The water-energy-food nexus in farming: Managerial insights for a more efficient consumption of agricultural inputs

Karamian, Faranak; Mirakzadeh, Ali Asghar; Azari, Arash

The water-energy-food nexus in farming: Managerial insights for a more efficient consumption of agricultural inputs

2021

Karamian, Faranak | Mirakzadeh, Ali Asghar | Azari, Arash

Managing the use of water and energy for food production is the main challenge for agriculture in underdeveloped countries. Therefore, a change in farmers’ insight about resources consumption is essential. This study aims to apply the water-energy-food nexus index (WEFNI) as a new management perspective at the farm level. Measurements related to WEFNI were done using integrated primary and secondary data. The data for water and energy consumption, water and energy mass productivity, and water and energy economic productivity were gathered for dominant crops (wheat, maize-grain, and tomato) in the study area. Finally, due to the study framework and equations, six indicators have been weighted and combined for each crop. The study area includes Miandarband plain in Kermanshah province (the west of Iran). Results revealed that the rate of WEFNI was very low for studied crops (wheat = 0.209, tomato = 0.206 and maize-grain = 0.197). Wheat, meanwhile, has been ranked first in terms of sustainability while based on the 6 indicators, separately, and before integration in the WEFN framework, it was ranked third. Therefore, the integration of indicators within the used WEFN framework has changed the former insight about farm management, crop cultivation, and also input consumption. This study is one of the first attempts to provide empirical evidence that supports WEFNI effect in farm management. Therefore, annual calculation and analysis of WEFNI in the framework of the present study to monitor agricultural activities are recommended.

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