Agricultural Water Foot Print and Virtual Water Budget in Iran Related to the Consumption of Crop Products by Conserving Irrigation Efficiency

Azam Arabi, Amin Alizadeh, Yaser Vahab Rajaee, Kazem Jam, Naser Niknia

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
Regional Water Authority Company of Razavi Khorasan, Mashhad, Iran.
Water Engineering Department, Azad University of Ferdows, Iran.
Water Engineering Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2012.45035                

Abstract

In this study we estimate agricultural water footprint and its components from consumption perspective in arid and semi-arid region like Iran. This study is based on blue water consumption in irrigated land. Iran has imported net virtual water about 11.64 billion cubic meters (bcm) as international crop trade in 2005-2006. Therefore, Iran has depended on virtual water imports. By conserving about 60% irrigation efficiency, the total water requirement to produce imported crops in Iran is nearly 20.78 billion cubic meters. It is nearly 9 percent of renewable water resources and 12.65% agricultural appropriated water which has added to internal water resources. Agricultural virtual water budget is about 112.78 Gm³/yr. Agricultural water footprint is 110.2 Gm³/yr. About 12.83% of agricultural water footprint of Iran is related to external water resources on the country boundaries. It means external water footprint. Water dependency, water self-sufficiency and water scarcity indexes in agricultural sector of Iran, are estimated 10.1%, 89.9% and 70.8%, respectively.

Keywords

Water Footprint; Virtual Water Trade; Blue Water Resource; Water Budget

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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