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Research papers on Water scarcity and agriculture

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  1. Water Scarcity and Wastewater Reuse in Crop Irrigation

    Nicoleta Ungureanu, Nicolae-Valentin VLĂDUT, Gheorghe Voicu · 2020 · Sustainability · 407 citations

    Due to climate change, two-thirds of mankind will face water scarcity by 2025, while by 2050, global food production must increase by at least 50% to feed 9 billion people. To overcome water scarcity, 15 million m3/day of untreated wastewater is used globally for crop irrigation, polluting the soil with pathogens, heavy metals and excess salts. Since 10% of the global population consumes food from crops irrigated with wastewater, pathogens transmitted through the food chain cause diseases especially in young children and women. In this paper, we discuss the status of water scarcity and the challenges to food security, the reuse of wastewater in agriculture and the possible risks to human and

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  2. Coping with water scarcity: water saving and increasing water productivity

    A. Hamdy, R. Ragab, Elisa Scarascia‐Mugnozza · 2003 · Irrigation and Drainage · 333 citations

    Abstract The increasing scarcity of water in dry areas is now a well‐recognized problem. According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, approximately 80 countries with 40% of the world population already suffer from serious water shortages. At present, water shortages have led most of arid and semi‐arid countries to increase food imports because the local agricultural sector is not able to produce sufficient food to fill the existing food gaps. The increasing food gaps are posing serious challenges beyond the economic and political capacity required for the necessary adjustments concerning the allocation and use of water in all sectors, particularly agriculture. The agricu

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  5. Water Scarcity and the Impact of the Mining and Agricultural Sectors in Chile

    Douglas Aitken, Diego Andres Rivera, Álex Godoy‐Faúndez, et al. · 2016 · Sustainability · 148 citations

    Chile contains some of the driest areas in the world, yet human activities in these areas require large volumes of water, the result is regions experiencing high water scarcity leading to environmental degradation, conflicts and reduced industrial productivity. The aim of this paper was to quantify the water scarcity in the central and northern regions by calculating the water scarcity index—the ratio of annual water demand to availability. A focus of the paper was to determine the impact of the main industries in each region and investigate the benefit of implementing water reduction strategies within these industries. The water resources of each investigated region were found to be greatly

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  6. Water scarcity and the impact of improved irrigation management: a computable general equilibrium analysis

    Alvaro Calzadilla, Katrin Rehdanz A, Richard S.J. Tol · 2010 · Agricultural Economics · 133 citations

    Increasing water scarcity combined with an increasing demand for food and water for irrigation call for a careful revision of water use in agriculture. Currently, less than 60% of all the water used for irrigation is effectively used by crops. Based on the new version of the GTAP-W model we analyze the effect of potential water savings and the welfare implications of improvements in irrigation efficiency worldwide. The results show that a water policy directed to improve irrigation efficiency led to global and regional water savings, but it is not beneficial for all regions. The final effect on regional welfare will depend on the interaction of several different causes. For instance, higher

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  7. Water Scarcity and Irrigation Efficiency in Egypt

    Rehab Osman, Emanuele Ferrari, Scott McDonald · 2016 · Water Economics and Policy · 60 citations

    This study provides quantitative assessments of the impacts of efficiency enhancement for different types of irrigation water under water scarcity conditions. It employs a single country CGE (STAGE 2) model calibrated to an extended version of a recently constructed SAM for Egypt 2008/09. The SAM segments the agricultural accounts by season and by irrigation scheme, including Nile- and groundwater-dependent as well as rain-fed agricultural activities. The simulations show that Egypt should manage potential reductions in the supply of Nile water with more efficient irrigation practices which increase the productivity of Nile water, groundwater and irrigated land. The results suggest a more am

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  9. Addressing water scarcity in agricultural irrigation: By exploring alternative water resources for sustainable irrigated agriculture

    Amgad Elmahdi · 2024 · Irrigation and Drainage · 37 citations

    Abstract This review paper addresses challenges in the water sector, particularly in irrigated agriculture, aiming to propose solutions for meeting irrigation demands while promoting global food security and sustainable development, notably SDG 6. Structured around three facets: empowering farmers, strengthening conventional sources of irrigation water and harnessing non‐conventional water resources, it emphasizes the significance of exploring blue water resources due to precipitation variability. Many irrigation systems operate below efficiency, offering productivity enhancement opportunities. Water management in agriculture spans various levels, involving farmers as key stakeholders. In ad

