Understanding sustainability issues in Andean irrigation systems

The economic impact of more sustainable water use in agriculture: A computable general equilibrium analysis

The materials presented in this paper are the result of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advanced Research Workshop on “Sustainability of Irrigated Agriculture (Sustainability of Water Resources Utilization in Agriculture),” which was held in Vimeiro, Portugal between 21 and 26 March 1994. The workshop was cosponsored by the Science and Technology for Development (STD) program of the European Union, Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Mediterraneennes (IHEAM), Centre Technique de Cooperation Agricole et Rurale (CTA), Institut Francais de Recherche pour L’ingenierie de L’agriculture et de L’environnement (CEMAGREF) and Junta Nacional de Investigacao cienifica e tecnologica (JNICT). The purpose of that workshop was to provide in-depth discussion on irrigated agriculture among researchers and professionals of different disciplines coming from both developed and developing countries. The workshop objective was to integrate existing science and technology into improved irrigation system performance and agricultural water management, and to provide recommendations for future research directed toward sustainability of water use in agriculture. A total of 43 papers were presented and discussed under the following topics: (1) Sustainability of world irrigation systems; (2) water management and water policies; (3) sustainability of indigenous water and soil conservation systems; (4) irrigation water management and scheduling; (5) on-farm irrigation systems; (6) irrigation scheme management; (7) sustainability and environmental concerns; and (8) technological transfer. The research priorities presented in this paper evolved from group discussions and are based on a common understanding of the challenges that our generation faces to ensure sustainable agricultural development, both in developed and developing countries. The priorities were established by voting of the workshop participants.

Freshwater scarcity and unsustainable water use are just some of the growing concerns in many parts of the world. Increasing water demand accompanied by a changing climate can lead to unsustainable use of freshwater resulting in water scarcity. Several studies have quantified sustainable water use and water scarcity at a continental-to-global scale in the past. This review focuses on the large-scale water resources assessments and the methods by which sustainable water use and water scarcity are quantified. The review is structured based on a framework that comprises the main components of water demand and supply and other aspects of sustainable water use including virtual water trade and future projections of sustainable water use. The major components of water demand and supply in such assessments are increasingly derived from global earth system models and national-level census datasets. These assessments conclude that the selection of appropriate spatial and temporal scales is critical. The grid-based global earth system models enable better spatial resampling of water information across country/political boundaries. Similarly, by refining the temporal scale from annual (the most commonly used temporal scale of assessment) to monthly time steps, water scarcity is better captured due to the distinctive seasonality of water availability and demand. This paper also discusses the role of major drivers of water scarcity. Although both changing climate and increasing water demand contribute to water scarcity, the majority of the literature concludes that the demand-driven freshwater scarcity has a much greater impact than that induced by climate change.

Fuzzy multi-objective optimization for sustainable agricultural water management of irrigation networks

Purpose. The aim of the article is an analytical study of the effectiveness and dynamics of sustainable water use in the Podillia region, as well a systemic and structural analysis of water resources in the context of the implementation of the European ecological concept of the water footprint. Methodology of research. The research on sustainable water has been utilized a set of general scientific and specialized methods and approaches, including systemic and structural analysis, statistical analysis, generalization and systematization, comparative analysis, geoinformation method, cartographic modelling, and modelling techniques. Systemic and structural analysis has been applied to evaluate water resource indicators in the context of the components of the water footprint in the region. Cartographic modelling has been used to identify the geospatial features of surface and groundwater extraction volumes. Statistical method has enabled the analysis and conclusions on the dynamics of water resource use in the context of sustainable development. Analysis and synthesis methods have been employed to study international practices for implementing the water footprint and adapting them to the conditions of Podillia region. This methodological combination aims to create comprehensive research based on modern approaches to water resource management and facilitate the adaptation of European environmental principles of sustainable water use to Ukraine’s conditions. Findings. The components of the water footprint in Podillia region, their current state, and dynamics were examined. Territorial differences in the structure of the blue and gray water footprints in the administrative areas of the Podillia region were identified. A general trend in water consumption dynamics across all regional areas and its sectoral structure was established. The volumes of blue water used for various economic activities in the region's areas have certain differences, mainly influenced by socio-economic factors such as territorial size, population density, and levels of economic development. The study has analysed the components of the gray water footprint. It was determined that, as of 2023, the largest share of return waters discharged into surface water bodies in all areas of Podillia region consisted of normatively treated waters (52.1%–57.8%). Originality. It was established that the water footprint indicator in the region is the volume of use and the ecological state of water resources. Data on the volume of water abstraction and water use in various sectors allow the formation of targeted programs to reduce water consumption and improve water resources management. This can serve as an example for other regions. The results of the study allow identifying areas in which a decrease in water abstraction is observed due to the introduction of water-saving technologies or more efficient water resources management. Practical value. The possibilities of utilizing gray water described in the study represent a promising direction for stabilizing the hydroecological situation in the region, contributing to the adoption of international practices and technologies for transitioning to sustainable water use. Key words: sustainable water use, water footprint concept, blue water footprint, gray water footprint, water management.

