Command Area Research Articles

The Characterization of Aquifer Parameters in Using Skimming Tubewells Through the Pumping Test Method: A Case Study of Tando Allahyar

Sindh is in the lower reaches of the Indus River; it is most vulnerable to a variety of upstream water development challenges. The aim of this research was to determine aquifer characteristics in the command area of Tando Allahyar-II distributary within the culmination of underground water potential. The hydraulic properties of the aquifer as well as the susceptibility of the formation to tedious extraction and saltwater upcoming were recognized. Three pumping tests were performed at head, middle, and tail reaches along the selected distributary. The drawdowns were measured at head reach (5.1667 h), at middle reach (6.0 h), and at tail reach (19.667 h) of the selected distributary by performing the pumping tests. Groundwater levels were lower at the tail reach compared to those at the head and middle reaches, likely due to a higher concentration of tubewells in the lower reach. The head and middle reaches showed higher groundwater levels, possibly due to constant head conditions promoting infiltration and recharge. The pumping test versus drawdown analysis revealed that the tubewells should be run with 7-h (on) and 4-h (off) operation. Further, the tubewells at all reaches (head, middle, and tail) should be closed for a minimum of 4 h between operations. This strategy would allow safe groundwater extraction, maintain water quality, and prevent water table depletion in the study area. The hydrodynamic and hydro-salinity behaviors were scrutinized in PWMIN 5.3 (version) by means of the MODFLOW mode. The results were estimated to compare the calibration and validation simulation outcomes using measured data. The model was successfully calibrated, and the root mean square (RMS) value of the head tubewell varied between 0.024 and 0.108, whereas it speckled between 0.0166 and 0.0349 for the middle tubewell and between 0.0659 and 0.0069 for the tail tubewell. The RMS values for hydrodynamic behavior for the head, middle, and tail reaches were less than 10%. These values represent a suitable match between the observed and simulated heads when a water table depletion of 1 to 2 m was observed due to extreme pumping. However, the average relative error values, for all validated procedures, were less than 10%.

Development of Location Specific Decision Support System (DSS) for Adopting the Best Water Management Strategies to Maximize the Production for Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal Command Area

Development of Location Specific Decision Support System (DSS) for Adopting the Best Water Management Strategies to Maximize the Production for Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal Command Area

Assessment of rainfall trend over Periyar Vaigai Command area of Tamil Nadu

Rainfall trend analysis is critical for studying the effects of climate change. The most crucial aspect of understanding climate change at the basin level is, how it will affect water usage, planning, and development. The present study has been attempted to analyze the trend of annual and seasonal rainfall data over Periyar Vaigai Command area from 1982 – 2021 (40 years) employing different trend analysis methods i.e., Mann-Kendall test for trend significance, Sequential Mann-Kendall test for assessment of start and end of trend, Sen’s slope test for trend magnitude, Innovative Trend Analysis for combination of trends and linear regression analysis for trend detection. Statistically positive trend was detected in summer season using all methods whereas, annual and SWM rainfall showed a statistically significant decreasing trend. Winter and NEM rainfall resulted with no significant trend. The results from this study helps to adopt various water management practices and useful for policy makers to prepare appropriate mitigation strategies.

Evaluating the need and feasibility of micro-irrigation systems for sustainable irrigation.

Irrigation is crucial for sustainable agriculture and improving farm yields, but a significant gap exists between the irrigation potential created and its actual utilization. This gap is due to losses in canal conveyance and the inefficiency of conventional irrigation methods within canal command areas. Most modernization efforts in India focus on implementing micro-irrigation for tube well systems, addressing the problem of water table decline experienced in many districts. With this context, the present study examines the command area of Gadarjudda minor of the Upper Ganga Canal in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand, India, to assess the present state of the canal by conducting on-site surveys and feasibility of micro-irrigation by evaluating the viability of replacing minor canals with a gravity flow piped irrigation network. The evaluation involves assessing the current canal status, designing the gravity flow piped irrigation network, and conducting a social survey to determine farmers' willingness, awareness, and purchasing capacity toward adoptin of micro-irrigation systems on their farms. The study identifies high conveyance loss and poor maintenance in conventional irrigation methods, highlighting the importance of micro-irrigation in the study area. The profile of the minor canal is adequate to support gravity flow in the pipe network, with velocity and pressure head within permissible limits. A social survey revealed that 85% of farmers are willing to adopt micro-irrigation, but low purchasing capacity (36%) hampers its adoption. The study concludes that micro-irrigation is viable in the Gadarjudda minor canal command area as long as a piped irrigation network is implemented and farmers receive government subsidies and proper training.

