Ranking Selected Crops in the National Cultivation Pattern from the Perspective of Economic Water Productivity in Ilam Province

Water productivity in agriculture is a critical factor for sustainable resource management, especially in arid and semi-arid regions such as Ilam province. This study aims to rank selected agricultural products within the national cultivation pattern based on their economic water productivity (Benefit Per Drop BPD). Using field data collected in the YYYY.TE cropping year, the economic water productivity of ten crops including wheat, barley, canola, corn, sugar beet, chickpea, lentil, tomato, cucumber, and watermelon was calculated by dividing the gross production value by the volume of water consumed per hectare. Results indicate that cucumber, watermelon, and tomato exhibit the highest economic water productivity, while corn, lentil, and canola show the lowest. These findings suggest prioritizing cultivation of high BPD crops to optimize water use and improve agricultural efficiency in Ilam. The study concludes with policy recommendations focusing on water-saving technologies, adjustment of cropping patterns, and support for farmers to enhance sustainable water management.

کلیدواژه ها:

Economic water productivity ، National cultivation pattern ، Gross production value ، Ilam province