Traditional irrigation techniques in MENA with a focus on Tunisia |
| |
| Authors: | R Berndtsson S Jebari H Hashemi J Wessels |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Centre for Middle Eastern Studies and Department of Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Swedenronny.berndtsson@tvrl.lth.se;3. National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water, and Forestry, Tunis, Tunisia;4. Centre for Middle Eastern Studies and Department of Water Resources Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden;5. Department of Political Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark |
| |
| Abstract: | ABSTRACTDue to their efficiency, revitalized traditional techniques for irrigation management of scarce water resources have been suggested as a way to at least partially cope with the present water crises in the Middle East. A better irrigation management includes re-using treated wastewater in agriculture. Treated wastewater should also be used in industrial processes, thus contributing to a more efficient overall water management. However, the most important change leading to better water management is improving water efficiency in agricultural irrigation. Traditional water management techniques have an important role in many Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. Besides bringing more water to a thirsty population, they can also contribute to the societal awareness, and recognition of the great diversity of cultural and social values water has to human civilization. EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis; ASSOCIATE EDITOR P. Hubert |
| |
| Keywords: | traditional water management water crisis Middle East and North Africa (MENA) rainwater harvesting qanats food security |
|
|
