Examining the Elements of Agricultural Water Security: A Systematic Review Study

The demand for global water resources has risen due to urban, agricultural, and industrial needs. This increase has intensified competition for the limited water available among various regions and consumers. Despite this growing demand, the world’s renewable water resources have remained constant, making water supply a significant challenge, particularly for agriculture, which is one of the largest consumers of water.Consequently, ensuring water security in the agricultural sector is of utmost importance. Given the lack of a comprehensive framework for assessing the components affecting agricultural water security, this study was conducted using a systematic review method and meta-analysis over the period from 2000 to 2025. The required data were collected by searching three Persian databases (Magiran, Noormags, and SID) and five international databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, Wiley, ScienceDirect, and PubMed) using three keywords: "water security," "agricultural water security," and "water insecurity". After screening and evaluation, the final analysis included 101 articles.The present study revealed that five components—social, economic, environmental, physical-infrastructural, and water governance factors—are among the most important elements affecting agricultural water security. These components were identified through the analysis of articles aimed at recognizing the factors influencing agricultural water security. However, the level of impact of these factors may not be consistent under different conditions and can vary.