Author(s): Julio Kuroiwa; Luis Castro

Linked Author(s): Julio M. Kuroiwa

Keywords: Extended Water Footprint; Water Uses; Water Demand and Economics of Natural Resources

Abstract: In regions where water is scarce, its use must be prioritized, and adequate criteria must be used to obtain maximum benefits for the population. This article summarizes the result of a series of research findings carried out in Peru related to water productivity, which is translated into the concept of the Extended Water Footprint (EWF). In these investigations, the amount of water to generate a unit of a product was estimated, as well as the value that is generated when a unit of water is used in a productive activity. The EWF of five representative agricultural products is compared: grape, asparagus, rice, potato and coffee, and a mining product, copper concentrate. Copper concentrate generates the highest gross income, US $ 11/m3, followed by asparagus and grapes, export products, with US $ 2.89/m3 and US $ 0.97/m3, respectively. Unit gross income from potatoes and rice is much lower, in the order of 59 and 30 US cents per m3, respectively. One m3 of water applied to coffee generates only 9 US cents. This article is aimed at providing information that may be useful to decision makers, economists, and researchers whose professional or academic practice is related to the economic value that natural resources, in particular water, can potentially generate. This criteria might be particularly necessary in regions located in arid zones where water may be used for different economic activities. Finally, this criterion that is intrinsically objective, may be used in conjunction with other State policies to prioritize the use of water in productive activities.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221829

Year: 2022