Water, Irrigation and the Food Crisis

This article shows the importance of irrigated agricultural production and the weight of food production of vegetal and animal origin in water consumption. It also takes into consideration the losses in the production of food and the increasing per capita consumption, taking into account the doubts about the food crisis submitted by several specialists. Additionally, important elements are outlined to enable opinions to be made on the food crisis. The theory of 'water to eat' introduces the equivalent consumption of grains and water per inhabitant in some main selected countries, showing where there is wastefulness and low efficiency and offering alternatives to improve water, agricultural and food management. The conclusion is that food security can be obtained if the present losses are halted, the population and decision makers are made aware of the situation and production is rationalized in potential areas for irrigation, provided that the concept of sustainable development is adopted.