COMCEC Agriculture Outlook 2016
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Figure 21. Renewable Water Potential in the World (2013-2017)
Source: Calculated by using AQUASTAT and FAOSTAT
According to FAO data, total renewable water resources in the world have been
declining, and it is calculated as 54,705 km3/year for the period 2013-2017. The continental
distribution of total renewable water resources can be seen in Figure 21. America has 25,203
km3/year total renewable water resources constituting 46.1 percent of the world. Following to
America, Asia and Europe comprise 15,242 km 3 /year and 7,736 km3/year total renewable
water resources, respectively. Figure 21 also shows another meaningful indicator which is
called renewable water resources per hectare of agricultural land. It provides adequacy rate of
total renewable water resources with respect to agricultural land of a region. With respect to
this indicator, America, which possesses one fourth of the world’s total agricultural area, has
still the most renewable water resources per hectare of agricultural land with 20,580 m3 /ha. It
can be explained by its rich water potential. Following to America, Europe, having 9.5 percent
of the world’s total agricultural area, has 16,531 m3 /ha renewable water for per hectare
agricultural land. Lastly, Africa and Asia, covering most of the OIC Member Countries, have
very low level renewable fresh water for per hectares compared to America, Europe and the
average of the world.
4.781
20.580
9.336
16.531
2.129
11.114
10,3
46,1
27,9 14,1
1,6
100,0
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0
5.000
10.000
15.000
20.000
25.000
Africa Americas Asia Europe Oceania World
Percent m3 /ha
Renewable Water Resources Per Hectare (left axis) Share of RWR in the World (right axis)