Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Irrigation Water Productivity in Iran (Case Study: Cultivation of Rice at Guilan Province)

Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences ISSN: 2231– 6345 (Online)

An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at http:// http://www.cibtech.org/sp.ed/jls/2014/01/jls.htm

2014 Vol. 4 (S1) April-June, pp. 1-7/ Kalashami et al.

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CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVING IRRIGATION

WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN IRAN (CASE STUDY: CULTIVATION OF RICE AT GUILAN PROVINCE)

Mohsen Kavoosi Kalashami1, Mohammad Kavoosi Kalashami

2, Parisa Khaligh Khiyavi

3, *Hamid

Reza Alipour4, Roohollah Ghahramani Chabok

5, Mohammadreza Eslami

6

1MSc student of commercial management, Science & Research unit of IAU Rasht branch

2Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Guilan, Iran

3 PhD of agricultural economics and lecturer of economic, IAU of Rasht, Iran 4Department of Business Management, Islamic Azad University, Rasht branch, Rasht, Iran

5 PhD student of Economic management, EMA University

6Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Iran

*Author for Correspondence

ABSTRACT Because the importance of using water in agricultural production and lacking water sources, so, desired making use of water is very necessary. By considering water productivity in agricultural parts and its suitable utilization in producing these productions, it is possible to increase durability of these sources. In this study, the index of water productivity in cultivating of rice was measured in Guilan province. The most consumption of water was shown in Rasht suburb. Also, by considering the methods of water utilization and its management in this province, we can observe the pattern of correct utilization of water in other suburbs. Extending these valuable finding are very important in the cities with little productivity. The results of logit model indicated the effective distribution of water via modern irrigated networks on consuming agricultural water in different suburbs of Guilan. So, developing these networks shall be the first priorities from the related authorities' point of view.

Keywords: Water productivity, Rice, Agricultural efficiency, Guilan province

INTRODUCTION Limitation of country's water resources and aggravation of that resulted from decreasing rainfall and increasing the rate of demand in different parts of agriculture, industry, drinking, environment and the role of growing population caused the performing of available water resources and its increasing role in related production. Evidently, acquired surface and groundwater resources can not meet demand of agricultural development or covering the food stuffs for growing population of the society. Therefore, the important matter in this field is the management of water productivity and demand management in different parts of industry, agriculture, domestic and environmental sectors. These management plans cause to sustainable development in various sectors, especially in agriculture (Bazza and Ahmad, 2002). In Iran, farmers use 94% of water in agriculture. So, this part is the main responsible factor for desired water productivity. Also, finding the highest productivity is very important in shifting and using levels. With due attention to the necessity of economical production, relative advantages in agricultural crops, added value and changes in market price of producing these crops, considering the value of production in each cubic meter of utilizing is very important in last decades. On the basis of analysis made by International Institute of Water Management, there are two theories on allocating of water for agricultural sector, include Providing the food products for growing population of the world, using the surface and groundwater resources with the ratio of 11 to 12% and Desired productivity of water resources with attention to increasing use of water in agriculture (Shayanfar, 2003). With due attention to being competed of water productivity by different parts and considering agricultural part as the biggest consumer, this part must investigate different ways of increasing water product ivity, especially management approaches.




