Using the full potential of rainwater and floodwater for growing the rain fed crops, fruits and pasture and artificial recharge of the groundwater

Water security is a major issue of concern not only for the arid and semi-arid regions, but also for the international community. In arid and semi-arid countries food production depends heavily on irrigation water, which is supplied mostly from groundwater sources. Mismanagement and overexploitation of groundwater has significant drawdown in water table and deterioration of groundwater quality. This seriously threats not only food security (or human security) but also sustainable life in the regions in near future. Effective and applied sustainable programs must be planned and implemented through participatory approach for conservation of water resources. Rainwater and floodwater are two important water resources that they are not used in their full potential. There is a lot of good traditional experiences in rainwater harvesting for growing crops and fruit plants throughout the world. For example, in Estahbanth city 150 km east of Shiraz, 25000 ha rain fed fig (the biggest rain fed fig garden in the world) has been planted by people from 600 years ago which the economy of the city has based on the income from production of organic rain fed fig. We have good experiences in using floodwater for 

artificial recharge of groundwater and growing pastures for feeding the animals in Iran (SUMAMAD Project in Iran with cooperation of

UNESCO and United Nation University).