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<p>Iran faces severe agricultural water over-withdrawal (55% above sustainable levels), driving environmental degradation and threatening food security. This study applied a regional evaluation system (SAWA: System for Regional Agricultural Water Balance and Accounting) using the SSM-iCrop2 model within a bottom-up framework to assess water-saving options—individually and in combination—in Golestan Province, Iran, under real-world farmer conditions. The analysis quantified five interventions: (1) cropping pattern optimization, (2) straw mulch application, (3) shade nets, (4) aerobic rice conversion, and (5) greenhouse vegetable transitions. Cropping pattern optimization reduced irrigation demand by 41% (from 1338 to 785&#xa0;million m<sup>3</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup>). Straw mulch and shade nets provided additional savings of 5–9% and 3–10%, respectively. Combined interventions achieved 58% water savings (from 1,400 to 582&#xa0;million m<sup>3</sup> yr<sup>−1</sup>) in a region where agricultural withdrawals currently exceed sustainable limits by &gt; 50%. Shade nets and aerobic rice reduced farmer income by 8 and 2%, respectively. Optimized cropping patterns maintained farmer incomes, balancing water savings with economic viability. This study demonstrates that coordinated agricultural interventions can mitigate water over-withdrawal without ecologically harmful alternatives. However, successful implementation requires policy support for: (i) crop substitutions, (ii) technology adoption, and (iii) smallholder assistance (70% of farms are &lt; 3&#xa0;ha). This work provides a replicable framework for other arid/semi-arid regions. The 58% water-saving potential—achieved through synergistic agronomic, technological, and structural interventions—offers a viable pathway for sustainable water management in water-scarce agricultural systems facing similar climate and socioeconomic constraints.</p>

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Assessing options for decreasing irrigation water requirement and adaptation to water scarcity at regional level: sample analysis for Golestan province of Iran

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月1日

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  • Afshin Soltani,
  • Abdolrahman Mirzaei,
  • Ebrahim Zeinali

摘要

Iran faces severe agricultural water over-withdrawal (55% above sustainable levels), driving environmental degradation and threatening food security. This study applied a regional evaluation system (SAWA: System for Regional Agricultural Water Balance and Accounting) using the SSM-iCrop2 model within a bottom-up framework to assess water-saving options—individually and in combination—in Golestan Province, Iran, under real-world farmer conditions. The analysis quantified five interventions: (1) cropping pattern optimization, (2) straw mulch application, (3) shade nets, (4) aerobic rice conversion, and (5) greenhouse vegetable transitions. Cropping pattern optimization reduced irrigation demand by 41% (from 1338 to 785 million m3 yr−1). Straw mulch and shade nets provided additional savings of 5–9% and 3–10%, respectively. Combined interventions achieved 58% water savings (from 1,400 to 582 million m3 yr−1) in a region where agricultural withdrawals currently exceed sustainable limits by > 50%. Shade nets and aerobic rice reduced farmer income by 8 and 2%, respectively. Optimized cropping patterns maintained farmer incomes, balancing water savings with economic viability. This study demonstrates that coordinated agricultural interventions can mitigate water over-withdrawal without ecologically harmful alternatives. However, successful implementation requires policy support for: (i) crop substitutions, (ii) technology adoption, and (iii) smallholder assistance (70% of farms are < 3 ha). This work provides a replicable framework for other arid/semi-arid regions. The 58% water-saving potential—achieved through synergistic agronomic, technological, and structural interventions—offers a viable pathway for sustainable water management in water-scarce agricultural systems facing similar climate and socioeconomic constraints.