| Title: |
Water use in greenhouses in North Africa : Model calculations of water-use efficiency and absolute water use in tomato production in fictitious greenhouse production areas in North Africa |
| Authors: |
Ravensbergen, P.; van der Salm, C.; Hollaar, F.; Splinter, G.; van Adrichem, P. |
| Publisher Information: |
Wageningen Social & Economic Research |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Wageningen UR (University & Research Centre): Digital Library |
| Subject Terms: |
Life Science |
| Description: |
This study investigates whether Dutch protected horticulture technologies in North Africa simultaneously improve water-use efficiency and reduce total water consumption, or instead lead to increased overall water demand due to production intensification.The results illustrate a rebound effect consistent with the Jevons paradox: although technological intensification improves water-use efficiency (“more crop per drop”), total water consumption increases substantially (“more drops for more crop”). This increase is driven by higher yields per square metre (each kilogram of tomatoes contains approximately one litre of water), longer and more intensive cultivation, and additional water demand for cooling in climate control. The effect is strongest in desert regions, where cooling demand—especially from pad-and-fan systems—can dominate water use. In coastal areas, where cooling demand is met through misting, efficiency gains are more pronounced but still accompanied by higher absolute water consumption. The findings confirm that efficiency gains alone do not guarantee water savings and need to be supported by complementary governance and management measures.The study combines a literature review, a greenhouse “stepping stone” model, and scenario-based simulations for coastal and desert production zones. Water and energy use were quantified across low-, mid-, and high-production systems, and results were validated through an expert workshop. |
| Document Type: |
report |
| File Description: |
application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://edepot.wur.nl/717994 |
| DOI: |
10.18174/717994 |
| Availability: |
https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/water-use-in-greenhouses-in-north-africa-model-calculations-of-wa; https://doi.org/10.18174/717994; https://edepot.wur.nl/717994 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ ; Wageningen University & Research |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.2263FCCF |
| Database: |
BASE |