Existing Irrigation Systems Research Articles

Actions and measures for mitigation drought and water scarcity in agriculture

Abstract The paper characterizes the phenomena of droughts and water scarcity in Polish agriculture and their impacts on crop yield. Various preventive measures should be undertaken to mitigate the harmful effects of droughts and water scarcity. The most important is the development of water resources. To accomplish this aim, small scale water retention projects and irrigation development programs should be further implemented in many provinces of Poland. Effective use of irrigation water, optimization of water distribution, crop rotation, rehabilitation and modernization of the existing irrigation systems, soil reclamation are the examples of other measures. The pressure for increased water supplies is intensifying in Poland. That is why there is an urgent need to improve the uniform national plans of drought and water scarcity mitigation including guidelines on how to prevent and counteract the effects of water scarcity in agriculture and to release recommendations stating the most adequate measures to be undertaken.

The role of information communications technology in sustainable water management practice

The availability of water is a global issue which is predicted to become more pronounced in the future. As a large and relatively dry continent, Australia is presented with a series of challenges within the agriculture sector. As a result, the adoption of appropriate, efficient and effective irrigation systems is an important element for future sustainability. In various Australian growing regions, different modes and types of irrigation are utilised. However, in many cases, the preferred system has been selected based on tradition and local norms rather than on the basis of effective water management. Consequently, there is a socio-psychological element in the adoption of new or alternative systems. This study reports on a project that identifies how the introduction of technology within a variety of irrigation system types has improved water efficiency, reduced wastage and improved product adoption. In particular, the study discusses how technology has improved the use of flood and micro irrigation systems as well as more recent developments in satellite assisted irrigation. The findings of the study suggest that the enhancement of existing irrigation systems through the addition of information communications technology can overcome some traditional barriers by adding specific features that are attractive to growers.

SUSTAINABLE IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT: CONTEXT OF NATIONAL WATER POLICY

The basic dynamics of irrigation development in India are changing. In the past there has been sufficient water and land available to expand the irrigated area. This is no longer the case, with both good quality land and adequate water now constraining further development in many states. Many states are now entering a period of vertical integration, where better management of existing irrigation systems rather than construction of new schemes predominate. This transition will require new skills and expertise within Irrigation Departments if they are to meet the current and upcoming challenges. As we have stepped into the twenty first century, the new frontier is boosting water productivity, getting more from lesser amount of water devoted to crop production. Improving the performance of completed MMI schemes has been the main focus of the NWM and the 12th FYP and set a target of increasing the WUE by 20%. WUE studies carried out by the CWC on 30 MMI schemes indicates that in nine schemes WUE was found to be less than 30 percent and the average was 38 percent. The NWM and 12th FYP targets the average figure would need to rise to 46% by the end of the plan period. Water measurement and quantification, participatory irrigation management, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, integrated water resource management, modernization of irrigation systems, demand based delivery of irrigation water, large scale promotion of water saving crop production technologies, expansion of micro irrigation into canal command areas are some of the areas identified for sustainable management of irrigation water.

Assessment of Irrigation System Performance with Socio-economic indicators: A GIS-based study in the Medagama Block of Mahaweli System C

The performance assessment is a strategy to diagnose the deficiencies in existing irrigation systems and to take appropriate management options to correct those. Socio-economic evaluation is a part of this assessment to get a better understanding of the performance of the farming society within the irrigation system. This study was carried out to analyze the performance within Mahaweli System C by means of spatially varying socioeconomic indicators considering the Medagama management block as the study area. The education attainment, quality of housing, access to household consumer durables, access to vehicles in households, and income level of household were the selected indicators to study the socio-economic variability within the study area. A hamlet was taken as the smallest spatial unit to collect data and for mapping purposes. The overall performance index was obtained by summing up the set of indicators by providing relative weights. All the indices were mapped to show the spatial distribution and variability. According to the derived results, the origin of the settlers, the literacy level of the children, their motivation to achieve a better living condition are the factors, which influence on the variability of the socio-economic performance. A medium socio-economic performance was observed in all hamlets except in Henanigala South, where the Adiwasi people are settled. It seems that they have not well adjusted to the system even after three decades of settling. The stakeholder analysis identified the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka and farmer organizations as key stakeholders who can influence on the success of the system performance. A socio-economic evaluation is important to get a feedback of the system performance. Irrigation system performance is highly influenced by other factors such as rainfall and climate conditions, cropping patterns and crop water requirement, soil type, management factors, marketing and other monetary factors. Therefore, an overall irrigation system evaluation is needed with an overall assessment, considering the technical and socio-economic indicators. Thus, this system should be further evaluated by using indices of water delivery performance, financial, productivity and environmental performances. It is important to assess the spatial variability as well as the temporal variability of the performance to identify the improvements of the system performance with time. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 24 (3): 215-227 (2013)

