Agriculture faces challenges

 THE United Nations expects agriculture to face more competition from other industries in the struggle to access water, land and other resources in the years to come as the world population increases. 

UN resident coordinator Stuart Watson said this to commemorate World Water Day last Friday in Port Moresby. 

“It’s important to note that water needed for agriculture accounts for roughly 70% of all the global fresh water use,” he said. 

“Water stress is a serious concern for people all over the world – both the stress caused by lack of water, or too much water. 

“Many people in PNG have experienced taim hangre (hungry periods) resulting from droughts, and this year we’ve seen the impact on communities from too much water. 

“Approaches to responsible water management have to be addressed at the local, provincial, national and global levels immediately before the next generation of water conflict develops,” Watson said. 

“With no good management policies and equitable use of our precious water resources, food security will suffer.”