THE IMPACT OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE ON A STABLE FOOD SUPPLY

Irrigated agriculture is one of the most critical human activities sustaining civilization. The current world population of 6.8 billion people is sustained in a large part by irrigated agriculture. USDA statistics show that 17% of cultivated crop land in the United States is irrigated. Yet this acreage produces nearly 50% of total US crop revenues. According to the FAO the approximate 1,260 million ha under rainfed agriculture, corresponding to 80% of the world’s total cultivated land, supply 60% of the world’s food; while the 277 million ha under irrigation, the remaining 20% of land under cultivation, contribute the other 40% of the food supplies. On average, irrigated crop yields are 2.3 times higher than those from rainfed ground. These numbers demonstrate that irrigated agriculture will continue to play an important role as a significant contributor to the worlds food supply.