A recent UN report describes many regions as facing ‘water bankruptcy, ’ a condition in which available water resources can no longer meet existing demands. In practice, this means irrigation will likely bear the greatest burden of future water‐use reductions, a complicated and fraught decision to make given its critical role in food security. This review paper highlights the growing range of information now available through...

The estimation of future water resources availability, which depends on runoff, precipitation, temperature and evapotranspiration over medium to long‐term time, is an essential facet of regional climate impact analysis and risk estimation. Especially the Middle East (ME) and Central Asia (CA), which are among the most water scarce regions globally, have largely reached the limit of sustainably usable water across their river b...

Climate‐resilient irrigation is a necessity for sustainable development, aligning with broader goals of poverty alleviation, food security and environmental stewardship. By embracing adaptive strategies and fostering collaborative efforts, communities can navigate the challenges posed by a changing climate, safeguarding livelihoods and ecosystems. Climate‐resilient irrigation can improve coping measures and build resilience fo...

Similar to numerous water- and data-scarce regions, Egypt confronts a critical challenge in sustaining food production for its rapidly growing population. Consequently, the country’s water and land resources are under considerable stress and require careful management. About half of Egypt’s both annually harvested areas and renewable freshwater are allocated for cultivating rice, maize, wheat, and berseem clover. However, the...

Inconsistencies in the statistical data sets of irrigated areas at the national level could have considerable implications for policies developed for food and water security. Remote sensing can address this issue; however, doubts about its reliability inhibit its protagonist role. Methods that integrate both remote sensing based and statistical data sets seem expedient, and they are more likely to be acknowledged by policymake...