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  11. Energy-Efficient Smart Irrigation Technologies: A Pathway to Water and Energy Sustainability in Agriculture

    U. Daraz, Š. Bojnec, Y. Khan · 2025 · Agriculture · 31 citations

    The agricultural sector faces challenges such as water scarcity, energy inefficiency, and declining productivity, particularly in arid regions. Traditional irrigation methods contribute to resource depletion and environmental impacts. Solar-powered smart irrigation systems integrate precision irrigation with renewable energy, improving water use and productivity. In Pakistan, where agriculture contributes 19% of gross domestic product and employs 40% of the workforce, these challenges are severe, especially in water-scarce areas like the Cholistan Desert. This study examines the impact of solar-powered smart irrigation on agricultural productivity, water conservation, and energy efficiency i

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  12. Managing irrigation under increasing water scarcity

    Soumya Balasubramanya, Nicholas Brozović, Ram Fishman, et al. · 2022 · Agricultural Economics · 29 citations

    Abstract With rising physical and economic scarcity of water, increasing or sustaining agricultural production while limiting or reducing consumptive water use is an urgent challenge. This article examines the case of four countries—India, China, western United States, and Israel—where there is a long history of irrigated agriculture with significant public and private investments, to identify key themes for managing irrigation under increasing physical and economic water scarcity. The focus of irrigation management has expanded from investing in irrigation infrastructure to reforming institutions; strengthening policies pertaining to irrigation prices and rights; using incentives to reward

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  14. Evaluating the Effect of Deficit Irrigation on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip Irrigation Cotton under Film in Xinjiang Based on Meta-Analysis

    Qi Xu, Xiaomei Dong, Wei-Xiong Huang, et al. · 2024 · Plants · 21 citations

    Water scarcity constrains the sustainable development of Chinese agriculture, and deficit irrigation as a new irrigation technology can effectively alleviate the problems of water scarcity and water use inefficiency in agriculture. In this study, the drip irrigation cotton field under film in Xinjiang was taken as the research object. Meta-analysis and machine learning were used to quantitatively analyze the effects of different farm management practices, climate, and soil conditions on cotton yield and water use efficiency under deficit irrigation, to investigate the importance of the effects of different factors on cotton yield and water use efficiency, and to formulate appropriate optimiz

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  15. Irrigation efficiency and water withdrawal in US agriculture

    Haoying Wang · 2019 · Water Policy · 15 citations

    To meet future food demand and sustainability requirements of society, the agriculture sector faces challenges in both the institutional dimension and the technological dimension. One of the main concerns regarding the current agricultural production pattern is the tremendous amount of water it requires to maintain and boost output. With a changing climate and increasing demand from civil uses, promoting both water allocation efficiency and water application efficiency becomes the focus of policy design. The unintended consequences of water policies, however, have led to extensive debates. This study addresses the key question of whether irrigation efficiency improvement leads to reduced per

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  16. Optimizing Water Resource Management in Agriculture Using AI-Powered Solar Irrigation Systems

    M. B. Akanbi, K. J. Adedotun, A. Raji, et al. · 2025 · Journal of Science Innovation and Technology Research · 10 citations

    Water resource management is a critical challenge in modern agriculture, particularly in regions with erratic rainfall and increasing water scarcity. This study explores the implementation of AI-powered solar irrigation systems as a sustainable solution for optimizing water usage while enhancing agricultural productivity. The system integrates machine learning algorithms, IoT-based soil moisture sensors, and real-time weather forecasting to automate irrigation processes and ensure efficient water distribution. By continuously analyzing soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and crop water requirements, the AI model dynamically adjusts irrigation schedules, minimizing water wastage and max

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  17. Effects of Water Application Frequency and Water Use Efficiency Under Deficit Irrigation on Maize Yield in Xinjiang

    Tianjiang Duan, Licun Zhang, Guo-Dong Wang, et al. · 2025 · Agronomy · 10 citations

