OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 19-Mar-2026 | Pages: 41-53 | Doi : 10.37446/vol2book092025/41-53
Water scarcity, climate change, uncontrolled resource exploitation, and governance challenges are the key drivers largely impacting agricultural sustainability. The chapter briefly reviews the water agriculture dependency with a focus on the key drivers, impacts, and strategies associated with water scarcity in agriculture. It also reviews the present declining water resource related issue and its effects on crop production, yield stability, soil degradation, salinity, and farmer livelihoods as possible emerging risks to food security and rural sustainability. Further, the chapter discusses water-smart agriculture practices, including the latest water-efficient irrigation technologies, advanced cropping patterns, and soil-water conservation measures as sustainable water management strategies. This section explains the role of traditional water management practices, policies, institutional measures, and emerging technologies in addressing challenges related to water scarcity in agriculture. It also explains how these efforts help to make efficient and judicious use of water in agriculture. Overall, the chapter has highlighted that efficient water management in agriculture is essential for achieving long-term water security and agricultural sustainability.
Water scarcity, Agricultural sustainability, Climate change, Water-smart agriculture, Sustainable water governance
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