Multi-criteria policy scenarios analysis for public management of irrigated agriculture

In this paper we present a methodological approach to analyze the combination of different agricultural policy and irrigation water pricing alternatives. For this purpose we take into account that farmers consider a broad set of criteria at the same time when making decisions. Thus, policy scenario simulations are done trough multi-criteria mathematical programming models capable to simulate farmers' future behaviour. For this purpose we have opted for models developed within the Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT). It is also worth noting that results obtained from the simulation models are not only related with farmers' decision variables (crop mixes). A set of relevant economic, social and environmental attributes related to public objectives are also obtained as a way of measuring the efficiency of the policy scenarios proposed. The results obtained show the usefulness of this methodological approach to evaluate the combined pressures and impacts of both policies.