Natural Resources and Conservation Vol. 3(1), pp. 1 - 6
DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2015.030101
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The Challenges of Water Scarcity and the Future of Food Security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Suzan M. Shahin ^*, Mohammed A. Salem
College of Food & Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

This paper will provide an inside of the situation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a country that has limited fresh water resources. This fact in conjunction with the sever depletion of groundwater aquifers (which contribute to 70% of total water resources in the UAE). The sharp population growth could create critical challenges in providing the irrigation requirements for the agricultural sector, required to reach food security in this country. The main purpose of this work is to investigate whether the future watering requirements for crop production purposes could be met and sustained in 2030. This would be done through, reviewing the available irrigation resources and predicting the projected demand, required to cover the agricultural sector. The conclusion indicates that, the total predicted watering requirement depending on the groundwater resources for crops production would be approximately 2198 million m³/year. On the other hand, the year 2030 could be the first year with no more supply from groundwater resources. Leaving the future of the agricultural sector in a real critical situation, that can best be mitigated by adopting the best sustainable agricultural practices.

KEYWORDS
Agricultural Sector, Food Security, Groundwater Depletion, Irrigation Resources, Population Growth, Water Scarcity, United Arab Emirates (UAE), 2030

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Suzan M. Shahin , Mohammed A. Salem , "The Challenges of Water Scarcity and the Future of Food Security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)," Natural Resources and Conservation, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 1 - 6, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2015.030101.

(b). APA Format:
Suzan M. Shahin , Mohammed A. Salem (2015). The Challenges of Water Scarcity and the Future of Food Security in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Natural Resources and Conservation, 3(1), 1 - 6. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2015.030101.