Regulating agricultural groundwater use in arid and semi-arid regions of the Global South: Challenges and socio-environmental impacts

Groundwater forms the basis for millions of rural and urban livelihoods in the Global South. Its use for irrigation has spurred widespread socio-economic development in various areas but has also led to aquifer overdraft and related socio-environmental impacts. This article presents common challenges that agricultural groundwater regulation faces in the areas of intensive use. It shows the main approaches that have been used to try to regulate and control groundwater use. These revolve mostly around direct regulation by the state; different forms of comanagement between groundwater user groups and state agencies; and incentives aimed at reducing agricultural groundwater use. This review analyzes why in many contexts, these mechanisms have not led to more sustainable aquifer use. Finally, the article brings to highlight the important challenges this poses in terms of socio-environmental sustainability.