Economic analysis of energy use in groundwater irrigation of dry areas: a case study in Syria

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between the fuel-subsidy policy and groundwater-use expansion at macro level and water allocation to different crops at micro level in Syria. Energy uses for major crops were calculated, and a logistic equation fitted to model groundwater, well drilling, and total-irrigated area trends for the period 1986–1999. Energy costs and water use were modeled using input factor cost function to determine the farmers’ response to subsidized energy, using well-monitoring data and formal crop budget survey data, and to analyze water allocation to different crops. Different fuel-cost scenarios were simulated to show the likely effects on crops gross margins and cropping patterns. The study concluded that farmers responded to the agricultural policy of subsidized inputs and supported-prices by expanding cotton, wheat, maize and beat root areas. The research results also showed that the expansion was associated with a high intensity of well drilling and an expansion in groundwater-irrigated areas. This paper analyses the energy costs of groundwater irrigation in five villages in four stability zones in the northeast of Aleppo province in Syria. Although low fuel prices led to expansion in irrigated areas and a rapid increase in cereal production, farmers in all villages tended to over-irrigate and allocated water to high-consuming crops. However, farmers reduced the area allocated to high-consuming crops when water became scarce because costs became prohibitive. The simulation results show that high water-consuming crops do not constitute optimal water allocation decision in water-scarce areas.