study of food security based on the concept of virtual water trade and ecological water foot print (case study: khorasan razavi province)

khorasan razavi province with the total precipitations of less than 225 mm/year and total area of irrigated area of 1087466 hectare is considered as one of the most important agricultural region in iran. this province has also important role in local and national economy. lack of perennial river and little amount of surface water has caused 1.06 billion cubic meter of over withdrawn from ground water resources. for this reason 35 ground water basins out of 39 have been banned for more exploitation. 12 basins are also in a very critical condition. since virtual water trade has been accepted as a tool for combating water scarcity, this research project was conducted to study the import-export of virtual water as well as its balance, and ecological water foot print in this province. khorasan razavi, has imported 771.7 mcm and exported 434 mcm of virtual water through international agricultural crops trade. net virtual water of khorasan razavi was about 338 mcm in 2006. agricultural water footprint of iran in 2006 has estimated to be about 9.6 bcm or 1740 m3/yr/cap. the results show that water resources situation in this province is not in a good condition and in a near future providing food security will be faced with problems if not any solution be implemented