Each hectare of farmland sustains the food production for one out of every four people on Earth. But the distribution of this cropland around the world is uneven. Cropland is under threat from climate change, the use of land for biofuels instead of food, and other environmental factors. Most importantly, croplands are vulnerable due to a lack of water security. Wealthier countries may be able to manage their water resources, but not always. Meanwhile, poorer nations are at risk for famine. It is crucial to address the issue of water security and how it relates to land management.

Key Takeaways:

• The world population is huge and they need to be fed. Global croplands play a key role in helping nations to feed their citizens.
• According to the estimates from the US Geological survey, one global cropland sustains about four people when they need sources of food.
• China, India, and the USA which are the most populous countries on earth have huge croplands that sustain their populations and with the highest net cropland.

“As the population keeps growing (though with declining growth rates that suggest an end of growth towards the end of the century), the importance of croplands for water and food security has become a central focus of research.”

Read more: https://geographical.co.uk/places/mapping/item/3204-water-security