Study of Cropping Pattern Changes and groundwater Resources Extraction by Implementing Reduced Water Consumption Policies in Orzuiyeh Plain of Kerman Province

With regard to the successive droughts in recent years in central and eastern regions of the country, including Kerman province, water is the most limiting factor for economic development and the most significant agricultural input. Therefore, management of water consumption as a precious resource is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of farmers and simulate their behavior (cropping pattern) against the policies of reduced water consumption in Orzuiyeh County in Kerman province. These policies, including increased extraction cost, reduced access to water resources, deficit irrigation, and combined policies, were evaluated in the form of eight scenarios. For this purpose, the positive mathematical programming model was used to determine the optimal cropping pattern for each policy. The data of the study were obtained by completing 194 questionnaires and interviews with farmers as well as using the data of Agriculture Organization of Kerman province. The results showed that among the above policies, deficit irrigation with reduced access to water resources policies have had the best results. By applying this policy, despite a 26 % reduction in water consumption, the acreage increased 56 percent and gross margin decreased only 16%. According to the results, the policy of increased extraction costs was not much effective and only increased the pressure on farmers, but the policy of deficit irrigation is recommended as an effective policy.