Sustainable water use of the Haihe River Basin is studied by using the ecological network analysis (ENA) approach. Two related aspects including socioeconomic and environmental water uses sustainability and network organization inherent in system structures are analyzed. For the study of sustainable water use from each single aspect including water use intensity, water use pressure, and environmental protection, a series of new indicators termed as total system throughput water use intensity (TSTUI), total system throughput pressure (TSTP), and environmental flow indicator (EFI) are set up by incorporating parameters of GDP, population, and environmental flow. Based on these three indices, a new integrated index, intensity-pressure-environment (IPE) is established for synthesized measure of sustainable socioeconomic and environmental water uses. The indices of ascendency and overhead are applied for analyzing and characterizing water use network organization. The four subbasins of the Haihe River during 1999–2002 and 2005–2007 are studied. The results show that (i) the water use intensity in subbasin II is the best, while that in subbasins I and III are the worst; (ii) subbasin II and subbasins I and III suffer the highest and lowest water use pressure, respectively; (iii) the environmental flow situations in subbasins II and III are the worst and that of subbasin I is the best; (iv) as for the integrated socioeconomic and environmental water uses sustainability, subbasin III is the best, and subbasins I and IV are the worst; (v) the organization level of subbasin I is better than the others’, in which that of subbasin IV is the worst. It can be concluded that the application of ENA in sustainable water use study can provide new angles for water resources management to address the challenges of assessing and optimizing options to obtain more sustainable water use.

Irrigated areas of India derived using MODIS 500 m time series for the years 2001–2003

In order to achieve worldwide food security, there is a focus on sustainable intensification of crop production. This requires sustainable irrigation water use for irrigated croplands, as irrigation withdrawals are already resulting in groundwater exploitation and unmet ecosystem water requirements. Our study aims to quantify attainable wheat, maize, rice and soybean production on currently irrigated cropland under sustainable water use. Attainable production accounts for increases in nutrient application, while limiting irrigation withdrawals to renewable water availability and without compromising river ecosystem water requirements. Attainable production was quantified using a newly developed two-way coupled hydrological model and crop model. This model framework could comprehensively simulate biophysical processes related to water availability and crop growth under water and nutrient limitations. Our results indicate worldwide crop nitrogen uptake should increase by 20%, to achieve production gap closure. However, worldwide irrigation withdrawals should decrease by more than a third in order to ensure sustainable water use. Under these constraints, a total (all crops) production decrease of 5% was estimated, compared to currently achievable production. Moreover, achievable irrigated crop production in the extensively irrigated croplands of northeastern China, Pakistan and northwestern India would be reduced by up to a third. On the other hand, increases in achievable irrigated crop production may be possible in regions such as southern America, eastern Europe and central Africa. However, in these regions currently only a small fraction of crops is irrigated. Our results imply that intensification on currently irrigated croplands is at odds with sustainable water management, and further locally-oriented research is needed to assess suitable water management options and solutions.

