Water consumption indicators for some crops in Northwest of Libya

Abstract

Because of its environmental features, most Libyan people live along the coastline of the western region. Agriculture sector represents one of the most common aspects of human activity where the convergence of irrigated areas in that region is about half the irrigated areas in Libya. The sector consumes about 80% of the available water resources in the region causing, in turn, deterioration of their quality and quantity, threatening the sustainability activities of human and water-dependent ecosystems. The study provides valuable indicators to assess the water consumption of some agricultural crops. It is essentially based on analysis of questionnaire data which was conducted during 2007. The questionnaire which targeted some private farms, covers an area of coastline stretching from the city of Misrata in the east to the city of Sabratha in the west with maximum distance of 40 kilometers towards the south. The crops which was subjected for analysis were beans (green), autumn and spring potatoes, cauliflowers, green and dry onions, green pepper, watermelon, lettuce, wheat, barley and oat. Water use efficiency and water crop and monetary productivity were calculated and essentially used as indicators for water consumption assessment. The results showed the deterioration of mentioned indicator values, for most crops, which gives indications of inadequate use of water resources and low economic returns.

Key Words: Jafarh plain, Crop water productivity, Water use efficiency, Evapotranspiration.