crop diversity or soil nutrients.

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By- Anita Aishvarya