Through a case study in Peru, the report links the production of fresh, year-round asparagus for the international market to the rapid expansion of the agrarian frontier and the ‘greening’ of the desert to grow the crop...Huge increases in water demand to support this agricultural expansion are linked to negative economic impacts on small and medium-scale farmers and contribute to water scarcity and inequity for some of the poorest communities in Peru...[But] loss of the asparagus trade could have a detrimental impact on livelihoods...The report shows that responsibility for the formidable water problems...and their solutions, lies in part with...parties driving the asparagus boom from outside Peru, including investors and retailers. [refers to Empresa Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado de Ica (EMAPICA), San Genaro mine (owned by Castrovirreyna), Caudalosa Grande mine]