Agriculture and fishery are very important in the . Not only do we produce for our own consumption, we are the third-largest export country in the world regarding agricultural products.
In order to reduce waste water production, Dutch farmers practice water efficient agriculture. Minimal water is used for an optimal crop production.

The Dutch have gained much expertise and experience on water for food issues:

• Water productivity and water efficiency: more crop per drop (increasing the production per unit of water) 
• Integrated water management: allocating water in accordance with both agricultural and other users’ demands 
• Sustainable fishery: through catch restrictions, fish populations are maintained sustainable.

In the Netherlands, greenhouse production is one of the most flourishing agricultural activities. The greenhouses ensure a controlled environment. Water is used very efficiently:

• The crops are irrigated with water, either as artificial rainfall or as fog. 
• Nutrients are added to water, and supplied to the plant through drip installations 
• Water that is not used by the plants is caught, cleaned and reused. 
• Energy needed for heating the greenhouses is reduced by an energy-saving system: all extra energy is stored as warm water. During the night, the greenhouses are heated through this water, saving energy. Experiments are ongoing with floating greenhouses: a combination of agriculture and retention of surplus river water. Hereby, the scarce space is used efficiently.

Example: Water for food in Asia
In Asia , some 70% of the available fresh water is used for irrigation of rice. Increasing population demands an increase in food water. Agriculture should use less water for a higher production. Water should be used more efficient. The Dutch have carried out research and field experiments on more efficient water use in rice production in China, India, Indonesia and Madagascar. The conclusion was that almost the same amount of rice can be produced, with up to 50% less water.

In order to achieve this goal, the agricultural system needs to be adjusted. 

• Often, farmers think that more water is needed to increase crop production. In reality, nitrogen/nutrients are often limited factors. 
  
• Better soil management 
  
• Reduction of weeds and crop diseases. 
  
• Introducing water quota stimulates more productive water use, but it depends on the local culture whether this will be successful.
  

Water can then be saved for other activities, or be used to produce more food.

Example: water users associations and water boards in Egypt
In Egypt, an extensive network of irrigation channels has been made to supply agriculture with water. As the demand for water is higher than the available amount of water, irrigation channels are also used for other functions, e.g. washing clothes or as water source for cattle.

This intensive use of the irrigation system leads to conflicts between different user groups, contamination of the channels and a dishonest distribution of the water: the most powerful user gets the most water. In addition, the irrigation channels are hardly maintained, resulting in higher water losses.

In Fayoum, the Dutch have supported the setup and training of Water Users Associations and water boards. In these water organizations, water use, allocation and needs are discussed and maintenance is arranged. This approach has resulted in better understanding, less conflict situation, better water quality, an increase in crop production, better and more frequent maintenance of the channels.
Water users associations and water boards have now become part of official Egyptian policy.