Lessons learned in rationalizing irrigation water consumption to achieve water- food security and enhance environmental sustainability in Syria

Abstract

The research presents a vision of developing natural resources within the framework of environmental sustainability to achieve food and water security in arid and semi-arid regions in Syria. Providing irrigation water in sandy sites is a major problem, as often most of water are lost either by evaporation or by its seepage down into the subsoil without benefiting of it in the process of plant growth. Therefore, to ensure sufficient water availability to support plant growth, water is compensated by irrigation and this consumed freshwater resources and threaten water security. Various technologies for enhancing the water-use efficiency of irrigated agriculture have been used to control the problem of wasting water, but most of them are expensive and causing environmental problems. Hence, the importance of the research in benefiting from the experiences of Arab and foreign countries in this field, and finding a technology that suits the reality in Syria and satisfy rationalization of irrigation water consumption using cheap and locally available materials. The research aims to highlight the feasibility of using wax-coated sand in achieving the desired sustainable development in arid and semi-arid areas in Syria. Since wax is available as a by-product of the oil refining process, and it is non-toxic material, friendly environmentally, good water repellent and capable to reduce the permeability of sand which is widely spread in Syria therefore it is suitable to reduce irrigation water consumption in sandy sits. The coating process of sand particles with a layer of wax is done by melting the wax and applying it to the sand by using special techniques. In conclusion, the use of wax-coated sand on the surface of sand reducing water evaporation from the upper soil, increasing soil moisture the yield of crops of plants with shallow roots, and this proves the feasibility of using it to provide irrigation water and achieve water security and food security.