Food, Energy, and Water Nexus: A Consideration for the 21st Century

The importance of water and energy for food security in the US and India is discussed, with innovations in irrigation, nitrogen, and water use efficiency, and rural sociological issues. The book also looks at the unintended consequences of high productivity agriculture on surface and ground water quality and impacts on ecosystem services. To meet the food demands in the next half-century, a resilient agricultural landscapes and appropriate crop hybrids are needed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 259 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The importance of water and energy for food security in the United States and India is explored in this book, which presents two extremes in yield, irrigation efficiency, and automation. Farming systems in these two countries face different risks in terms of climatic shifts and systems resiliency, with one potentially having a comparative advantage over the other. However, both are susceptible to the shocks. Innovations in irrigation for food and fuel production, improvements in nitrogen and water use efficiency, and rural sociological issues are discussed, as well as some of the unintended consequences of high productivity agriculture on surface and ground water quality and ecosystem services. The book also presents ways to move forward to meet the food demands in the next half-century in both countries.

As the current world population of 7 billion is expected to reach or exceed 10 billion in the next 40 years, there will be a significant increase in the demand for food. A rising middle class and its preference for a meat-based diet also drives the demand for animal feed. This additional food and feed production requires careful consideration of water and energy management, as well as the development of appropriate crop hybrids to withstand future climatic shifts and other environmental factors. A resilient agricultural landscape is also essential to withstand climatic fluctuations, disease pressures, and other challenges.

While upper and many middle-income countries have made significant improvements in crop yield through pressurized irrigation and automation in farming systems, lower-income countries face challenges in achieving similar gains due to these limitations. The rise in population is expected to be more significant in Sub-Saharan Africa and Middle East countries.

Weight: 415g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030857301
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022