Contribution of virtual water to improving water security in Tunisia: a case study of wheat and olive growing farms in Zaghouan region
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Date
2013
Authors
Souissi, AsmaBenalaya, Abdallah
Abdelkefi, Belhassen
Stambouli, Talel Ben Bechir
Ghezal, Lamia
Belaid, Rabeh
Naceur, Youssef
Oueslati, Marwa
Fekih, Saida
Benabdallah, Saker
Frija, Aymen
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Proceedings Paper , conferenceObjectArticle
Abstract
Virtual water represents all freshwater used in the process of producing a commodity. In the
case of agricultural products, many studies have focused on quantifying virtual water flows
through international trade products. The concept of virtual water commercialization should
be carefully studied as a potential solution for water scarcity, especially in countries facing
risks of water shortage in a few years such as in Tunisia.
The main idea of this paper is to optimize water use, by the mean of estimation of virtual
water in exported crops which have high water consumption. We also analyze the crops that
are imported and therefore, might contribute to save water.
Commonly exported and imported crops are widely cultivated in the region of Zaghouan
characterized by diversity of agricultural products. That’s why it could represent a good case
study from Tunisia. In this study we especially focus on olive oil which is one of the most
strategic exported products in Tunisia and on wheat as main imported product.
We attempt to create technical and economic data sheets through monitoring about 40
farmers in this region. These sheets are not only to estimate the gross margin but also to
calculate water demand for each crop allowing the estimation of virtual water. We found out
that Tunisia may saves 1.13 m3 of water per kilogram of wheat if we import it instead of
producing it domestically. In the case of olive trees, for an average yield of 2339 kg per
hectare we exports 2.10 m3 of virtual water for every kilogram of exported olive.
Results presented in this study are of essential implications for policy making regarding water
use optimization and water security enhancement
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Bibliographic citation
IV International Symposium
AGROVOC subjects
Disponibilidad del aguaOrdenaciĂ³n de recursos
Uso del agua
TĂºnez