The results of a study in Uganda and India show that by shifting agricultural policy to encourage crop diversification and use of new water and energy saving technologies, water use and energy costs could be significantly reduced.

In the Indian state of Punjab, shifting the dominant cropping pattern from rice to a mix of maize, cotton, sugarcane, pulses, fodder, fruits, vegetables and agroforestry can bring a reduction in agricultural water use of 1.58 million hectare-metres (ha m) annually. By using new water saving technologies and practices, the state would save up to 2.3 million ha m of water in agriculture annually.

The study was carried out under the Capacity-building in national planning for food security project by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners.

In Uganda, the agricultural sector produces only a quarter to half of potential crop and livestock yields due to poor production methods, despite favorable climatic conditions for food production. Only one-third of households in the country are food secure throughout the year.

UNEP reports that experts from the World Agroforestry Centre and Uganda's National Planning Authority together with African and Indian policy-makers, food security and biodiversity experts will discuss the findings of the study at project meeting. They will identify appropriate policy responses to avert further food security aggravation, including sustainable agricultural practices and new technology adoption.

Read the full story: Study Highlights New Agricultural Methods and Technologies That Can Save Governments Millions and Conserve Vital Natural Resources