Agriculture, Water and Cities - Making an Asset out of Wastewater

Home > Research Themes > Theme 3 - Agriculture, Water and Cities

Under Theme Three, IWMI identifies and tests interventions, for the rapidly growing sector of urban and peri-urban agriculture, that take advantage of urban resources. At the same time research looks at how to protect environmental and human health.

Millions of farmers in the developing world depend on marginal quality water for irrigation because they have no better alternative. Wastewater is often the only affordable or reliable water (and nutrient) source. The supply of rice or perishable vegetables to entire cities can depend on irrigation with polluted water - with obvious risks to both farmers and consumers. Although undesirable from a health and environmental viewpoint, wastewater irrigation is a livelihood reality in a large number of countries.

IWMI’s research in Agriculture, Water and Cities focuses on both costs and benefits of wastewater use - looking at the health, environmental, food chain and livelihoods implications - to achieve efficient and viable interventions along the contamination pathway from ‘farm to fork’. A key element on the risks and benefits of wastewater irrigation is identifying practical policy and management options and interventions that can reduce health risks.

FOCAL POINTS

• Enhancing the safe and productive use of wastewater in irrigated agriculture
  
  
• Managing urban demands on agriculture and the environment

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Home > Research Themes > Theme 3 - Agriculture, Water and Cities