Virtual water in food

We all know about water. It is the elixir of life. The water we drink and the water we irrigate plants are all real water.

Now, there arises a question in our minds: when does the real water attain the virtual status? So, it works like this. Normally, the plants use rainwater or irrigation water for their growth and development, so the water that is used by the plants till harvest is considered real water, but once the product is moved from the production site for consumption, that is the time real water attains the virtual status.

You might wonder why we should know about this. Well, I believe when we know them, we will use them precisely. Like, how we carefully use petrol for our vehicles without spilling and also water for the households, as we have water meters for measuring them. Let us get to know the virtual water in food, so we don't waste food.

A brief note on the virtual water value for our understanding. For plants, it is calculated as the ratio of the total amount of evapotranspiration at the field level to that of the yield (Renault, 2002).

So, if you want to know the virtual water content of say 1 ton of rice, then it is estimated that it comes to around 3000 (in m3/ton) (gdrc.org). This means to produce 1000 kg of rice, the water consumed is 30 lakh litres.

To understand simply, to produce 1kg of rice, we need 3000 litres of water. Isn't it a huge quantity of water?

So, let us think more than once before wasting one bowl of rice or eatables because a huge quantity of water is used for their production.

When we understand the concept behind the numbers, then we can make a great change as it provides a greater sustainable insight.

Now, that we know, it is time for us to share this with our kids, family and friends for the betterment of us and our planet.

Enjoy Life with Science.