GITNUXREPORT 2026

Water Use In Agriculture Statistics

Agriculture uses most of the world’s water and faces rising demand.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Rice in India requires 3,000-5,000 liters of water per kg produced.

Statistic 2

Wheat's global average water footprint is 1,827 m³/ton.

Statistic 3

Maize water footprint averages 900 m³/ton worldwide.

Statistic 4

Soybean requires 2,000 m³/ton of water footprint globally.

Statistic 5

Cotton's water footprint is 10,000 m³/ton, highest among fibers.

Statistic 6

Sugarcane water use is 210 m³/ton, with 72% green water.

Statistic 7

Alfalfa hay requires 14,000 m³/ton water footprint in the US.

Statistic 8

Tomatoes have a water footprint of 214 m³/ton globally.

Statistic 9

Potatoes use 287 m³/ton water footprint.

Statistic 10

Oranges require 970 m³/ton water footprint.

Statistic 11

Beef's water footprint is 15,400 m³/ton, mostly indirect.

Statistic 12

Pork water footprint averages 5,990 m³/ton globally.

Statistic 13

Poultry uses 4,325 m³/ton water footprint.

Statistic 14

Milk's water footprint is 1,020 m³/ton worldwide.

Statistic 15

Almonds in California require 10,000 liters per kg.

Statistic 16

Avocados have a water footprint of 1,980 m³/ton.

Statistic 17

Coffee green beans use 15,900 m³/ton water footprint.

Statistic 18

Tea leaves require 6,300 m³/ton water.

Statistic 19

Bananas have 860 m³/ton water footprint.

Statistic 20

Grapes use 945 m³/ton globally.

Statistic 21

Globally, agriculture accounts for about 70% of all freshwater withdrawals, totaling around 2,800 km³ per year.

Statistic 22

In 2017, irrigated agriculture used 2,700 km³ of water worldwide, representing 68% of total water withdrawals.

Statistic 23

Agriculture consumes 92% of freshwater in developing countries compared to 27% in developed ones.

Statistic 24

Worldwide, 38% of irrigated land (68 million hectares) relies on groundwater for agriculture.

Statistic 25

Global agricultural water use increased by 60% from 1960 to 2000.

Statistic 26

Irrigation supports 40% of global food production on just 20% of cultivated land.

Statistic 27

In 2020, global water withdrawal for agriculture was 2,685 billion m³.

Statistic 28

Agriculture uses 69% of global water withdrawals, with industry at 19% and domestic at 12%.

Statistic 29

From 1990-2018, global irrigated area grew by 25 million hectares.

Statistic 30

Blue water footprint of global agriculture is 7,357 Gm³/year.

Statistic 31

Green water contributes 74% to global crop water use.

Statistic 32

Global crop production water productivity averages 0.45 kg/m³.

Statistic 33

Agriculture withdraws 3,100 km³ of freshwater annually worldwide.

Statistic 34

2.8 billion people live in countries with water stress due to agricultural demands.

Statistic 35

Global agricultural water demand projected to rise 60% by 2050.

Statistic 36

In arid regions, agriculture uses up to 90% of renewable water resources.

Statistic 37

Worldwide, rice irrigation consumes 39% of total irrigated water.

Statistic 38

Global livestock water use is 4,987 Gm³/year, mostly indirect.

Statistic 39

20% of global cropland is irrigated, producing 40% of food.

Statistic 40

Annual global water use in agriculture equates to 7 times Lake Mead's volume.

Statistic 41

Global water use for agriculture grew from 1,600 km³ in 1960 to 2,700 km³ in 2010.

Statistic 42

Agriculture's share of global water use peaked at 73% in 1990.

Statistic 43

80% of global blue water footprint is for agriculture.

Statistic 44

Global irrigation water use efficiency is only 40-45%.

Statistic 45

Agriculture uses 2/3 of the world's freshwater withdrawals.

Statistic 46

In 2050 projection, global ag water demand reaches 5,270 km³.

Statistic 47

Global crop water footprint totals 7,374 Gm³/year.

