Over the next 20 years, cutting water available to food producers by 30% could result in a loss of up to £2.3bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy - and the loss of 2,500 jobs a year, according to the study, which was commissioned by local farmers.

Farmers are in a race against time to get more water infrastructure in place so that they can irrigate their crops during droughts and long, dry spells - against a backdrop of tightening rules on abstraction licences.

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Irrigating brassicas at Home Farm Nacton, Ipswich(Image: thegrowingvoice.co.uk)

The prolonged drought they experienced during this year's growing season has served to underline the need for more water storage as their abstraction supplies are tightly rationed.

Nearly 60 people attended an East Suffolk Water Abstractors Group (ESWAG) open day which was hosted by big Ipswich vegetable producer Home Farm Nacton, on Friday, September 5.

It coincided with the launch of a report commissioned by ESWAG and Norfolk Environment Food and Farming (Norfolk EFF) making the case more investment and support to help farmers overcome the water supply problems they face.

The groups asked Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd (RPA) to carry out research into the value of water for food production to the local and national economy.........

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