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This Working Paper on “Irrigation Infrastructure Risk and Food Security” examines the scale and patterns of disaster risk to irrigation systems and their implications for food security. It highlights that disasters are a growing driver of food insecurity, disrupting availability, access, and stability, with climate change intensifying these risks. The findings show that irrigation infrastructure plays a critical role in sustaining food production, and its failure can trigger disproportionate impacts on yields, incomes, and food prices. Although economic losses to irrigation assets may appear relatively small, their systemic importance is significant, as disruptions to water delivery cascade across farming systems, labour markets, and supply chains. Risks vary across different irrigation systems depending on their design, water sources, and maintenance needs, while ageing infrastructure and chronic underinvestment further increase vulnerability. Institutional factors strongly influence outcomes, with weak governance and unclear responsibilities often amplifying disaster impacts. Risks are unevenly distributed but widespread, with certain regions facing higher exposure due to hazard intensity and reliance on irrigation. Climate change compounds these risks by increasing both hazard exposure and dependence on irrigation. The findings emphasise the need to strengthen design, maintenance, governance, and financing to enhance resilience and safeguard food security. |