Enhancing Efficiency of the Minipe Left Bank Canal Irrigation System: A Strategic Approach

Minipe left bank canal faces a head-tail water imbalance due to insufficient water availability and inefficiency in water distribution. To address this issue, Minipe anicut is raised by 3.5m. Though ample water could be released, irrigation water would not be dispersed adequately along the canal due to mis-usage and mismanagement. The study aims to establish an operational pattern for the canal to deliver adequate water to the entire command area during both the Yala and Maha seasons. Simulation models were used to model the canal's operational pattern, including inflows and irrigation demands. Catchment areas, which bring water to the Minipe Left Bank canal, were delineated using ArcGIS software, and inflows were estimated using HEC-HMS software. Crop water requirements were estimated using CROPWAT program. A system simulation model developed usingWEAP software was used to simulate irrigation system operation. Nine management scenarios were evaluated, including introducing new cropping patterns, shifting sowing dates, increasing Minipe anicut discharges, and reducing the command area. The study found that introducing a 70% paddy crop pattern, advancing the sowing date by two weeks, and raising the Minipe anicut discharge by 15% significantly reduce unmet demands. Implementing these improvements could result in a 75% reduction in unmet demand.

Mental Health Evacuation Rate in USCENTCOM.

Mental health diagnosis requiring further treatment is one of the top reasons for medical evacuation in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) as of 2022. This study establishes a baseline in which the effectiveness of medical interventions can be measured to determine if they have an impact on the rate of evacuation out of USCENTCOM. The study period was January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. Individual evacuation data including date of initial movement and necessary specialty care requirements originating from the USCENTCOM AOR were acquired via U.S. Transportation Command's Regulating and Command & Control Evacuation System. The base evacuation rate was calculated for each month, and evacuation rates were analyzed for variations. For the entire study period, the mean monthly evacuation rate was 0.44 evacuations per 1,000 people in the AOR (95% CI, 0.41-0.47). There was no statistically significant difference between any monthly evacuation rate (P = .505). There is a statistically significant difference in the mean evacuation rates for calendar years (P = .003). The highest evacuation rate occurred in 2021. The study establishes a benchmark mental health evacuation rate. This rate will be useful for assessing mental health evacuation reduction initiatives in the USCENTCOM AOR.

Optimization of Irrigation Programming for Different Water Allocation Strategies at Network Level: Method and Application

Optimum irrigation programming at network level is important not only for maximum yield and benefit from the system but also for sustainable use of constrained resources. The subject of this investigation is to devise a method which enables optimum water allocation in irrigation networks, to apply it to a real system, and to analyze the results. In the first step, the irrigation district was divided into the most suitable water allocation zones considering the hydraulic properties of the canals. Next, alternative system rotation periods were defined in accordance with the properties of the research area, the hydraulic infrastructure of the irrigation network and the crop pattern. In this process, the model was run for five different water allocation strategies. The model was applied to the command area of Sarıkız Irrigation Association in the Ahmetli Regulator Right Bank Irrigation System in the Gediz Basin. Therefore, irrigation programs were prepared for the crop pattern, which receives water from 45 tertiary canals of the Y9 secondary. The irrigation time allocated to each tertiary canal and the amount of irrigation water were evaluated, together with the water shortage levels which occurred in these tertiary canals. The results indicated that the model defined the optimum system rotation period, the borders and the sizes of the most suitable water allocation zones, and the most suitable irrigation programs under the prevailing conditions. The proposed model can provide an insight for decision makers as a decision support tool.

Unlocking Excellence: Khageri Irrigation System Benchmarking in Chitwan

The objective of the study was to assess the present service delivery, financial and productivity indicators. The performance of five branch canals i.e. Branch Canal 1, Branch Canal 4, Branch Canal 6, Branch Canal 7 and Branch Canal 8 of the Khageri Irrigation System was evaluated for 2023 AD using fifteen performance indicators under water supply, financial performance and agricultural productivity categories suggested by the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID). 331 farmers were interviewed in respective five branch canals from head, middle, and tail portions of the command area in order to get a representative sample. The data obtained from the interview was analysed and interpreted to calculate the values of the performance indicators. It was also found that the canal capacity and scheme infrastructure was not the limiting cause of this observation according to the calculation of water delivery capacity (1.08). The irrigation service fee charged was not sufficient to pay for the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) cost according to the calculation of revenue collection performance (0.5, 50%). Land productivity in this system was found to be unsatisfactory according to the calculations of output per unit command area (13084.76 Rs/ha), ouput per unit irrigated area (13216.93 Rs/ha) and output per unit irrigation supply (1.82 Rs/m3).

