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" The food-water dilemma of agriculture in arid regions : "
Al Tenaiji, Ameena Ali Kulaib
Braimah, N. ; Hill, R.
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Latin Dissertation
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| Record Number
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833611
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TLets782740
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| Main Entry
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Al Tenaiji, Ameena Ali Kulaib
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| Title & Author
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The food-water dilemma of agriculture in arid regions :\ Al Tenaiji, Ameena Ali KulaibBraimah, N. ; Hill, R.
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| College
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Brunel University London
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| Date
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2019
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2019
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Thesis (Ph.D.)
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| Abstract
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Agriculture is by far the largest water user, both worldwide and in arid regions such as the Abu Dhabi Emirate (ADE). ADE is the largest region in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is characterised by negligible surface water and groundwater recharge resources with limited recharge capacity. Moreover, growing agricultural expansion in ADE through heavy subsidies and ambitious field planning is increasing the pressure on this non-renewable groundwater, as demonstrated by the constant decline of the water table and deterioration of groundwater quality. Despite the government push to achieve food self-sufficiency, current domestic agricultural production is only able to contribute a small fraction of the Emirate's food needs and the majority is still imported. In recent years, the ADE government has expressed concerns over the significant impacts of high water use on groundwater, which is predicted to be completely depleted in a few decades' time. However, only limited anecdotal data exists on groundwater usage and associated farming practices, making it difficult for the government to devise suitable strategies and policies needed to address the agricultural water use challenges in the region. This project will investigate the current farming practices, their impacts on groundwater, and how they are influenced by existing agricultural policies, with the aim of developing an appropriate framework for ensuring sustainable management and regulation of agricultural production and its water use. The research employed a mixed-methods approach that was initiated by a comprehensive review of relevant extant literature and data synthesis of the available secondary data. This was followed by a large face-to face survey with farmers to understand their current practices. Later, semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from relevant entities regarding their roles and policies used for the regulation and management of agricultural water. The study's key findings provide a comprehensive empirical data set, the first in the region that has the essential inputs for policy development and future agricultural strategy. The findings show that agriculture in ADE uses 71% of the groundwater for over 76% of the farms; 80% goes to irrigate palm trees, which is more heritage driven than commercial. Palm tree cultivation yields produce an excessive 441% self-sufficiency, of which the majority are used as animal feed. This production is poorly managed, as it consumes a high water quantity (22,745 m3/ha) with low water productivity (0.6 kg/m3 and
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Groundwater sustainability ; Food security ; Water scarcity ; Abu Dhabi farming ; Agriculture-water policy framework
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Braimah, N. ; Hill, R.
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Brunel University
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