One-Quarter of World’s Agriculture Grows in Highly Water-Stressed Areas

All living creatures need two things to survive: food and water.  A new WRI analysis shows just how much tension exists between those two essential resources.

A new interactive map from WRI’s Aqueduct project reveals that more than 25 percent of the world’s agriculture is grown in areas of high water stress. This figure doubles when looking at irrigated cropland, which produces 40 percent of global food supply.

This analysis highlights the tension between water availability and agricultural production. Finding a balance between these two critical resources will be essential—especially as the global population expands.

One-Quarter of World’s Agriculture Grows in Highly Water-Stressed Areas