Title

Green, Blue And Grey Water Footprints Of Primary Crops Production In Nepal

Keywords

Nepal; Primary crops; Virtual water; Water footprint

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the green, blue and grey water footprints (WFs) of nine primary crops production in 75 districts, 5 developmental regions and 3 physiographic divisions of Nepal using local meteorological, agronomical and irrigation data at high spatial resolution. The estimates are based on the framework prescribed by the guideline of the Water Footprint Network. The green and blue WFs are calculated using a water balance model whereas the grey WF is estimated as the volume of freshwater needed to dilute nitrate pollution to an acceptable level. WF varies across different crops considered, different districts, development regions and physiographic divisions. WF of potato and wheat in Nepal is comparable to the world average; but paddy, barley and pulses have higher while sugarcane and maize have lower values compared to the world average. WFs of paddy, maize, potato and wheat are lower in Terai than the Hills and Mountains due to the accessibility of irrigation system and higher crop yield. Millet, pulses, oilseeds and barley have lower WFs and are suitable for Mountains. Similarly, sugarcane is suitable for both Terai and Mountain divisions because of its lower WF. Crops in Far Western Development Region generally have higher WFs due to the low crop productivity, and higher fertilizer use. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Publication Date

12-1-2013

Publication Title

Water Resources Management

Volume

27

Issue

15

Number of Pages

5223-5243

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-013-0464-3

Socpus ID

84890161370 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84890161370

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS