Adapting Irrigation Strategies to Mitigate Climate Change Impacts: A Value Engineering Approach

Water scarcity and climate change are posing new challenges to irrigation management. Climate change increases water demand and decreases crop yields. The aim of this paper is to propose a framework to select the most efficient irrigation strategy to mitigate the impacts of climate change and achieve food security. Value engineering (VE) methodology is utilized to assure the functionality of the strategy and add an element of creativity while creating the value alternatives. The life cycle cost (LCC) technique is utilized to provide the optimum irrigation strategy from an economic perspective. The findings showed three different value alternatives for different crops, soil types, and irrigation systems. This paper contributes to the current state of knowledge by a) utilizing the Value Engineering methodology in irrigation management studies; b) evaluating irrigation strategies to ensure efficient irrigation water management; and c) providing policymakers with a tool to incorporate the added value and functionality into their policies regarding irrigation water.

Automated summary

This paper proposes a framework to select the most efficient irrigation strategy for mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving food security. It utilizes value engineering methodology and life cycle cost technique to provide different value alternatives for different crops, soil types, and irrigation systems. The study contributes to irrigation management research and provides policymakers with a tool to incorporate added value and functionality into their irrigation water policies.