The phenomenon of drought and the role of agricultural mechanization in its occurrence or prevention

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

One of the most important and effective issues in the future of agricultural technologies is how to deal with climate and environmental changes. Todays, the problem of reducing available water is a threat not only to Iran but also to the whole world. But in the meantime, the countries of the Middle East, including Iran, have a more meaningful share of this threat of drought. According to the published statistics, the share of water consumption per capita in the agricultural sector is much higher than in the urban and industrial sectors. Water consumption share in this sector is announced up to 91%. Meanwhile, the global average amount of water consumption in the agricultural sector is less than 70%. Therefore, it is necessary to provide solutions for reforming agricultural systems that use little water or are suitable for water shortage conditions. Mechanization, as a developmental stage of any cultivation, can lead to corrective agricultural systems suitable for water crisis conditions. In this research, at first, developed agricultural systems were described which aim to reduce water consumption. The position of mechanization in agricultural systems, including sustainable and conservation agriculture, was investigated. In the following, mechanization studies and indicators including water and energy productivity and water supply cost were discussed in the case of water shortage-mechanization crisis. In a sustainable agricultural system, the use of modern, intelligent, and suitable equipment for Iran's conditions, along with the development of modern irrigation methods, can greatly contribute to the water shortage crisis.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 7, Issue 3
January 2023
Pages 15-26

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 October 2022
  • Revise Date: 19 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 12 December 2022

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