Water and financial indicators for agricultural production

Abstract

Introduction: water scarcity, exacerbated by population growth, climate change, and unsustainable lifestyles, represents a critical challenge for agriculture. Efficient water and energy management is essential to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production systems, especially in vulnerable regions. This study analyzes water and financial consumption indicators that contribute to optimizing productivity under water-stressed conditions. Objective: to analyze water and financial consumption indicators in agricultural production, contributing to more sustainable management in the face of increasing water scarcity. Method: the research was conducted at the Tío Pedro Farm in the province of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba, on Red Ferralitic soils during the period 2020–2023. Soil hydrophysical parameters, evapotranspiration, agricultural yield, water consumption, and energy use were measured. Indicators such as water use efficiency, water productivity, cost per peso of production, and benefit-cost ratio were calculated. Results: tomatoes showed higher yield (29,433.33 kg/ha), with lower water (0,30 m³/kg) and energy consumption (1,48 Wh/kg) compared to beans. Water productivity was 16 times higher in tomatoes, while beans required 9 times more water and energy per unit produced. Conclusion: both crops are economically viable, but tomatoes demonstrated greater water and energy efficiency. Crop selection should consider resource availability, prioritizing tomatoes in water-scarce contexts. The results provide a basis for sustainable agricultural management in the face of climate change.