This report looks at past, present and future water demand in food production and food security. It addresses questions such as: what is the status of food production in the world? How can it be made more efficient without compromising the environment? What are the contributions from rain-fed and irrigated agriculture and from fisheries? What role does the market play? And what is the connection between food security and poverty? This publication is based on the United Nations World Water Development Report ‘Water for people – Water for life,’ where it appears as Chapter 8 “Securing food for a growing population.’