Washington, March 19 (NationPress) The water governance reforms in India, especially in Maharashtra, are poised to significantly influence the sustainable feeding of 10 billion people globally, as stated by the World Bank on Thursday. The organization highlighted the state's regulatory framework as a model for the world.

A recent report from the World Bank emphasized that improved water management in agriculture is crucial for meeting future food demands while also creating millions of jobs. India's innovative policies serve as a valuable lesson for regions facing water scarcity.

"The management of water resources for agriculture will have far-reaching consequences for employment, livelihoods, and economic development," commented Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank.

"By making informed decisions regarding crop locations, water distribution, and trade that enhances food security, we can bolster resilience, create opportunities, and protect essential resources," he added.

The report entitled Nourish and Flourish: Water Solutions to Feed 10 Billion People on a Livable Planet points to increasing disparities in global water usage, noting that regions like South Asia are facing excessive water extraction, while other areas do not fully utilize their available resources.

The World Bank commended Maharashtra for its initiatives in this area.

"The Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority is among the few bodies that establish bulk water tariffs for irrigation, as well as for domestic and industrial water usage," the report noted.

This regulatory approach is deemed vital for enhancing efficiency, ensuring cost recovery, and attracting investments into irrigation systems.

According to the World Bank, the current agricultural water use can only sustain less than half of the global population, with demand expected to surge by 2050.

Expanding irrigation sustainably could generate approximately 245 million long-term jobs, predominantly in developing nations.

"When investments in infrastructure and natural resources align with supportive policies and private capital, the overall impact can exceed the sum of its parts," stated Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for Planet at the World Bank Group.

By integrating global insights with local realities, this framework can assist policymakers in balancing trade-offs and adapting food production to contemporary water and climate challenges—achieving food security, employment, and resilience simultaneously.

The report suggests a framework that connects water management, food production, and trade decisions, helping nations determine whether to expand irrigation, optimize water use, or depend on imports.

For India, the implications are significant.

Areas of South Asia are already facing water overuse, jeopardizing future agricultural productivity and food security.

The report advocates for stronger institutional frameworks, improved water pricing, and increased private sector engagement to enhance efficiency.

It observes that farmers are willing to invest when they have access to financing, technology, and market opportunities.

Modernizing and expanding global irrigation systems will necessitate an additional $24 billion to $70 billion each year until 2050, according to the report.

Much of this funding could be sourced by reallocating existing subsidies, as governments currently allocate around $490 billion annually to agriculture.

The World Bank intends to double its support for agribusiness financing to $9 billion each year by 2030, in addition to mobilizing another $5 billion annually to assist small farmers.

Presently, global systems can sustainably nourish only about 3.4 billion individuals, highlighting the urgent need for reform.

By 2050, addressing the nutritional needs of nearly 10 billion people will require not just increased production, but also a smarter approach to water utilization—an area where Maharashtra's model could serve as a crucial template for the international community.