Question:
What is the percentage of freshwater used in agriculture globally?
What is the percentage of freshwater used in agriculture globally?
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Agriculture = $70\%$.
Industry = $20\%$.
Domestic = $10\%$.
Agriculture is by far the "biggest thirst" of our planet.
Industry = $20\%$.
Domestic = $10\%$.
Agriculture is by far the "biggest thirst" of our planet.
Updated On: Aug 21, 2026
- 90%
- 70%
- 50%
- 30%
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the approximate global percentage of freshwater withdrawals currently allocated to the agricultural sector.
Detailed Explanation:
• Global Water Usage Statistics:
Freshwater resources are split between three main sectors: Agriculture, Industry, and Domestic (Municipal) use.
According to organizations like the FAO and the World Bank, agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally.
• Regional Variations:
In many developing countries (like India), this figure can be as high as $90\%$ due to intensive irrigation for food security.
In highly industrialized nations, the percentage is lower as industry consumes more.
• Why it is so high:
Irrigated agriculture is far more productive than rain-fed agriculture but requires massive volumes of water to maintain soil moisture during dry periods. Crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton are particularly water-intensive.
• Implications:
As the global population grows and climate change makes water scarce, there is a massive push for "more crop per drop" (increasing water-use efficiency) in agriculture.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The globally accepted average for agricultural freshwater use is 70%.
The question asks for the approximate global percentage of freshwater withdrawals currently allocated to the agricultural sector.
Detailed Explanation:
• Global Water Usage Statistics:
Freshwater resources are split between three main sectors: Agriculture, Industry, and Domestic (Municipal) use.
According to organizations like the FAO and the World Bank, agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of all freshwater withdrawals globally.
• Regional Variations:
In many developing countries (like India), this figure can be as high as $90\%$ due to intensive irrigation for food security.
In highly industrialized nations, the percentage is lower as industry consumes more.
• Why it is so high:
Irrigated agriculture is far more productive than rain-fed agriculture but requires massive volumes of water to maintain soil moisture during dry periods. Crops like rice, sugarcane, and cotton are particularly water-intensive.
• Implications:
As the global population grows and climate change makes water scarce, there is a massive push for "more crop per drop" (increasing water-use efficiency) in agriculture.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The globally accepted average for agricultural freshwater use is 70%.
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