Order

Alterations in climate due to increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide and other trace gases must be viewed with concern, if not alarm, because of the risk of adverse impacts on the availability and quality of water resources. Hydrologic changes may lead to alterations in pressure on food resources in many regions of the world. This paper explores the mechanisms by which food security - defined here as the ability of a region to produce or otherwise provide food without threatening the well-being of either the population or the existing political systems - could be affected by climate-induced changes in water resources. Shifts in the timing, magnitude, or location of major hydrologic phenomena, such as runoff, soil moisture, or monsoons, are discussed, together with the important vulnerabilities of agricultural productivity to changes in water availability. Some of the concomitant political and socioeconomic implications are also presented, with suggestions for ways to enhance the reliability of food resources dependent on uncertain water supplies.

Summary (En)

Air tanah sangat potensial untuk mengairi tanaman pangan terutama palawija di lahan tadah hujan. Salah satu cara pemanfaatan air tanah tersebut dengan membuat sumur pantek. Hal ini memungkinkan karena kedalaman air tanah relatif dangkal (10-15 m dari permukaan tanah). Pengembangan air tanah tersebut akan berdaya guna apabila manfaat yang diperoleh cukup besar dibandingkan dengan biaya yang dikeluarkan. Frekuensi pemberian air tiap 14 hari tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap hasil kedelai dan jagung di Sukamandi (Subang), Haurgeulis (Indramayu) dan Adipala (Cilacap) dibandingkan pemberian air tiap 7 maupun 10 hari. Penyaluran air yang berasal dari pompa menggunakan slang plastik untuk mengurangi kehilangan air selama penyaluran sehingga menghemat bahan bakar pompa. Besar biaya untuk pengoperasian pompa rata-rata Rp 240.000,- dan Rp 265.000,- masing-masing untuk kedelai dan jagung sedangkan keuntungan bersih rata-rata budidaya kedelai dan jagung masing-masing Rp 374.000,-/ha dan Rp 321.000,-/ha