Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran

Abstract The NENA region faces serious challenges in achieving sustainable development due to water scarcity problems, especially in the agricultural sector. Identifying the most effective irrigation method for agricultural fields can have a positive impact on water consumption and management in thi...

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Main Authors: Mahkameh S. Naeini, Bijan Nazari, Abdolmajid Liaghat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Water Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02359-8
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author Mahkameh S. Naeini
Bijan Nazari
Abdolmajid Liaghat
author_facet Mahkameh S. Naeini
Bijan Nazari
Abdolmajid Liaghat
author_sort Mahkameh S. Naeini
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The NENA region faces serious challenges in achieving sustainable development due to water scarcity problems, especially in the agricultural sector. Identifying the most effective irrigation method for agricultural fields can have a positive impact on water consumption and management in this region. The purpose of this study is to develop an analytical hierarchy process for determining the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region. Iran was selected as the case study, and the Expert Choice software was used. Using document studies, library and field data, and the opinions of 42 experts, the most important criteria and sub-criteria were identified. Based on the results of the evaluations, there were 39.1%, 8.9%, 21.0%, 19.9%, and 11.0% effects of technical, economic, social, operation and maintenance, and environmental criteria on selecting the suitable irrigation system, respectively. For palm fields in Khuzestan, a furrow irrigation system with low-pressure water distribution pipes was determined to be the most appropriate irrigation system. The bubbler irrigation system is the most suitable irrigation system for Bushehr. In Kerman, Sistan, and Baluchestan, bubbler and sprayer irrigation systems were introduced as the most effective irrigation systems. Using the model presented in this study, useful, comprehensive, and practical results can be obtained for evaluating and ranking irrigation systems in the NENA region and similar water-scarce arid regions. It is also suggested that a database for palm irrigation be developed in the NENA region in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
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spelling doaj-art-faaf58b91b0b4d45b978b50ab8649fb92025-02-02T12:36:15ZengSpringerOpenApplied Water Science2190-54872190-54952025-01-0115211410.1007/s13201-025-02359-8Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of IranMahkameh S. Naeini0Bijan Nazari1Abdolmajid Liaghat2Department of Water Sciences and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International UniversityDepartment of Water Sciences and Engineering, Imam Khomeini International UniversityDepartment of Irrigation and Reclamation Engineering, University of TehranAbstract The NENA region faces serious challenges in achieving sustainable development due to water scarcity problems, especially in the agricultural sector. Identifying the most effective irrigation method for agricultural fields can have a positive impact on water consumption and management in this region. The purpose of this study is to develop an analytical hierarchy process for determining the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region. Iran was selected as the case study, and the Expert Choice software was used. Using document studies, library and field data, and the opinions of 42 experts, the most important criteria and sub-criteria were identified. Based on the results of the evaluations, there were 39.1%, 8.9%, 21.0%, 19.9%, and 11.0% effects of technical, economic, social, operation and maintenance, and environmental criteria on selecting the suitable irrigation system, respectively. For palm fields in Khuzestan, a furrow irrigation system with low-pressure water distribution pipes was determined to be the most appropriate irrigation system. The bubbler irrigation system is the most suitable irrigation system for Bushehr. In Kerman, Sistan, and Baluchestan, bubbler and sprayer irrigation systems were introduced as the most effective irrigation systems. Using the model presented in this study, useful, comprehensive, and practical results can be obtained for evaluating and ranking irrigation systems in the NENA region and similar water-scarce arid regions. It is also suggested that a database for palm irrigation be developed in the NENA region in order to achieve the goals of sustainable development.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02359-8Analytical hierarchy processArid regionsExpert choice softwareModern irrigationSustainable development
spellingShingle Mahkameh S. Naeini
Bijan Nazari
Abdolmajid Liaghat
Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
Applied Water Science
Analytical hierarchy process
Arid regions
Expert choice software
Modern irrigation
Sustainable development
title Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
title_full Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
title_fullStr Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
title_full_unstemmed Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
title_short Developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the NENA region: the case of Iran
title_sort developing a hierarchical analytical process to determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in the nena region the case of iran
topic Analytical hierarchy process
Arid regions
Expert choice software
Modern irrigation
Sustainable development
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-025-02359-8
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AT bijannazari developingahierarchicalanalyticalprocesstodeterminethebestirrigationsystemfordatepalmtreesinthenenaregionthecaseofiran
AT abdolmajidliaghat developingahierarchicalanalyticalprocesstodeterminethebestirrigationsystemfordatepalmtreesinthenenaregionthecaseofiran