Water pressure


Expert panel proposes five-point approach to improving agricultural watermanagement as demand continues to increase.


By Judie Steeves I


ncreasing competition for water and the uncertainties surrounding climate change and


variability in weather is going to put more stress on the agriculture industry in future, according to a report by an expert panel from the Council of Canadian Academies. There is also likely to be more


scrutiny of the industry as time goes on and more pressure on natural resources such as water by a burgeoning population—with a view to protecting its quality in aquifers, streams and wetlands. The report,Water and Agriculture


in Canada: Towards Sustainable Management ofWater Resources, was produced in response to a question from the federal agriculture minister and is the result of the work of 15 experts. The Council of Canadian


Academies is an independent, not- for-profit organization that supports


rising


independent, science-based, expert assessments to inform public policy development in Canada. It is led by a 12-member board of governors and advised by a 14-member scientific Advisory Committee, Primary agriculture in Canada is


linked to nearly $100 billion a year in economic activity and about one in 7.5 jobs. There are substantial opportunities for Canadian agriculture in the future with population growth and other factors expected to more than double global demand for food by 2050, according to the report. However, that’s forecast to trend towards higher value and more water-intensive forms of agricultural production. To manage water use better in


agriculture, the panel of experts recommended five areas in which there should be more research and in which action should be taken toward more sustainable management of water in agriculture: 1. New approaches, considering the


potential impact of climate change on growing conditions, such as drought and flooding, should be researched and there should be a better understanding of the risks and uncertainties of the market, so that more-effective management practices can be used. 2. Improved monitoring


information targeted to particular


areas of concern, and interpretation of that data, would help in a better understanding of the water resource and changes to it. For instance, in regions of B.C.,


agricultural uses of water face significant competition from other users and the environment. Contamination of surface water


and groundwater due to agriculture is a major concern. An example is Abbotsford, where


extensive monitoring of groundwater quality from shallow and deep wells has revealed widespread nitrate contamination, which was associated with historic agricultural land use management. And, the report notes, in the


Okanagan Valley, a region where agricultural activity depends on irrigation, there has been significant population growth in recent years and it is already nearing or exceeding the available water supply. 3. A better understanding of the


complex interactions between land management and water sources is needed, including consideration of conservation agriculture and ecosystems. For instance, the loss of wetlands


and the increased nutrient load and pesticides on natural systems as a result of agriculture is becoming a more pressing issue, but there are management practices that can


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2013 21


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