Proposing the Structure of a Multi-Objective Mathematical Programming Model with Water-Food-Energy Nexus Approach for Crop Production

مجله اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی

Article 6, Volume 37, Issue 1 - Serial Number 58, April 2023, Pages 83-102   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jead.2022.77691.1147

Authors

E. Ahani¹; S. Ziaee¹; H. Mohammadi¹; M. Mardani Najafabadi^{* 2}; A. Mirzaei

¹Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Zabol, Iran

²Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
With the growing population of the world, water, food and energy supply will be one of the most important challenges ahead. Agriculture as the most important food producer is not only the consumer of water and energy, but also the most important supplier of energy. As a result, a balance must be struck between harvesting and exploitation of production resources and the amount of agricultural production. Due to the close relationship between water-food-energy systems and also their interaction with each other, a new concept called the “nexus” approach has been proposed which refers to the integrated nature and interactions of water-food-energy planning. This approach has provided suitable options for political decision makers, managers and planners in order to conserve existing resources and achieve sustainable development.
Material and Methods
In this study, we have tried to introduce a mathematical programming model using multi-objective mathematical programming (MOP) technique for water-food-energy nexus that has the ability to process managerial decisions. In this model, in addition to examining the economic aspect, the control of greenhouse gas emissions has also been investigated. The regions of Mashhad, Chenaran and Torqabeh-Shandiz are the most important regions in the study area of Mashhad province in the production of crops. The data required for the study were collected through review of reports and agricultural statistical yearbooks of the year 2020-2021 and interviews with experts in each region and through consulting engineering companies. The hypothetical model under study includes lands covered by crops of Mashhad, Chenaran and Torqabeh-Shandiz. In this model, the water needed to irrigate crops is supplied from surface and groundwater sources. Electricity (electricity consumption) is used to collect and pump of irrigation water, produce food, and supply the domestic and industrial sectors. In the process of generating electricity, production of food, irrigation of crops and consumption of fertilizers and pesticides, greenhouse gases are emitted, especially CO2. In this study, 6 objectives including: maximizing gross profit, maximizing the production of calories from food, minimizing emission of greenhouse gases, minimizing consumption of fertilizers and pesticides, minimizing consumption of irrigation water, and minimizing consumption of energy have been pursued. 
Results and Discussion
The results of the proposed model showed that the rate of change in the level of cultivation area in MOP compared to the current cultivation pattern in Mashhad, Chenaran and Torqabeh-Shandiz decreased by 25.92%, 53.05% and 55.88%, respectively. The level of optimal cultivation for barley in Mashhad in order to maximize net profit objective increased by 16934 hectares (46.71%) and its maximizing caloric production equal to 8484 ha, which has decreased compared to the current pattern (22%). The cultivation area of barley in minimum irrigation water consumption decreased by 10877 hectares (1.11%) and in other minimization objectives it changed to 12892 hectares which increased by 17% in Mashhad region. Wheat, barley, alfalfa, corn, sugar beet, tomato and potato have the highest decrease in cultivation area in the MOP among crops. The total area of optimal cultivation in the net profit maximization model of Mashhad, Chenaran and Torqabeh-Shandiz equal to 48639, 26027 and 75 hectares, which showed an increase of 41.4%, 11.61% and 55.8%, respectively. Furthermore, in the model aimed at minimizing energy, irrigation water, fertilizer, pesticide consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions, the recommended cultivation areas are as follows: 25,475 hectares for energy consumption, 15,954 hectares for irrigation water consumption, and 100 hectares each for fertilizer consumption, pesticide consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. These figures clearly indicate the need to reduce the cultivation area dedicated to agricultural products that have a significant environmental impact. Consequently, it is crucial to alter the cultivation pattern and adopt a strategy that focuses on producing crops with a lower environmental impact. By implementing this strategy, the objective is to cultivate crops that require less energy, irrigation water, fertilizer, and pesticides, while also minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach aims to mitigate the environmental footprint associated with agricultural practices. By reducing the cultivation area for crops that have high environmental effects and transitioning towards crops that have a lesser impact on the environment, it is possible to achieve a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural system.
Conclusion
The purpose of this study was to propose a nonlinear multi-objective mathematical programming model with water-food-energy nexus approach for crops in Mashhad province. In this study, in addition to economic relations, energy and environmental issues (greenhouse gas emissions) were also analyzed. The various components of the water-food-energy nexus, including energy supply planning, water supply and demand, food production, and control of greenhouse gas emissions, were modeled. The results showed that considering the MOP model based on economic and environmental objectives, the area under cultivation of wheat, barley, alfalfa, tomatoes, sugar beets and potatoes has significantly decreased. In other words, in order to achieve the objectives of maximum profit and minimum environmental impact, the area under wheat, barley, tomato, corn should be reduced and the area under cucumber, onion, potato and sugar beet should be increased. According to the results of this study, the following suggestions are presented:
- Implementation of the proposed optimal model of water-food-energy nexus allows farmers to simultaneously maintain economic income, environmental considerations, optimal and sustainable consumption of resources (water-food-energy) to select and consider suitable policies. So, it will only be a sustainable policy if it can be built within the combined framework of water, food, energy and the environment. In order to minimize the emission of greenhouse gases and its damage to the environment, the area under cultivation of agricultural products that have high environmental impact should be reduced, and in contrast to changes in cultivation pattern, the strategy to produce crops with less impact. Therefore, by developing a cropping pattern model, the productivity of the production capacities of the agricultural sector can be maximized and at the same time the damages and destructive consequences of crop production can be reduced.

