Context
World Food Day is observed annually on October 16th to commemorate the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) foundation anniversary.
Sustainable water management is crucial to addressing the escalating threats to the security of food and nutrition.
 
The Importance of Prudent Water Management 
• UN food agencies urge the management, conservation, and availability of water resources through innovative, cooperative initiatives.
• India's use of agriculture: Rainfed agriculture contributes significantly to food production and makes up 60% of the nation's net sown area.
• Preserving a Balance between Freshwater Usage and Irrigated Agriculture: Preserving a balance between freshwater usage and agriculture is essential for resilient and sustainable food production.

Threats:  
• Degraded Freshwater Resources: Degradation affects over 40% of the world's land, resulting in decreased agricultural productivity.
• Impact on Agriculture: The Indian government's projections, which rely on climate models, indicate sharp declines in crop output in the absence of adaptation measures.
• FAO Initiatives: FAO is implementing a crop forecasting framework that takes into account data on the climate, soil, and markets in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
 
What needs to be done 
• State-specific interventions: The Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems project created a comprehensive hydrological monitoring program that reached 638 habitations across seven drought-prone districts.
• IFAD's climate adaptation initiatives aim to integrate new technology with well-established knowledge systems to build resilient and profitable agricultural value chains.

LTX Mains Question: 
Q. " Discuss about the critical need of sustainable water management for farming practices and climate change preparedness. Highlight the most crucial strategies and initiatives that might ensure the wise management of water resources for the agriculture industry's long-term sustainability."