Statistic 48

68% of world water withdrawals are for agriculture (2018 data).

Statistic 49

Irrigation covers 301 million ha globally, 20% of cropland.

Statistic 50

Global ag water productivity is 1 kg/m³ for cereals.

Statistic 51

Drip irrigation saves 30-50% of water compared to surface methods globally.

Statistic 52

Sprinkler irrigation efficiency reaches 75-95%, versus 40-50% for flood.

Statistic 53

Surface irrigation covers 65% of global irrigated area but lowest efficiency at 40%.

Statistic 54

Micro-irrigation used on 6.6% of irrigated land, saving 45% water.

Statistic 55

Center pivot systems irrigate 50% of US cropland, efficiency 85%.

Statistic 56

Furrow irrigation uses 50-70% efficiency, common in row crops.

Statistic 57

Subsurface drip irrigation achieves 90-95% efficiency.

Statistic 58

Laser land leveling improves surface irrigation efficiency by 20-30%.

Statistic 59

Surge flow irrigation saves 25% water over conventional furrow.

Statistic 60

Low-energy precision application (LEPA) sprinklers save 20% water.

Statistic 61

Canal lining reduces seepage losses by 30-50%.

Statistic 62

Variable rate irrigation (VRI) optimizes water by 15-25%.

Statistic 63

Flood irrigation efficiency in rice paddies is 35-45%.

Statistic 64

Pivot with drop nozzles improves uniformity by 10-20%.

Statistic 65

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) for rice saves 25-30% water.

Statistic 66

SDI (subsurface drip) reduces evaporation by 70%.

Statistic 67

Big gun sprinklers have 60-80% efficiency.

Statistic 68

Pressurized systems (drip/sprinkler) cover 30% of world irrigation.

Statistic 69

Cablegation (big gun on cable) efficiency 70-85%.

Statistic 70

Mulching with drip increases efficiency by 20-40%.

Statistic 71

In the United States, agriculture accounts for 80% of freshwater withdrawals, totaling 118 billion gallons per day in 2015.

Statistic 72

California's agriculture uses 80% of the state's developed water supply, about 34 million acre-feet annually.

Statistic 73

In India, agriculture consumes 89% of groundwater withdrawals.

Statistic 74

China's agriculture uses 62% of total water consumption, around 380 billion m³/year.

Statistic 75

In Australia, agriculture accounts for 62% of total water use, 11,595 GL in 2014-15.

Statistic 76

Brazil's agriculture withdraws 67% of water resources, mainly for irrigation.

Statistic 77

In Spain, agriculture uses 64% of water, with 3.7 million ha irrigated.

Statistic 78

Egypt's agriculture consumes 86% of Nile water, supporting 96% of food production.

Statistic 79

In Pakistan, 96% of water withdrawals are for agriculture, totaling 183 km³/year.

Statistic 80

Iran's agriculture uses 92% of water resources, with 8.7 million ha irrigated.

Statistic 81

In Mexico, agriculture accounts for 76% of water use, 78 km³ annually.

Statistic 82

Turkey's agriculture consumes 74% of water, irrigating 6.6 million ha.

Statistic 83

In the EU, agriculture uses 24% of freshwater, but 44% in southern Europe.

Statistic 84

South Africa's agriculture withdraws 62% of water, 9,580 million m³/year.

Statistic 85

In Argentina, agriculture uses 70% of renewable water, mainly for soy and corn.

Statistic 86

Israel's agriculture uses 57% of water, with efficiency at 90%.

Statistic 87

In the UK, agriculture accounts for 4% of abstraction, but rising.

Statistic 88

Japan's agriculture uses 55% of water, 56 billion m³/year.

Statistic 89

In Canada, agriculture withdraws 4% nationally but 70% in Prairie provinces.

Statistic 90

France's agriculture uses 32% of water, 10 billion m³ for irrigation.

Statistic 91

In Vietnam, agriculture consumes 88% of water, mainly rice paddies.

Statistic 92

Thailand's agriculture uses 85% of water, 70 km³/year.

Statistic 93

In the Netherlands, agriculture uses 10% of water but high efficiency.

