Determination of the Impact of Water Footprint on Rice Crops in Northern Peru

Abstract

In this study, the impact of climate alterations on global water resources is addressed, with a focus on rice cultivation as one of the major water consumers per unit of land. The water footprint, assessed using CROPWAT 8.0 software and CLIMWAT 2.0 database, was disaggregated into its blue, green, and grey components, representing 87.99%, 1.37%, and 10.65% of the total footprint, respectively. Economic sustainability analyses were conducted, emphasizing the significance of crop yield and the price offered to producers in the obtained results. Comparisons with other countries and products were made, sustainable solutions were proposed to mitigate the water footprint impact, and the potential influence of the El Niño phenomenon on this indicator was considered. This comprehensive approach aims to provide valuable insights for addressing challenges associated with water usage in agriculture, particularly in the context of global climate changes.