Optimizing Irrigation Strategies for Groundnut Using Weap-Mabia: A Decision Support Method for Agricultural Scenarios in Unchdi Section, Shetrunji Irrigation Command Area

Optimizing Irrigation Strategies for Groundnut Using Weap-Mabia: A Decision Support Method for Agricultural Scenarios in Unchdi Section, Shetrunji Irrigation Command Area

Productivity, Profitability and Yield Gap Analysis in Chickpea under Front Line Demonstration in Tungabhadra Command Area of Koppal District

Productivity, Profitability and Yield Gap Analysis in Chickpea under Front Line Demonstration in Tungabhadra Command Area of Koppal District

Proposed Optimized Cropping Pattern for Different Water Availability Scenarios in Markonahalli Reservoir for Upper Shimsha Irrigation Project, Karnataka, India

The optimization model has been developed using linear programming by considering the stochastic nature of the inflows to the reservoir and solved for different storage water availability levels in reservoir viz., 60 per cent, 70per cent, 80per cent, 90per cent and 100 per cent to obtain various cropping patterns under canal command area. Linear programming is used either to maximize or minimize a given objective function. The total command area for cultivation is likely divided between the Kharif and Rabi seasons, with different crops being prioritized in each season based on their growing conditions and water availability. The existing area of 2639.38 ha for paddy is significantly reduced to a constant 1000 ha in the optimized scenarios, regardless of water availability. Sugarcane, with present area of 296.54 ha, the area is increased to 1722.13 ha under 100 per cent water availability but is reduced progressively to just 410.13 ha at 60per cent water availability. Optimization trend highlights finger millet's resilience and suitability under lower water conditions, making it a preferred crop when water is scarce.

Soil Quality Assessment and Its Spatial Variability in an Intensively Cultivated Area in India

Intensive agricultural practices lead to a deterioration in soil quality, causing a decline in farm productivity and quality, and disturbing the ecosystem balance in command areas. To achieve sustainable production and implement effective soil management strategies, understanding the state and spatial variability of soil quality is essential. The study aims to enhance the understanding of soil quality variability and provide actionable insights for sustainable soil management. In this regard, principal component analysis (PCA) and digital soil mapping were used to assess and map the spatial variability of the soil quality index (SQI) in the Cauvery command area, Mandya district, Karnataka, India. A total of 145 georeferenced soil samples were drawn at 0–15 cm depth and analyzed for physico-chemical properties. PCA was used to reduce the dataset into a minimum dataset as eight important soil indicators and to determine relative weightage factors, which were used for assessing SQI with linear and non-linear scoring methods. For spatial assessment of SQI, the random forest algorithm with environmental covariates was used to map eight soil indicators selected in the minimum dataset. The soil property maps were subjected to linear and non-linear scoring, followed by multiplying with corresponding weightage factors and summation to produce SQI maps. Results reveal that values of SQI calculated using linear scoring, range from 0.10 to 0.64, with a mean of 0.39, while non-linear scoring exhibits a wider range of 0.12 to 0.78 and a mean of 0.48. With a slight higher sensitivity index of 6.5, non-linear scoring proved to be the better scoring method compared to linear scoring. Spatial assessment shows that the R2 and LCC between the calculated and predicted SQI were higher for non-linear scoring (0.66 and 0.66) compared to linear scoring (0.60 and 0.65). The SQI maps reveal high spatial variability with more than 40 percent of soils classified as moderate-to-low index. The soils with low SQI were distributed in eastern parts, whereas western parts exhibited high-to-very-high soil quality. To achieve production goals and improve soil quality in the eastern region, sustainable soil and crop management strategies must be developed, and their effects on soil quality should be assessed.

