Allocating Water and Economical Considerations

Allocating Water and Economical Considerations
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Allocating Water and Economical Considerations
The fight for natural resources or basic needs as is in the case are usually quite challenging because all human beings have the right to natural resources. Even so, despite the challenge presented by the scarcity of resources, more consideration should be given to those whose use of natural resources will be beneficial to the most people as compared to those whose use of natural resources will only benefit them. Therefore, I would support the farmers because their use of water resources will benefit all including the city dwellers. This decision is supported by the argument that the use of natural resources can be taken as an investment. If the available water is used up by the city dwellers, which is their right thus acceptable, but such use of water will not bear any benefits in the future.
In actual fact, the use of water in this way will only lead to more problems as there will be food shortages as a result of lack of water for agricultural use in the farms. Moreover, water resources are also economic resources, and thus they also act as incentives that increase the effective use of water should be encouraged. In agriculture, there are incentives that can promote the adoption of technologies and research that will result in the effective use of water for maximum benefits or returns. This can also result in the management and resolution of the water conflicts between farmers and city dwellers.

Besides, farmers can be trained on water harvesting methods and agricultural practices that support efficient use of water (Zilberman, 2015).
However, if the water is given to the farmers, it will beneficial to both groups in the future, and even result in profits and assured food security. This is because farmers do not only produce food for subsistence, but their production also caters for the market. In turn, this ensures that people, in the city, in this case, will have enough food in the days to come. In addition, a majority of city dwellers operate businesses in the city, and they need a market for their businesses. The consumers in this market include the farmers who purchase their farm equipment, supplies, and materials, among other commodities from the city. If farmers do not get water for their agriculture it means that they will not have food for the market, which also means that they will not have enough money to purchase suppliers and other needs from the businesses owned by city dwellers. Furthermore, a case of food shortage in the city also mean that city dwellers will have to find food from other places and at higher prices. Subsequently, even though they will have water for domestic use, it will be at a higher cost than usual as they will lack other essential needs, mainly food. Such a decision presents the careful considerations that have to be taken to ensure both social costs and social benefits for water for the benefit of both farmers and city dwellers (Natural Resources Management and Environmental Department, 2015).
In difficult timer of resource shortages, such as water scarcity, some of the people who suffer the most are the poor individuals or families in the city. This is because of their lack of voice and power to help them gain access to the scarce resources in the city. The rich hardly ever feel the pinch of resource scarcity as they have the power and capacity to get what they want even if it is at a higher price than usual. Such situations become unfair to the poor since they also deserve a chance to access natural resources, especially clean, fresh and adequate water. Thus, during such times of shortages or water scarcity I would support the raising of the price for the rich while providing low rates for the poor. This is just because individuals or families on both sides will be able to access the same commodity in relation to their capacities or capabilities to bear the cost. It is also vital to consider that the poor do not only rely on water for domestic use, but that the poor also need clean and safe water to ensure good health. Some of the poor people also rely on water to run their businesses, for example, food vendors. Water shortages, especially in poor neighborhoods that result in the outbreak of diseases, and the rich, may also be infected. Water scarcity can also affect the economy as the poor will not be able to run their businesses, and, in the long run, the economy of the country will suffer. In addition, the breakout of diseases will cause a strain on the ministry of health as the poor will need health services, drugs from the government, as well as an improvement of their living conditions.
In addition, I will also advocate for the provision of government subsidies for water resources as a way of motivating households, farmers, and businesses to increase the efficiency of water use. Through the provision of water in this way, farmers will still be able to carry out agricultural practices with the least strain. City dwellers or households will also have enough water for domestic use, and businesses will also run smoothly. Nonetheless, all these groups will have to be warned of the drought situation and cautioned against the wasteful use of water because of the scarcity. Industries will not be left out, and they will be encouraged to recycle water and even use water treatment processes to purify water for agricultural use. Additionally, farmers will be trained in the convenient agricultural practices that will save water, such as drip irrigation instead of using sprinklers, and planting drought-resistant crops as compared to crops that need a lot of water. Congruently, households will also be advised against wasting water and adopting water saving practices, such as taking baths instead of showers and turning off taps that are not in use (The World Bank Group, 2013).
The government should also provide quotas of water for the three groups and set conditions for the provision of water through government subsidies. All these three groups should be given a limit for water use in a set period either monthly or weekly, as a way of monitoring the use of water in the three groups. Inefficient use of water by individual households can result in adverse negative impacts especially in the agricultural sector, and, for this reason, it should not be allowed. The group that is found to go beyond its allocated quota should be warned or charged by the government to prevent further wastage of water. The government can achieve this by retreating its subsidies for water for the said group and raising the cost of water to be paid by the said group. By issuing such directions, the government will ensure that businesses, individual households, and farmers, abide by the stated requirements and refrain from the wasteful use of water because of prevailing conditions.
References
BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 Natural Resources Management and Environmental Department . (2015, May 18). Economics for Water Allocation. Retrieved from FAO Corporate Documentary Repository: http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/y5582e/y5582e06.htm
The World Bank Group. (2013). Efficiency and Equity Considerations in Pricing and Allocating Irrigation Water. Policy Research Working Papers Efficiency and Equity Considerations in Pricing and Allocating Irrigation Water, DOI: 10.1596/1813-9450-1460.
Zilberman, D. (2015, May 18). Economic Considerations in Designing Water Systems for Arid Zones. Retrieved from Center for Water Science and Technology: http://www.bgu.ac.il/cwst/water/artarid.htm