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According to this matter, we have no problem in providing food in future. There are many different ways related to water productivity in agriculture. Now, we consider three most important issues include changing the policy of cultivation method in different parts of country and considering the cultivation of country and considering the cultivation of more economic plants in arid and semi arid regions with the lowest water consumption or cultivating plants with more productivity in lieu of using each cubic unit of water, Changing old and traditional irrigation system into modern methods with high returns, Changing to the pressurized irrigation system in different regions based on the situation. Therefore, key purposes of water management in this part, shall be the strategy of increasing water productivity (FAO, 2002). Surface irrigation system is used for rice cultivation in Guilan province located in northern Iran where the best region for cultivating this product is. The main reason is that the province has a lot of water resources. The average annual rainfall is about 15169 billion cubic meters. Also, the annual river yield is about 4.5 billion cubic meters. On the other hand, the potential of groundwater in the province is 0.9 billion cubic meters. Half of this amount is related to non-renewable water resources. The average annual yield of water in Sefidrood River as the major river system of the province is 3700 million cubic meters. Also, the area of agricultural parts irrigated by Sefidrood River is about 189800 ha. Total water demand in this province is 5039 million cubic meters which about 3286 million cubic meters is related to paddy fields (Regional Water Management Organization of Guilan province, 2006). In spite of availability of water resources in Northern provinces of Iran, it is important to consider water scarcity and suitable productivity in rice cultivation. The present study considers agricultural water productivity for rice cultivation in Guilan pr ovince in agricultural years of 2004 to 2006. With due attention to this study, related authorities shall suggest a suitable method in part of desired water productivity (Christense, 1975). As an output amount of specific parts of one or more inputs, water productivity is divided into two parts including partial and total productivity factor. The first one consists of the rate of produced output in a production unit to an input. But, the second one means all produced outputs and used inputs in a production unit (Naderi, 1970; Salim, 2006). According to above cases, at first, partial productivity of water measured in Guilan suburbs for agricultural years of 2004 and 2006. Also, Tornqvist – Tiel indicator was used in this part. Then, using logit method, the effect of distributed agricultural water by modern irrigation channels, on suburbs’ water productivity was calculated. Finally, this part was compared with average distribution of province for each agricultural year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS According to production and supply theories, it is possible to grow up the rate of production in each part of economical agency in two approaches. One is related to it's increasing by using more production input within the available technology. Other approach is related to achieve more production by using modern ways and new technologies within available inputs (Salami, 1997). Based on the limitation of these resources and productive input, it is impossible to use these parts in long- term. So, it is necessary to consider the rate of modern technology productivity and desired ways of production for improving productivity to increase it. Otherwise, it will have negative effect on income and unit profit . In case of its continuation, it can change active units to inactive ones and decrease the rate of production. Qualitative considering of this part shall help authorities to increase production or achieve the higher potential level of production by improving productivity and desired utilization of these cases. In literature, water productivity is measured in two ways including parametric (econometrics) and nonparametric approaches. In the first way, production function or cost function shall be estimated. Then this variable will be delivered as technology index. Effect of this variable on production level indicates productivity change or it's improving. In nonparametric approach, it is possible to measure detailed and total productivity factor by using values index (Naderi, 1970; Diewert, 1976) which means that an

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4856926_Exact_and_Superlative_Index_Number?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-bf62f01e-883d-4d4f-9650-2e9f55ae12a3&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI2NTMzNjAzNjtBUzoxMzc3OTE0NDY5ODI2NTZAMTQwOTg2MzQ0OTgzMw==

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227450349_Measuring_productive_efficiency_incorporating_firms'_heterogeneity_An_empirical_analysis?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-bf62f01e-883d-4d4f-9650-2e9f55ae12a3&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI2NTMzNjAzNjtBUzoxMzc3OTE0NDY5ODI2NTZAMTQwOTg2MzQ0OTgzMw==




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indicator is made by using related forms in this field. Note that this indicator includes both input and output parts. Laspeyers and Paasche indices are samples of used forms in productivity index measurement. Laspeyers and Paasche indices are in agreement with linear and Leontief production functions, respectively. Hence, these indices have undesirable properties of related production functions. Another index is Ideal Fisher Index. This index has properties of both linear and Leontief production functions (Diewert, 1992). The best form of index for measuring the TFP is Tornqvist-Tiel index. It is in agreement with Translog production function properties. Translog production function is a flexible form and has properties that exist in real world. As outlined in Lawrence and McKay (1980), this index is based on a homogenous production function which provides a second-order approximation to an arbitrary production function at any given point. Diewert (1976) showed that number index form is the superlative form if it is in agreement with translog function. This indexing procedure possesses a number of desirable technical properties, which make it very suitable for calculating the TFP. Mathematical form of Tornqvist-Tiel output index is determined as fallows (Simeon and et al., 2006):