A Review of JAK Inhibitors for Treatment of Alopecia Areata in the Military Health Care System.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease that manifests as patchy hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body; severe disease may result in disfigurement, functional impairment, and significant psychological distress. This condition is understood to be caused by autoimmunity to the hair follicle and subsequent arrest of hair growth. New medications, baricitinib and ritlecitinib, belong to the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor family and are among the first FDA-approved treatments for severe AA. In this manuscript, we aim to answer the question: What treatment options exist for AA in the military health care system (MHS)? In doing so, we review the pathogenesis, physical and psychosocial impact of AA, conventional treatment of AA, and the efficacy and safety of baricitinib and ritlecitinib. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Ovid for the history and pathogenesis of AA, psychosocial impact of disease, functional impairments, and current treatments. Keywords "alopecia areata," "current therapy for alopecia areata," "pathogenesis alopecia areata," "baricitinib," "ritlecitinib," "JAK inhibitor alopecia," "JAK inhibitor safety," "baricitinib efficacy," "alopecia eyelash," "alopecia nails," and "psychosocial impact of alopecia" were used for the search. The TRICARE manual was searched for guidelines applicable to the treatment of AA, DoD Instruction 6130.03 Volume 2 for medical standards for military service, and the U.S. Central Command Modification 15 for fitness of deployment to Central Command area of operations. Traditional treatments such as intralesional steroids may be effective for some patients, but difficulty lies in controlling extensive or refractory disease. Janus kinase inhibitors, baricitinib and ritlecitinib, are found effective at improving severe refractory disease; baricitinib induced hair regrowth in 32.6% more patients than placebo, and ritlecitinib was found to be superior to placebo by at least 24%. Currently, there is no coverage for therapeutic treatment of hair growth in the MHS. Additionally, military members are disqualified for continued service if they require immunomodulator medications such as baricitinib and ritlecitinib. Those on immunomodulators are unable to deploy worldwide. Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are effective treatments for widespread, progressive, and refractory AA. Although JAK inhibitors demonstrate improved effectiveness compared to non-immunomodulator treatments, their use in the MHS for this purpose is limited.

Factors affecting the technical efficiency of potato production under the command area of the PMAMP project in Nepal: The case of Bajhang district

Factors affecting the technical efficiency of potato production under the command area of the PMAMP project in Nepal: The case of Bajhang district

Forecasting Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Malaprabha Right Bank Canal Command Area through Cellular Automata and Markov Chain Modeling

Forecasting Land Use and Land Cover Changes in the Malaprabha Right Bank Canal Command Area through Cellular Automata and Markov Chain Modeling

Influence of establishment methods and seed coating techniques on the performance of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Periyar Vaigai command area of Tamil Nadu

Rice is a crucial staple crop cultivated extensively in command areas worldwide. In the command areas, the release of water varies due to the inadequate amount of rainfall in the source area and its proper supply. To combat such situations, direct seeding (DS) methods can be opted for; however, lacunae like excess seeds per drop, scattering of seeds, and intercultural operations like thinning, gap filling, and excess weed growth need a clear refinement to enhance the profitability of rice cultivation. Therefore, a research trial was conducted during 2022-24 at Central Farm, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai, to evolve a suitable direct seeding method. The present investigation was laid out under a split-plot design comprising four main plot treatments and four subplot treatments replicated thrice. The main plot treatments comprised different seeding methods (S) and the subplot treatments comprised different seed coating techniques (P). Based on the experimental results, paper roll seeding and DS + Seed coating @ 2% KNO3 fb Bacillus sp. and Azospirillum (PR + P-KN) combination performed better on establishment with grain (6150 kg/ha) and straw yield (7824 kg/ha) respectively. Regarding the B:C ratio, OS-GP + P-KN resulted in higher with 2.64, closely followed by PR + P-KN with 2.61. The least effect was recorded in the combination of round slots in rice drum seeder and dry seeding (RS + DS). Investigating different techniques of direct seeding and seed coating is essential across various regions, particularly in regulated areas where water discharge remains unpredictable.

Alternate use of fresh and saline waters to improve water productivity and soil sustainability of drip irrigated wheat in a semi-arid region

