Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #411187
Research Project: Dryland and Irrigated Crop Management Under Limited Water Availability and Drought

Location: Soil and Water Management Research

Title: Advancing sustainable water use across the agricultural lifecycle in the United States

Author
item MALIK, HUMA - Colorado State University
item ZVULONOV, YAEL - Colorado State University
item KINNEBREW, EVA - Colorado State University
item GATES, TIMOTHY - Colorado State University
item Evett, Steven
item VANDERROEST, JACOB - Colorado State University
item RADIAN, ADI - Technion Institute
item CHI, JIALIN - Guangdong Academy
item ABHIJITH, GOPINATHAN - Indian Institute Of Technology
item MUELLER, NATHAN - Colorado State University
item OSTFELD, AVI - Technion Institute
item FANG, LIPING - Guangdong Academy Of Agricultural Sciences
item BORCH, THOMAS - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Nature Water
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2025
Publication Date: 6/19/2025
Citation: Malik, H.T., Zvulonov, Y., Kinnebrew, E., Gates, T., Evett, S.R., Vanderroest, J.P., Radian, A., Chi, J., Abhijith, G.R., Mueller, N.D., Ostfeld, A., Fang, L., Borch, T. 2025. Advancing sustainable water use across the agricultural lifecycle in the United States. Nature Water. 3:655-667. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00450-7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00450-7

Interpretive Summary: This article aims to address the salient question: where should efforts be concentrated to advance agricultural water management in the present day? USDA ARS collaborated with scientists from Colorado State University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel, and Guangdong Academy of Sciences, China, to provide an insightful analysis of the unique circumstances in the United States that present limitations for implementing effective strategies. Additionally, we conduct a comparative assessment of these constraints on a global scale, while also discussing successful practices adopted in other water-stressed countries. By drawing upon these comparative insights, this article aims to inform future decision-making regarding water management in agriculture.

Technical Abstract: Being an essential human enterprise and by-far the largest consumer of freshwater resources, agriculture stands at the heart of the world’s water resource sustainability challenge. Agriculture is a major consumer of ground and surface water, demanding 70% of freshwater diversion worldwide. Additionally, population growth and rising per capita food consumption necessitate continued increase in crop production leading to increased reliance on already depleting fresh water resources. This challenge is further compounded by the disruptions in the water cycle resulting from climate change. The prevailing circumstances clearly indicate that we have reached a critical juncture, compelling us to recognize that the current trajectory is no longer sustainable. Urgent action is imperative to address the pressing water crises and find effective management solutions. Having previously overcome food security challenges, exemplified by the notable success of the Green Revolution in the face of a looming global famine, humanity now acknowledges that the notion of success in agriculture extends beyond crop yield. So, as we strive to address the water crises in the agricultural sector and provide recommendations, it is crucial to proceed with utmost caution and meticulous planning, taking into account the potential consequences that may arise as a result. Thus, the need for sustainable agricultural water management becomes imperative—an approach centered on the efficient and effective utilization of water resources in agricultural activities while minimizing adverse environmental impacts and ensuring long-term water availability. This entails the implementation of a wide range of strategies, techniques, and technologies aimed at optimizing water use, conserving water resources, and preserving the overall health of agroecosystems. Various sustainable agricultural water management strategies have been developed, explored, and in some cases implemented globally. However, in this article we focus on the factors that demand careful consideration and understanding for widespread implementation of these strategies in the United States.