Smallholder farming and water scarcity: contributions, benefits, and limitations

Smallholders make up the vast majority of farms globally in terms of numbers (over 400 million), cultivate around 20% of global cropland, and produce 30% of global food. Although 70-80% of smallholders are located in areas already facing water scarcity which may be further exacerbated by climate change and population and economic growth, little is known about the relationship between smallholder farming and water scarcity. This study aims to shed light on this relationship, both regarding how water scarcity affects smallholders’ production and vice versa, how smallholders’ production and water productivity contribute to local water scarcity.