A simple method to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of micro hydro power plants in existing irrigation systems

A simple method is proposed to site turbines and choose their power output, evaluate costs and incomes and provide useful indications for Micro Hydro Power (MHP) plant design in existing irrigation systems. This method, based on simple models available in literature and requiring a reduced number of input parameters easy to survey in preliminary design stages, has been applied and verified in an existing irrigation system located in Calabria (Italy).The results have highlighted that in the case study the smallest profitable turbine would produce 5 kW. A lower number of plants (with higher output) would produce no particular monetary savings compared to a greater number of smaller turbines. Furthermore, neither was the option of increasing pipeline diameter found to provide savings.In general, an appreciable potential from MHP operation has been shown in existing irrigation systems, providing a return on investment higher than that provided by the Italian financial market.Finally, MHP profitability noticeably increases with total annual operation time, being on average 55% higher in a wet year (eight months of electrical production/four month of irrigation) compared to a dry year (six months of electrical production/six months of irrigation).

Social and economic impact of drought on stakeholders in agriculture

According to different relevant climate research water shortage hazard become increasingly frequent natural hazard across Serbia. In Serbia, especially in Vojvodina, drought is a natural hazard with increasing frequency of occurrence. Vojvodina is predominantly agricultural area with 11% of agricultural population. As such agricultural population is highly sensitive to natural hazards, especially to occurrence of drought which is typical for the territory of Vojvodina. Drought has influence on the environment and human activities, i.e. it has social and economic consequences, such as drinking water shortage or decline in crop yield. Therefore this paper has several aims. First goal is to explore socio demographic profiles and agricultural characteristic of agricultural population and stakeholders in research area. Secondly to examine farmers' attitudes to possible damage prevention and adaptive measures to climate change in the sector of agricultural production. Third goal is to analyze respondent's opinion toward drought prediction. Finally the study examines opinion of respondents on the role of government institutions in providing assistance and support to farmers and to agricultural development in the region. In depth semi structural interviewing were carried out. Results show lack of knowledge among respondents that water shortage can be precisely and in time predicted to help agriculture prepare and prevent possible draft damages. As the main problems in agriculture, the local agricultural population lists absence of strategic planning and management of agrarian policy, as well as absence of state support to farmers in agriculture development. Necessary assistance for alleviation of adverse drought consequences includes subsidies for irrigation, improvement and reconstruction of the existing irrigation systems; organized and planned state management of agrarian policy; creating precise methods of forecast of drought periods and timely informing agricultural population and agricultural firms.

Advancing Wireless Sensor Networks for Irrigation Management of Ornamental Crops: An Overview

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) transmit sensor data and control signals over long distances without the need for expensive infrastructure, allowing WSNs to add value to existing irrigation systems since they provide the grower with direct feedback on the water needs of the crop. We implemented WSNs in nine commercial horticulture operations. We provide an overview of the integration of sensors with hardware and software to form WSNs that can monitor and control irrigation water applications based on one of two approaches: 1) “set-point control” based on substrate moisture measurements or 2) “model-based control” that applied species-specific irrigation in response to transpiration estimates. We summarize the economic benefits, current and future challenges, and support issues we currently face for scaling WSNs to entire production sites. The series of papers that follow either directly describe or refer the reader to descriptions of the findings we have made to date. Together, they illustrate that WSNs have been successfully implemented in horticultural operations to greatly reduce water use, with direct economic benefits to growers.

