Desalinated Water for Food Production in the Arab Region

Abstract

The Arab Region is one of the most water scarce regions of the world. 85 % of the water in the Arab Region is used for irrigation. The region is the world’s largest importer of grains. The direct link between food and water limits the potential of water-stressed Arab countries to promote food production. However, the prospects for using unconventional resources for irrigation, such as desalination, constitute priority for consideration and action. The high cost of desalination for irrigated agricultural crops is the main reason it is not used. It is necessary to analyze each factor (e.g. parts, chemicals, labor, membranes, and energy) influencing the costs of water desalination. Energy costs range between 50 and 76 % of the total cost of the desalination process; however, the downward trend in the energy use per desalinated m³ of water indicates that desalination technology is becoming more viable for irrigation use. The concept of sustainability with its three pillars: economic, environmental, and social should be at the forefront of planning any food production initiative using desalinated water. In addition to the economic feasibility of using desalination for irrigation, the carbon footprint, brine disposal, and lowering water levels in shallow seas are serious environmental aspects to be considered. Arab countries should learn from previous good and bad practices. The trial of Saudi Arabia to be self-sufficient in water-intensive crops, such as wheat, from the 1970s onwards is a clear example for unsustainable development. Developing local capacity to adopt state-of-the-art desalination technologies should be on the agenda of Arab Governments. Serious support for research and development is urgently needed to help develop and pilot test new desalination technologies, such as Forward Osmosis.