We have to increase supply and decrease demand. That's the bottom line. One step would be to help farmers use water more efficiently, noted Doris Koehn, World Bank director for rural development, water and environment. Eighty-seven percent of the region's water goes to agriculture, compared to 65 percent in the rest of the world. Replacing these low-yielding crops and overhauling wasteful irrigation systems would free up more water resources for industries and households, Koehn said.
Outsiders can help.
Tariffs on farm products from developing countries sometimes exceed 100 percent. In addition, there are non-tariff barriers such as food safety measures. Countries, too, must do their part. According to the law, water belongs to the public, but farmers have established customary rights. Briscoe noted that the role of the state is predominant in the MENA regions and that economies are fairly closed.