Irrigated agriculture facing new challenges

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture covers 18% of cropped areas and produces 40% ofworld food. Its productivity per hectare is higher than rain-fedagriculture, but constraints are also more demanding: high investment,important running and maintenance costs, intensive cropping systemstightly dependent upon commercial chains, collective management oftennecessary, sharing water with other users. This special issue gives anon-exhaustive view of new irrigation problematics, current trends,opportunities, challenges and potential problems. Based on case studiesin Europe, Asia, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, three main issues arediscussed: (i) technical innovation and improvement of irrigationperformance; (ii) new land and water management institutions; and (iii)tensions surrounding irrigation issues inside territories.