Economics of Use of Artesian Wells Water in Mafraq

Abstract

This study covered the economics of artesian wells in Mafraq Governorate. The main objectives of this study was to specify the quantity of ground water could be pumped from artesian wells for all purposes, and shouldn’t exceed the safe yield of the water basins located at Mafraq Governorate. In addition to find the best cropping pattern, which provide the optimum combination of crops by the use of, available irrigated water.

     To achieve the objectives of the study the researcher use the detailed data of many surveys applied by Department of Statistics like artesian wells survey, and plant production and input survey, In addition to the secondary data provided by many studies in this field.

      This study discussed the water situation in Jordan, and shows the scarcity of this resource, in addition to the depletion problem as a result of over pumping of ground water which threat this resource to exhausted and become saline in the four ground water basins.

     The technical coefficients were calculated which include the requirements of on dunum from each inputs like fertilizers and seeds and seedlings, in addition to the total income of one dunum for 20 crops grown at Mafraq Governorate.

     The researcher used the linear program method to derive the optimal solution. Seven scenarios including seven levels of available water quantity were applied, in addition to twenty level of water prices options for cubic meter of water. The optimum combination of crops for each option was derived, it take in consideration the water constrain and the maximum area of land could be used for growing each crop without any marketing problems which decline the farm get price. So about 140 cropping pattern were derived. Each of these cropping patterns provides the optimum solution.

      In addition the researcher derive the demand function on water for irrigation purpose for each scenario, and the price elasticity of water demand was calculated for each option, the results indicate that the elasticity is low.