Quantity and quality of irrigation water and its effects on the agricultural productivity and sustainability of rural settlements: A case of Firouzabad plain

Water is an important factor that ensures the sustainability of socio-ecological systems in arid and semi-arid areas. However, climate change and inefficient management of water resources have intensified water stress in these regions. To maintain the balance between agriculture’s need to freshwater and finite water resources, investigating the water, agricultural production and population interactions are necessary. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quantity and quality of irrigation water in the Firouzabad plain and its impacts on the agricultural productivity and rural population. Water resources and agricultural production data were obtained from the database of the Fars Regional Water and the Fars Agricultural Jihad Organizations, respectively. Also, population data was attained from the Statistical Center of Iran’s database. The results revealed significant decreases in surface and groundwater resources which led to different levels of water vulnerability, i.e. the low, moderate and high access to water resources. However, the trend analysis indicated that inefficient management of irrigation water will reduce water supply for whole groups. Moreover, regression analysis confirmed the water and agricultural production interactions. Irrigation water shortage, reduction of precipitation, limited consumption of chemical inputs and low level of agricultural mechanization significantly reduced the production of annual crops. Also, the results emphasized the water-rural population nexus. The extremely unbalanced distribution of irrigation water led to significant population growth in the least water vulnerable areas. Some recommendations are offered to increase water efficiency and agricultural productivity and also sustain the fragile balance between water and population.