Irrigated meadows, virtual water and decision making

The scarcity of available water universally and in any country as well, in view of the expected climate change, forces scientists and policymakers to reexamine and exclude water demanding cultivations from areas with water scarcity. The meanings of virtual, green and blue water although being in use recently, however they provide a significant task towards a rational usage and utilization of the natural resources in general. The revision of CAP and the increasing demand for quality products makes necessary for Greek animal farmers to invest on the quality of animal products and not on the quantity in order to survive. In other words they should re-discover the wealth and the value of vegetation of the natural grasslands in conjunction with the creation of meadows. However, which plants are used for the creation of these meadows? What are their needs in virtual water? Is it about for green or blue water? With regard to the water, the above questions are asking for replies from the use of the «arsenal» of the economics science (rarity cost, negative externalities, opportunity cost). More specifically, in relation to lucerne (alfalfa) meadows, this product consumes big amounts of water and the policymakers have to reconsider the potential of water efficient and dry resistant plant species in creating meadows.