Opportunities and challenges of circular economy strategies for water management in the agricultural sector

Abstract

The thesis explores the integration of circular economy (CE) principles in agricultural water management, identifying key opportunities and challenges. CE strategies, such as wastewater reuse and nutrient recovery, provide economic opportunities by reducing costs and improving resource efficiency, while creating revenue streams through biogas and biofertilizers. Environmental opportunities include conserving freshwater resources, improving soil health, reducing pollution, and supporting ecosystem restoration. Social opportunities, such as equitable access to water and community development, highlight the potential of CE to strengthen agricultural resilience. However, barriers such as technology costs, financial constraints, regulatory challenges, and cultural resistance highlight the need for context specific solutions.