Estimation of Virtual Water Trade in the Hormozgan Province over the Past Decade

Abstract

Hormzgan province located in the south of Iran and high water losses in the agricultural sector have been led to the serious water crisis in this province. This research aims to use of virtual water in the arid regions has been made considering the irrigation efficiency, the highest amount of virtual water was found to be for 98.83 citrus fruit production among the horticultural products, 43.7 barley among the agricultural products, and 5.123 potatoes among the cucurbits. Results of exploring the virtual water business showed that the amount of imports and exports of virtual water of study products in Hormozgan province was 20434.2 and 1120.9 million M3 respectively. Also, the volume of virtual water of vegetable group is less than 0.07 m3/kg of produced product. So, vegetables are placed in the low-consumption with high productivity group. Against, the palm is placed in the high-consumption group due to having a 3.8 m3/kg volume of virtual water. Results of the value of virtual water of products showed that the values of exported and imported volume of virtual water are 2122.8 and 133.1 million Rial, respectively. This, while Hormozgan province has a little potential in the use of green water and, therefore, it is suggested cropping pattern province with regard to water supply Green Products resistant to water progresses, with an emphasis on production with less water requirement and profits, reduce pressure on water resources in the province to achieve long-term food security and constant agriculture in the province reached.

Keywords

• the green water
• the blue water
• trade balance
• crop production
• irrigated products