Economic importance of water
Water is a source of life for almost all living organisms including animals and plants. Numerous economic activities are conducted in water while others use water as part of raw material.
Human beings are primary users of water and integrate it in their economic activities in various ways. Their ability to plan and conduct economic activities is basically supported by water. Water is used as an important ingredient in sustaining life, especially for cooking, drinking and maintaining cleanliness. Generally, water is essential for economic development. It is used in the manufacturing industry, hydro-electric power generation, and navigation as well as domestic activities and trade.
Moreover, water is used in various processing and manufacturing industries for the production of food and beverages. It is important in mixing ingredients that are added to raw materials during food and beverage processing and production. For example, water is a component of most beverages such as soft drinks, milk, coffee and tea. These beverages contribute to the economy of many countries as a source of income generation. They are sold locally and exported to earn foreign income. Other
Water is a source of life for almost all living organisms including animals and plants. Numerous economic activities are conducted in water while others use water as part of raw material.
Human beings are primary users of water and integrate it in their economic activities in various ways. Their ability to plan and conduct economic activities is basically supported by water. Water is used as an important ingredient in sustaining life, especially for cooking, drinking and maintaining cleanliness. Generally, water is essential for economic development. It is used in the manufacturing industry, hydro-electric power generation, and navigation as well as domestic activities and trade.
Moreover, water is used in various processing and manufacturing industries for the production of food and beverages. It is important in mixing ingredients that are added to raw materials during food and beverage processing and production. For example, water is a component of most beverages such as soft drinks, milk, coffee and tea. These beverages contribute to the economy of many countries as a source of income generation. They are sold locally and exported to earn foreign income. Other
Water is a source of life for almost all living organisms including animals and plants. Numerous economic activities are conducted in water while others use water as part of raw material.
Human beings are primary users of water and integrate it in their economic activities in various ways. Their ability to plan and conduct economic activities is basically supported by water. Water is used as an important ingredient in sustaining life, especially for cooking, drinking and maintaining cleanliness. Generally, water is essential for economic development. It is used in the manufacturing industry, hydro-electric power generation, and navigation as well as domestic activities and trade.
Moreover, water is used in various processing and manufacturing industries for the production of food and beverages. It is important in mixing ingredients that are added to raw materials during food and beverage processing and production. For example, water is a component of most beverages such as soft drinks, milk, coffee and tea. These beverages contribute to the economy of many countries as a source of income generation. They are sold locally and exported to earn foreign income. Other
Water is a source of life for almost all living organisms including animals and plants. Numerous economic activities are conducted in water while others use water as part of raw material.
Human beings are primary users of water and integrate it in their economic activities in various ways. Their ability to plan and conduct economic activities is basically supported by water. Water is used as an important ingredient in sustaining life, especially for cooking, drinking and maintaining cleanliness. Generally, water is essential for economic development. It is used in the manufacturing industry, hydro-electric power generation, and navigation as well as domestic activities and trade.
Moreover, water is used in various processing and manufacturing industries for the production of food and beverages. It is important in mixing ingredients that are added to raw materials during food and beverage processing and production. For example, water is a component of most beverages such as soft drinks, milk, coffee and tea. These beverages contribute to the economy of many countries as a source of income generation. They are sold locally and exported to earn foreign income. Other
Water is a source of life for almost all living organisms including animals and plants. Numerous economic activities are conducted in water while others use water as part of raw material.
Human beings are primary users of water and integrate it in their economic activities in various ways. Their ability to plan and conduct economic activities is basically supported by water. Water is used as an important ingredient in sustaining life, especially for cooking, drinking and maintaining cleanliness. Generally, water is essential for economic development. It is used in the manufacturing industry, hydro-electric power generation, and navigation as well as domestic activities and trade.
Moreover, water is used in various processing and manufacturing industries for the production of food and beverages. It is important in mixing ingredients that are added to raw materials during food and beverage processing and production. For example, water is a component of most beverages such as soft drinks, milk, coffee and tea. These beverages contribute to the economy of many countries as a source of income generation. They are sold locally and exported to earn foreign income. Other industrial uses of water include cooling and washing.
Also, water is important for irrigation purposes. Many countries around the world do not depend completely on rainfall for agriculture due to its uneven distribution. To ensure that agricultural activities are carried out largely for commercial purposes, irrigation has proven to be the best option. For example, in Tanzania, there are irrigation schemes in rice paddy plantations; these are Mbarali rice farm, Kapunga rice farm in Mbeya Region and sugar-cane plantations in Kilombero and Mtibwa in Morogoro Region; and Kagera sugar plantation in Kagera Region. Other countries which use water for irrigation on a large-scale in Africa include Sudan and Egypt. The irrigated plantations produce high output which contributes to economic development through sale in local markets and for exportation.
Water is also a source of electrical power. Modern economies depend much on the supply of electricity. One of the sources of electric power is water to produce what is commonly known as hydroelectric power (HEP). HEP is one of the cheapest and environmentallyfriendly sources of power. This power is used in industries to run machines, transport goods and provide services as well as in communication systems. Moreover, power contributes to the establishment of small and large-scale economic activities which eventually contribute to the economic growth of a given country.
Furthermore, water is useful in the navigation sector in various ways. Human beings navigate different vessels such as canoes, boats, ferries and ships to move people and goods. Transportation of heavy machines for factories and industries, vehicles, timber and logs is made possible on water. In Tanzania, water transport on lakes and oceans facilitates the importation and exportation of various goods such as machines and vehicles. In fact, water as a means of transport is likely to reduce the transport cost compared to other means of transport and, hence, contribute meaningfully to economic growth. Water is the habitat for aquatic organisms such as fish which are useful to human beings. Usually, water bodies such as oceans, sea, lakes, rivers, dams and ponds attract fishing and, hence, fishing related activities. Fishing provides human beings with food and income through local selling and exportation of fishing products. In addition, water is used for trading which supports local communities to earn income and the government to get the much-needed revenue.
Other uses of water which contribute to economic growth and prosperity are tourism and sports. Some water sceneries attract local and foreign tourists which helps to earn income for the host countries. Water-based sports such as skiing, surfing, canoeing and diving are also sources of income.