Final answer:
The statement is True. Desalination of water for irrigation is associated with high costs due to the energy required in the process, especially in regions with scarce freshwater supplies.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the problems associated with the desalination of water for irrigation applications is indeed the cost, which makes the correct answer to this statement True (A). Desalination is an energy-intensive process that is particularly used in arid regions and countries with limited fresh water resources but with adequate financial capabilities, such as in the Middle East. These regions may rely on desalination to meet their fresh water needs for both consumption and irrigation.
The process of desalinating water, particularly through methods like reverse osmosis, is costly because it requires a substantial amount of energy to remove the dissolved salts from seawater. As a result, while desalination provides a solution to water scarcity, it comes with high operational costs. Furthermore, the salinization of soil through irrigated agriculture can necessitate even more fresh water to flush out accumulated salts, compounding water demand and potentially increasing the reliance on expensive desalinated water.
While advances in technology and economies of scale have brought down the cost of desalination, it remains an expensive option when compared to traditional sources of fresh water. Therefore, while desalination is a crucial technology for water-scarce regions, its high cost is a significant barrier, particularly for agricultural uses which often require large volumes of water.