ABSTRACT Urbanization and agriculture are highly coupled. However, the impacts of urbanization(e.g. transformation in urban and rural population and change in diet) on water and nitrogen (N) use remain poorly understood. The objectives of this study are to quantify water flows in the food chain of China, to analyze the complex relationship between urbanization and water and N use efficiency, and to project water and N demand in China via various scenarios, using a combination of water footprint approach and the food chain model NUFER. In 2006, China consumed in total about 857 km3 of water and 49 Tg of N, in which 132 km3 of water (15%) and 15 Tg of N (31%) were imported (as feed and food) , and 21 km3 of water (2.4%) and 5 Tg of N (10%) were exported (as feed and food). Besides that, if Chinese diet increases, especially with animal protein intake, to current European (EU-27) level, water and N use will have to increase to approximately 1600 km3 and 70 Tg, respectively. We concluded that urbanization plan in China must consider its impacts on water and N uses in the food chain, as ignoring these effects will lead to biased interpretations and unsustainable development.

ABSTRACT Urbanization and agriculture are highly coupled. However, the impacts of urbanization(e.g. transformation in urban and rural population and change in diet) on water and nitrogen (N) use remain poorly understood. The objectives of this study are to quantify water flows in the food chain of China, to analyze the complex relationship between urbanization and water and N use efficiency, and to project water and N demand in China via various scenarios, using a combination of water footprint approach and the food chain model NUFER. In 2006, China consumed in total about 857 km3 of water and 49 Tg of N, in which 132 km3 of water (15%) and 15 Tg of N (31%) were imported (as feed and food) , and 21 km3 of water (2.4%) and 5 Tg of N (10%) were exported (as feed and food). Besides that, if Chinese diet increases, especially with animal protein intake, to current European (EU-27) level, water and N use will have to increase to approximately 1600 km3 and 70 Tg, respectively. We concluded that urbanization plan in China must consider its impacts on water and N uses in the food chain, as ignoring these effects will lead to biased interpretations and unsustainable development.

The 3rd International Forum on Water and Food (IFWF3), held in South Africa, demonstrated the robustness of the CPWF research approach. There were frequent debates about what exactly research-for-development means, where the boundary between research and development lies, the vital interface with policy and the role that communications play. IFWF3 asked how we can become even more effective in taking action, while we focus on developing and implementing innovations and solutions. This report synthesizes the main outcomes and issues generated at the IFWF3 and serves as a benchmark for where CPWF is midway through its 2nd phase.

Asia accounts for 70% of the world's irrigated area and is home to some of the oldest and largest irrigation schemes. While these irrigation schemes played an important role in ensuring food security for billions of people in the past, their current state of affairs leaves much to be desired. This paper takes forward the IWMI-FAO-ADB (Asian Development Bank) recommendation of a five pronged approach for revitalizing Asia's irrigation and provides a region specific road map for doing this. The underlying principle of these multiple strategies is the belief that the public institutions at the heart of irrigation management in Asia need to give up comfortable rigidity and engage with individual users' needs and the demands placed by larger societal chang.

PR | IFPRI3; ISI; Environment and Natural Resource Management | EPTD

PR | IFPRI3; ISI; Environment and Natural Resource Management | EPTD | Journal article

Asia accounts for 70% of the world's irrigated area and is home to some of the oldest and largest irrigation schemes. While these irrigation schemes played an important role in ensuring food security for billions of people in the past, their current state of affairs leaves much to be desired. This paper takes forward the IWMI–FAO–ADB (Asian Development Bank) recommendation of a five-pronged approach for revitalizing Asia's irrigation and provides a region-specific road map for doing this. The underlying principle of these multiple strategies is the belief that the public institutions at the heart of irrigation management in Asia need to give up comfortable rigidity and engage with individual users' needs and the demands placed by larger societal changes.