Severe problems of rising groundwater and secondary soil salinization demand holistic agricultural water management in canal command areas. Drip irrigation with alternate use of fresh and saline waters is an excellent irrigation approach to mitigate salinity stress caused by highly saline ground water and also to avoid soil sodicity hazards from canal water. Therefore, a study on cyclic mode conjunctive use of good quality surface water (SW) and highly saline ground water (GW) having average electric conductivity 0.3 and 7.6 dS m−1, respectively was carried out in wheat with five treatments of drip viz. 1SW1GW (1:1 :: SW:GW), 1SW2GW (1:2 :: SW:GW), 2SW1GW (2:1 :: SW:GW), SW (all SW), GW (all GW), and one treatment of conventional border ­irrigation method (BI). Highest grain yield was observed in SW (2.99 t ha−1) in 2017–2018 and BI (3.83 t ha−1) in 2018–2019 season. However, yield of SW and BI were statistically at par in both seasons. Grain yield of 1SW1GW, in which only 50% freshwater was used was found statistically at par with SW and BI. Physical Water Productivity was highest for SW, amounting 9.34 and 14.13 kg ha−1.mm−1 during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively. Soil salinity build up was highest for GW and lowest for SW, whereas it was almost similar for BI and 1SW1GW. Thus, 1SW1GW showed added benefits as its grain yield was statistically at par with SW and BI along with 50% fresh water saving over SW and higher water productivity than BI for similar salinity levels.

Effectiveness of In-Theater Mental Health Assessments.

The leading cause for medical evacuation from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is because of mental health conditions. The In-Theater Mental Health Assessment (ITMHA) is a DoD-required screening of deployed personnel. It is vital to examine the efficacy of ITMHA's potential to significantly impact the mental health outcomes of service members. All ITMHA results of individuals in 2 deployed Army battalions along with a brigade headquarters deployed to U.S. Central Command between October 2022 and October 2023 were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the results of the ITMHA. Of 670 deployed service members, 157 (23%) scored positive on ITMHA. Ten service members were referred for additional mental health evaluation. The remaining 147 (22%) service members who scored positive were not referred because of a lack of significant impairment or were already engaged in mental health services. One service member in the study was evacuated because of a mental health condition. The most common major life stressors identified were family/relationship issues, sleep problems, and mental health concerns. The number of deployed personnel identified through the ITMHA as requiring mental health care was modest. The ITMHA has multiple limitations that, if addressed, will improve its utility to mitigate mental health decline in the expeditionary environment.

Catchment Storage Command Relationship for Sustainable Rainfed Agriculture in the Semi-Arid Regions of Rajasthan, India

This study conducted to evaluate catchment storage and command relationship and water use strategies under supplemental irrigation for sustainable rainfed agriculture in the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India. In southern Rajasthan, a small category of farmers is above 78%, the potential evapotranspiration is greater than the average rainfall with prevailing arid conditions, and rainfed agriculture is a challenging task. An agricultural micro watershed of 2.0 ha evaluated to establish a catchment storage command area (CSC) relationship and micro irrigation system as an effective water use strategy. The significant results indicate that a farm pond with a storage capacity of 560 m3 with permanent lining (cement + brick) is sufficient to harvest runoff water from a 2.0 ha catchment under the rainfall conditions of below normal (up to 50% deficit), long-term average, and wet years. Harvested rainwater can be used to irrigate a command area of even up to 1.0 ha, with supplemental irrigation of 5 cm in both the seasons of kharif as well as rabi. The two crops, maize (Zea mays) in the kharif season and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) in the rabi season, were significantly profitable with supplemental irrigation by adopting a drip irrigation system.

Empowering Farmers to Enhance Water Use Efficiency: Innovative Practices in SSPC

The Sardar Sarovar project, featuring a gravity dam on the Narmada River in Gujarat, stands as one of the largest in terms of concrete volume globally. This study investigates the project's extensive canal network and its impact on agricultural productivity in the command area. Covering a vast expanse across multiple states, the project's irrigation allocation and water management strategies are examined. Special attention is given to addressing soil degradation issues, particularly salinity, and implementing farmer-centered interventions to enhance water use efficiency. Methodologies include land rejuvenation efforts, reclamation of salt-affected land, participatory irrigation management, and promoting improved agricultural practices. Results indicate successful mitigation of soil degradation and increased crop yields through strategic interventions like cotton-castor relay cropping which has demonstrated a 1.5-fold increase in income compared to sole cropping. Intercropping with isabgul/ajwain, and implementing deficit irrigation have resulted in a substantial 43% increase in overall yield, particularly in cumin cultivation. Farmers have also embraced innovative water-saving techniques, such as alternative furrow irrigation and strategic timing of irrigation during critical growth stages, resulting in water savings of 30-35%. However, challenges remain in achieving widespread adoption of participatory irrigation management practices. The study concludes with insights into the necessity of sustained social engineering efforts and community engagement for long-term water resource management and agricultural sustainability in the project area.