Spatial variation in irrigation demand and supply across canal commands in Punjab: a real integrated water resources management challenge

The Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS) is more than a century old. Water allowances and canal water distributions responded to increasing crop water requirements in a southward direction, e.g. higher water allowance in Sindh as compared to Punjab. But within a province, the canal water supplies do not address the issue of difference in irrigation demand. The consequence is unprecedented groundwater depletion in Bari Doab and waterlogging in certain other canal commands. After the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, gradually reduced flows and ultimate desiccation of eastern rivers have also contributed towards falling groundwater levels of adjoining aquifers. In this study, water allocations in the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, annual average canal water diversions, and irrigation demand were compared for canal commands in Punjab. Rainfall was taken as an ultimate source of water that has a beneficial impact in integration with canal and groundwater. It is concluded that the efficiency of existing irrigation systems can be improved by adopting the concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM). Thus, to avoid waterlogging and groundwater depletion, reallocation of canal water supplies amongst the irrigation units in Punjab, in proportion to the relative irrigation water demand and cropping intensities, is recommended.

The Use of Satellite Images for Preliminary Investigation on Ancient Land Salt Pits in the Nam Kam River Basin, Thailand

There are numerous water resource development projects in the Nam Kam River Basin of Nakhon Phanom province in the northeastern part of Thailand. The Nam Kam River Basin is one of the Greater Mekong’s tributaries and covers an area of approximately 3,440 square kilometers. The operation of the development projects situated along the basin must be in a manner that avoids salt solution diffusing into the nearby areas and protects the existing irrigation systems and reservoirs from large amounts of salt seepage. Since saline soil, salt crusts and ancient land salt pits have been found on the ground surface of the Nam Kam Basin, the purpose of this research is to investigate the saline areas by interpreting the satellite images. The interpreted satellite images were mapped and the results were validated against the actual field data. The salinity of soil and water was measured by the electrical conductivity meter and laboratory testing. The preliminary investigation of the study area showed two groups of the saline areas: saline soil spots and ancient land salt pits. Certain difficulties remained in the interpretation of the satellite images, such as the inability to classify the degree of salinity with accuracy and the outdated data in the areas with human involvement. The saline soil spots occupied by landowners are mostly improved for agriculture; on the contrary, the ancient land salt pits are operated only by a few villagers during the summer. Even though in summer 2012, the local office of Royal Irrigation Department flooded the ancient salt pits to protect them from salt farming, the villagers continue producing salt, thereby causing salinity to spread more widely. The study reveals that monitoring of salinity of the water and soil is necessary and is currently carried out jointly by academics, the local community, and agencies responsible for the irrigation projects in the study area.

UNIFORMIDADE DE DISTRIBUIÇÃO DE ÁGUA EM PIVÔ CENTRAL

Dentre os sistemas de irrigação existentes, o pivô central merece destaque por ocupar grandes áreas e consumir um grande
 volume de água. Diante disso, a utilização de equipamentos mais eficientes é uma busca constante, havendo necessidade
 de melhoria das metodologias existentes para sua avaliação. A presente pesquisa busca propor uma nova metodologia para
 determinar a uniformidade de distribuição de água por pivôs centrais. Foram utilizadas áreas irrigadas de 40, 60, 80, 100 e
 120 ha, e em cada uma delas, avaliados dez pivôs centrais. Os tratamentos foram compostos de: pluviômetros equidistantes
 com o coeficiente de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC) calculado conforme Christiansen (1942), modificado por
 Heermann e Hein (1968) (Método 1); pluviômetros instalados de forma que cada um representasse uma área amostral de
 0,5 ha com o CUC calculado conforme Christiansen (1942) (Método 2); e (Métodos 3, 4, 5, 6 e 7): idem método 2, porém
 com coletores instalados, de forma que cada um representasse área amostral de 1, 2, 3, 4 e 5 ha, respectivamente. Obteve-se
 a área adequadamente irrigada (AAI) para obtenção do coeficiente de regressão da reta para cada avaliação. A determinação
 da uniformidade de pivôs centrais pelo método 2 foi a metodologia que mais se relacionou com o conceito de AAI, seguida
 das metodologias 1 e 3. Para pivôs centrais de tamanhos de 40, 60, 80, 100 e 120 ha, recomendam-se testes de uniformidade
 com coletores representando áreas amostrais máximas de até 1,0; 1,1; 1,3; 1,4 e 1,6 ha, respectivamente.

