Optimization of the cropping pattern in Jordan Valley under different climatic conditions and water availability : environmental and socio-economic aspects
This work investigated some specific management options for the improvement of the performance of the irrigated agricultural systems in Jordan Valley in terms of farmer's income, water supply/demand balance and economic water productivity. A mathematical programming model was developed, calibrated and applied to maximize expected annual income through the selection of the most favorable cropping pattern and irrigation practices under the main constraints of land, water availability and crop rotation. Both, Northern and Southern parts of the Valley are studied considering normal and dry years. The overall results indicated that water productivity is lower in the southern than in the northern part of the Valley.
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The improvement of agricultural production in the region can be achieved through the modification of the cropping pattern (cultivating date palm and tomato instead of banana in the South) and the introduction of regulated deficit irrigation (for citrus in the North and for barley in the South).
