Aquastat, FAO's global information system on water and agriculture

Aquastat is the global information system on water and agriculture led by FAO, and developed by the Land and Water Division. This division collects, analyzes and disseminates data and information by country and region.

A primary focus is on Africa, the Caribbean and South America, regions in which water management and use for agriculture still pose significant challenges.

The information provided by Aquastat can be used in agricultural schools, universities and colleges as a teaching resource. The data, extracted from a very rich and diversified base, provide modalities establishing, by country and by region, the particularities and especially the problems encountered in the development of water resources, and more particularly in irrigation.

To further facilitate classroom use, maps and charts are available, supported by publications and links. The map illustrating this article is of the watersheds of all rivers.

The FAO provides online materials to show how water is useful and necessary in agriculture. Six sections make up the bulk of this section:

• Methodology;
  
• Water balance under natural conditions;
  
• Agricultural water requirements;
  
• Irrigation water withdrawals;
  
• Conclusions;
  
• Some references.
  

The portal also provides an agricultural calendar specifying irrigation requirements by country.

This resource will be of interest to public managers, water engineers, agricultural consultants, and farmers. In the classroom, it will be recommended for high school students and students of hydrology and agricultural technology.