State of the Art of Agricultural Water Footprint in Colombia

Introduction: The water footprint is an environmental metric that quantifies the total volume of water used in the production of goods or services. In agriculture, it is measured in cubic meters per ton of product (m³/ton) and comprises three components: green (rainwater), blue (surface or groundwater), and grey (polluted water). This metric helps assess the water-use efficiency of crops.Objectives: This study aimed to examine water use in Colombian agriculture through a systematic review, focusing on water resource management and its relevance for guiding decisions on the optimal geographic distribution of crops based on their water requirements.Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted, analyzing 37 scientific studies on agricultural water footprints in Colombia, covering a total of 44 crops across various production regions. Reported values for the water footprint per crop were examined, along with the proportional distribution of green, blue, and grey water components.Results: The most frequently studied crops were vegetables (20%), coffee and cocoa (19%), fruits (17%), flowers (12%), cereals (10%), and others (22%). On average, 72% of the total water use corresponded to green water, 15% to blue water, and 13% to grey water, indicating a high reliance on rainwater in Colombian agriculture.Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of evidence-based water planning to enhance water-use efficiency in Colombia’s agricultural sector, thereby supporting sustainable production and improved resource management.