The future of water resources hinges on how food is produced. Large-scale agriculture with irrigation technology can dramatically reduce costs and yield substantial profits, yet it brings major environmental and social consequences. A landmark study by the Supreme Scientific Research Council (CSIC) examined water, social, economic, and environmental outcomes of intensive farming in arid zones and highlighted the risks posed by this model.
The research, published in Water Resources Management and involving researchers from the universities of Alicante, Politécnica de Madrid, and Católica de Murcia, analyzed water systems in which greenhouse production in arid areas plays a pivotal role. Almería stands out as a global hub for fruit and vegetable output, illustrating how water use and urban demand shape regional agriculture.
Earlier work shows studies of food systems relying on groundwater are often fragmented. Hydrology concentrates on water resources while agricultural processes on the surface receive less attention, and agricultural economics frequently aims to maximize short-term returns. These gaps create a disconnect between water use and farming realities, the report notes.
In conclusion, traditional approaches overlook many negative environmental and social effects. The authors urge a broader integration of knowledge to guide resource use and food systems toward a healthier future.
Weighing the model’s profits alongside environmental and social impacts, scientists point to unequal wealth distribution, precarious working conditions, and the depletion and pollution of groundwater reserves as significant concerns.
unsustainable development
What can be done? Reducing water use, limiting new irrigated areas, selecting crop types that fit available water supplies, and empowering farmers to counterbalance large distributors are essential steps to prevent social and economic collapse in this region and other drylands facing similar pressures, the researchers warn.
The urgency grows as climate change intensifies. Groundwater reserves are described as vital strategic resources that should not be wasted. The study emphasizes a rising consumer interest in healthy foods, including plant-based, organic, and pesticide-free options, which could influence future farm practices.
Despite rising awareness about environmental and social impacts, forecasts suggest that by 2030 there will still be a large number of people affected by obesity, with millions facing malnutrition challenges worldwide.
Current farming systems produce substantial environmental costs, including plastic waste, soil erosion, carbon emissions, nutrient runoff, biodiversity loss, and groundwater degradation. Climate change compounds these issues, underscoring the need for urgent action.
Additionally, about one third of all food produced is never eaten, and the push to intensify farming in water-scarce spaces continues. Addressing shortages by focusing only on supply can worsen groundwater declines and lake exhaustion.
Avoid irreparable consequences
It is crucial to explore the root causes of these practices. Agribusiness often prioritizes profit over sustainable farming, risking a growing mismatch between water use and availability. In a world trending toward urbanization and climate uncertainty, rethinking food production and addressing ongoing environmental damage becomes essential for sustaining a growing population.
A large-scale model that substitutes labor with capital-heavy technologies has become widespread in many arid regions, contributing to groundwater depletion and the erosion of related social systems. The authors urge regions to reinvent themselves by transforming models and treating groundwater as a catalyst for sustainable development in arid lands.
Recommended measures include tighter controls on irrigated lands and the promotion of local water and energy resources. Challenging dominant and misleading narratives is part of the solution, as is basing efforts on water demand management and regional planning to avoid long-term irreparable effects. Hydrological and regional planning plans should play a decisive role because moving from market logic to a sustainable approach cannot be abrupt.
Ultimately, regulating power dynamics within regions is crucial, as a small number of people can benefit greatly from the unsustainable exploitation of a shared resource. The study closes with a call for practical steps that secure a fair, durable water future for arid regions.
Reference work: Research findings can be cited as: Springer, 2023; a comprehensive article on water resources and agricultural systems is summarized for context. (Citation: Springer 2023)
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Contact address for the environmental department has been removed to maintain privacy and focus on the study findings.