Quantifying the economic value of Isfahan agricultural water sources with the approach of modifying the cultivation pattern and based on virtual water

It is necessary to use the correct methods of water economic valuation. Proper use of the virtual water concept and the crop pattern can play a significant role in increasing water productivity and sustainable development.In this paper, the economic value of agricultural water, once without considering virtual water and once again with virtual water for four crops including wheat, barley, alfalfa and fodder maize was calculated, using a native-exclusive mathematical model, in Isfahan province, counties of Shahinshahr-Meymeh and Borkhar, Iran. Three weighting methods based on cultivated area, volume of net water consumption and product income were considered for water valuation. The input data for the mathematical model includes crop parameters, meteorological data, the amount of water consumed for each plant and the amount of expenses and incomes from each product for the crop year 2020-2021.The obtained results showed that by all the three weighting methods and in the both studied areas, the economic value of agricultural water increased by considering the virtual water of crops and changing the crop pattern accordingly; the water economic value by three weighting methods based on cultivated area, the amount of water consumed, and crop income increased by 22%, 44%, and 23% in Shahinshahr-Meymeh county and by 17%, 15%, and 15% in Borkhar county, respectively. This research showed that considering virtual water and changing the crop pattern accordingly can increase the economic value of water, reduce water consumption and help achieve sustainable development.