Statistic 94

Global average irrigation efficiency improved from 30% in 1960 to 44% in 2014.

Statistic 95

Water use efficiency in agriculture averages 1 kg/m³ globally but up to 2.5 in high-performers.

Statistic 96

Precision agriculture tools improve water productivity by 20-30%.

Statistic 97

Crop water productivity for wheat increased 25% from 1990-2010 with better management.

Statistic 98

Deficit irrigation saves 20-50% water with minimal yield loss.

Statistic 99

Conservation tillage reduces irrigation needs by 10-20%.

Statistic 100

Covered cultivation (greenhouses) boosts WUE to 20 kg/m³.

Statistic 101

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) reuses 70-90% of water.

Statistic 102

Rainwater harvesting captures 20-50% more water for ag.

Statistic 103

Genetic improvements in crops raise WUE by 14% per decade.

Statistic 104

Farmer field schools increase water savings by 30% in rice.

Statistic 105

Soil moisture sensors enable 15-25% water reduction.

Statistic 106

Wastewater reuse in ag reaches 20 billion m³/year globally.

Statistic 107

Scheduling irrigation with ET models saves 30% water.

Statistic 108

Organic amendments improve soil water holding by 20%.

Statistic 109

Remote sensing for irrigation management cuts overuse by 25%.

Statistic 110

Economic incentives reduce ag water use by 10-20% in basins.

Statistic 111

Hydrogel polymers retain 400 times water, saving 50% in dry areas.

Statistic 112

Blockchain for water trading improves allocation efficiency by 15%.

1/112

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Imagine a silent river flowing through every bite of food you eat, a hidden torrent that swallows 70% of all the freshwater our planet can provide for farming—this is the staggering reality of water use in agriculture, a system both feeding billions and straining Earth's most vital resource.

Key Takeaways

Globally, agriculture accounts for about 70% of all freshwater withdrawals, totaling around 2,800 km³ per year.
In 2017, irrigated agriculture used 2,700 km³ of water worldwide, representing 68% of total water withdrawals.
Agriculture consumes 92% of freshwater in developing countries compared to 27% in developed ones.
In the United States, agriculture accounts for 80% of freshwater withdrawals, totaling 118 billion gallons per day in 2015.
California's agriculture uses 80% of the state's developed water supply, about 34 million acre-feet annually.
In India, agriculture consumes 89% of groundwater withdrawals.
Rice in India requires 3,000-5,000 liters of water per kg produced.
Wheat's global average water footprint is 1,827 m³/ton.
Maize water footprint averages 900 m³/ton worldwide.
Drip irrigation saves 30-50% of water compared to surface methods globally.
Sprinkler irrigation efficiency reaches 75-95%, versus 40-50% for flood.
Surface irrigation covers 65% of global irrigated area but lowest efficiency at 40%.
Global average irrigation efficiency improved from 30% in 1960 to 44% in 2014.
Water use efficiency in agriculture averages 1 kg/m³ globally but up to 2.5 in high-performers.
Precision agriculture tools improve water productivity by 20-30%.

Agriculture uses most of the world’s water and faces rising demand.

Crop-Specific Water Use

Rice in India requires 3,000-5,000 liters of water per kg produced.
Wheat's global average water footprint is 1,827 m³/ton.
Maize water footprint averages 900 m³/ton worldwide.
Soybean requires 2,000 m³/ton of water footprint globally.
Cotton's water footprint is 10,000 m³/ton, highest among fibers.
Sugarcane water use is 210 m³/ton, with 72% green water.
Alfalfa hay requires 14,000 m³/ton water footprint in the US.
Tomatoes have a water footprint of 214 m³/ton globally.
Potatoes use 287 m³/ton water footprint.
Oranges require 970 m³/ton water footprint.
Beef's water footprint is 15,400 m³/ton, mostly indirect.
Pork water footprint averages 5,990 m³/ton globally.
Poultry uses 4,325 m³/ton water footprint.
Milk's water footprint is 1,020 m³/ton worldwide.
Almonds in California require 10,000 liters per kg.
Avocados have a water footprint of 1,980 m³/ton.
Coffee green beans use 15,900 m³/ton water footprint.
Tea leaves require 6,300 m³/ton water.
Bananas have 860 m³/ton water footprint.
Grapes use 945 m³/ton globally.

