Studying Impact of Increase in Water Usage Efficiency on Cropping Pattern Change with Emphasis on the Policy Makers and Environmental Objectives in Fars Province

Low water use efficiency, in addition to wasting scarce water resources, also increases water flow and environmental pollution. Analyzing the effect of increasing water use efficiency can be a useful tool for policy makers. This study aimed to analyze the effects of increasing irrigation efficiency among farmers in Fars province.

In this study, multi-objective planning approach was used.

Result showed that Impact of increased irrigation efficiency on cropping pattern and producer's objectives including gross margin and risk as well as its impact on environmental aspects including water and chemical fertilizer use was studied. Employment is also another objective. Regarding the multidimensional impacts, multi objective programming was applied.

Scenario analysis showed that increase in irrigation efficiency increases gross margin, chemical fertilizer use and diversity in cropping plan. However, it failed to incorporate in risk reduction. It was also found that increase in irrigation efficiency dose not increase employment. In general, the society will be benefited from improvement in irrigation efficiency if the increase of gross margin is considered as the main goal.