Water resources are under increasing pressure, due to world's growing population and economy, mainly in terms of increased food consumption. One measure to cope with limited water availability and growing demand in a country is to import grains and hence water. By importing grains countries become dependent on other countries and on world market prices. Because of its heavy dependence on the world grain market, importing countries are vulnerable to rising global food prices and export bans. Affluent countries like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China and India have therefore descended on fertile plains across Africa, acquiring huge areas of land to produce food for consumption back home. As agriculture is by far the largest user of water, the increased food trade has a huge impact on the regional demand for water. Insight into the value of water (i.e. productivity of water) is important when making decisions about the reallocation of water among regions, sectors, and generations. Speaker: Professor Petra Hellegers. 5:30pm. Theatre B, Room 129 (ground floor), Old Arts (Blg 149), University of Melbourne, Parkville.
Public meeting: The role of water economics in food security
Wednesday, July 4, 2012 - 17:30