“Water is life. Water is food” : World Food Day 2023 highlights the importance of water

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) marks World Food Day 2023 with an essential element on Earth: water. Water is high on FAO’s agenda because agriculture is responsible for 72 percent of global freshwater use, and availability of water for agriculture is widely threatened by ecosystem degradation, climate change and competition for other use. 

Only 2.5% of water on Earth is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture, and most industrial uses. Water is a driving force for people, economies, nature and the foundation of our food, but like all natural resources, fresh water is not infinite. Rapid population growth, urbanization, economic development, and climate change are putting the planet’s water resources under increasing stress. 

Around 600 million people who depend, at least partially, on aquatic food systems for their livelihoods are suffering the effects of pollution, ecosystem degradation, unsustainable practices and climate change. We need to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less water, while ensuring water is distributed equally, our aquatic food systems are preserved, and nobody is left behind.  

FAO’s assistance in Bangladesh in water management and fisheries

FAO’s assistance in Bangladesh during 2022-2026 is guided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF) which is centered on four pillars. Pillar 2: Healthy, safe, and nutritious food and Pillar 3: Climate resilience and nature-based, low-carbon sustainable development, focus on water management and clean water. 

Arnoud Hameleers, FAO Representative ad interim in Bangladesh said “FAO Bangladesh supports the Government of Bangladesh in water management among other areas. We are working with our counterparts to ensure people have improved water infrastructures, introduce advanced aquaculture technologies, and conduct fisheries data surveys to help policies on fishery ecosystems.”

-    A new study as part of the Smallholder Agricultural Competitiveness Project (SACP) financed by IFAD, Technical Assistance will examine the impact of surface water management schemes on the agricultural productivity and crop diversification. The results of this study will lead to improved water infrastructure initiatives which allow smallholders to access supplemental or full-season water. The SACP beneficiaries are supported through investment in surface water management, such as water storage and provision systems, which enables them to introduce high value crops, explore new market opportunities and increase income.

-    FAO is working as a technical partner in Community-based Climate Resilient Fisheries and Aquaculture Development in Bangladesh project to enhance the awareness and knowledge of local communities. This includes policy reform and the adoption of climate-resilient fisheries and aquaculture technologies.

-    A technical cooperation project with the Department of Fisheries, studies the impact assessment of land-use change on the fishery ecosystem and aquatic biodiversity in three major river basins (Meghna, Jamuna, and Padma). The assessment will propose recommendations for policy reform and actions for inclusive management and restoration of inland fishery ecosystems. 

-    FAO is providing extensive training and technical assistance to the Department of Fisheries and other government agencies. This support includes conducting scientifically sound fisheries surveys, research, and stock assessments. 

-    FAO has introduced two technical services projects: Catch and Effort Monitoring Systems, Online Registration and Licensing System and Capacity Enhancement and Long-term Quality Assurance for Stock Assessment. An upgraded and expanded Bangladesh Survey Information System (BanSIS) and Calipseo System have also been developed and adopted for Bangladesh. These tools help to better manage and understand fisheries data, making it easier to make informed decisions for sustainable fisheries, which ultimately benefits people's livelihoods and food security in the country.

-             In Cox’s Bazar, FAO is working to restore socioecological systems through integrated watershed management, renewable energy-efficient irritation systems, and promotion of sustainable agriculture including efficient and equitable use and management of water resources.  

The ongoing projects have achieved notable milestones, with 1 557 households participating in pilot activities across 63 water bodies (ponds, enclosures/ghers, lake/beels etc.) related to fish production under the GEF fisheries project. Additionally, the Access to Finance for Farmers Organizations in Bangladesh, also known as the Missing Middle Initiative Project (MMI), has reached 1 069 households engaged in fish production, with an additional 595 households benefiting from irrigation facilities.

At the UN 2023 Water Conference, parties agreed to ensure that there is enough water for all and it is of sufficient quantity and quality for maintaining biodiversity. Governments, international organizations, academia, research institutions, local communities and the private sector need to work together to achieve this goal. As a longstanding partner of Bangladesh, FAO assists in addressing challenges and accelerating agricultural transformation that will benefit millions of farmers and families.