(1)

0i

ti RR

2

1

n

1i0

i

t

it0t0

TY

Y)Y,Y,P,(PQ

Where QT is output quantity index, Pt and P

0 are price of output in tth and reference firms, respectively. Y

t

and Y0 are production quantity of output in tth and reference firms, respectively and Ri

t and Ri

0 are Income

share of ith output in tth and reference firms, respectively. Income share of ith output are calculated as fallows (Hall and Jones, 1997):

(2)

n

i

t

i

t

i

t

i

t

it

i

YP

YPR

Quantitative index of Tornqvist-Tiel input is also determined as follows (Hall and Jones, 1997):

(3) ).(

2

1

10

00

0

),,,(

iti SS

m

t i

t

itt

tX

XxxwwX

Where XT is input quantity index, wt and w

0 are price of input in tth and reference firms, respectively. X

t

and X0 are consumed quantity of input in tth and reference firms, respectively, and Si

t and Si

0 are cost

share of ith input in tth and reference firms, respectively. Cost share of the ith input is calculated as fallows (Hall and Jones, 1997):

(4)

m

i

t

i

t

i

t

i

t

i

XW

XWS

1

TFP index is obtained by dividing the total outputs' index by total inputs' index. If the used index in aggregation of inputs and outputs is Tornqvist-Tiel form, TFP index is called Tornqvist-Tiel Total Factor Productivity Index (Hall and Jones, 1997) which is expressed as:

(5)

).(2

1

10

2

1

10

00

0

iti

iti

SSm

t i

t

i

RRn

i i

t

i

t

X

X

Y

Y

TFP

TFP

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4856926_Exact_and_Superlative_Index_Number?el=1_x_8&enrichId=rgreq-bf62f01e-883d-4d4f-9650-2e9f55ae12a3&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI2NTMzNjAzNjtBUzoxMzc3OTE0NDY5ODI2NTZAMTQwOTg2MzQ0OTgzMw==




Research Article


In order to calculate partial productivity index for each input, at first, in any group of inputs, given input share in Total Cost is calculated through Equation 4, and then input index is measured by Equation 3. Calculation of partial productivity index of any input group takes place by dividing output index by input group index. In this study, Logit method is used to investigate the effect of distributed agricultural water by modern irrigation channels, on suburbs’ water productivity. The dependent variable of Logit model acquired amount 0 or 1 in which 0 means that mentioned suburb’s partial water productivity was below the mean level of Guilan’s suburbs partial water productivity and vice versa in the case of dependent variable with 1 value. Logit model used probability distribution functions of Logistic pattern. Logit method follows Logistic cumulative distribution on the basis of following formula (Green, 1990):

t

t

t e

e

etF

11

1)( (6)

This distribution is symmetric with zero average. Also, the variance of random variable is equal to 3/2 in Logistic distribution. Logit method is determined by using Logistic cumulative distribution according to below formula (Green, 1990).

exp( ' )( 1) ( ' )

1 exp( ' )i r t

B xP P Y B x

B x

(7)

Since estimated coefficients in Logit methods are very important, any change in probability of Y i = 1 or acquiring more than average of water partial productivity in each suburb is called marginal effect. This variable is measured by changing independent unit (distributive agricultural water is considered by modern irrigation channel networks). In Logit method, this marginal effect is measured by formula (8) (Judge, 1982):

K

k

i BxB

xB

X

PME .

))'(exp1(

)'(exp

(8)

Any change in above method is related to primary probability. Also, primary values of independent variable and its coefficient are very important in this part. On the other hand, we can estimate Elasticity of explained variables (Judge and another, 1982).

)'(..

)1()'(.

