The webinar was chaired by Professor Ermias Kebreab, Director of the World Food Center at the University of California, Davis and member of the VinFuture Prize Pre-screening Committee, along with Dr. Cao Duc Phat, IRRI Chair of the Board of Trustees and former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam, and Dr. Anton Urfels, IRRI Senior Scientist on Water Management.

The Relationship Between Water and Food Security

Professor Kebreab emphasized the fundamental role of water in agriculture: “Water is the cornerstone of all agricultural systems. It sustains crop growth, nourishes livestock, and enables the very food systems that support our communities.” He highlighted the major challenge that agriculture accounts for 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, while this resource faces unprecedented pressure from climate change, urbanization, and industry.

Professor Kebreab also discussed the complex relationship between climate change and food security. As climate patterns shift, the availability and timing of water supplies are becoming increasingly unpredictable. “How can we optimize water use in ways that both sustain crop production and protect our ecosystems? Moreover, with water scarcity exacerbated by extreme weather events, building resilient systems that can withstand droughts and floods is no longer just an option, it is a necessity for sustainable development,” he emphasized.

According to Professor Kebreab, effective water management must become a central component of agricultural policies. Particularly in the context of rising global population and increasingly evident impacts of climate change, the vital interdependence between food and water resources is becoming more apparent than ever before. Addressing these complex challenges requires innovative solutions and global cooperation to secure sustainable production while preserving essential water resources.

Vietnam’s Success Story in Ensuring Food Security

Dr. Cao Duc Phat shared Vietnam’s impressive journey in ensuring food security, a vivid illustration of the powerful combination between policy reform and technological innovation. “After the war ended in 1975, Vietnam faced many challenges in ensuring food security. Despite efforts to apply new technology and improve the centrally planned economic system, the country still had to import 1-2 million tons of food annually to meet domestic demand,” he shared.

The turning point came in 1986 with the powerful combination of market-oriented policy reform and new technology. Dr. Phat explained: “The core of the reform was the introduction of the free market mechanism. Land was distributed to farmers for long-term use, price and input markets were liberalized. The government provided credit and extension services directly to farm households, improved irrigation and rural infrastructure, and incentivized private sector participation.”

The results were remarkable. Agriculture grew steadily at about 3% annually, with rice production nearly tripling over 30 years. Since 1990, Vietnam has achieved rice self-sufficiency and begun exporting. By 2023, Vietnam earned $53 billion from agricultural, forestry, and fishery exports. Farmers’ incomes increased, with poverty rates declining by 1-2% annually.

However, Dr. Phat also pointed out new challenges in the current phase. “70% of Vietnam’s water usage for agricultural purposes is allocated to rice cultivation. Climate change is strongly impacting food systems and farmers. Rice cultivation is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, requiring urgent adaptation and mitigation measures.”

To address these challenges, Vietnam is implementing a one-million-hectare high-quality and low-emission rice program in the Mekong Delta. One of the key solutions is the application of “Alternate Wetting and Drying” (AWD) technique. “Pilot trials show this technique can save up to 30% of water used in rice cultivation, equivalent to about 20 billion cubic meters of water annually, while reducing emissions up to 40% and potentially increasing productivity by 10-20%,” Dr. Phat emphasized.

He also stressed the importance of developing appropriate policies: “We need to find the right market-oriented policies, not just relying on subsidies. In the long term, solutions must both benefit farmers and help address common societal issues.”

Global Perspective and Solutions for the Future

Dr. Anton Urfels presented a comprehensive picture of food security and water challenges on a global scale. Based on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, he pointed out a concerning trend: after a period of stability from 2013-2018, the number of hungry people in the world has not only failed to decrease but has increased, despite global economic growth.

Through satellite data, Dr. Urfels showed many regions facing serious groundwater depletion. “The red areas on the map are hotspots of water depletion, largely due to excessive groundwater extraction. This indicates that our agricultural production is causing environmental problems that need to be controlled in the coming years.”

Regarding solutions, Dr. Urfels emphasized the importance of timing management in cultivation: “In many areas, atmospheric water demand is much higher at certain times of the year. Adjusting rice production systems and planting times to align with periods of lower water demand can be a key intervention.”

Dr. Urfels also discussed the application of technology and artificial intelligence in water management. He introduced the Landscape Crop Assessment Service, a system for collecting data on farming practices. “Once we have data on basic practices over several years, we can ask AI models questions like: where would investments in irrigation pay off the most if we increase irrigation a little bit?”

He emphasized that with the combination of new technology, good data, and comprehensive dialogue, we can make significant progress in water management and ensuring food security by 2030.

The speakers all emphasized that addressing water and food security challenges requires a holistic approach, combining technological innovation, appropriate policies, and international cooperation. Vietnam’s success serves as a prime example, offering valuable lessons for many other countries in their efforts to ensure food security and sustainable water management.