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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • MARCH 2017


Water supplies will determine future’s food fortunes Canada has the potential to feed the world as leader in environmental sustainability


by BARBARA JOHNSTONE GRIMMER


PORT ALBERNI – Canada is one of five countries with the potential to feed the world’s growing population because of its abundant supply of fresh water.


While water shortages are expected to make most other countries more dependent on imported food, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, the US and Canada have what it takes to supply the demand: water, a high ratio of arable land per person, suitable climates, reliable infrastructure and efficient commercial and financial services. “Water, not oil, will define a country’s wealth in the 21st century,” says Brent Paterson, the keynote speaker of the Islands Agriculture Show, hosted in Port Alberni on February 3-4. Paterson, formerly executive director of Alberta


Agriculture and Rural Development’s irrigation and farm water division and now principal of Paterson Earth and Water Consulting Ltd., has been working internationally on water and land management projects supporting agriculture The future of water is at stake, he says. The global population is expected to reach nine billion by 2050, and the world’s food requirements could double over the same period. Per capita consumption of protein and calories is expected to increase, especially in developing countries, and demand for meat, which requires more water to produce, is also expected to increase. To meet the demand, countries face a diminished land base and greater competition for fresh water. Many countries use water for purposes other


than food production but food self-sufficiency is a cultural and political priority, says Paterson. “Many countries will be forced to abandon their


policy of food self-sufficiency because of water shortages,” he says.


on the US as a destination for our exports. Growth regions to watch include China, India and Southeast Asia. Canada’s provinces and territories will best access new international markets as a country rather than as separate provinces or territories, says Paterson. Reducing internal trade barriers between provinces will support this unified approach.


Climate challenges Climate change also presents challenges and


opportunities. Paterson says farmers have always adapted with


FILE PHOTO A changing climate and mismanagement of


surface and ground water further complicate matters. Sixty percent of global food production occurs on non-irrigated land. Forty percent of food is harvested from irrigated land, which accounts for less than 20% of the land base. “It is projected that 80% of the additional food


required to feed the world’s growing population will come from irrigation. It will require innovations in land management and water management,” says Paterson, adding that more efficient agricultural water use can reduce the need for irrigation. Cash-rich, food-poor countries are investing in


the agricultural rights of land-rich countries to secure agricultural land and food products. Much of this land is in sub-Sahara Africa and improved irrigation in this region could increase food production by 50%. The opportunities for Canada include expanded


markets for its food, which is widely perceived as clean and healthy. Global demand for food is increasing and


Paterson believes we have become over-dependent


the weather but long-term climate trends promise warmer annual temperatures, especially on the Prairies. This could create new production opportunities and more diversification. However, the changes could include extremes in temperatures and precipitation. Droughts, floods, increased precipitation in winter (but less snow), and increased pests and pathogens could also be part of the mix. Okanagan Lake is already seeing reduced inflows.


Hotter, drier growing seasons, with earlier snow melt have been observed. Crop water demand has increased. Greater awareness of the potential for sustained


droughts and development of long-term drought management strategies must be priorities, not to mention flood management. “We must stop building homes and other


structures on flood plains,” adds Paterson. “Canada should strive to be a leader in water technologies and practices to meet climate challenges.” Paterson stresses the need to encourage


innovation in water management: water harvesting, water storage and improved irrigation technologies. “Canada’s branding should be as a leader in


environmental sustainability, and Canada should strengthen its social license in this area,” he believes.


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