Successful deficit - irrigation experiences for crop production and it's effect on food security in central part of Iran

food and nutrition are the fundamental needs of human society and providing that is in food security topic. The concept of food security is the physical and economic access of all people in any time to enough and rich food and having a healthy life. Water has main role in production crop and food security and water scarcity as well as water quality has long been the most limiting factors for crop production in Iran. Also, it is characterized by the low small scale farmers with several different management practices. Although agricultural sector in Iran has negatively affected by these tragic and limiting factors, however several different successful and invaluable experiences has gradually developed, over the centuries. The ultimate purpose of these managements was to increase water use efficiency and to guarantee farmer's survival. This research has tried to document some of these successful experiences, which are diminishing because of several factors such as industrial development, attractive oil and gas resources in Iran. Therefore 46 cooperating local farmers in Yazd province, with the annual precipitation of around 105 mm, located in central part of Iran, were selected. The agricultural practices of these farmers were recorded in specific questionnaire forms through direct and face to face contact.Results show that farmer's practices varies from city to city and can be divided into five main categories, including harvesting precipitations, decreasing evaporation, innovative cultivation methods, increasing soil fertility and productivity, and using drought and salt tolerant plants.

Keywords:

Deficit irrigation , native knowledge , food security , Iran