Mathematical Programming Models for Agricultural Water: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This study provides a systematic review of mathematical programming models applied to agricultural water management, with a focus on their relevance for policy design addressing water scarcity and agricultural pollution. Following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology, 42 peer-reviewed studies were selected from an initial sample of 438 records and analysed using a multi-dimensional framework covering research context, economic objectives and policy orientation, and model features. The analysis reveals a pronounced geographical and thematic segmentation: water scarcity studies are concentrated in Asia, while water quality studies are predominantly European and regulatory-driven, with limited mutual influence. While deterministic optimisation approaches remain prevalent, models increasingly integrate biophysical processes through coupling with agro-hydrological components. However, policy applicability is often constrained by the limited representation of farmers’ behavioural responses, trade-offs between model complexity and usability, and difficulties in transferring results across institutional contexts. Emerging policy instruments remain limited in the sample. Progress in this field depends less on technical elaboration within existing frameworks and more on integration across disciplinary approaches. A suitable pathway would be the development of models that treat water availability and quality as jointly determined outcomes and embed institutional design within the optimisation framework.