Sustainable strategies for resilient agriculture under water scarcity conditions require not only the conventional interventions such as planning new infrastructure, improving maintenance, rehabilitation and re-engineering of existing systems, and modifying processes in existing systems and the demands of water users but also tapping wastewater.The increasing water scarcity situation in many parts of the world calls for the introductionof new efficient technologies and recycling and reuse of wastewater, particularly in agriculture.Wastewater (raw, diluted or treated) is a resource of increasing global importance, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas due to growing wastewater volumes

Urban wastewater consists of blackwater (excreta, urine and associated sludge), greywater (kitchen and bathroom wastewater), water from commercial establishments and institutions, including hospitals, Industrial effluent and Stormwater and other urban runoff.Unfortunately, eighty percent of wastewater is released into the environment without adequate treatmentimpacts human health, and the environment and has economic consequences.

With proper management, wastewater use can contribute significantly to sustaining livelihoods, food security and the quality of the environment. Without proper management, wastewater use poses serious risks to human health and the environment. Wastewater already irrigates approximately 20 million ha of croplandaround the world,particularly in low-income dry areas. It providesa reliable freshwater source year-round with high nutrient valuesourcessuch as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and organic matter – those results in savings in fertilizer, saving in groundwater pumping costs and provides ecological services.In addition, the indirect benefits include the prevention of pollution of rivers, canals and other surface water in a low-cost and hygienic way.

About ten per cent of the world's population uses food produced using wastewater. According to a survey conducted bythe UN-Water project on theSafe Use of Wastewater in Agriculture 2013in 62 countries,42 use polluted water for agriculture.Four out of five cities use wastewater for agriculture, especially in urban and peri-urban areas (based on a survey of 53 cities), mostly untreated or semi-treated.For example, between 0.14 MCM/yr to 1642 MCM/yr (based on data from 34 countries), 10-100% of generated wastewateris already being usedinthe Middle East and Northern Africa.

Indiscriminate use of poor-quality water for irrigating crops deteriorates the productivity of soils through salinity, sodicity and toxic effects. In addition to reduced productivity, the use of poor-quality water deteriorates the quality of products and also limits the choice of cultivable cropsFarmers and their families, the communities residing near the fields being irrigated through wastewater and the consumers of the products are exposed to various degree of health risk.The benefits of wastewater farming far outweigh the drawbacks.

The reuse of wastewater has not received much attention by the policy-decision makers perhaps because of the lack of viable models with necessary research and technology support. Strong policies and legal framework at the national and state levels and sufficient trained manpower in the urban local bodies are required.The situation is likely to get worse unless there is urgent action to manage wastewater better. Reducing unregulated discharge of wastewater and securing safe water is among the most important interventions for improving global public health and achieving sustainable development.

World Health Organisation guidelines for wastewater reuse and Stockholm Framework for Health Risk Management provides a guide to the nations to put in place clear policy on the use of wastewater supported by laws and regulations for its implementation.A suitable legal and regulatory framework is required in each country for the safe use of wastewater.

During the 25^th ICID Congress with the theme “Tackling water scarcity in Agriculture” being held in Vishakhapatnam in October 2023, a Seminar on “National Policies for safe use of wastewater in Irrigation” is being organized to enable the National Committees to share their experience in making safe use of wastewater in Agriculture. NCs will be requested to present a country report on the extent of utilisation of this water source, the safety measures being used to prevent its possible ill-effects and the various legal instruments that are being used for the purpose in their respective countries.International partners such as FAO, UNU-NWEH, UNEP, WHO and IWMI would also share their experiences.