Research on World Agricultural Economy

Geoclimatic and Socioeconomic Influences on Water Use Efficiency in Cotton Crops Productivity: A Sustainable Business and Management Farming Perspective

Alaa Amin Abdalla

Academics Programs for Military Colleges, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi 1790, United Arab Emirates

Malik Shahzad Shabbir

Department of Business Administration, ILMA University, Karachi 75190, Pakistan; Sunway Business School, Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur 47500, Malaysia

Gabriela FOTACHE

Teaching and Research Department, Faculty of Economics, Law and Administrative Sciences, George Bacovia University, Bacau 600164, Romania

Bondac Georgiana‑Tatiana

Department of Economics, Valahia University of Targoviste, Targoviste 130021, Romania

Mohammad Jaradat

Department of Business Administration, Bogdan Vodă University, Cluj‑Napoca 400140, Romania

Amer Al Qassem

College of Business, Al Dhaid Univetsity, Sharjah 1854, United Arab Emirates

Ammar Ahmed

College of Business, Alasala University, Dammam, 31483, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Iancu Dorin

Department of Economics and Management, Valahia University of Targoviste, Targoviste 130021, Romania

Akram Masoud Haddad

Department of Economics, Amity University, Dubai 345019, United Arab Emirates

Ramona Lile

Department of Economics, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Arad 317220, Romania

Raul Adrian Lile

Department of Economics, Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad, Arad 317220, Romania; Department of Economics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Bucharest 060042, Romania

Nedelcut Amalia Cristina

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes‑Bolyai University, Cluj‑Napoca 3400, Romania

Radu Florin

Department of Economics, Valahia University of Targoviste, Targoviste 130021, Romania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v6i4.2092

Received: 30 April 2025 | Revised: 23 June 2025 | Accepted: 1 August 2025 | Published Online: 4 September 2025

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of geo–climate and socio–economic influences on water use efficiency in cotton crops. Consequently, the current water demand for cotton has substantially increased, posing significant threats and challenges to crop productivity. This study uses an annual time series data set for two provinces of Pakistan. For this purpose, an auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model is used for data analysis. According to the study's findings, there is a significant relationship between environmental conditions and water consumption efficiency. Additionally, empirical findings show that the country's water–scarce regions are primarily virtual water–importing zones, whereas several provinces in the north and west are water–selling regions. Negative effects will be significantly more prominent in less fortunate, more sweltering, and lower–lying nations. This study is aimed at having a better understanding of the reasons for climate change, which further causes economic costs. Also, to know how, as human beings, we can overcome this problem soon. While some variables exhibit positive correlations, others reveal negative relationships, highlighting the need for sustainable resource management. This transition can lower agricultural emissions and enhance resilience against climate shocks, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Keywords: Geo–climate and Socio–economic; Sustainable Business Farming; Water Use Efficiency; Cotton; Pakistan

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