Analysis of the water-food nexus for food security in a high Andean Community

Abstract

Water and food are facing increasing demand worldwide. This increase is significant in mountainous regions where glaciers are melting, and water availability is in danger. Food demand has also increased with the population growth. This study sought to evaluate relationships between water supply and food demand in a community located in the Peruvian Andes mountainous region. The developed methodology reveals a practical way to identify future problems with food availability. Water supply was evaluated using historical precipitation data. On the other hand, water demand was estimated using meteorological data. Irrigated areas were determined using 2019 agricultural data from the local government. Food consumption was evaluated using a 2019 per capita regional consumption. Results show a water deficit for the current agricultural demand for ten out of the twelve months. The potato was the main crop being produced in the community, among sixteen studied crops. A high percentage of the time, many products were found do not satisfy local demand. For example, the potato was found to secure only fifty-five percent of the total local-demand fifty percent of the time. Current results can help the management of food security.