)'(2'

'

k

k

KxB

xB

k

k

k

k

XB

XB

e

e

XB

X

X

XBE

(9)

So, if distributed agricultural water in modern irrigation channels indicate 1% change, elasticity of mentioned variable showed the effect on probability of Y i = 1 or increasing water productivity in each suburb in comparison with average provincial productivity. According to above cases, partial water productivity in rice cultivation was estimated in agricultural years of 2004 to 2005 in each suburb of Guilan province. Then, the effect of agricultural water distribution with modern irrigation channels shall be measured on its productivity in all related suburbs. Requested data set for performing this research consists of the rate of rice production, rate of input usage and price of different kinds of rice in 16 suburbs of Guilan province.

RESULTS According to numerical indicator of Tornqvist-Tiel, partial water productivity was estimated. In this estimation, the average of different suburbs considered as a base of calculation. Table (1) indicates the related results about water productivity indicator in the studied period.




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Table 1. Productivi ty index of agricultural water consumption in di fferent suburbs of Guilan province

Suburb

Agricultural Water

Productivity

Index(2006)

Agricultural Water

Productivity

Index(2005)

Agricultural Water

Productivity

Index(2004)

Astara 0.13 0.23 0.23

Astaneh

Asharfiyeh 1.51 1.5 1.69

Amlash 0.23 0.23 0.16

Anzali 0.38 0.42 0.37

Talesh 1.17 1.16 1.02

Rasht 3.66 3.54 4.22

Rezvanshahr 0.69 0.69 0.65

Roodbar 0.25 0.23 0.25

Roodsar 0.66 0.7 0.58

Siahkal 0.32 0.32 0.3

Shaft 1.04 0.88 0.86

Somesara 1.84 1.77 1.77

Fooman 1.11 1.1 0.99

Lahijan 1.6 1.8 1.54

Langrood 0.62 0.69 0.63

Masal 0.5 0.49 0.45

According to achieved results the highest rate of productivity is related to Rasht region in all studied agricultural years. It is also indicated that in lieu of using each unit of water, Rasht has had more production in comparison with other suburbs. On the other hand, the effect of distributed agricultural water on increasing partial water productivity, by modern irrigation channel shall be considered in each studied suburbs in comparison with average water productivity of Guilan province. Remember that in this research, the related authorities use Logit method in this calculation. Table (2) indicates the results of this method in agricultural years of 2004 to 2006. In Logit method, mentioned variable is related to two values of 0 and 1. The variable is zero when water productivity of suburbs is higher than it in province in each agricultural year. Also, it is equal to 1 when water productivity of suburbs is lower than it in the province in each agricultural year. Independent variable indicates the rate of used water according to million cubic meters.

Table 2. The results of Logit method estimation for the studied period.

Average

elasticity

Weighted

elasticity Marginal effect t-statistic Coefficient Year Variable

1.33 0.81 0.0047 1.7 0.02 2005-2006 Distributed

agricultural water

through modern

irrigation systems

1.33 0.81 0.0049 1.7 0.021 2004-2005

1.33 0.81 0.0066 1.7 0.029 2003-2004

It should be noted that the elasticity’s obtained by logit method are non – linear functions of the observed data. There is no guarantee that logit function intersects samples average. Hence, there is a restriction in using of this elasticity. So, we must present another way in this estimation. In this way, at first the rate of elasticity is measured for each of indicator, then, a weighted average is calculated from these values. The applied weights in this section are the average of expected probability for each indicator which is called weighted elasticity has more acceptability in interpretations of logit method. The total weighted elactisity of distributed agricultural water by modern irrigation channel networks is equal to 0.81 in each agricultural year of 2004 to 2006. As a result, if other conditions are fixed, a 10% increase of distributed water by modern channels is expected which is resulted in increasing the




