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Availability and Feasibility of Water Desalination as a Non-Conventional Resource for Agricultural Irrigation in the MENA Region: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Hassan A. Awaad

    (Crop Science Department., Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt)

  • Elsayed Mansour

    (Crop Science Department., Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt)

  • Mohammad Akrami

    (Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK)

  • Hassan E.S. Fath

    (Ex-Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Borg El-Arab, Alexandria 21934, Egypt)

  • Akbar A. Javadi

    (Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK)

  • Abdelazim Negm

    (Water and Water structures Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt)

Abstract

Many countries in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) are facing water scarcity, which poses a great challenge to agricultural production. Furthermore, water scarcity is projected to increase due to climate change, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The integration of solar power and water desalination systems in greenhouses to overcome water shortages is one of the preferred technologies in crop-growing areas. Crop growth control is done through sufficient management of environmental climatic variables as well as the quantity and quality of water and applied fertilisers with irrigation. Numerous crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, lettuces, strawberries, flowers, and herbs can be grown under greenhouse conditions using desalinated water. This paper displays the state of the art in (i) solar-driven saltwater desalination to irrigate crops, (ii) the feasibility of water desalination for agriculture in the MENA region, (iii) the economics and environmental impacts of the desalination process, (iv) the quality of desalinated water compared with other non-conventional water resources and (v) recommendations for the future in the MENA region.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassan A. Awaad & Elsayed Mansour & Mohammad Akrami & Hassan E.S. Fath & Akbar A. Javadi & Abdelazim Negm, 2020. "Availability and Feasibility of Water Desalination as a Non-Conventional Resource for Agricultural Irrigation in the MENA Region: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:18:p:7592-:d:413766
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    Cited by:

    1. Elsayed M. Ramadan & Abir M. Badr & Fadi Abdelradi & Abdelazim Negm & Ahmed M. Nosair, 2023. "Detection of Groundwater Quality Changes in Minia Governorate, West Nile River," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Jaime Martínez-Valderrama & Jorge Olcina & Gonzalo Delacámara & Emilio Guirado & Fernando T. Maestre, 2023. "Complex Policy Mixes are Needed to Cope with Agricultural Water Demands Under Climate Change," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(6), pages 2805-2834, May.

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