At a time when agriculture alone accounts for almost 70% of the world’s freshwater resources, it finds itself at a crossroads. Between climate pressure, water scarcity and the need to feed a growing population, the challenge is immense: how can we produce better with less water? In Montpellier, scientists from the One Science Foundation are exploring concrete solutions to make agricultural systems more sober and resilient.
Agricultural water under strain
In many regions, especially the Mediterranean, droughts are becoming longer and more frequent. Water stress has a direct impact on crop yields, modifies cropping calendars and weakens ecosystems. Irrigation, the mainstay of intensive production, is itself becoming uncertain, subject to resource availability, competition between uses and increasing regulations.
Researchers at Montpellier are studying this interaction between agriculture and hydrology using a systems approach, integrating climatic, ecological and socio-economic dimensions.
Towards less water-hungry crops
One of the key avenues of research is to develop cropping systems better adapted to dry conditions. This includes :
- varietal selection of more drought-resistant plants;
- diversification of crops to avoid sole dependence on irrigation;
- the adoption of agro-ecological practices that encourage soil water retention (mulching, plant cover, direct seeding).
In Montpellier, trials under controlled conditions and in the field are used to test crop response to water stress and identify the most effective levers.
Innovative irrigation
In addition to crop selection, optimizing irrigation is a key area of research. Using sensor, remote sensing and modelling technologies, researchers are developing decision-support tools that enable irrigation to be carried out at the right time, with the right quantity.
Experiments carried out in the south of France have shown that it is possible to significantly reduce water consumption without compromising yields, by fine-tuning inputs to the plants’ actual needs.
Rethinking agricultural territories
The challenges are not just technical: they are also territorial. How can we reconcile the needs of farmers, towns and natural environments in a context of scarcity? The Foundation’s geography, economics and political science researchers analyze water management policies on a watershed scale. They also study inequalities in access to the resource and local governance mechanisms, in collaboration with local stakeholders.
A transition guided by science
Reducing agriculture’s dependence on water, without sacrificing its productivity or sustainability, requires a profound transformation of food systems. It is this transition that Montpellier’s scientific teams are supporting, by producing robust knowledge, operational tools and realistic adaptation scenarios.
In the face of water scarcity, agricultural innovation is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Thanks to research rooted in local realities and open to global issues, the One Science Foundation is helping to build tomorrow’s resilient agriculture.