Quantifying Water-Food Nexus (Water Footprint) for Food Crop Production: A Case Study of Addis Ababa City

Analyzing the water–food nexus is the first step in examining the decision-making process in planning and evaluating urban policies that consider the nexus. The main purpose of this research is to create a tool for decision makers to analyze and quantify the water–food nexus of urban agricultural food crop production. Using the proposed strategy, indicators for water consumption and water footprint productivity were provided. A water–food nexus was created using these indicators. Annual water demand indicators for potato, tomato, onion, and cabbage were calculated to be around 9070, 9330, 6240, and 8230 m3/ha, respectively. The computed water consumption indicator of vegetable crops ranged from 6240 to 9330 m3/ha, according to the study. When compared to other food crops, onion has the lowest water consumption indicator. The water-food nexus in agricultural food crop production can be used as a comprehensive instrument to assess progress in city water and agricultural initiatives. It might also be used to analyze the performance of water-food nexus management on a yearly basis.