By Oke Peter

A new report by the World Bank has outlined sweeping changes needed in global agricultural water management to sustainably feed a projected population of 10 billion by 2050.


Titled “Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet,” the report warns that while food systems have successfully supported an additional two billion people over the past two decades, current practices are no longer sufficient to meet future demand without causing severe environmental harm.

Authored by researchers including Amal Talbi and Pieter Waalewijn, the study emphasizes the need for a fundamental transformation in how water is managed in agriculture.


Source: World Bank


Three key shifts

The report identifies three major paradigm shifts required to address the growing challenge:

* Embracing complexity to balance food production with environmental sustainability and economic growth


* Shifting incentives from infrastructure-focused investments to service-oriented approaches


* Improving data use to enable transparent, evidence-based decision-making and eliminate inefficiencies


These shifts are supported by a new “water-food nexus” framework, which categorizes countries based on water stress levels and their role in global food trade—whether as net importers or exporters. This approach allows for more tailored, country-specific solutions instead of broad, one-size-fits-all policies.


Financing and innovation at the core

The report stresses that governments cannot tackle the challenge alone. It calls for better allocation of existing agricultural funding and increased participation from the private sector. Expanding and diversifying financing sources will be critical to scaling sustainable solutions.


It also highlights the role of innovation in improving governance, boosting productivity, and ensuring financial sustainability across agricultural systems.

Jobs, climate, and economic gains

Beyond food production, the report positions agricultural water management as a driver of wider economic transformation. Strategic investments—particularly in sustainable irrigation—could generate at least 245 million jobs globally, with additional benefits across supply chains such as storage, processing, and transportation.


According to the findings, transforming water management systems can simultaneously increase food output, strengthen climate resilience, reduce emissions, and protect ecosystems.


The report concludes that rethinking how water is managed in agriculture is essential not only to feed the world but also to support thriving economies and a livable planet.