Improving Water Efficiencies in Rural Agriculture for Sustainability of Water Resources: A Review

Water scarcity is an escalating global concern that poses significant challenges to agriculture. The need to feed a growing population, coupled with changing climate patterns, demands a re-evaluation of water use efficiency in major field crops. Water efficiency in agriculture is a critical facet of sustainable water management in rural areas, where agriculture often serves as a primary economic activity. In rural regions, where water resources are often limited, efficient agricultural water management is vital to ensure food security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. In this review, we have discussed various measures to improve water use efficiency or productivity in agricultural systems. Adopting the strategies for enhancing water productivity at plant and field level may include: rain water harvesting in rural area, soil moisture conservation practices like mulching, crop residue retention and conservation agriculture, better utilization of stored soil moisture by best crop management interventions, irrigation scheduling, integrated farming systems i.e. multiple usage of water in agriculture by combining various farm enterprises like crop production, dairy and fishery. Beside these, reviewed the water use efficiency for important field crops around the world. Review also discussed about how beneficial public policies particularly watershed management in rural area are needed to establish the right socioeconomic conditions for boosting WUE in the agriculture.