Mediation of the agricultural water rebound effect through climate conditions and types of crop mix

The water rebound effect is recognized as an impediment to irrigation efficiency enhancement for saving water. This study foregrounds climate conditions and crop mix as two important contexts influencing the relationship between irrigation efficiency and water use (the water rebound effect). Considering China as our study area for conducting an empirical analysis of this relationship, we used the data envelopment analysis (DEA)–Malmquist method and econometric models to examine their impact on the water rebound effect. The results of the analysis revealed that the water rebound effect in China is 69.1%, with humid conditions being the main factor moderating an increase in it. Whereas cash crop cultivation is associated with water conservation under drought conditions, this is not the case under humid conditions. These findings suggest that given the prioritization of food security, policies to reduce cash crops should be introduced, thereby mediating the water rebound effect.