Suitability of Virtual Water Exchange Strategy for the Group of Pulses Products in Iranian Provinces Using a Composite Index

Iran has an arid and semi-arid climate and is on the verge of a severe water crisis. Therefore, solutions should be sought to save water consumption, especially in sectors such as agriculture with a high share of water consumption. A virtual water exchange strategy is one of the suitable methods to save water in the agricultural sector. Attention to water resources, economic factors, technology and transportation, society, and environment is necessary to examine the suitability of virtual water exchange plans among regions. In this regard, this study aimed at constructing a composite index using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) method and the data of 2014 as well as investigating the virtual water exchange through the group of pulses products and the suitability of the virtual water exchange plans in pulses for each province of Iran based on the constructed composite index. The results showed that for the exchange of virtual water through the lentil crop, the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Fars, Qazvin, Ardabil, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Zanjan, Semnan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad and for the bean crop, the provinces of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Zanjan, Fars, Lorestan and Markazi, and also, for the chickpea crop, the provinces of East Azarbaijan, Zanjan, Fars and Kermanshah had medium to high status. Therefore, policy makers can use these results in designing the appropriate cultivation pattern and formulating policies for optimal allocation and increasing water productivity in Iran's provinces.