Economic viability analysis of agro-economic management of saline drainage
Technical report
Title | Economic viability analysis of agro-economic management of saline drainage |
---|---|
Report Type | Technical report |
Research Report Category | Public sector |
Authors | Hanjra, Munir (Author), Blackwell, John (Author) and Mushtaq, Shahbaz (Author) |
Institution of Origin | Charles Sturt University |
Number of Pages | 40 |
Year | 2008 |
Publisher | Charles Sturt University |
Place of Publication | Wagga Wagga, Australia |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.csu.edu.au/research/icwater/research/current-projects |
Abstract | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The aim of the project was to evaluate the economic viability of salinity management at selected sites in Australia and Pakistan, using Serial Biological Concentration (SBC) of salts. The specific objectives were: The analysis focused on Box Creek (Murray Irrigation Area) in the southern Murray Darling Basin of Australia and Nabishah Bala in Chaj Doab (the area between the Jhelum and Chenab Rivers) which is an intensively developed and significantly productive irrigated area of the Indus Basin of Pakistan. SBC in this report has been considered as a saline water management tool for implementation either at the level of individual farms or at a community level within an irrigation area. The results show that SBC offers potential for salinity management in both countries. Its wide adoption requires further analysis on its economic viability on-farm, across a range of biophysical and economic conditions. SBC can be economically viable but the pay back period may be up to 20 years. Salinity credits may reduce the pay back period to below 12 years. Thus, agro-economic management of drainage may become a viable option, given appropriate policy support for productive use of drainage water in saline environments. The polluter pays principle in terms of 'salinity credits' has been used in this economic study to tackle the water salinity issue. In terms of salinity management, it is the amount of money the polluter is willing to pay for treating salt to minimise third party impacts or the acceptable return for treating salt. The application of a polluter pays principle, in terms of a salinity credit for treating a tonne of salt, may encourage public-private investment in salinity management. |
Keywords | salinity management; salinity credits; irrigation areas; Murray Darling basin; Pakistan |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 380105. Environment and resource economics |
410601. Land capability and soil productivity | |
300202. Agricultural land management | |
Public Notes | © 2008 Charles Sturt University: To the extent permitted by law, all rights are reserved and no part of this publication covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means except with the written |
Byline Affiliations | Charles Sturt University |
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q1037/economic-viability-analysis-of-agro-economic-management-of-saline-drainage
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