6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.com

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil and I'm Beth. We all know how horrible it feels to be

thirsty. Human bodies need around three liters of water a day and thankfully most of

us can just turn on the kitchen tap to get clean drinking water.

But globally over 2 billion people around a quarter of the world's population live in water-stressed countries, where access to water

for drinking, cooking and washing is not guaranteed. What's more, water is also needed to grow food and that's getting harder due to droughts which are increasing with climate change?

In this program we'll visit farmers in one of the driest places on earth, Yuma in the USA, where a new technology involving

liquid clay is helping farmers grow fruit and vegetables in the desert.

And as usual, we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary too.

But first, I have a question for you, Neil.

Everyone knows that plants need sunlight and water to grow, but soil is just as important. One of the most useful

soils is clay, a dense smooth soil which is very fertile but sticky.

Clay has been used in agriculture for thousands of years, but what is its more modern use? Is clay good for A curing headaches, B digesting food, or C smoothing face skin.

Well I think clay can be used to smooth the skin on people's faces.

Okay Neil, we'll find out if that's smooth the skin on people's faces.

OK, Neil, we'll find out if that's the correct answer later.

Lack of water and farming are closely connected.

Agriculture uses a massive 70% of the world's fresh water supply, so ways to use water

more efficiently are much needed.

Ole Civitsons Company, Desert Control, works with date farmers in Yuma, an area on the border of California and Mexico.

One of the hottest places on earth, Yuma has been experiencing its worst drought in 500 years, forcing

farmers to pump water from rivers to grow their date palm trees.

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