Sustainability Considerations in Water–Energy–Food Nexus Research in Irrigated Agriculture

Ahmad Hamidov,Katharina Helming

doi:10.3390/su12156274

Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is essential to satisfying the globally increasing demand for food and bio-based products. Yet, in water scarce regions, water-use for irrigation aggravates the competition for the use of water for other purposes, such as energy production, drinking water and sanitation. Solutions for sustainable food production through irrigated agriculture require a systemic approach to assess benefits and trade-offs across sectors. Here, the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus has become an important concept in natural resource management. It has been conceptualized to analyze linkages and trade-offs between the three sectors, across temporal and spatial scales. However, the concept has so far mainly been conceptual, with little empirical evidence or proof of concept in real world cases. The objective of this paper was to take stock of the rapidly advancing literature on the WEF nexus in irrigated agriculture, and to analyze how the concept was actually implemented in research studies, and how the nexus between water, food and energy was actually dealt with. The study period ranges from 2011 to 2019, and includes 194 articles. Results showed that the WEF nexus is indeed very relevant in irrigated agriculture, and the respective literature makes up one third of all WEF nexus papers. Modeling and empirical research have caught up with conceptual synthesis studies during the last four years, thereby indicating that the WEF nexus concept is indeed increasingly operationalized. However, most studies addressed the WEF nexus from a perspective of either socioeconomic, technological or environmental categories, and they place one of the dimensions of water, food or energy into the foreground. To address sustainable development, there is a need to fully integrate across research disciplines and thematic dimensions. Such studies are only starting to emerge. These findings are an important evidence-base for future WEF nexus research on irrigated agriculture, in support of sustainable solutions for water scarce regions, especially in settings undergoing transformations.

Highlights

IntroductionIrrigated agriculture is a key example of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus, due to the strong competition over water used for energy generation and water used for food production in water-scarce areas of the world [1,2,3]
Such studies are only starting to emerge. These findings are an important evidence-base for future WEF nexus research on irrigated agriculture, in support of sustainable solutions for water scarce regions, especially in settings undergoing transformations
Irrigated agriculture is a key example of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus, due to the strong competition over water used for energy generation and water used for food production in water-scarce areas of the world [1,2,3]

Summary

Introduction

Irrigated agriculture is a key example of the water–energy–food (WEF) nexus, due to the strong competition over water used for energy generation and water used for food production in water-scarce areas of the world [1,2,3]. We understand the nexus as an approach whereby improved water, energy and food security can be achieved by integrating management and governance across WEF sectors and scale [5,6]. Seeking to understand the interconnectedness of the three sectors of water, energy and food so as to improve cross-sectoral coordination in support of sustainable development, the WEF nexus has become an important concept in natural resource management. The main findings of these studies indicate the need for robust governance [7], and the importance of state actors and politics at national and transboundary levels in reducing cross-sectoral tensions [8,9], as well as the effectiveness of formal institutions that manage trade-offs and interdependencies within the nexus approach [10]. Soil scientists often recognize soil quality as a critical component of water, energy and food security; the translation of that awareness into action to enhance public recognition of the importance of soil resources is lacking [17,18]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion