Identification and prioritization of sustainable strategies for water and soil resources management in agriculture: A case study of Guilan Province

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Corresponding Author, Department of Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

Sustainable water and soil resource management is a strategic cornerstone for ensuring food security and achieving sustainable agricultural development amidst climate change, erratic precipitation, and intensifying pressure on natural resources. Despite its humid climate and fertile soils, Guilan Province faces rising water demand, inefficient resource use, soil degradation, and environmental pollution, necessitating the development of prioritized, practical, and feasible strategies for effective management of basic resources. The present study aimed to employ the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method to identify and rank effective management strategies for the optimal utilization of water and soil resources in the agricultural sector of Guilan Province. To this end, the study's criteria and sub-criteria were selected through a systematic review of scientific literature and subsequently refined via expert consultation. The required data were collected using pairwise comparison questionnaires and analyzed with Expert Choice software. The findings revealed that the criterion of water productivity held the highest priority with a relative weight of 0.367, followed by environmental sustainability (0.278) and soil resource productivity (0.160). At the sub-criteria level, irrigation efficiency and reduction of water loss, along with reducing agricultural operation pollution and optimal fertilizer use, were accorded greater significance. The prioritization of management strategies identified the implementation of modern pressurized irrigation systems as the most effective option, succeeded by the development of conservation agriculture and farmer education and extension programs. Finally, for a more comprehensive assessment, integrating MCDMs with spatial data and emphasizing stakeholder education and active participation is recommended.

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 05 May 2026

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