Iranian Journal of Irrigation & Drainage

Iranian Journal of Irrigation & Drainage

Examining the Impact of Virtual Water Trade on Food Security in Kerman Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mansoreh Mirzaei 1
Hossein Babazadeh 2
Mahdi Sarai-Tabrizi 3
Amir Khosrojerdi 4
Ali Torabi Haghighi 5
1 Ph.D. Candidate of Water resources management, Department of Water Science and Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Water Engineering and Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Water Science and Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Water Science and Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
5 دانشیار، دانشگاه اولو، فنلاند
Abstract
In the arid and water-scarce regions of Kerman province, farmers face serious challenges due to a lack of rainfall and water resources, threatening food security. One effective solution to this crisis is the concept of “virtual water,” which can assist in managing water resources and ensuring food security. This study examines the impact of virtual water trade on food security in Kerman province. The results indicate that the production of essential crops such as wheat, rice, and legumes in this province is insufficient to meet the population’s needs. In an ideal scenario, with 100% irrigation efficiency, Kerman province would require an additional 4.08 billion cubic meters of virtual water. In real conditions, with 40% efficiency, this need increases to 2.4 billion cubic meters of additional virtual water to ensure food security for the projected population in 2031. Additionally, inter-basin water transfer faces certain limitations. The findings suggest that virtual water trade can enhance access to global water resources and reduce pressure on the province’s internal water resources. Therefore, policymakers must reconsider water resource management policies and develop the necessary infrastructure to facilitate virtual water trade.
Keywords
Food security
virtual water trade
comparative advantage
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Iranian Journal of Irrigation & Drainage
Volume 19, Issue 2 - Serial Number 111
May and June 2025
Pages 217-228