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Determinants of Food Consumption Water Footprint in the MENA Region: The Case of Tunisia

Author

Listed:
  • Asma Souissi

    (Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Meriam, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia)

  • Nadhem Mtimet

    (International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Cairo 1191, Egypt)

  • Laura McCann

    (Division of Applied Social Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA)

  • Ali Chebil

    (National Research Institute for Rural Engineering, Water and Forestry, University of Carthage, Tunis 1054, Tunisia)

  • Chokri Thabet

    (Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott Meriam, University of Sousse, Sousse 4002, Tunisia)

Abstract

Tunisia, like most countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, has limited renewable water resources and is classified as a water stress country. The effects of climate change are exacerbating the situation. The agricultural sector is the main consumer (80%) of blue water reserves. In this study, to better understand the factors that influence the food water footprint of Tunisian consumers, we used a multiple linear regression model (MLR) to analyze data from 4853 households. The innovation in this paper consists of integrating effects of socio-economic, demographic, and geographic trends on the food consumption water footprint into the assessment of water and food security. The model results showed that regional variations in food choices meant large differences in water footprints, as hypothesized. Residents of big cities are more likely to have a large water footprint. Significant variability in water footprints, due to different food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics, was also noted. Food waste is also one of the determining factors of households with a high water footprint. This study provides a new perspective on the water footprint of food consumption using “household” level data. These dietary water footprint estimates can be used to assess potential water demand scenarios as food consumption patterns change. Analysis at the geographic and socio-demographic levels helps to inform policy makers by identifying realistic dietary changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Asma Souissi & Nadhem Mtimet & Laura McCann & Ali Chebil & Chokri Thabet, 2022. "Determinants of Food Consumption Water Footprint in the MENA Region: The Case of Tunisia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:3:p:1539-:d:736902
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Allouche, Jeremy, 2011. "The sustainability and resilience of global water and food systems: Political analysis of the interplay between security, resource scarcity, political systems and global trade," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(Supplemen), pages 3-8, January.
    2. Allouche, Jeremy, 2011. "The sustainability and resilience of global water and food systems: Political analysis of the interplay between security, resource scarcity, political systems and global trade," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(S1), pages 3-8.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Saida Elfkih & Olfa Hadiji & Saker Ben Abdallah & Olfa Boussadia, 2023. "Water Accounting for Food Security: Virtual Water and Water Productivity in the Case of Tunisian Olive Oil Value Chain," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, June.

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