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www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci-discuss.net/6/5115/2009/
doi:10.5194/hessd-6-5115-2009
© Author(s) 2009. This work is distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
The water footprint of Indonesian provinces related to the consumption of crop products
Twente Water Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
Abstract. National water use accounts are generally limited to statistics on water withdrawals in the different sectors of economy. They are restricted to "blue water accounts" related to production, thus excluding (a) "green" and "grey water accounts", (b) accounts of internal and international virtual water flows and (c) water accounts related to consumption. This paper shows how national water-use accounts can be extended through an example for Indonesia. The study quantifies interprovincial virtual water flows related to trade in crop products and assesses the green, blue and grey water footprint related to the consumption of crop products per Indonesian province. The study shows that the average water footprint in Indonesia insofar related to consumption of crop products is 1131 m3/cap/yr, but provincial water footprints vary between 859 and 1895 m3/cap/yr. Java, the most water-scarce island, has a net virtual water import and the most significant external water footprint. This large external water footprint is releasing the water scarcity on this island. There are two alternative routes to reduce the overall water footprint of Indonesia. On the one hand, it may be reduced by promoting wise crop trade between provinces – i.e. trade from places with high to places with low water efficiency. On the other hand, the water footprint can be reduced by improving water efficiency in those places that currently have relatively low efficiency, which equalises production efficiencies and thus reduces the need for imports and enhances the opportunities for exports. In any case, trade will remain necessary to supply food to the most densely populated areas where water scarcity is highest (Java).
Discussion Paper (PDF, 1840 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 4 Comments) Final Revised Paper (HESS)
Citation: Bulsink, F., Hoekstra, A. Y., and Booij, M. J.: The water footprint of Indonesian provinces related to the consumption of crop products, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., 6, 5115-5137, doi:10.5194/hessd-6-5115-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
