Today, we’re going to learn about how new farming methods help save water. In the past, farms used a lot of water, which wasn’t always good for our planet. But now, there’s something called smart farming. It uses new technology to make sure plants get just the right amount of water they need, without wasting any. This is great because it means we can grow more food for everyone without using too much water.
When farmers water their crops, sometimes the water doesn’t all soak into the ground. Instead, it runs off the land and carries soil, fertilizer, and other stuff into rivers and lakes. This is called water runoff. It’s like when you pour too much water on a sponge and it can’t hold any more, so the water just flows off.
Using too much water or letting it run off like this can make the rivers and lakes dirty. It’s important for farmers to use just the right amount of water and try to stop it from running off. This way, they help keep the water clean for fish and other animals, and for people too.
Traditional farming uses a lot of water all over the world. In America, it uses 4 out of 10 cups of clean water. As of 2019, in poorer countries, most of the water taken from rivers and lakes goes to farming. And most farms with watering systems use way more water than the plants really need.