Investigation of Irrigation Water Requirement and Evapotranspiration for Water Resource Management in Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Sajjad Hussain (), Muhammad Mubeen, Wajid Nasim (), Shah Fahad, Musaddiq Ali, Muhammad Azhar Ehsan and Ali Raza
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Sajjad Hussain: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Muhammad Mubeen: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Wajid Nasim: Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
Shah Fahad: Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Pakistan
Musaddiq Ali: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
Muhammad Azhar Ehsan: International Research Institute for Climate and Society, Earth Institute at Columbia University, Palisades, New York, NY 10964, USA
Ali Raza: School of Agriculture Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Water scarcity and water quality degradation are exacerbated by climate change in all countries, including Pakistan. The use of water in agriculture is one of the most predominant resources, so reducing consumption and improving resource management is of utmost importance. In the past few decades, excessive irrigation has led to severe water scarcity and reduced water quality. This study determined the irrigation requirements for cotton, rice, and wheat, using the CROPWAT model in Southern Punjab (Multan District). In the study area, evapotranspiration ranged from 1.8 to 10.24 mm/day, while effective rainfall ranged from 2 to 31.3 mm. Rice, cotton, and wheat each required 996.4, 623.3, and 209.5 mm of irrigation, respectively. Among rice, cotton, and wheat, the total net irrigation was 72.4, 67.8, and 44.1 mm, respectively, while the total gross irrigation was 103.5, 99.8, and 63 mm. The CROPWAT model showed a moderately useful result for identifying irrigation needs in Southern Punjab. The study emphasizes the need for groundwater harvesting and water management technologies to implement a water management system that reduces water shortages.

Keywords: climate change; evapotranspiration; irrigation water management; land cover changes; agricultural irrigation requirement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (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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