Evaluation of the policy options to adopt a water-energy-food nexus pattern by farmers: Application of optimization and agent-based models

In recent years, water-scarce regions (WSRs) have faced many challenges in order to achieve sustainable economic development. Sustainable development the agricultural sector of WSRs is possible by paying attention water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) concept. WEFN determined using consumption, physical productivity, and productivity criteria water energy resources. According goals resources, it will be very difficult implement WEF patterns with severe resource crisis. The present study aimed extract allocation pattern based on system multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) tools evaluate cooperative behavior farmers this under government’s policy options an agent-based model (ABM). results for Doroodzan dam irrigation network as a WSR revealed that lead 200 18 percent increase 156 67 compared base pattern, but implementation requires 33% more consumption. Therefore, necessary management policies such modern technologies government WSRs. regard, inflexibility prevent widespread at regional level. Also, can concluded expansion not without considering situation region from point view resources also farmers. Finally, framework recommended