World Bank Report: Smarter Water Use Could Feed 10 Billion and Create 245 Million Jobs

A new report from the World Bank Group highlights the critical demand for rebalancing water use in the global food system to sustainably meet future demand and unlock significant economic opportunities. The report estimates that improved water management practices could generate 245 million long-term jobs, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Challenge of Global Food Security

The report, titled “Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet,” notes that current agricultural water management practices are unsustainable. Overuse in some regions and underuse in others mean that current practices can only sustainably support food production for less than half the world’s population. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion by 2050, addressing this imbalance is crucial. World Bank Group

A New Framework for Agricultural Water Management

The World Bank proposes a new framework that links water availability with food production, and trade. This framework categorizes countries based on water stress and their food import/export status, identifying key areas for action:

• Expanding Rainfed Agriculture: Identifying regions where increasing rainfed agriculture can boost food production.
• Irrigation Investments: Determining where investments in irrigation can unlock job creation and economic growth.
• Water Use Rebalancing: Pinpointing areas where water use must be rebalanced to protect ecosystems and ensure future productivity.
• Sustainable Trade: Recognizing where trade offers a more sustainable path to food security than local production.

The Role of Investment and Policy

According to Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, “the way we manage water for food will have profound implications for jobs, livelihoods, and economic growth.” World Bank Group He emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions about crop locations, water allocation, and the role of trade in strengthening resilience and expanding opportunities.

The report stresses the need for increased private sector participation alongside public investments, effective policies, and strong institutions. Farmers are willing to co-invest in irrigation when they have access to financing, markets, and digital tools that mitigate risks.

Financial Implications and World Bank Commitments

Expanding and modernizing irrigation systems in water-available regions is estimated to require between $24 and $70 billion annually through 2050. The World Bank notes that governments already spend approximately $490 billion each year on agricultural subsidies. Redirecting a portion of these resources, combined with regulatory reforms and public-private partnerships, could mobilize significant private capital, including co-investments from farmers themselves. environewsnigeria.com

The World Bank has committed to doubling its annual agribusiness financing to $9 billion by 2030 and mobilizing an additional $5 billion per year through the AgriConnect initiative, supporting small producers to transition from subsistence farming to surplus production. environewsnigeria.com

Addressing Water and Food Security Simultaneously

With its “Water for Food and Water for the Planet” strategy, the World Bank aims to address both water and food security challenges concurrently, ensuring sustainable production and improved livelihoods for farmers worldwide. environewsnigeria.com