Development of Integrated Multi-Objective Strategy for Reallocation of Water Resources in Agriculture Systems; Case Study: Zarinehrood Basin

Population growth causes an increase in different sectors water use. This increase requires new strategies for optimal water resources management. In this research, a three objective model was developed for maximization of economic benefit, maximization of reliable water supply and minimization of water withdraw from aquifers. In proposed model, aquifer and reservoir were considered as elements of water resources. Based on allocated water, water requirements, maximum yield of each product, production function were defined and economic benefits of regions in study area were determined. Using NSGA-II algorithm, Pareto trade-off curves for objective with various scenarios of cropping, economic benefit functions in Zarinehrood basin were derived. Since the points on trade-off curve cannot fully satisfy three objectives, optimal point was selected using Borda aggregation method and integration of five multicriteria decision models’ results. Result of comparison between current and optimal allocation demonstrates that we gained 42.5% water save by applying proposed model. In addition, comparison of current and optimal economic benefit showed that the benefit increased from 1,137,730 billion IRR to 1,285,971 billion IRR (13% increase). The result of this research can be used in other basins for decreasing in agricultural water use from water resources and increasing farmers’ income by optimal cropping pattern.