March 23, 2026
Farmers in Tanzania transplant tomato seedlings in drip-irrigated fields
Water is no longer an abundant resource—it is becoming one of the most critical constraints to agriculture and food systems globally.
According to the United Nations, around 4 billion people already face severe water scarcity at least one month a year. Agriculture alone accounts for around 70% of global freshwater use, and by 2030, demand for water is expected to exceed supply by 40%.
This is not a distant risk. It is already unfolding, particularly across Asia, where declining groundwater, erratic rainfall, and increasing competition for water are directly affecting farming systems and in many parts of Africa, limited access to water itself remains a daily challenge.
For agriculture, water is not just another input. It directly determines crop productivity, soil health, and ultimately farmer income. As climate variability increases, water availability is becoming less predictable, making every drop more valuable. The future of agriculture will not depend on how much water we have, but on how efficiently and responsibly we use it.
At East-West Seed, water stewardship is embedded in how we approach sustainable agriculture and farmer resilience. Our efforts focus on the following areas:
- Improving water efficiency in our own operations. We have scaled up drip irrigation across our own farms to significantly improve water-use efficiency and reduce losses from evaporation and runoff. At the same time, we encourage and support our seed growers in adopting water-saving irrigation practices.
- Developing climate-resilient varieties. We breed varieties that use water more efficiently, tolerate drought, and maintain yields under water stress to help farmers adapt to increasingly unpredictable conditions.
- Strengthening farmer knowledge and practices. Through the work of the East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, farmers are also supported with practical training on water-saving techniques such as drip irrigation, mulching, and improved crop management, helping them apply these solutions effectively in the field.
This World Water Day, we are reminded that water challenges are deeply interconnected with food security, climate resilience, and economic stability. Addressing them requires not only technology, but also stronger farmer engagement and more responsible resource management. This is not just about conserving water—it is about building a resilient agricultural system that can sustain farmers and food production in a water-constrained world.
Water will define the future of agriculture. The real question is whether we are ready to use it wisely.
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