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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND DEVELOPING AND FRAMING WATER POLICY FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER SECURITY IN AGRICULTURE IN THE JEFARA REGION OF LIBYA A dissertation submitted by: Abdulmagid Mohamed Abdudayem For the award of: Doctor of Philosophy School of Commerce Faculty of Business, Education, Law & Arts University of Southern Queensland Australia 2013 ABSTRACT Water sustainability is a priority issue for Libya. The country has limited water supplies, a problem compounded by the increasing demands of population growth. This research examines the challenges faced by policymakers in formulating effective water resource management strategies in agriculture and the potential impact of these policies upon farmer viability with the purpose of ensuring sustainable water security in agriculture in the Jefara Plain region of Libya. In response to the research problem, the research question was defined as: How can farmers and policymakers engage with each other to understand the key issues to facilitate more sustainable water policy? The research objectives were to examine current Libyan water institutional frameworks and water management policies and investigate the interrelationship and engagement of the major stakeholders. The study was aimed at exploring the potential to improve water use efficiency in agriculture in the Jefara region and provide insights into how water saving and a more efficient water policy framework could improve water sustainability. A qualitative research design with grounded theory methodology was chosen to explore the views of the participants in relation to sustainable water security in agriculture in the Jefara region of Libya. The information gathered from interviews and observations was classified, abstracted and interpreted, and compared to secondary data and the literature to develop a model firmly grounded in the data. Face to face interviews were integral to the research methodology, using open-ended and close-ended questions in a semi-structured interview framework. Two groups of subjects were interviewed as the units of analysis: policymakers, as represented by the managers and staff of water-related authorities, and farmers from the Jefara region. Analysis of the data revealed water use efficiency and farmer viability to be important variables in the study. The findings indicated that the ideal model for sustainable water security would take farmer viability into account in the attainment of the maximum level of water use efficiency. A key outcome of this research has been the development of a draft model, strongly supported by the research analysis and results, to effectively facilitate the development of an efficient water policy for sustainable water security in agriculture in the Jefara Region of Libya. The research has made a significant contribution in formulating a constitutive and theoretical water policy framework to enable policymakers to develop a powerful and rational water policy. An examination of the assumptions underpinning policies and the uncertainties affecting agricultural water supplies has also established the improvement of the capacity for the management of current and future risks related to water security as a priority in the Libyan context. i CERTIFICATION OF DISSERTATION I certify that the ideas, results, analyses and conclusions reported in this dissertation are entirely my own effort, except where otherwise acknowledged. I also certify that the work is original and has not been previously submitted for any other award, except where otherwise acknowledged. ................................................................................... 26 / 08 / 2013 Signature of Candidate Date ENDORSEMENT ................................................................................... 26 / 08 / 2013 Signature of Principal Supervisor Date ................................................................................... 26 / 08 / 2013 Signature of Associate Supervisor Date ii DEDICATION With my deep emotion to all who have believed in me: The spirit of my father, for his kindness, sacrifices and material and moral support to the last day of his life My mother, whose love, care and desire was to see me educated up to highest levels, for her life- long unconditional love, prayers, tireless encouragement and her deep faith in scientific research despite her own illiteracy My wonderful sister and brothers, for their advice, assistance and unfailing support My wife, for her patience, unyielding support and tireless and absolute dedication during my PhD journey My children, the source of so much love and joy, for their patience and understanding of my research commitments and the time spent away from the family My relatives and friends, for their continued encouragement Their understanding and support made this research possible. I hope that my dedication of this thesis to them will show my gratitude and acknowledge the sacrifices they have made on my behalf during the course of this research. May Allah bless and reward them all iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Praise be to Allah ... I am very grateful to Allah, the Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth and all that is in between, for the inspiration, strength and ability that has enabled me to complete this research. I would like to acknowledge and express my appreciation to all those people who have helped me and provided me with constructive feedback, ideas and support which has allowed me to find my feet in my own way. I am deeply indebted to my previous supervisor Assoc. Prof. Kieran James who left the University before the submission of my thesis. Kieran provided me with endless support and friendship over the years, and his involvement in my research came at a critical time and his intervention fortuitous for its successful completion. I am also grateful and thankful to my supervisor Dr. Albert Scott who supported and contributed to the construction and completion of this dissertation. His suggestions, guidance and advice were substantial and significant for the research. My gratitude must also go to Assoc. Prof. Peter Phillips for his counsel and support during the early stages of my dissertation. His guidance, fruitful discussions and valuable advices were vital for the accomplishment of this work. I sincerely and deeply thank Mrs Barbara Muller for her editing of my thesis writing, her friendship and continuous help in providing me and my family with wisdom and insight, as well as encouragement. I would like to express my special thanks to Kevin Stapleton, the general manager of the USQ Student Guild. His assistance in overcoming my troubles was extremely supportive and it has had a profound impact on me which will not be forgotten. I express my thanks, too, to the staff of the Research and Higher Degrees Office and the Faculty of Business, Education, Law & Arts at USQ for all their kindness, help and support. My great gratitude goes to my country, Libya, for awarding me this scholarship to undertake the doctoral degree and for everything it has given me during my life. I am very proud to be Libyan. I would like to express my thanks to the Faculty of Economics & Political Science in Alaziziyah for nominating me for a scholarship to enable me to undertake this research. In this context, I am very grateful to all those people and organisations that provided me with valuable information and data, and assisted me in data collection. I am very appreciative of the way in which the research participants freely gave up their time and contributed so positively to the research and the generosity of the water related organisations, such as the Authority for the Utilization of Jabel Hasawna - Jefara Water System and the Authority of Implementation and Management of the Great Man-made River Project, the General Water Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, in assisting me access necessary information that I could not have accessed on my own. To you all, I express my appreciation and gratitude. I will never be able to repay you and can only use this opportunity to thank you for your warmth and kindness. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................................................................... i CERTIFICATION OF DISSERTATION ............................................................................................. ii DEDICATION .............................................................................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................................................... iv TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................. xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................................ xii 1.0 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................