Optimizing the Combined Allocation of Land and Water to Agriculture in the Omo-Gibe River Basin Considering the Water-Energy-Food-Nexus and Environmental Constraints

Sintayehu Legesse Gebre (), Jos Van Orshoven and Dirk Cattrysse
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Sintayehu Legesse Gebre: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Industrial Management, Traffic &Infrastructure, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Celestijnenlaan 300, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Jos Van Orshoven: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Forest, Nature and Landscape, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
Dirk Cattrysse: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Industrial Management, Traffic &Infrastructure, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Celestijnenlaan 300, 3001 Leuven, Belgium

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-37

Abstract: This study applied the Gebre optimization model to optimize the land and water usage in the Omo-Gibe river basin, Ethiopia, where competition among stakeholders and growing demands pose a challenge. This model was applied through a nexus approach to maximize benefits and minimize conflicting trade-offs. The main objective was to maximize the economic benefit from land and water allocation with the framework of the land-water-food-energy-environment nexus under climate change mitigation and river ecosystem services (LWFEEN). This model takes into account multiple dimensions, including economic, environmental, social, and technical factors, going beyond ordinary optimization models. It also incorporates an innovative crop succession allocation concept not often seen in the literature. This crop succession proposal includes sequences of cropping patterns and fallow land use options that closely resemble real-world farming practices. The results demonstrated that the Gebre optimization model effectively resolves the existing constraint conflicts and maximizes economic benefits by reducing costs, penalties, and environmental impacts, promoting sustainable use of natural resources in the Omo-Gibe river basin and avoiding conflicts among stakeholders. Therefore, this study offered decision-makers a strategic perspective on how to apply the Gebre-model within the context of the land-water-food-energy-environment nexus(LWFEEN) approach in river basins such as the Omo-Gibe, with the ultimate goal of achieving sustainable development.

Keywords: allocation; crop succession; Gebre-model; nexus; Omo-Gibe river basin; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:2:p:412-:d:1057470

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