Water shortage is a global problem that happens when the demand for water is higher than the area's supply. In worse scenarios, water shortage could even end up in drought. According to reports from the United Nations, by 2050, water shortage will have 5 billion people struggling to live with very low water supply.
Still, parts of the world with severe water shortage are those that grow 25% of the whole world's crops. This setting further lowers the supply for those areas. To cope, some farmers dig deeper to reach groundwater for irrigation. Like a vicious cycle, this action further contributes to water shortage.
The problem is that these areas supply the crops that the rest of the world consumes. Most likely, consumers are not aware that some of their favorite food need so much water to grow. Unfortunately, all consumers see are price tags that seem to rise every now and then.
Unaware that price hikes are the result of the increasing difficulty in tending to the produce, consumers think that the quality of the product improved or that the price is an indication of exclusivity. Later, the produce would be bought, anyway.
Although there are a number of water-intensive crops, below is a list of the five most-consumed crops that impractically need a whole lot of water.
ALMONDS
One piece if almond demands 12 liters of water to grow according to a study done in 2004 to 2015. This takes almond production using up about two trillion liters of water supply. Because California grows 80% of the world's almonds, groundwater depletion and land degradation are greatly noticeable, especially in the Central Valley.
AVOCADOS
One kilogram of avocados would need 2,000 liters of water. That is about 10 full bathtubs' worth of water, for a single small sack of avocados. The sad news is that Petorca, an arid drought-stricken Chilean town, is one of the leading growers of avocado.
SUGARCANE
For sugarcane, 210 liters of water are needed to end up with one kilogram of sugarcane. Refined sugar is a different story. One kilogram of refined sugar needs 1,780 liters of water. 80% of the water used for irrigation is tapped from groundwater reserves.
RICE
According to the Water Footprint Network, one kilogram of rice needs 1,670 liters of water. According to Columbia University, chronic water stress has been affecting many parts of India because of the demand for rice growing.
BANANAS
160 liters of water is needed for one large piece of banana. Being the largest producer of organic bananas worldwide, Dominican is currently facing a severe drought. This led to lowered production in bananas by half.