Topicality. Irrigation systems play a crucial role in the modern agricultural sector by ensuring stable and high yields, even in arid regions. As climate change leads to more frequent droughts, the importance of irrigation systems for agriculture is increasing. They not only improve the efficiency of land resource use but also facilitate the expansion of cultivated areas, directly impacting the country’s food security. The economic significance of irrigation systems lies in their ability to reduce dependence on natural conditions, enabling farmers to plan their activities more effectively and mitigate weather-related risks. Furthermore, irrigation enhances product quality, which in turn boosts the competitiveness of Ukrainian agricultural products in international markets. Aim and tasks. The goal is to justify the implementation of irrigation systems to enhance the efficiency of agribusiness in Ukraine. Materials and Methods. The research is based on theoretical generalizations of developments, scientific approaches to irrigation qualifications, and an examination of characteristics highlighted in fundamental, analytical, and practical publications, as well as official statistical data and analytical materials from the World Bank, USAID, and the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. Research results. The article comprehensively analyzes the concepts of "irrigation" and "irrigation systems" as economic categories. It identifies the main components of irrigation systems and establishes key requirements for them. A general classification of irrigation systems is presented, revealing its essence. The technical and technological characteristics of the primary types of irrigation are discussed, along with a detailed examination of the components of irrigation systems. It is noted that during the design process, specific requirements must be determined to ensure effective and stable operation of the irrigation system. An analysis of the operational efficiency of various types of systems is conducted. Based on research into irrigation techniques used in Ukraine, it is indicated that sprinkler irrigation is the most common method. At the same time, drip irrigation systems are recognized as relatively new and innovative. It is argued that drip irrigation is not only a means of providing plants with moisture for agricultural enterprises but also an essential component of intensive agricultural production, contributing to increased productivity. Conclusion. The prospects for irrigation development in Ukraine are vital for enhancing agricultural efficiency, especially in the context of climate change and water resource scarcity. A significant portion of existing irrigation systems is outdated and requires modernization. Investments in updating infrastructure, including canals, pumping stations, and water management systems, are critical, particularly for southern and eastern regions where water resource issues are more acute. Additionally, research shows that drip irrigation is significantly more economical and effective than traditional methods, such as sprinkler irrigation, allowing for reduced water costs and increased yields. Developing government support programs and subsidies for farmers implementing modern irrigation technologies is also an important step. Education and raising awareness among farmers about new technologies and best practices play a key role. Collaborating with international organizations that have successful experience in irrigation can help introduce advanced technologies to Ukraine. Intelligent water resource management systems and soil moisture monitoring sensors are becoming increasingly accessible, creating new opportunities for efficiency improvements. Supporting scientific research and developments in this field can lead to new solutions that ensure more effective and sustainable water resource use. Overall, the development of irrigation systems has the potential to significantly improve Ukraine's agricultural sector in the face of climate change.

Human activity is the leading driver of geomorphological changes on the surface of the planet earth. One of the ways this has happened is through an unprecedented demand for water due to population growth, industrialization, urbanization and agricultural production. The current mode of agricultural activity has a significant influence on hydrological processes in especially arid and semiarid ecosystems. This has put a huge stress on water resources and the dependent ecosystems and biodiversity. With 20% of the world population and only 6% of global surface freshwater resources, China draws heavily on groundwater for its freshwater needs. In the semiarid North China Plain (NCP), agriculture accounts for some 70% of total water use. Over 80% of this water is pumped from the aquifers beneath the plain. The intensive groundwater exploitation has become a worrying concern for sustainable agricultural production that will avert water crisis in the plain region. The research task of this study was to analyze water storage dynamics and the related impacts on crustal matrix in North China Plain. The study used data products from GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), GLDAS (Global Land Data Assimilation System), field-measured groundwater level and GPS (Global Positioning System) to analyze for water storage depletion and land subsidence in the region. The study showed that average water storage depletion in the region was 23.76±1.74 mm/yr, which is the equivalent of 3.26±0.24 km3/yr of the 137,000 km2 study area. This is 7.23±0.53% of the slated 45 km3/yr water delivery in the region in 2050 through the South-North Water Diversion Project. The cumulative water storage depletion for the investigated 8-year period (2002-2009) was 26.04±1.91 km3, which is 57.87±4.24% of the slated water delivery in 2050. About 79.25% (18.83±1.38 mm/yr; 2.58±0.19 km3/yr) of the water storage depletion was from groundwater storage and 20.75% (4.93±0.36 mm/yr; 0.68±0.05 km3/yr) from soil moisture storage. Analysis of GPS data of relative land surface change for 2002-2009 suggested the occurrence of land subsidence which was on the order of 7.29±0.35 mm/yr in the vertical component of IGS08 station in Beijing. The adjusted land subsidence for the entire North China Plain study area was estimated at 2.74±0.16 mm/yr. Assuming that the subsidence was all drainable water, the subsidence-driven aquifer material compaction caused an additional 0.12±0.01 km3/yr water storage loss in the 16,000 km2 Beijing zone and 0.38±0.02 km3/yr in the 137,000 km2 North China Plain study area. Also, the estimated water storage loss (0.38±0.02 km3) due to land subsidence was ~12% of the GRACE-estimated total water storage depletion (3.26±0.24 km3/yr) in the study area. After adjustment for subsidence-induced storage loss, storage depletion in the study area was estimated at 21.02±1.58 mm/yr (2.88±0.22 km3/yr) in total water storage, 16.66±1.25 mm/yr (2.28±0.17 km3/yr) in groundwater storage and 4.36±0.33 mm/yr (0.60±0.05 km3/yr) in soil moisture storage. Water storage depletion in conjunction with land subsidence could be a disastrous concurrence with adverse implications for the ecosystem, biodiversity, food security, social stability and the livelihood of millions of people in the region and beyond. Because the long-term benefits of efficient and sustainable water use far outweigh the short-term benefits of the current water exploitation mode, it is critical for all relevant stakeholders — including water users (e.g., producer farmers), water service providers (e.g., contracted companies) and water policy makers (e.g., governments) — to embark on measures that ensure efficient and sustainable water use in the study area. Identification of viable alternative water sources (like the South-North Water Diversion Project) could limit water storage depletion and its related aftereffects like subsidence in the region. Also, strategies such as managed aquifer recharge, increased water use efficiency, brackish water use, inter-basin/regional water transfers and various combinations of such strategies could enhance groundwater storage in the study area.

