Application of Remote Sensing and GIS in Performance Evaluation of Irrigation Project at Disaggregated Level

Abstract

The performance evaluation of surface irrigation projects has been hitherto done at regional or project level due to the non-availability of a detailed spatial database of irrigation projects. Recent advancements in the capabilities of remote sensing techniques and Geographical Information System (GIS) have opened avenues of field level mapping and database creation for irrigation projects. In view of this, the application of remote sensing and GIS in command area mapping and detailed performance evaluation at the sub-project level (division level) was attempted, in the present study. The command area of Upper Wardha irrigation project in Amravati district of Maharashtra, India was mapped for irrigation infrastructures (canals, hydraulic structures, etc.), crop acreage, and other infrastructures (viz. road, railway, settlement, etc.) using high resolution Cartosat-1, IRS P6 LISS-IV data, and temporal IRS P6 LISS-III data. The performance of the irrigation project was evaluated using eight comparative indicators classified under three groups, namely agricultural performance, water-use performance, and physical performance. Remote sensing data along with field observed data were used to derive inputs for these performance indicators. The results indicate that the project has a positive impact on agriculture and economic growth of the region; however, water has been excessively used in some parts of the command area while supply has been inadequate in the tail region of the command. The water supply in the command area was reliable, however, not equally distributed among all the distributaries. The overall performance of the irrigation project was evaluated, and the divisions, which need immediate attention to improve the efficiency, were identified in this study.