Abstract
Due to population growth and human activities, water shortages have become an increasingly serious concern in recent years. The agri-food industry is the largest water-consuming industry among all industries, and various efforts have been made to reduce the loss of water in the agricultural supply chain. Improving the resilience of water resource management is a key measure to reduce the risks in the agricultural supply chain. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the resilience of water management in the agricultural supply chain and to help manage the risks related to water resources use. A total of 14 factors are selected from five dimensions of society, economy, environment, institution, and crop characteristics, and an index institution is constructed. This was used to determine the level and importance of each factor. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey involving 28 experts from the agricultural industry in Northwest China, as well as a thorough literature analysis and interactions with experts. Using a combination of an interpretative structural model (ISM) and an analytical network process (ANP), a hierarchical structure model was developed, composed of direct factors, indirect factors, and basic factors. The results show that the selection of agricultural products, the establishment of a water audit control institution, the recycling of wastewater, and the investment in water-saving technologies are the main factors affecting the resilience of water resources management in the agricultural supply chain. These findings provide useful guidance for practitioners involved in the management of water resources in agricultural supply chains. These results are expected to contribute to the sustainable management and strategic deployment of water by agricultural supply chain stakeholders.
Highlights
With the growth of population and human activities, the shortage of water resources has become a more serious concern in recent years
This paper focuses on improving water management resilience at multiple stages of the agri-food supply chain
This study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the factors influencing the resilience of water resource management in the agricultural supply chain and proposes an integrated model
Summary
With the growth of population and human activities, the shortage of water resources has become a more serious concern in recent years. As the largest freshwater user in industry, agriculture accounts for more than 70% of global freshwater consumption among all water-consuming sectors. Water is the main resource of the agricultural food industry, and pressures to reduce consumption in line with conserving environmental and natural resources are considered to be the dominant driving force of agricultural water management in the food supply chain [3]. How to ensure the realization of agricultural water savings on the basis of food security has become a major global concern in the 21st century [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
