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Water productivity and water footprint: misguided concepts or useful tools in water management and policy?

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  • Upali A. Amarasinghe
  • Vladimir Smakhtin

Abstract

Water productivity (WP) and water footprint (WFP) are popular concepts in research and discourses on water management. Yet there are concerns about their theoretical validity and practical value. This paper shows that the water production function, the concept with a sound theoretical foundation, is the basis for WP. Total WFP is the reciprocal of WP. The practical value of WP and WFP depends on the context of water use and stress. Maximizing WP, not a panacea to all water problems, mainly suits arid rainfed areas. In other regions, economic and marginal WP for increasing overall production should take precedence in water management and policy decisions.

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  • Upali A. Amarasinghe & Vladimir Smakhtin, 2014. "Water productivity and water footprint: misguided concepts or useful tools in water management and policy?," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(7), pages 1000-1017, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rwinxx:v:39:y:2014:i:7:p:1000-1017
    DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2015.986631
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Molden, D., 1997. "Accounting for water use and productivity," IWMI Books, Reports H021374, International Water Management Institute.
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    7. Molden, David, 2007. "Water for food, water for life: a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture: summary. In Arabic," IWMI Books, Reports H041261, International Water Management Institute.
    8. Molden, David, 2007. "Water for food, water for life: a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture: summary," IWMI Books, Reports H039769, International Water Management Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe & Dirwai, Tinashe Lindel & Taguta, Cuthbert & Sikka, Alok & Lautze, Jonathan, 2023. "Mapping Decision Support Tools (DSTs) on agricultural water productivity: A global systematic scoping review," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    2. Dennis Wichelns, 2015. "Water productivity and water footprints are not helpful in determining optimal water allocations or efficient management strategies," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(7), pages 1059-1070, November.
    3. Bodini Antonio & Chiussi Sara & Donati Michele & Bellassen Valentin & Török Áron & Dries Lisbeth & Ćorić Dubravka Sinčić & Gauvrit Lisa & Tsakiridou Efthimia & Majewski Edward & Ristic Bojan & Stojano, 2021. "Water Footprint of Food Quality Schemes," Journal of Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, De Gruyter, vol. 19(2), pages 145-160, December.
      • Antonio Bodini & Sara Chiussi & Michele Donati & Valentin Bellassen & Áron Török & Liesbeth Dries & Dubravka Sinčić Ćorić & Lisa Gauvrit & Efthimia Tsakiridou & Edward Majewski & Bojan Ristic & Zaklin, 2021. "Water Footprint of Food Quality Schemes," Post-Print hal-03267194, HAL.
    4. Wendy Timms & Cameron Holley, 2016. "Mine site water-reporting practices, groundwater take and governance frameworks in the Hunter Valley coalfield, Australia," Water International, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(3), pages 351-370, May.

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