Irrigation system plays a very important role in organic farming. It provides the necessary water requirement for the whole farm. But it is necessary for the irrigation system to be efficient, especially in providing the optimal distribution of available water resources. Also, since the water from an irrigation system will come from an underground reservoir, it requires electrical water pump to collect water. In a smart farm, proper allocation of resources is required. In order to control the usage of water resources for irrigation, this paper proposes the design of an automated organic irrigation system in controlling and properly allocating the available water resources for the irrigation system and available electricity for the use of the pump. Experiments through MATLAB simulation were done using a proposed system to achieve the optimum water and electrical resource distribution.

The expansion of irrigated agriculture and recurrent drought periods poses a serious threat to the renewability and sustainability of common water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. These shared resources can take the form of dam water which is shared between farmers according to a predefined schedule or groundwater which the farmers independently extract. The dam water is less expensive to use but this source can be limited in drought years risking crop productivity. Groundwater is a more reliable resource but is more expensive to extract and can cause soil salinity. Simulating agricultural management systems requires understanding and quantifying how biophysical and socio-economical constraints influence the decisions of farmers. Therefore, this research aimed to develop an agent-based modelling (ABM) approach to simulate farmer behaviour in irrigation management. The Theory of Planned Behaviour was used as a theoretical framework to simulate decision models that were integrated with a biophysical model describing the interaction of farmers with water resources and how limitations of water resources and salinity impact crop yield. Through modelling, we explore various strategies to improve sustainable water use. The methodology is applied to an irrigated perimeter of Al Haouz Basin, Morocco, as a case study, where there are different stakeholders and water user associations with conflicting objectives. The ABMs were parameterised using data collected by surveying 70 farmers. The findings indicate that the existing irrigation scheduling was usually satisfactory. However, with the exacerbation of drought periods, the use of dam water resources is unreliable. Farmers responded by seeking alternative water resources and changing their irrigation systems and cropping patterns which led to the potential of overexploitation of groundwater and increased accumulated salt content.

The main objectives of the study aim at optimal exploitation of the water resources in Eastern Nile Delta region. Until now, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI) is managing water resources and the irrigation system by itself with high input of staff and high capital investment. The mission of MWRI is to ensure that Egypt's water resources are developed, allocated, used and preserved in a manner which is sustainable, equitable and efficient. The research work evaluated the water balance, the salt balance, the water quality and the management plans in the study area from August 2000 to July 2010, also, attempt a new water management plan. The water and salt balance first executed for the Eastern Nile Delta region. To create work breakdown structure, the Eastern Nile Delta region divided into two parts according to the irrigation and drainage systems. The first one is Manzala Irrigation and Drainage System (MIDS), the second is Ismailia Irrigation and Drainage System(IIDS). In this paper, a water and salt balance executed for MIDS. MIDS boundaries are Manzala Lake from the north, dammitta branch from the west, IIDS from the east and Greater cairo and IIDS from the south. Results of water balance showed gradually increasing of domestic and industrial water discharges from Greater Cairo to MIDS, the influent fresh water was almost constant and didn’t completely follow ET demands and the intruding seawater was almost decreasing. Results of salt balance elements showed adding extra soil salt loads to MIDS area. The MIDS water and salt balance results didn’t comply with MWRI mission.

