TYPIFYING IRRIGATED AREAS TO SUPPORT POLICY DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION: THE CASE OF THE GUADALQUIVIR RIVER BASIN1. (24th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gómez‐Limón, J. A.; Arriaza, M.; Villanueva, A. J.; Schultz, Bart
• Is Part Of: Irrigation and drainage. Volume 62:Number 3(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 322
• Page End: 329
• Publication Date: 2013-05-24
• Subjects: Irrigation engineering -- Periodicals; Drainage -- Periodicals; Flood control -- Periodicals; Sustainable agriculture -- Periodicals; 627.52
• DOI: 10.1002/ird.1747
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1531-0353

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>Irrigated agriculture in the Guadalquivir River Basin (GRB, southern Spain) has changed dramatically over the last decade, both in terms of the type of crops grown and also irrigation technology (water use efficiency). The main cause for this has been the irruption of modern olive groves, characterized by lower water demand (around 1500 m³ ha^‐1) and the use of drip irrigation systems. In addition to the increase in olive plantations, accounting for approximately half of the 850 000 ha irrigated in the GRB, there has also been an intense process of modernization and intensification of irrigated agriculture, as shown by the latest Inventory of Irrigated Areas of Andalusia (2008). All these changes make it necessary to redefine irrigated areas, not only on the basis of their crop mix, but also taking into account a full array of key variables, such as irrigated area managerial features (water allotments, water pricing, etc.) and farm structural features (irrigation systems, etc.). This study classifies the irrigation areas in the GRB into five homogeneous clusters by means of factor and cluster analysis. This full typology of irrigated areas could provide useful information for policymakers to improve the design and the implementation of agricultural and water planning policies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </abstract>