I am trying to show a relation between use of water for agriculture and corresponding socio economic development. I would like to know what variables need to be assessed for the same.
Surely the birth of agriculture was intimately bound with the control of water and floods, in Mesopotamia, China, India, etc? Whist to begin with, this enhanced socioeconomic development, in the long run the resultant overpopulation retarded development in India and China.
a fast search at google scholar using tags as water requirement in agriculture, use of water in agriculture replies you with several academic paper though which you find the appropriate variables for your research.