The sustainability of arid agriculture: Trends and challenges

Alon Ben-Gal, Alon Tal, Noemi Tel-Zur

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    17 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The sustainability of agriculture in arid regions is dependent on efficient irrigation, involving water management strategies that control salinity along with a selection of crops that are appropriate for arid conditions. The article reviews the present state-of-the-art in water management and irrigation research, including recycling of effluents. Salinity build-up in soils and water remains the paramount challenge for farmers in arid lands, which must be addressed. Recent developments in crop science for arid lands are also considered. Numerous successful examples exist of domestication of new breeding species with high water-use efficiencies and resistance to drought and salinity. The economic sustainability of new technologies for arid agriculture is assessed. Strategically, arid agriculture faces many disadvantages in the world market. While the review offers a basis for optimism regarding the long-term future prospects of agriculture on arid lands, sustainability will require substantial investment in irrigation infrastructure and careful selection of crop types for agriculture to be commercially competitive.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)227-257
    Number of pages31
    JournalAnnals of Arid Zone
    Volume45
    Issue number3-4
    StatePublished - 1 Jan 2006

    Keywords

    • Agriculture
    • Arid lands
    • Crop development
    • Irrigation
    • Sustainability

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
    • Animal Science and Zoology
    • Agronomy and Crop Science

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