Sustainable Irrigation Practices and the Water–Food–Energy Nexus in Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract

Water scarcity, inefficient irrigation, and rising energy demands threaten Pakistan’s agricultural productivity and long-term food security. Agriculture consumes more than 90% of Pakistan’s freshwater resources, with traditional flood irrigation systems leading to massive wastage, soil salinisation, and declining groundwater levels (Qureshi, 2020). This paper examines sustainable irrigation practices through the lens of the water–food–energy (WFE) nexus, analysing how interventions such as drip irrigation, laser land levelling, and conjunctive water management can improve agricultural resilience while reducing energy costs. A review of recent studies highlights structural challenges including weak governance, fragmented institutions, and limited farmer awareness, which hinder adoption of efficient technologies (Mukherji & Shah, 2022). Findings suggest that integrating sustainable irrigation into national water policy, incentivising renewable energy use in agriculture, and strengthening farmer education programs are critical for addressing Pakistan’s looming water–food–energy crisis.

Keywords: irrigation, water–food–energy nexus, Pakistan, sustainable agriculture, water management, food security