Virtual water -: Part of an invisible synergy that ameliorates water scarcity:: commentary

Prof Allan (this volume) argues that there is sufficient water in the world to meet current and future water needs, mainly because there are three processes in what he calls a threefold synergy: soil water, virtual water and the socioeconomic development that enables economies to trade their way to water security. In these comments, I argue that the virtual water argument does not hold true and that, although it is a useful concept to remind us of the water scarcity in some regions of the world, it is a concept that does not have significant implications on water and agricultural policy. These comments also include some reflections about the question regarding a possible water crisis in the future, the supply and demand of water resources, and the MUSA agricultural subsidies. Finally, I present a hypothesis as why water resources development has not reach the top of the international agenda.