The Economic Productivity of Water Consumption in Damask Rose Cultivation Compared to Other Crops in Solan

Water is an important factor in economic development and the agriculture sector is also regarded as the largest consumer of water in Iran. Hence, the present study aimed at exploring economic productivity of water consumption in the Damask rose cultivation compared to other farm crops in Solan. Field method was used in this study. The farms of wheat, barley, alfalfa, and Damask rose were managed in an optimal and standard way during the crop year. The amount of water consumption in each hectare of the four experimental farms was measured using the installed counter. Then, the minor costs of growing and harvesting of each crop were specified. The indices of Crop per dro‎p (CPD), Benefit per dro‎p (BPD), and Net Benefit per dro‎p (NBPD) were used for calculating water productivity in different crops. The indices of BPD and NBPD indicated that in spite of low production and yield, Damask rose had the largest amounts of BPD and NBPD among the crops. Although the amount of water consumed by Damask rose was lower than that of alfalfa by 58 percent, the NBPD of Damask rose was 3 times more than that of alfalfa. The area under cultivation of alfalfa, one of the most water intensive crops, in Solan is about 8000 hectares. If this area is diminished by 50 percent by changing the cultivation pattern, implementing promotional plans, and awakening the farmers, the other 50 percent can be devoted to the cultivation of Damask rose. Therefore, the production and employment are maintained and at least 29 million cubic meters of water can be saved per year.