Modeling innovative approaches for agricultural production with a case study for small vegetable production in Egypt

The search for innovative approaches to agricultural production is fundamental to face the challenge of providing sustainable food production without depleting natural resources for growing population. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the green and blue water needs of cultivated land under different agricultural strategies is essential for systematic water management in agriculture. Among the limits to global food production, water availability, and soil and water salinity play key roles, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. In those areas, a possible solution for a sustainable increase in crop production while preserving natural resources is shifting small vegetable crop productions in a controlled environment, as greenhouses, where temperature, humidity, light, and other factors can be adjusted to meet the plant's needs. Here, we propose a method to estimate the water needed to grow small vegetables under different crop production techniques, from the more traditional approach in the field to innovative soilless cultivation techniques in greenhouses, with a case study in Egypt. To do so, we use the spatially distributed agro-hydrological model WATNEEDS to simulate the plant growth, including the effect of greenhouse production on crop water demand. Moreover, we simulate the possible use of brackish water for irrigation. Results show that by shifting to protected cultivation, the reduction in crop water requirement is 60%,65%, and 30% for tomato, watermelon, and pepper, respectively. This model could be used for irrigation planning and resource management policies. Besides, it can be helpful on multiple scales, from farm to global scale.