Crop-Specific Water Use Interpretation

When you look at the dinner plate, it’s like a water budget meeting where beef is the overbearing CEO spending the company's entire reserves, alfalfa is the exorbitant consultant no one can quite explain, and tomatoes are the efficient intern somehow keeping the whole operation afloat.

Global Water Use

Globally, agriculture accounts for about 70% of all freshwater withdrawals, totaling around 2,800 km³ per year.
In 2017, irrigated agriculture used 2,700 km³ of water worldwide, representing 68% of total water withdrawals.
Agriculture consumes 92% of freshwater in developing countries compared to 27% in developed ones.
Worldwide, 38% of irrigated land (68 million hectares) relies on groundwater for agriculture.
Global agricultural water use increased by 60% from 1960 to 2000.
Irrigation supports 40% of global food production on just 20% of cultivated land.
In 2020, global water withdrawal for agriculture was 2,685 billion m³.
Agriculture uses 69% of global water withdrawals, with industry at 19% and domestic at 12%.
From 1990-2018, global irrigated area grew by 25 million hectares.
Blue water footprint of global agriculture is 7,357 Gm³/year.
Green water contributes 74% to global crop water use.
Global crop production water productivity averages 0.45 kg/m³.
Agriculture withdraws 3,100 km³ of freshwater annually worldwide.
2.8 billion people live in countries with water stress due to agricultural demands.
Global agricultural water demand projected to rise 60% by 2050.
In arid regions, agriculture uses up to 90% of renewable water resources.
Worldwide, rice irrigation consumes 39% of total irrigated water.
Global livestock water use is 4,987 Gm³/year, mostly indirect.
20% of global cropland is irrigated, producing 40% of food.
Annual global water use in agriculture equates to 7 times Lake Mead's volume.
Global water use for agriculture grew from 1,600 km³ in 1960 to 2,700 km³ in 2010.
Agriculture's share of global water use peaked at 73% in 1990.
80% of global blue water footprint is for agriculture.
Global irrigation water use efficiency is only 40-45%.
Agriculture uses 2/3 of the world's freshwater withdrawals.
In 2050 projection, global ag water demand reaches 5,270 km³.
Global crop water footprint totals 7,374 Gm³/year.
68% of world water withdrawals are for agriculture (2018 data).
Irrigation covers 301 million ha globally, 20% of cropland.
Global ag water productivity is 1 kg/m³ for cereals.

Global Water Use Interpretation

The sobering reality is that humanity's plates are filled by a thirsty giant, as agriculture siphons two-thirds of the planet's fresh water—a staggering dependence that demands we stop watering our fields like there's no tomorrow, because for 2.8 billion people, that day is already drying up.

Irrigation Technologies

Drip irrigation saves 30-50% of water compared to surface methods globally.
Sprinkler irrigation efficiency reaches 75-95%, versus 40-50% for flood.
Surface irrigation covers 65% of global irrigated area but lowest efficiency at 40%.
Micro-irrigation used on 6.6% of irrigated land, saving 45% water.
Center pivot systems irrigate 50% of US cropland, efficiency 85%.
Furrow irrigation uses 50-70% efficiency, common in row crops.
Subsurface drip irrigation achieves 90-95% efficiency.
Laser land leveling improves surface irrigation efficiency by 20-30%.
Surge flow irrigation saves 25% water over conventional furrow.
Low-energy precision application (LEPA) sprinklers save 20% water.
Canal lining reduces seepage losses by 30-50%.
Variable rate irrigation (VRI) optimizes water by 15-25%.
Flood irrigation efficiency in rice paddies is 35-45%.
Pivot with drop nozzles improves uniformity by 10-20%.
Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) for rice saves 25-30% water.
SDI (subsurface drip) reduces evaporation by 70%.
Big gun sprinklers have 60-80% efficiency.
Pressurized systems (drip/sprinkler) cover 30% of world irrigation.
Cablegation (big gun on cable) efficiency 70-85%.
Mulching with drip increases efficiency by 20-40%.