Estimating the impacts of a reservoir for improved water use in irrigation in the Yarabamba region, Peru

The pressure on irrigation is increasing worldwide, not only because of – perceived or real – high water consumption in the irrigated sector, but also because an increased world population puts stress on food production. Numerous irrigated areas around the world face similar issues of water scarcity, disparity in water distribution and deficient infrastructure. As a result, farmers are typically restricted in their production strategies. A general strategy in the irrigation sector is the introduction of so-called modern techniques in existing irrigation systems, with the aim to increase agricultural production. This paper discusses such a modernization effort in the sub-basin of Yarabamba, Arequipa, Peru, in which a reservoir is being constructed to improve water use and stimulate economic development. Based on fieldwork, including interviews and scenario modeling with WEAP, the relationships between water users, their irrigation systems and the water balances in the basin were studied. Scenario studies showed that the reservoir might alleviate the current water shortages in the sub-basin, but that restrictions in the current infrastructure and management of irrigation may be of more importance than the reservoir. Especially existing interests and actions of upstream and downstream areas appear to be important factors; these will not be automatically solved with the new reservoir.

Irrigation Distribution Networks’ Vulnerability to Climate Change

Climate change will lead to changed demands on existing irrigation systems. This paper presents a methodology for investigating the performance of irrigation networks under climate change, and applies this to an irrigation network in Cordoba, southern Spain. The methodology uses emission scenarios (A2 and B2) developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. A global climate model (HadCM3) is used with downscaling to predict climate variables for 2050 and 2080 under the emission scenarios. European agricultural policy scenarios are used to predict future cropping patterns. Irrigation water requirements are then estimated for various combinations of these climate and cropping pattern scenarios, and the performance of the irrigation network is evaluated in terms of the equity and adequacy of pressure at the outlets, using EPANET. The methodology was applied to the Fuente Palmera irrigation district, which supplies water on-demand for drip irrigation. The results show that climate change would have a major impact on network performance with the existing cropping pattern, but that expected changes in cropping pattern would reduce this impact.

Integrated Modeling Approach to Improve Hydraulic Performance of a Main Canal System

Realizing the need for improving the performance of the existing irrigation systems within their physical constraints, an integrated optimization-simulation (lOS) model is developed and applied to the Right Bank Main Canal (RBMC) system of Kangsabati Irrigation Project, West Bengal, India. The model decides the time series optimal canal releases at the system source and selected inline structures. The integrated model consists of a non linear optimization routine, a canal hydraulic module (MIKE I I) and a command hydrological module (MIKE SHE). An improved rotational delivery schedule developed earlier is used in conjunction with the integrated model. To evaluate effectiveness of integrated model in improving the performance of a main canal system, three-simulation scenarios such as (i) MIKE 11 and MIKE SHE simulation (MMS), (ii) Integrated Optimization-Simulation (lOS), and (iii) Integrated Optimization-Simulation with Improved Schedule (lOS_IS) are considered. Simulation results using the integrated model and improved delivery schedule recorded a significant improvement in the values of three performance indicators Le., adequacy, equity and dependability. Three-year average of weighted adequacy improved from 0.65 to 0.71 (lOS and lOS_IS); whereas three-year average equity improved from 0.32 to 0.22 (lOS) and 0.18 (lOS_IS). Similarly, three-year average of weighted dependability improved from 0.62 to 0.49 (lOS and lOS_IS). Encouraging results demonstrated the capability of integrated modeling approach as a cost-effective solution for improved system performance within the existing infrastructure.

