Unlocking the Water potentiel of agriculture

All statistical evidence confirms that agriculture is the key sector for water management, now and in the next decades. Nevertheless, the rural water development sector fails at present to get priority, compared to other competing sectors, in international fora. Strong and new arguments are needed to bring rural water back "on line". Agriculture policies and investments will need to become more strategic. They will have to unlock the potential of agricultural water management practices to raise productivity, spread equitable access to water, and conserve the natural productivity of water resources base.