ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF UING WATER RESOURCES IN RICE PRODUCTION AT AL-GHARBIAH GOVERNORATE.

Abstract

This study aims to determine the amount of usage for irrigation water in theproduction of Rice crop in Al-Gharbiah governorate. To reveal whether it hadreached or exceeded the level of efficiency, and the consequences for this on the economic results that may be generalized on the national scale. Al-Gharbiahgovernorate has been selected since it is one of the most important governorates ofRice production. In addition, it mediates the “Delta”, which is the main Riceproducer in Egypt. As a result, different methods of Rice production in the wholeregion would be similar; accordingly usage of irrigation water would almost be thesame.The study concluded that the production elasticity of irrigation water acrossthe sample under study is negative, hence reduction of irrigation water usage by1%, leads to an increase in productivity by 0.162 Tons of Rice. Therefore, areduction of irrigation water usage from 12,000 m3 to the designated range of8,800 m3- 10,920 m3 of water would save 9%-26.67% of the average watercurrently used for this crop. Consequently, this would lead to: increase in averageFeddan productivity, Feddan returns, total production of Rice at the governoratelevel and the whole country accordingly an increase in its monetary value, Increasein exports, achieving optimal production capacity of the Rice mills and their valueadded, partially reducing unemployment. Finally, most important of all; is to savearound 447.186-150.92 Million m3 of irrigation water in Al-Gharbiah, which maybe utilized in other areas of the same governorate or could be redirected to the restof “Delta” governorates that suffer water scarcity.In light the above, the study recommends the following:1- The importance of rationalization for irrigation water used for Rice crop production. This should be an important concern for agricultural andirrigation policy makers in Egypt.2- Supporting research for finding the species with least production periodand water requirement.3- Expanding and subsidizing the new irrigation methods, even if thegovernment had to bare portion of its setup costs.4- Preparation for increasing water distillation regardless of their costs.5- Spreading awareness between population for the importance of watersaving.6- Do like this study in other governorates which are producing Rice crop.