Water is indispensable for farming. Farming in turn uses the vast majority of all water withdrawn for human use, and food production needs to increase in the coming decades to support a growing world population. The potential for political conflicts within and between countries over water are intensified by the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources. It seems clear that if human needs are to be met, while at the same time conserving biodiversity and maintaining vital ecosystem services, a new approach is required that makes the best use of the limited water that is available.