Keywords

Agricultural planning; Multi-objective nonlinear programming; Water-food-energy nexus modeling

References

1. Agricultural Jihad Organization. (2020). Unpublished result, Khorasan Razavi.
2. Azamirad, M., Ghahreman, B., & Esmaili, K. (2018). Investigation flooding potential in the Kashafrud watershed, Mashhad the method SCS and GIS. Journal of Watershed Management Research 9(17): 26-38. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.29252/jwmr.9.17.26
3. Bagheri, (2018). Water resources management with water, energy and food linkage approach. The first international conference on water consumption management, demand and efficiency. (In Persian with English abstract)
4. Buysse, , Van Huylenbroeck, G., & Lauwers, L. (2007). Normative, Positive and Econometric Mathematical Programming as Tools for Incorporation of Multifunctionality in Agricultural Policy Modelling. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 120: 70-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2006.03.035
5. Chai, , Shi H., Lu Q., & Hu, Y. (2020). Quantifying and predicting the Water-Energy-Food-Economy-Society-Environment Nexus based on Bayesian networks - A case study of China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 256: 120266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120266
6. Chiun, L.P., & Hwong, W. (2020). Evaluating the environmental impacts of the water-energy-food nexus with a life-cycle approach. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 157: 104789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104789.
7. Davari, , Shahedi, M., Talebi, F., Khazaei, S., Omranian, H., Fakhar, M., & Majidi, N. (2016). Water book of Khorasan Razavi province, Hedro Tak Tuse Mashhad.
8. Emamzadeh, M., Forghani, M.A., Karnema, A., & Darbandi S. (2016). Determining an optimum pattern of mixed planting from organic and non-organic crops with regard to economic and environmental indicators: A case study of cucumber in Kerman, Iran. Information Processing in Agriculture 3(4): 207-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpa.2016.08.001.
9. Esteve, P., Varela-Ortega, C., Blanco-Gutiérrez, I., & Downing, T.E. (2015). A hydro-economic model for the assessment of climate change impacts and adaptation in irrigated agriculture. Ecological Economics 120: 49-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.09.017
10. Esmaeilzadeh, S., Asgharipour, M.R., & Khoshnevisan, B. (2020). Water footprint and life cycle assessment of edible onion production-A case study in Iran. Scientia Horticulturae 261: 108925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108925
11. Eslami, Z., Janatrostami, S., & Ashrafzadeh, A. (2019). Application of modeling in management of water, energy, and food Nexus, Journal of Water and Sustainable Development 6(2): 1-8. (In Persian with English abstract)
12. Fabiani, , Vanino, S., Napoli, R., & Nino, P. (2020). Water energy food nexus approach for sustainability assessment at farm level: An experience from an intensive agricultural area in central Italy. Environmental Science & Policy 104: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2019.10.008
13. Hoff, H. (2011). Understanding the NEXUS. Background paper for the Bonn, nexus conference: The water, energy and food security nexus solutions for the green economy. Stockholm Environment Institute, Stockholm.
14. Kalbali, E., Ziaee, S., Mardani Najafabadi, M., & Zakerinia, M. (2021). Approaches to adapting to -impacts of climate change in northern Iran: The application of a Hydrogy-Economics model. Journal of Cleaner Production 280: Part 1, 124067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124067.
15. Karabulut, A.A., Crenna, E., Sala, S., & Udias, A. (2018). A proposal for integration of the ecosystem-water-food-land-energy (EWFLE) nexus concept into life cycle assessment: A synthesis matrix system for food security. Journal of Cleaner Production 172: 3874-3889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.092.
16. Keyhanpour, M.J., Mousavi-Jahromi, S.H., & Ebrahimi, H. (2021). Dynamic analysis of sustainable water resources management based on water-food-energy Nexus case study: Khuzestan province, Iranian Journal of Irrigation and Drainage 3(15): 567-581. (In Persian with English abstract). https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.20087942.1400.15.3.8.2.
