Socioeconomic Impact Assessment of Water Resources Conservation and Management to Protect Groundwater in Punjab, Pakistan

Javaria Nasir,Muhammad Ashfaq,Faizan Ul Hassan,Irfan Ahmad Baig,Jehangir F Punthakey,Asghar Ali,Richard Culas

doi:10.3390/w13192672

Abstract

Water is the most important resource; it is utilized largely in agricultural production and is fundamental to ensuring global food security. This study aims to assess sustainable water management interventions and their impact on the farm economy. To increase water productivity, the most important adaptations that have been proposed are high-efficiency irrigation systems, drought-resistant varieties, the substitution of water-intensive crops with less water-demanding crops, the mulching of soil, zero tillage, and all on-farm operations that can save water, especially ground water. The recent analysis utilized farm survey data from 469 representative farmers along with secondary statistics. The data were collected via a multi-stage sampling technique to ensure the availability of representative farm populations based on a comprehensive site selection criterion. The TOA-MD model estimates the adoption rate of a proposed adaptation based on net farm returns. The impact of high-efficiency irrigation systems and the substitution of high delta crops for low delta crops had a positive impact on net farm returns and per capita income, and a negative impact on farm poverty in the study area. It is recommended that policymakers consult farmer representatives about agricultural and water-related issues so that all the policies can be implemented properly.

Highlights

Agricultural production systems are complex, interlinked, and play a vital role in global food security
The results of the tradeoff analysis multidimensional impact assessment model (TOA-MD) model project the adoption rate based on the economic viability of the proposed adaptation strategies in the study area
The input for the model is based on survey data and projections of Representative agricultural pathways (RAPs)

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural production systems are complex, interlinked, and play a vital role in global food security. Ground water utilization is an important policy domain in developing nations due to its role in achieving food security and sustainable farming livelihoods. Water is the most important resource that is utilized largely in agricultural production, and the sustainable use of water resources is an important policy objective, as set out in the National Water Policy (2018) and the Punjab Water Policy (2020) [1,2]. At the farm/irrigation system level, policy measures, such as the re-allocation of water to highervalue crops and those with limited irrigation requirements, the spatial re-allocation and transfer of water, the adopting of policies that favor the development of water markets, and the efficient utilization of groundwater, can help in improving water productivity in saline environments [4,5]

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