Agriculture in the 21st century faces numerous challenges impacted by the great tempos of urbanization, a decrease of cultivation areas, worsening of the environmental situation, etc. However, agriculture still has to produce more food and fiber to sustain the growing population with the limited rural labor force. In addition, it also suffers from the problem of climate change. According to a report published by FAO in 2009, the world population is projected to grow by a third between 2009 and 2050 [1]. Areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa were predicted to experience the fastest population growth of about +114% [1].
If to speak about the United Arab Emirates, its agriculture GPD was 0.8% in 2012 [2]. Between 2005 and 2010, the population increased from 3.7 million to 8.4 million. In 2015, it was estimated to be 9.5 million. The exponential growth has resulted in a 30% increase in food demand in the nation which conditioned the increased demand for food and other products of the agricultural sector [2].
Besides, the increased population also conditioned the appearance of another concern related to the well-being of people and the existence of sources needed to provide them with the needed essentials. Yet, one realizes the fact that food, water, and energy are crucial for the economic growth of a nation, poverty reduction, and human well-being. For this reason, the relationship between sustainable development and food, energy, and water demand has been a subject of study for decades through the nexus approach. According to numerous researches related to the creation of beneficial living conditions, these three elements are inextricably linked [3]. Water supply is one of the basic demands needed to align the efficient functioning of the agricultural sector, which, in its turn, will be able to provide the food needed to satisfy workers needs and obtain the needed energy. This chain evidences the existence of the direct correlation between food, energy, and water. The alterations of one element affect the others. An imbalance in food, water, and energy nexus impacts both the economy and environment of any state and might result in the collapse of the state machine.
The given paper provides the investigation of the given nexus from the foods perspective. As mentioned above, all elements of the system impact each other. For example, producing one calorie of food requires at least one liter of water while energy is needed to cook or warm food. Besides, fossil fuels are essential for making fertilizers and pesticides and energy is also necessary to manufacture agricultural products.
Numerous
research studies prove the given correlation and admit the extensive complexity between water, energy, and food nexus [3]. Food is essential to provide a human with energy to work and maintain good health. Water and energy are required to produce food. Energy is needed to move and use water. On its part, water is vital for cooling power plants and producing oil and natural gas. All elements of this chain are irreplaceable.
Once used water is reverted to the environment through discharge and evaporation, and the given pattern could be used to reutilize the source in some cases At all these stages of water supply, energy inputs play an important role which is conditioned by the peculiarities of the local environment. This interaction of water resources and energy is known as the water-energy nexus [4]. This nexus is a critical business and an environmental and security issue that has been widely discussed in recent years
UAE belongs to the countries of the MENA region as it refers to the Middle East and North Africa areas. Agriculture plays an important role in the economies of most nations classified under MENA because of the complexity of local climate conditions. MENA countries face extreme water and rainfall scarcity. To sustain the growing of high-value cash crops such as sugar, vegetables, fruits, and cereals, some of the nations rely on large-scale irrigation and mechanization by obtaining water from outside regions [5]. This fact conditions the appearance of numerous concerns related to the agricultural sector.
To effectively support agriculture, irrigation largely dependent on energy and water availability has been proposed in MENA countries. However, there are numerous limitations associated with the given approach. These limitations include groundwater problems and poor water resources governance. For instance, the state of the groundwaters poses a certain threat to the existing system as most MENA nations extract more water than it is recharged [5]. As a result, extensive irrigation leads to saltwater intrusion in aquifers near the seas.
Being one of the richest states in the region, the UAE has numerous possibilities for the creation of an efficient and stable agricultural sector. Yet, oscillations of oil prices affect this issue greatly. The fact is that the global food system is highly dependent on fuel and transport. When fuel prices are high, fuel-dependent agricultural production systems become less secure. As a result, food becomes an expensive commodity for most people to afford. The connection between food and oil makes the relationship between the components systematic.
In modern agriculture, fuel is used in farm machinery and tractors, transportation of farm inputs and outputs, and food processing [6]. In addition, oil is used to make products such as agricultural chemicals [6]. In this regard, all important elements of the agricultural sector are influenced by the increase in fuel and oil prices. However, at the same time, the UAEs agriculture might also suffer from the decrease of prices as being one of the main oil suppliers, the state will be deprived of the source of income which could not but impact its industry and agriculture.
