|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food |
|
Authorities want to improve water access and use for agriculture By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Executive Secretary of Sector Planning, with the support of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Mesoamerica Hunger-Free Program, are working on the preparation of a diagnosis on the status of access and use of water in Costa Rican agriculture. "Supplying water to reduce potential scarcity threats is a challenge that involves various sectors, at all territorial scales, in a way that guarantees the welfare of the population in terms of food, health, nutrition and the protection of water sources," said Edgar Mata, Director of Sepsa. In the world, the growing scarcity of water is one of the main challenges that affect food security, agricultural production and the achievement of the objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Water is an essential resource for the agricultural sector, ecosystems and various economic activities in the country; for this reason, it raises competition for its use among different actors, depending on each need and priority of access and demand. According to the FAO, crops, and livestock represent 70 percent of all water withdrawals and up to 95 percent in some developing countries. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promotes the efficient use of water in all sectors, as well as the assurance of sustainability in the extraction and supply of fresh water to address the problem of water scarcity. Currently, it is necessary to take measures to ensure safe access to this resource, especially for people integrated into family farming who live in vulnerable conditions, but also for small, medium-sized agricultural producers, for their importance in food security, the local and national economy. In Costa Rica, this population faces difficulties in accessing water in quantity and quality in adequate and formal conditions. Such access is necessary for proper management of production units. It also requires better use of water to achieve sustainable use. "The irrational use, lacking in planning or associated with waste conditions of the resource, threatens the future availability of water, not only for agricultural activities but also for ecosystems and their biodiversity that sustain agricultural and rural livelihoods,” said Víctor Milla, FAO Officer in Costa Rica. The current regulations in the country for consumption and access to water in agriculture seek to promote protection and promote sustainability, but at the same time, in many cases, they constitute constraints that affect the sector and that can harm the economic well-being of the population. As part of this initiative, a guide will be developed that will allow adapting actions that promote rationalizing and optimizing the use of water, reducing waste practices and difficulties in having the resource for production. It is hoped it will also promote the visibility of the agricultural producer and improve the conditions of access to water through legal concessions. ---------------- Have you heard about water shortages in your community? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com |
   |
      |
