Invited Opinion Interview with Professor Tony Allan – Part 1
“Water Scarcity, Food Production, and Virtual Water” (Part 1)
Interview conducted by Dale Whittington and Duncan A. Thomas
This policy note presents an interview with Tony Allan, examining the interconnections between water scarcity, food production, and international trade through the concept of virtual water. Allan explains how water-scarce countries can improve water security by importing food and other water-intensive products rather than relying solely on domestic water resources. The discussion challenges traditional assumptions that water shortages inevitably lead to conflict, arguing instead that global trade functions as an effective mechanism for redistributing water embedded in agricultural commodities.
The interview highlights the importance of political, economic, and institutional factors in water management and emphasizes that solutions to water scarcity extend beyond engineering and hydrological interventions. Allan’s insights provide a broader understanding of global food systems, resource governance, and the role of trade in addressing environmental constraints, offering valuable perspectives for policymakers concerned with sustainable water and food security.