Comparison of cultivation pattern in Kerman province and Qaleganj county based on virtual water concept

In this study, the cultivation pattern in Kerman province and Qaleganj County has been compared. While considering production of crops, the results of this study have been adjusted in order to prevent the export of virtual water by decreasing the cultivation of low yield and water intensive crops in the county. A comparison between the main crops of Qaleganj County and the same crops in Kerman province, based on cultivation area, production and the calculation of crop yield, blue and green virtual water, and water dependency index has been presented in his study. Among the studied crops, wheat has the highest area of cultivation in Kerman province (90145 hectares) and Qaleganj County (15159 hectares). The lowest areas of cultivation in Qaleganj County belong to potatoes (95 hectares) and onions (134 hectares) and in Kerman province belongs to onions (5738 hectares). Potato yield in Qaleganj County is 41 tons per hectare and its virtual water content is 0.321 cubic meters per kilogram, which has the lowest virtual water content among these products after onions. Due to the limited water resources in Qaleganj County and to reduce the pressure on groundwater resources, it is recommended to increase onion and potato cultivation in Qaleganj County and to limit the development of water intensive crops. Increase in Alfalfa cultivation in Qaleganj County is also recommended according to the crop yield (32.70 tons per hectares in Qaleganj County compared to 10.59 tons per hectares in Kerman province) if the livestock value chain is completed.