Virtual Water:possible solution of water scarcity for Sustainable Future in Africa?

In the realm of water scarcity and global trade, a term emerged in 1993 that would go on to reshape our understanding of interconnected systems: virtual water (Allan,2003) . The concept of virtual water refers to the water needed to produce agricultural commodities (Allan,2003). Expanding its scope beyond agriculture could encompass the water required for non-agricultural goods. 

Importing food therefore can mean that a country is importing not only the actual food but also the virtual water associated with its production. This can have implications for the water footprint of the importing country. Water-scarce regions might indirectly benefit from virtual water imports, relieving pressure on their own water resources.


Figure 1, virtual water balance per country(Allan,2003)

What makes virtual water compelling is its role in addressing water deficits through global trade.

 69% the world's freshwater withdrawals are used in agricultural industry(Schlosser,et al., 2014). It takes about 1,000 cubic meters of water to produce a ton of grain(Allan,2003). Therefore, If Africa were to ensure adequate food through food imports, water scarcity could be alleviated at the same time.Virtual water, connecting water, food, and trade, proves to be a crucial remedy for water deficit economies, offering a new perspective on water security.


However, challenges such as high inflation rates and population growth are identified as factors negatively impacting food and nutrition security.  In Eastern and Southern Africa, inflation peaked at 19.4% year-on-year in November 2022 (BNP PARIBAS, 2023).


Figure 2, Evolution of inflation in eastern and Southern Africa(BNP PARIBAS, 2023)


The over-reliance on import also hurts local industries. Over the past few decades, Africa’s food import bill has more than tripled, reaching about US$35 billion a year. Much of this imported food could be produced locally, creating much needed jobs and incomes for nations’ youth and smallholder farmers(Christiaensen,2020).  Increase in imported food may decrease the demand of local agriculture industries, causing more unemployment and therefore worsen the economic situation especially for those smallholder farmers. 


What's more, rising food prices and geopolitical tensions, as seen between Ukraine and Russia, can disrupt international food supply chains, exacerbating local food crises. The economic drawbacks and uncertainties associated with international trade highlight the need for sustainable water resource management within Africa.

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