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probability of water productivity in each suburbs in comparison with average utilized water in Guilan province. On the basis of these conditions, the rate of increased partial productivity shall be equal to 8.1% in each suburb compared to the provincial average. Considering of final effect of independent variable in agricultural years of 2004 to 2006 indicated that increased distributed water by modern irrigation channels resulted in increasing water productivity in each suburb in comparison with average used water in Guilan province. In agricultural year of 2006, this increase is equal to 0.0047% while in 2004 and 2005, this measure is equal to 0.0049% and 0.0066%, respectively. For total meaningful considering of logit estimation in mentioned agricultural years, related authorities used the maximum likelihood indicator which was equal to 6.14. Compared to P-value in this part (0.013), the logit method is significantly meaningful in each mentioned agricultural years. For considering these methods, we can use different determining coefficients like McFadden, Maddala, Estrella and Cragg – Uhler. The rate of R

2 (common determining coefficients of regression) is higher than these coefficients. On the

other hand, we can use precised expected percent method for considering exactness of estimated Logit method. The values higher than 70% in this parameter indicate its exactness (Table 3).

Table 3. The results of Logit method estimations for agricultural years 2004-2006.

Percent of

estimation

of the

model

Ratio of

maximum

likelihood

McFadden

coefficient of

determination

Estrella

coefficient of

determination

Maddala

coefficient of

determination

Cragg – Uhler

coefficient of

determination

Logit model

in each

agricultural

year

0.81 6.14 0.3 0.36 0.32 0.44 2005-2006

0.81 6.14 0.31 0.36 0.32 0.44 2004-2005

0.81 6.14 0.3 0.36 0.32 0.44 2003-2004

These results indicated the rate of estimated methods in each mentioned agricultural years is equal to 81%. This rate showed the accuracy of this estimation. Also, Table (3) indicates the statistics of Logit methods in agricultural years among 2003-2004 to 2005-2006 . Actually, this estimation indicates the effect of water distribution on its productivity by modern irrigation channel in rice cultivation in different parts of Guilan province. Shortage of agricultural water in Iran or surface water irrigation for cultivation of rice in Guilan province indicates necessity of considering increase of water productivity in this region. Developing of modern irrigation techniques is the first priority from the points of view of politicians. So, according to the results, it is necessary to consider construction of modern irrigation networks more than ever. Application of engineering knowledge and experts in this issue is very important.

REFERENCES Bazza M., and Ahmad M., 2002. A Comparative assessment of links between irrigation water pricing and irrigation performance in the Near East, Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations, Conference on Irrigation Water Policies: Micro and Macro Considerations, Organized by World Bank, Agadir, Morocco. Christense, L.R. 1975. "Concept and measurement of Agricultural productivity" American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Diewert, W. E, 1976. "Exact and superlative Index Number", Journal of Econometrics, 4, pp: 115-145. Diewert, W. E. 1992. "Fisher Ideal Output, Input, and Productivity Indexes Revisited, Journal of Productivity Analysis", 3: 211-248.




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Judge, G. G., R. C. Hill, W. E. Griffiths, H. Lütkepohl, and T.C. Lee 1982. "Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Econometrics", New York: John Wiley & Sons, 839 pages. Chinese Edition 1987. Hall, R., and Jones, C., 1997, "Levels of Economic Activity across Countries. American Economic Review". 87: 173-177. Green, W. H. 1990. "Econometric Analysis. MacMillian": New York Mahjoobi H., 2003. The necessity of change in cropping pattern for optimum water productivity, Case study: Moghan plain irrigation network (In Persian), Proceeding of the 11

th National Conference on

Irrigation and Drainage, 120-125. Nadiri, I.M. 1970. "Some Approaches to the Theory and Measurement of Total Factor Productivity: A Survey", Journal of Economic Literature, Volume 8, and Issue 4, 1137-1177. Salami H., 1997. Concepts and measurement of productivity in agriculture (In Persian). Quarterly journal of Economics and Development, Vol. 18:7-31. Salim, R. 2006. "Measuring Productive Efficiency Incorporating Firms' Heterogeneity: An Empirical Analysis. Journal of Economic Development", 31: 135-147. Shayanfar H., 2003. Investigation on agricultural water productivity(In Persian), Proceeding of the 11

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Documents

Challenges and Opportunities for Improving Irrigation Water Productivity in Iran (Case Study: Cultivation of Rice at Guilan Province)