Energy and Water in Arid Developing Countries: Saudi Arabia, a Case-study

Abderrahman, Walid A.

doi:10.1080/07900620120031306

Cited by 38 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…From 1974 to 2006, the Saudi government intensively subsidized the agricultural sector to improve the standard of living in rural communities. Government subsidies resulted in substantial increases in cultivated areas, mainly for intensively irrigated crops such as wheat; the irrigated area went from less than 400 thousand ha in 1971 to about 1.62 million ha in 1992 (Abderrahman, 2001;World Bank, 2005). The high agricultural water demand and the resulting depletion of groundwater resources have come with major government decisions to restructure the agricultural sector (Al-Zahrani, 2010;Al-Zahrani & Baig, 2011;Al-Zahrani & Elhag, 2003).…”

Section: Saudi Water Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other literature reported higher averages for previous years, ranging from 260 LCD to 300 LCD (World Bank, 2005Bank, , 2010MEP, 2005). The country's industrial sector, which consists of waterintensive industries (petrochemicals, fertilizers, mining, cement, steel, and food and International Journal of Water Resources Development 337 beverage production), has grown rapidly over the last two decades (Abderrahman, 2001;MWE, 2012;World Bank, 2005). As a result, industrial water demand increased from 190 million m 3 /y in 1990 to 800 million m 3 /y in 2010, growing 7.5% every year (MWE, 2012;World Bank, 2005).…”

Section: Saudi Water Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Water demand versus supply in Saudi Arabia: current and future challenges

Ouda

2013

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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Saudi Arabia is facing a chronic water-shortage problem. Demand far exceeds the sustainable yield of both conventional and non-conventional water resources. The resulting demand -supply gap is being bridged through groundwater depletion. In this paper, demand -supply gaps for the coming 20 years are projected under three scenarios: optimistic, moderate and pessimistic. Future sustainable water yields are calculated and allocated to projected water demand in the domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors. The study shows that Saudi Arabia will not be able to bridge the demand -supply gap in the near future. Intensive water demand management measures are needed in all sectors to minimize future demand -supply gaps, especially focused on the largest water consumer: the agricultural sector.

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Section: Saudi Water Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Saudi Water Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water demand versus supply in Saudi Arabia: current and future challenges

Ouda

2013

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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“…The kingdom does not have any natural surface watercourses such as rivers or lakes. Average yearly rainfall is less than 100 mm, with occasional maximum rainfall of about 550 mm per year in the south-western region (Abderrahman, 2001(Abderrahman, , 2006Ouda, 2013a;World Bank, 2004, 2005. Population increased from about 7 million in 1970 to about 27 million in 2010, with an average annual growth of 3.4% (Central Department of Statistics & Information, 2010).…”

Section: Review Of Saudi Arabia's Agricultural Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of agricultural policy on irrigation water demand: a case study of Saudi Arabia

Ouda¹

2014

International Journal of Water Resources Development

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Saudi Arabia's groundwater resources have been heavily over-exploited to achieve food self-sufficiency. The country enacted a new agricultural policy that discourages the cultivation of wheat and encourages that of vegetables and fruits. This has produced significant reductions in irrigation water demand as well as food self-sufficiency. This paper reviews the performance of the Saudi agricultural sector and presents four scenarios forecasting the new policy's long-term impacts on the use of water for agriculture. The findings show that the new policy does not support sustainable utilization of groundwater resources. Additional policy modifications are needed to optimize the combination of import and domestic production of agricultural products based on a sustainable water utilization strategy.

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“…The size of the plantation is equivalent to 9 × 22 gridpoints in the high resolution runs thus enabling its effects on the atmosphere to be resolved. The amount of irrigation given to the vegetation amounts 10 mm per day and this figure is based on irrigation projects in other parts of Saudi Arabia (Abderrahman, 2001). The initial soil moisture levels are also adjusted to account for a more realistic soil profile given the irrigation rate of 10 mm per day.…”

Section: Description Of Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%