Nevertheless, poor harvests reduced the stock of grain, as well as the increased demand, which has driven food prices high, highlighting the need to review food security issues in the UAE. The government is interested in achieving self-sufficiency in its agriculture through the use of advanced technologies and modern techniques. Besides, to overcome the problem of water supply, UAE has introduced a desalination plant that makes seawater capable of use.
However, the share of agriculture in GDP is going down in the UAE and most MENA countries which tend to develop oil refinery industry [7]. That is why the UAE relies on imported crops heavily, and this fact makes the inhabitants even more vulnerable to problems in the agricultural sector. Yet, as mentioned above, low oil prices also cause food insecurity in the UAE. The reason is that oil is the major driver of the nation’s economy. When global oil prices are low, the country is faced with significant economic deficits. As a result, it becomes challenging to import food products. and satisfy the existing peoples needs.
Water shortage and energy security
Water shortage and energy security play a critical role in the decline of agriculture GPD. The fact is that the production of energy requires a lot of water. In addition, water is required to grow crops sustain agriculture. Water scarcity results in the shutting down of thermal power plants using food processing and conditions the decline of GPD.
Loss of competition about a greater economy in the country
Competition in food and agricultural markets has a major influence on the agriculture GPD. Loss of competition impacts farm products prices and production. Over the decades, competition issues have attracted a big number of policymakers and scholars. The groups help governments to develop policies and reforms aimed at addressing market concerns and maintaining food security.
Land ownership
Land ownership results in the decline of the contribution of agriculture to GPD due to poor land tenure policies and governance. In addition, most people who own land lack the experience and good farm management knowledge required to produce more food.
Accessibility to agricultural soils
Soil is an important resource for agriculture. The reason for this is that soil holds the waters required by crops and provides essential natural nutrients. Lack of good and fertile agricultural soils impacts food production. Accessibility can be caused by erosion, soil pollution, and degradation.
Modern Technologies in greenhouses
Modern technologies in greenhouses are essential in increasing food production and ensuring food security. However, not all people can access or afford the new innovative farm tools required for greenhouses. In addition, maintaining and managing greenhouses can be a complex task.
Agricultural Industries
Agricultural industries are essential in ensuring food security. However, challenges affecting industries have contributed to a decline in agriculture’s GDP. Agricultural diligence is affected by such factors as government policies, food prices in the market, capital, and labor. Another major factor impacting agricultural industries is scientific and technological advancements.
Additionally, countries of the MENA region are considered to be the most water-scarce areas in the world. They have the highest water deficit levels in the globe. Besides, according to the last statistical data, MENA countries are home to 6.3% of the total world’s population [5]. However, the nations have access to an estimated 1.4% of renewable freshwater. The average water available per person in MENA areas is 1,200m3 per year. According to environmental forecast reports, water availability per capita will fall to half by 2050 [8]
Water scarcity in the MENA Region including UAE results from;
- Water scarcity in MENA regions including UAE is caused by such factors as the excessive use of surface waters and underground aquifers, high variability, and low rainfall in space and time. Other aspects include inefficient use of freshwater, bad practices in irrigation, losses in water distribution systems, and excessive consumption [9]. Groundwater refers to irrigate stored deep beneath the earth’s surface in underground aquifers [9]. Groundwater located in shallow aquifers flows in streams and lakes. Weak environmental policies and extensive irrigation in UEA have led to irrigation pollution and scarcity of groundwater.
- Pollution of freshwater resources.
- Nearly 60 percent of water flows in the region cross international borders, which further complicates the issue of resource management.
References
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FAOSTAT. (n.d.). United Arab Emirates. Web.
World Bank. (2013). Energy: Securing Energy in a Water-Constrained World. Web.
World Water Development. (2014). Water, food, and energy nexus. Web.
Focus Economics. (n.d.). Middle East & North Africa. Web.
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A. Afshan.(2011). Oxfam urges action on food security. Web.
F. Roudi. (2001). Population Trends and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa. Web.
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