17. Mardani Najafabadi, M., Ziaee, S., Nikouei, A., & Borazjani, M.A. 2019. Mathematical programming model (MMP) for optimization of regional cropping patterns decisions: A case study. Agricultural Systems, 173: 218-232. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.02.006
18. Mirabi, , & Krabi, M. (2019). Integrated modeling in the optimal management of water, energy and food resources with a correlated approach, 11^th National Congress of Civil Engineering, Shiraz. (In Persian with English abstract)
19. Mo, li., Qiang, F., Vijay, P.S., Yi, j., Dong, L., Chenglong, Z., & Tianxiao, L. (2019). An optimal modelling approach for managing agricultural water-energy-food nexus under uncertainty. Science of the Total Environment 651: 1416-1434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.291.
20. Monem, J., Delavar, M., & Hosseini, S.M. (2019). Application and evaluation of water, food and energy (NEXUS) in irrigation Networks management: case study of Zayandehrud irrigation Network, Iranian Journal of Irrigation and Drainage 1(14): 275-285. (In Persian with English abstract)
21. Marzban, , Asgharepour, M.R., Ghanbari, A., Nikouei, A.R., Ramroudi, M., & Seyed Abadi, E. (2020). Reducing environmental effects by redesigning the cultivation pattern with the approach of using cycle assessment Life and Multipurpose Planning (Case Study: East of Lorestan Province), Scientific knowledge of Agricultural Knowledge and Sustainable Production 30(3): 311-330. (In Persian with English abstract)
22. Nie, , Avraamidouc, S., Xiaoa, X., Efstratios, N. P., Jie, L., Yujiao, Z., Fei, S., Jie, Y., & Min, Z. (2019). A Food-Energy-Water Nexus approach for land use optimization. Science of the Total Environment 659: 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.242
23. Pu, Y., Sang-Hyun, L., Jin, Y.C., Seung-Hwan, Y., & Seung-Oh, H. (2022). Analysis of climate change impact on resource intensity and carbon emissions in protected farming systems using Water-Energy-Food-Carbon Nexus, Resources, Conservation & Recycling 184: 106394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106394.
24. Qin, J., Duan, W., Chen, Y., Dukhovny, V.A., Sorokin, D., Li, Y., & Wang, X. (2022). Comprehensiveevaluation and sustainable development of water–energy–food–ecology systems in Central Asia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 157: 112061. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.112061.
25. Report on integrated management of water resources in Kashfarud Basin‎. 2009.
26. Sharifi Moghadam, E., & Sadeghi, S.H.R. (2018). Application of Water-Energy-Food Correlation in Water Resources Management, the First National Conference on Water Resources Management Strategies and Environmental Challenges. (In Persian with English abstract)
27. Safaei, V., Pourmohammad, Y., & Davari, K. (2020). Interconnected Approach to Water, Energy and Food in Water Resources Management (Case Study: Mashhad Area), Iranian Journal of Irrigation and Drainage 5(14): 1721-1708. (In Persian with English abstract)
28. Safavi, , & Ehteshami, M. (2022). Modeling the correlation approach of water, energy and food and evaluating its social and environmental sustainability (Case study: Varamin city). Scientific Journal of Hydroelectric Dam and Power Plant 8(28): 101-80. (In Persian with English abstract)
29. Tichenor, E., Van Zanten, H.H., de Boer, I.J., Peters, C.J., Carthy, A.C., & Griffin T.S. (2017). Land use efficiency of beef systems in the Northeastern USA from a food supply perspective. Agricultural Systems 156: 34-42.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.05.011.
30. Wicaksono, A., & Kang D. (2019). Nationwide simulation of water, energy, and food nexus: Case study in South Korea and Indonesia. Journal of Hydro-environment Research 22: 70-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/jher.2018.10.003.
31. West, (2019). Multi-criteria evolutionary algorithm optimization for horticulture crop management. Agricultural Systems 173: 469-481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2019.03.016.
32. Yu, L., Xiao, Y., Zeng, X.T., Li, Y.P., Fan, Y.R. (2020). Planning water-energy-food nexus system management under multi-level and uncertainty. Journal of Cleaner Production 251: 119658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119658.
33. Zhang, , & Vesselinov, V.V. (2018). Integrated modeling approach for optimal management of water, energy and food security nexus. Advances in Water Resources 101: 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2016.12.017