Irrigation Technologies Interpretation

The statistics reveal a paradox of global agriculture: while the majority of the world still relies on the least efficient irrigation method, the solutions to dramatically conserve water—like drip, subsurface, and smart systems—are already proven and waiting to be scaled, offering a path to save our most precious resource drop by drop.

National Water Use

In the United States, agriculture accounts for 80% of freshwater withdrawals, totaling 118 billion gallons per day in 2015.
California's agriculture uses 80% of the state's developed water supply, about 34 million acre-feet annually.
In India, agriculture consumes 89% of groundwater withdrawals.
China's agriculture uses 62% of total water consumption, around 380 billion m³/year.
In Australia, agriculture accounts for 62% of total water use, 11,595 GL in 2014-15.
Brazil's agriculture withdraws 67% of water resources, mainly for irrigation.
In Spain, agriculture uses 64% of water, with 3.7 million ha irrigated.
Egypt's agriculture consumes 86% of Nile water, supporting 96% of food production.
In Pakistan, 96% of water withdrawals are for agriculture, totaling 183 km³/year.
Iran's agriculture uses 92% of water resources, with 8.7 million ha irrigated.
In Mexico, agriculture accounts for 76% of water use, 78 km³ annually.
Turkey's agriculture consumes 74% of water, irrigating 6.6 million ha.
In the EU, agriculture uses 24% of freshwater, but 44% in southern Europe.
South Africa's agriculture withdraws 62% of water, 9,580 million m³/year.
In Argentina, agriculture uses 70% of renewable water, mainly for soy and corn.
Israel's agriculture uses 57% of water, with efficiency at 90%.
In the UK, agriculture accounts for 4% of abstraction, but rising.
Japan's agriculture uses 55% of water, 56 billion m³/year.
In Canada, agriculture withdraws 4% nationally but 70% in Prairie provinces.
France's agriculture uses 32% of water, 10 billion m³ for irrigation.
In Vietnam, agriculture consumes 88% of water, mainly rice paddies.
Thailand's agriculture uses 85% of water, 70 km³/year.
In the Netherlands, agriculture uses 10% of water but high efficiency.

National Water Use Interpretation

The global pantry is a thirsty beast, drinking most of the water it takes to set the table, yet it dines from a glass that is far from bottomless.

Water Efficiency and Management

Global average irrigation efficiency improved from 30% in 1960 to 44% in 2014.
Water use efficiency in agriculture averages 1 kg/m³ globally but up to 2.5 in high-performers.
Precision agriculture tools improve water productivity by 20-30%.
Crop water productivity for wheat increased 25% from 1990-2010 with better management.
Deficit irrigation saves 20-50% water with minimal yield loss.
Conservation tillage reduces irrigation needs by 10-20%.
Covered cultivation (greenhouses) boosts WUE to 20 kg/m³.
Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) reuses 70-90% of water.
Rainwater harvesting captures 20-50% more water for ag.
Genetic improvements in crops raise WUE by 14% per decade.
Farmer field schools increase water savings by 30% in rice.
Soil moisture sensors enable 15-25% water reduction.
Wastewater reuse in ag reaches 20 billion m³/year globally.
Scheduling irrigation with ET models saves 30% water.
Organic amendments improve soil water holding by 20%.
Remote sensing for irrigation management cuts overuse by 25%.
Economic incentives reduce ag water use by 10-20% in basins.
Hydrogel polymers retain 400 times water, saving 50% in dry areas.
Blockchain for water trading improves allocation efficiency by 15%.

Water Efficiency and Management Interpretation

While humanity has dramatically sharpened its agricultural pencil from the leaky hose days of the 1960s, today's impressive portfolio—from thirsty supercrops to space-age sensors and even financial nudges—proves that every drop truly can count, and be counted, with witty ingenuity.

Sources & References

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