Determining the influence of irrigation efficiency improvement on water use and consumption by conceptually considering hydrological pathways

•Influences of irrigation efficiency improvement on water use and consumption were investigated.•An agro-economic model was used in combination with the conceptualization of hydrological pathways.•Alternative restrictions on water supply and irrigatable land could effectively constrain water use and consumption.•Substantial reductions in water use would not be met at larger scales upon which the degree of water reuse is high.