The flourishing of agricultural economy in arid areas through optimal management of irrigation water

Water and soil arid areas are the two main factors in the flourishingagricultural economy; therefore, the main objective of this research is todevelop sustainable agricultural economy to drought and salinity ofirrigation water management in dry areas. The research was conductedin Birjand, South Khorasan province in Iran. The research programconsisted of three levels of the salinity of irrigation water (S1, S2, S3),two wheat varieties (Ghods and Roshan) and four levels of irrigationwater (I1, I2, I3, I4). The experiment had three replications according toa randomized complete block design with split plot layout. Then,obtained data were estimated based on different economic forms ofproduction functions (L, C-D, Q and T forms). Optimum economicproduction function for each wheat variety was also estimated whichled to the following results: First, quadratic economic productionfunctions for both Ghods and Roshan wheat were recognized asoptimum production functions in Birjand region. Second, the iso-yieldcurves shows that by increase of irrigation water depth one can use thewater with higher salinity, without change of yield, but there is a bondfor replacement of quality and quality of water. Third, Economic wateruse efficiency (EWUE) index values showed that, overall economicRoshan wheat planting in the arid region is more affordable than wheatGhods. Fourth, Net income values showed that in terms of salinity andirrigation in arid regions of Iran, Roshan wheat crop economy, most ofthe Ghods wheat. Finally, results showed that, the flourishing ofagricultural economy in arid areas through optimal management ofirrigation water is possible.

Keywords:

Agricultural economy , Birjand , Irrigation management , Sustainable development