Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Strategic Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Analyzing the Role of Water and Fertilizer in Agricultural Export Policymaking

Document Type : Analytical article

Authors
Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, 84154-86111, Isfahan, Iran
10.22047/srjasnr.2026.529254.1135
Abstract
In recent years, special attention has been paid to the export of agricultural products, including greenhouse products. However, the sustainable development and prosperity of this sector require attention to certain indicators and agricultural-economic aspects that seem to have largely been overlooked and received less attention from policymakers. This article highlights some hidden aspects and unseen angles of agricultural product exports. Identifying these principles, which do not apply to other goods, is beneficial and perhaps necessary for formulating innovative and scientific policies for the export of agricultural products. Considering the amount of water, energy, and nutrients exported per unit of product (namely virtual water, virtual energy, and virtual fertilizer, respectively), as well as other hidden aspects in the production of agricultural products, it is strategically important to formulate related export policies for each product. Furthermore, identifying target countries for export is essential, taking into account the possibility of bartering the strategic needs of the country with the exported product. It should be noted that in the case of product exports, the subsidy is allocated only to the producer of the product and not to the general public. Social justice will only be established if the real cost of inputs is considered in the valuation of the exported product and made available to the public through specific methods.
Keywords
Subjects

 
Aghili, F., Khoshgoftarmansh, A.H., Afyuni, M. & Mobli, M. (2009a). Relationships between fruit mineral nutrients concentrations and some fruit quality attributes in greenhouse cucumber. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 32, 1994-2007.
Aghili, F., Khoshgoftarmansh, A.H., Afyuni, M. & Schulin, R. (2009b). Health risks of heavy metals through consumption of greenhouse vegetables grown in Central Iran, Human and Ecological Risk Assessment. 15 (5), 999-1015. ISBN 9780128017739
Attrey, D.P. (2017). Chapter 37 - Food safety in international food trade—imports and exports, 455-468, Academic Press.
FAO. (2016). World fertilizer trends and outlook to 2019. Summary Report. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO. (2019). World fertilizer trends and outlook to 2022. Summary Report. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Harker, F.R., Gunson, F.A. & Jaeger, S.R. (2003). The case for fruit quality: an interpretive review of consumer attitudes, and preferences for apples. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 28(2), 333-347.
Michael Wehr, H. & Tuverson, R.T. (2024). Providing food safety assurances in a global market: Approaches/best fit for importing and exporting countries. Encyclopedia of Food Safety. 2, 425-457.
Roy, R.N., Finck, A., Blair, G.J., Tandon, H.L.S. & Montanez, A. (2006). Plant Nutrition for Food Security. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.