23 July 2018: Water pollution from unsustainable agricultural practices threatens human health and ecosystems, according to a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on behalf of the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems. Noting that the role of agriculture in water pollution is often underestimated by policymakers and farmers, the report titled, ‘More People, More Food, Worse Water? A Global Review of Water Pollution from Agriculture,’ explains that agriculture, not human settlements or industry, is the biggest source of water pollution. Nitrate from farming is the most common chemical contaminant found in groundwater aquifers.
The report aims to increase understanding regarding the causes and effects of agricultural water pollution and the means to prevent its occurrence. It covers agricultural sectors, such as cropping systems, and livestock and aquaculture production, as well as the expansion of irrigation, and fertilizer and pesticide use. It examines water pollution drivers, pressures and changes in water bodies, impacts on human health and the environment, and responses to prevent water pollution and mitigate its risks. The report explains that annual costs of water pollution from agriculture are in the billions of dollars.
Population pressure and increasing water competition in a changing climate require us to take stock of the availability and use of water across scales. Water availability not only influences farmers’ commercial prospects but also irrigation-related enterprises and agri-businesses. Greater water scarcity could jeopardize irrigation and agricultural markets while excessive water use can lead to declining ecosystems, water quality and soil health. IWMI advises development partners and the public and private sectors on all aspects of water resource availability and use through a variety of advanced modeling and remote-sensing products and tools, including 
The ability of farmers to engage in or expand irrigation depends on the prevailing socioeconomic, ecological and political contexts, which are often complex, non-linear and changeable. Overcoming systemic barriers to farmer-led irrigation development while taking advantage of existing opportunities 
A lack of affordable credit, particularly for women and resource-poor farmers, is one of the main barriers to expanding farmer-led irrigation in low- and middle-income countries. But 
Scaling farmer-led irrigation requires strengthening human capacity and knowledge exchange among all actors and stakeholders involved. IWMI takes an action research approach, working with national and international research institutions, governments, extension agents and public and private organizations to co-develop the scaling ecosystem and strengthen capacity to drive scaling networks and collective action. We support the