Configuration of a multicriteria model to estimate the efficiency of irrigation water consumption

The water resources in Mediterranean are under ongoing pressures due to the semi-arid conditions of the region. Irrigated agriculture remains the major consumer of freshwater. It was estimated that more than 70% of irrigation water is considered inefficient due to series of problems. The aim of this paper was the development of a multi-criteria decision-making tool in order to evaluate which factors influenced the water consumption during irrigation in Greek cultivations. It was used both qualitative and quantitative criteria, such as the type of crops, the irrigation methods etc. The potential reduction of water consumption for irrigation will strengthen the development indirectly, through the implementation of sustainable grassland management.