USA Africa Dialogue Series - Tackling change: future-proofing water, agriculture, and food security in an era of climate uncertainty

This report argues that to feed the global population in 2050 the world will have to produce more food without significantly expanding the area of cultivated land and, because of competition between a greater number of water users, with less freshwater. These issues are likely to be compounded by climate change. The report concludes that to ensure agriculture and food security, good water management adaptation is needed but it cannot be done in isolation. The need for sustainable development is empathised. The report argues that depending on local contexts, needs, and interests there are opportunities for improving water management that help adaptation to climatic and other change, and simultaneously advance development. Building resilience brings benefits in adaptation, climatic variability management, diversification of livelihoods, and reduced risk.