Abstract
During 2008 the world witnessed a global food crisis which caused social unrest in many countries and drove 75 million more people into poverty. The crisis resulted from sharply higher oil prices, increased bioβfuel production, dwindling grain stocks, market speculation, changing food consumption patterns in emerging economies, and changes in world trade agreements, among other factors. Although the rise in food prices was sudden, the fragility of global food security had been developing for years. During the 1960s and 1970s food production kept pace with demand as more cropland was irrigated and yields of irrigated crops increased dramatically. Irrigation played a critical role in combating hunger, poverty and death due to malnutrition. However, the environmental and social consequences of large irrigation schemes came into question, and investments in irrigation subsequently diminished. Today's food crisis is compounded by a rapidly growing world population, the conversion of food producing lands to bioβfuel production, diminishing available freshwater supplies, competition for water by other sectors, climate change impacts, and the reduction in arable lands due to urbanization. It is critical that investments focus on increasing agricultural production through improved management of land and water resources, and the involvement of all stakeholders. Copyright Β© 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.