In an era of growing climate change impacts, there is an increasing need to grasp the complex connection between human society and hydrological systems. Socio-hydrology, an interdisciplinary area between hydrology, sociology, and economics, provides essential insights to uncover how people's conduct impacts water and climate systems and resources. In this context, this paper looks at modern socio-hydrology advances and what they suggest for creating resistance or insensitivity to climate evolution. By synthesizing numerous theoretical backgrounds, empirical works, and case analyses within the concept of socio-hydrology, this paper tries to show that the socio-hydrological approach can provide insights for decision-making and policy intervention for building resilience at different levels. In the complex landscape of South Asia, where water resources are intricately linked across borders, socio-hydrology emerges as a crucial framework for fostering collaboration and resilience. By recognizing the socio-economic and political dynamics that influence water management, transboundary water issues can be approached holistically. Socio-hydrological principles explain how human behavior, cultural norms, and governance structures intersect with hydrological processes. This understanding enables the development of inclusive policies, equitable agreements, and cooperative strategies for sustainable water use and conflict resolution. In particular, the analysis supports the prospect of integrating socio-hydrological factors by recognizing the social components of water management, including human perception, cognition, behavior, and institutions. This paper examines modern socio-hydrology advances and what they suggest for creating resistance or insensitivity to climate evolution. It also explores potential theoretical frameworks and models like integrated assessment models (IAMs), system dynamic models, agent-based models (ABMs), and scenario planning models in socio-hydrology for planning and risk assessment to help facilitate adaptive governance. We find that socio-hydrology could provide an essential framework for enhancing climate resilience and sustainable water governance in South Asia. Adaptive governance approaches, collaboration amongst key stakeholders, and inclusive strategies are necessary to navigate tricky transboundary water disputes, socio-economic disparities, and the vulnerability of marginalized communities, all problems emblematic of the region. Further research in this field is necessary to harness socio-hydrology's potential in addressing the interconnected challenges climate change poses.

Irrigation expansion driven by a growing global food demand is threatening the sustainability of scarce water resources. An exemplar is the Ica Valley in Peru which has experienced significant agricultural transformation over the last three decades with uncontrolled abstractions leading to over-exploitation of the Ica-Villacuri aquifer. This paper critically assesses the impacts of agricultural expansion on the long-term sustainability of groundwater resources in the Ica Valley. We apply a combination of spatial analysis and irrigation modelling by farming type (large and small-scale), followed by a multi-criteria assessment on irrigation water use. Historical trends in cropped area were analysed using Landsat satellite imagery to identify agricultural expansion and the changing composition between large and small-scale farms. The blue water footprint (WFblue) for croplands was calculated distinguishing between surface and groundwater abstractions for eight disaggregated geographical zones within the Ica Valley. The economic benefits of water consumption were assessed using the water productivity indicator, and the environmental sustainability of water resources spatially evaluated using a monthly blue water sustainability index and adapted version of the groundwater debt. The analyses showed that the groundwater footprint accounts for 87% of the total WFblue (483 Mm3) with 286 Mm3 groundwater consumed under unsustainable conditions (exceeding groundwater recharge). The highest water productivity (2.4–5.4 sol/ton) occurs in zones with intensive groundwater abstractions and where most large-farms are located, but it is also where the sustainability issue is most acute. Modelling showed that based on existing climate conditions and cropping patterns, irrigated agriculture is locally unsustainable throughout the valley, with the exception of small-scale farming in the peri-urban and middle valley areas. Around 10% of total aquifer recharge results from small-scale irrigated farming, whereas recharge from large scale farming is negligible. The greatest impacts occur in zones dominated by large-scale farms, where a period of 3.7–5.9 years is estimated to be needed to replenish water resources consumed by agricultural production. There is thus an urgent need to manage water resources more effectively and promote more sustainable use of water to protect both traditional and agro-export agricultural practices as well as allocations for urban water supply and the environment.