Cargill’s Insight on Water Use in Global Agriculture
Cargill highlights how water is used in global agriculture practices and how it is making every drop count.
As a multinational food and agriculture corporation for the global food and drink industry, it is innovating to utilise water efficiently and sustainability.
In a report written by Truke Smoor, Cargill’s global water lead, she emphasises that water is a limited resource, yet as the global population grows, so does the demand for water.
To tackle this challenge, the company has announced a target to restore 600 billion litres of water and reduce 5,000 metric tonnes of pollutants in water-stressed regions by 2030.
This comprehensive water strategy is aimed at addressing water scarcity and quality issues in its operations and supply chains.
Alongside this strategy, Smoor sheds light on how water is used in agricultural practices across the world and what this could mean for the food and drink industry.
‘How much water is used for agriculture in the world? 70% of it’
“Agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of global water usage”, says Smoor.
This statistic underscores the critical role that the agricultural sector plays in water conservation efforts, she adds.
Cargill's strategy focuses on improving water availability, quality and access in regions where the company operates and sources raw materials.
Smoor also emphasises the need for a localised approach to water management, recognising that water challenges vary across different regions.
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‘Water and climate change are linked’
Smoor says only 0.5 percent of the Earth's water is usable freshwater, and climate change threatens to reduce this supply further.
The agriculture industry, which depends on consistent water supplies, is particularly vulnerable to these challenges, she continues.
To address these issues, Cargill has partnered with the Soil Health Institute, a non-profit dedicated to soil vitality, to promote regenerative agriculture practices among North American farmers.
These practices include planting cover crops and reducing tillage, which can improve soil health and water conservation.
3. ‘The agriculture industry depends on clean water’
Smoor states that clean water is crucial for crop production, livestock health and food safety.
Polluted water can reduce yields, compromise food safety and harm soil health.
Smoor highlights Cargill’s initiatives to improve water quality, including:
- In Australia, assisting canola growers to adopt sustainable practices, such as responsible nutrient management.
- In the United States, partnering with Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit focused on wetland conservation, to protect North American wetlands, including the Ogallala aquifer.
4. ‘Healthy soils are key to good water management’
“The quality of water directly impacts the health of crops, livestock and the entire agricultural ecosystem”, says Smoor.
They absorb and store water, making farms more resilient to drought and reducing the need for excessive irrigation.
Smoor says that regenerative agriculture practices contribute to improved soil health.
Cargill's regenerative agriculture programmes have made significant strides in water conservation.
In 2023, these programmes increased water supplies in the company's supply chains by approximately 3.4 billion litres and improved water quality by reducing pollutants by over 60 metric tonnes.
5. ‘Water is essential for biodiversity’
“Water is closely linked to biodiversity — in other words, the variety of life in an area”, Smoor states.
Pollinators and other wildlife rely on clean water and healthy plants, she adds.
Cargill is working with the Global Water Challenge, a coalition advancing global water security, to revitalise the Audubon's Gilmor Sanctuary, a 3,600-acre wetland area near the Great Salt Lake in the United States.
6. ‘Better irrigation systems can help improve water use’
Advancements in irrigation technology are enabling farmers to water their crops more efficiently.
“Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops to help them grow. Irrigating crops is crucial for agriculture, especially in areas where rainfall is scarce or unpredictable”, says Smoor.
Cargill is partnering with Goanna Ag, the AgTech company enhancing irrigation efficiency for farmers, to implement precision irrigation technology in cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta.
In Mexico, Cargill is providing long-term financing to corn producers to adopt water-saving drip irrigation systems.
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