Valuation of Irrigation Water Quality in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The study evaluates the irrigation water quality in different regions of Punjab, Pakistan, focusing on Sharaqpur, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan. These regions, with varying geographical and socio-economic characteristics, were selected to assess the impact of irrigation water quality on agricultural productivity. Primary data were collected through a questionnaire survey completed by 400 farmers, capturing information on crop types, sources of irrigation, water usage, economic viability, and challenges faced. Secondary data were obtained from FAO CLIMWAT and CROPWAT software. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers. The residual imputation model was employed to estimate the economic value of irrigation water for major crops by calculating the residual value of water per acre and per hectare. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping techniques visualized the distribution of water quality parameters across Punjab. The results indicate that cotton and wheat have the highest residual value of irrigation water, while vegetables have the lowest. The findings suggest that optimizing water usage for high-value crops can enhance agricultural profitability and support sustainable water resource management. The study underscores the need for policies that encourage efficient water use and provide financial incentives for adopting water-saving technologies.

Keywords: Irrigation water quality, Residual imputation model, GIS mapping

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/15-5-03

Publication date: June 30th 2024