Food & Climate
Inefficient water use in agriculture, coupled with a lack of cooperation among relevant ministries within a single government in managing resources of water in MENA, contributes to the fragility of food and water systems.
Agriculture consumes more than 80% of the region’s available freshwater resources. A significant portion of this water is lost to evaporation and seepage due to aging irrigation infrastructure, according to a report by three researchers from the Economic Research Forum (ERF).
In a recent report issued by the Cairo-based forum, researchers noted that countries in the region are already classified as water-scarce.
Climate projections indicate intensifying droughts, groundwater depletion and extreme weather events, which threaten both water availability and agricultural productivity.
So, the researchers ask: how can governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) secure essential resources like water and food in the face of escalating climate pressures and geopolitical disruptions.
The answer came from: Arian Gholami, the economist specializing in energy security, environmental policy, and sustainable development, Narges Mahmoudpour, the economist specializing in energy and environmental policy, and Parvaneh Tabatabaei, the energy economist with a multidisciplinary background in chemical engineering, econometrics and artificial intelligence, according the report that “Food & Climate” platform received.
Water resources in MENA
Recent evidence suggests that the MENA region is approaching a tipping point.
MENA holds only 1-2% of the world renewable freshwater yet sustains over 6% of the global population. Most countries in the region are already classified as water-scarce. Climate projections indicate intensifying droughts, groundwater depletion and extreme weather events, which threaten both water availability and agricultural productivity.
The region’s food systems are equally fragile. Over half of MENA’s food is imported, leaving it acutely exposed to global market shocks.
While it is framed as a national security concern, it is often addressed through short-term policy fixes, subsidies or emergency imports rather than through comprehensive reforms to domestic agriculture and supply chains.
One contributing factor to this vulnerability is the inefficient use of water in agriculture, which consumes more than 80% of available freshwater resources. Much of this is lost to evaporation and leakage due to outdated irrigation infrastructure.
At the same time, fragmented governance structures prevent coordinated planning. Ministries responsible for water, agriculture, energy and environmental affairs often operate in silos, which delays integrated responses and limits innovation, according the ERF’s researchers.
Compounding the challenge is political sensitivity around water pricing. Many countries offer heavily subsidised water, making it difficult to invest in modern infrastructure or enforce efficiency standards. Meanwhile, urban expansion and demographic growth continue to increase the demand for water, food and energy, further straining already stretched resources.
Projects of water in the MENA
In recent years, several countries have introduced projects such as solar-powered desalination plants, re-use of treated wastewater, and precision irrigation pilots. But these remain localised efforts, often underfunded or disconnected from broader policy goals. Rural areas where the effects of water and food scarcity are often most acute rarely benefit from these innovations.
Lessons from other regions offer useful insights. For example, in my comparative study of green building transitions in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand , I find that successful environmental reforms share three features: Clear, time-bound national targets.
Strong inter-ministerial coordination platforms.
Transparent monitoring and reporting systems aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
These principles can be adapted to MENA’s context to support integrated approaches to water and food security.
The researchers recommended several measures, including: Adopting measurable national standards. Governments should set binding targets for water use efficiency and local food production, linking these standards to budget allocations, monitoring them regularly, and reporting them publicly to enhance credibility.
They also urged investment in resilient and inclusive infrastructure and strengthening regional cooperation on transboundary water governance.
Rivers such as the Euphrates, Nile, and Tigris cross borders, and effective management requires regional frameworks that facilitate dialogue, joint planning, and early warning systems to avoid conflict. Researchers argue that climate change is not the sole factor behind the food and water crisis in the Middle East and North Africa region, but rather a multiplier of existing vulnerabilities. Without decisive reforms, these pressures could undermine development, fuel migration, and deepen inequality. However, if addressed proactively, they offer an opportunity for transformation and resilience building.