    Water conservation is critical for global maize production, particularly in arid regions where water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, threatens conventional irrigation sustainability. Optimizing irrigation strategies to reconcile water productivity and yield remains a key scientific challenge in water-limited agriculture. This four-year study (2018–2021) evaluated integrated irrigation management that combined frequency and volume adjustments. A field experiment compared three strategies: high-frequency limited irrigation (HL: 2400 m3·hm−2), low-frequency conventional irrigation (LC: 2400 m3·hm−2), and high-frequency conventional irrigation (HC: 4800 m3·hm−2). The four-year mean yiel

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  18. DESIGN OF AN IOT-BASED SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEM USING SOIL MOISTURE SENSORS FOR WATER EFFICIENCY

    N. Aisyah, Early Dia Ulhaq, Aldi Dharmawan, et al. · 2025 · JOURNAL ONLINE OF PHYSICS · 9 citations

    Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices remain key challenges in agriculture. This study aims to design and evaluate an IoT-based smart drip irrigation system controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller for optimizing water use. The system integrates a calibrated YL-69 soil moisture sensor and DHT21 temperature-humidity sensor for real-time environmental monitoring, with control and data visualization provided via the Blynk platform. Experimental results demonstrated that the system effectively maintained soil moisture within the optimal range of 30 – 50%. The developed system achieved irrigation efficiency between 90 – 95% and reduced total water consumption by approximately 40% comp

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  19. A Review on Optimizing Water Management in Agriculture through Smart Irrigation Systems and Machine Learning

    Zaid Belarbi, Yacine el Younoussi · 2025 · E3S Web of Conferences · 9 citations

    Optimizing irrigation water usage is crucial for sustainable agriculture, especially in the context of increasing water scarcity and climate variability. Accurate estimation of evapotranspiration (ET), a key component in determining water requirements for crops, is essential for effective irrigation management. Traditional methods of measuring and estimating ET, such as eddy-covariance systems and lysimeters, provide valuable data but often face limitations in scalability, cost, and complexity. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML) offer promising alternatives to enhance the precision and efficiency of ET estimation and smart irrigation systems. This review explores the integration of

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  21. Optimizing Drip Irrigation and Nitrogen Fertilization for Sustainable Wheat Production in Arid Soils: Water–Nitrogen Use Efficiency

    A. A. Abdelrhman, I. Abdel-Fattah, M. O. Mostafa, et al. · 2025 · Water · 6 citations

    Water scarcity and inefficient nitrogen (N) use are major constraints on wheat production in arid regions. Drip irrigation offers a precise method for optimizing water and nutrient delivery, but integrated management strategies are needed to maximize yield and resource use efficiency. In Egypt, water shortages and inadequate fertilizer necessitate effective resource management for sustainable agriculture and crop productivity. This study investigates the effects of integrated water and nitrogen fertilizer management under drip irrigation on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) performance in arid zones of Egypt. A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate wheat yield, productivity of appli

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  22. A decision support model to improve water resources management in agriculture: evaluation of the drip irrigation efficiency in the Ait Ben Yacoub region, East of Morocco

    Ihssan Elouadi, D. Ouazar, L. El Youssfi · 2020 · E3S Web of Conferences · 6 citations

    Globally, climate change is projected to exacerbate water scarcity and increase the recurrence and intensity of droughts. These circumstances call for methodologies that can support the design of sustainable water management policies. Improved irrigation efficiency has been cited as an important way to adapt to climate change. This paper illustrates the potential of hydro-economic modeling for integrating the multiple dimensions of water resources, becoming a valuable tool in the empowerment of sustainable water management policies. The modelling framework is used also to analyze the impacts of climate change-induced drought on water uses in the Ait Ben Yacoub region (the East of Morocco). T

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  23. Precision Irrigation Techniques for Optimizing Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture

    Ram Gopal, N. K. Singh, P. Ashoka, et al. · 2025 · Archives of Current Research International · 5 citations

    Water scarcity represents one of the most critical challenges facing global agriculture in the 21st century. This comprehensive review examines precision irrigation techniques as transformative solutions for optimizing water use efficiency in agricultural systems. The study analyzes advanced irrigation methodologies including drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, sensor-based automation, and smart irrigation technologies integrated with Internet of Things (IoT) platforms. Through systematic evaluation of field implementations across diverse agro-climatic conditions in India, results demonstrate water savings ranging from 30-65% while maintaining or enhancing crop yields. Key findings reveal th

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