Irrigation and Its Modernization in Aragon

The use of water for irrigation is of concern to all those involved in water management in the Autonomous Community of Aragon. This article tackles issues that relate to the modernization of existing irrigation systems, by means of consolidation and improvement programmes, as the new priority of contemporary irrigation policy. At the same time, the article considers the roles played by the various agents charged with carrying out the programmes—basically state-owned companies—and of the farmers in their irrigation communities. The positive impact of these measures in achieving better and more efficient management of water resources, as well as the negative environmental impact that derives from the new demands for energy, are also presented and discussed.

Irrigation in Poland — current status after reforms in agriculture and future development

The paper characterizes the status, trends and perspectives of irrigation in Poland after the reforms in agriculture and technology. Irrigation in Poland has supplemental character. It is used in short periods during the growing season and plays an important role in mitigating the effects of drought on crop production. Sub-irrigation from ditches is applied on permanent grasslands, sprinkling — in field cultivation of arable crops, sprinkling and drip irrigation — in vegetable growing in open areas, micro-jets and drip irrigation systems — in orchards. Drip irrigation and micro-jets systems are also applied in plant cultivation in greenhouses.Under the economic conditions of Polish agriculture irrigation is often an unprofitable measure. The existing irrigation systems and facilities are only used to a small extent. After changes in the forms of ownership in agriculture, the large-area sprinkling systems were degraded. Small irrigation systems, mainly drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler irrigation, have recently become more common in private farms. Sub-irrigation systems are largely degraded and used only to a small extent if at all. In order to use these systems more effectively, it is necessary to reconstruct and modernize them. In many cases the factor preventing the use of irrigation systems is the deficit of water of required quality and its availability. Besides unfavourable economic conditions, it is one of the main limitations in the development of irrigation in Poland.

The Use of Irrigation Water in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv Region During Transition

The amount of water Bulgaria uses for irrigation sharply declined during the transition. Large sections of the existing irrigation systems were abandoned, and those still in use are hardly maintained. Crops such as wheat and barley have replaced more water-intensive crops, such as vegetables, rice, and maize. This problem has an impact on the future development of agriculture and the allocation of the country's water resources. The central argument is that land fragmentation in the wake of decollectivization and restitution contributes to the irrigation systems' abandonment. This article focuses on the institutional factors involved, but also considers additional factors that might have influenced the process. Further, it examines the causes driving these changes and analyzes their effect on irrigation. It is based on a review of the relevant legislation as well as fieldwork in 17 villages located in the Plovdiv region of Bulgaria. The article concludes that institutional settings, in addition to changes in large-scale market forces and the state enforcement mechanism, have contributed to the irrigation decline in Bulgaria.

The Use of Irrigation Water During Transition in Bulgaria's Plodiv Region

The amount of water used for irrigation has sharply declined during transition in Bulgaria. Large sections of existing irrigation systems were abandoned, and the ones still in use are barely maintained. Crops such as wheat and barley have replaced more water-intensive crops, including vegetables, rice and maize. This problem has an impact on the future development of agriculture and the allocation of the country's water resources. The central argument is that land fragmentation in the wake of de-collectivization and restitution contributes to the irrigation systems' abandonment. This paper concentrates on the institutional factors, but also considers additional factors, that may have influenced the process; further, it examines the causes driving these changes and analyses their effect on irrigation. It is based upon a review of relevant legislation, as well as field work in 17 villages located in the Plovdiv region of Bulgaria. The paper concludes that, in addition to changes in large-scale market forces and weakening of the state enforcement mechanism, institutional settings have contributed to the decline of irrigation in Bulgaria.

The Use of Irrigation Water During Transition in Bulgaria's Plovdiv Region

The amount of water used for irrigation has sharply declined during transition in Bulgaria. Large sections of existing irrigation systems were abandoned, and the ones still in use are barely maintained. Crops such as wheat and barley have replaced more water-intensive crops, including vegetables, rice and maize. This problem has an impact on the future development of agriculture and the allocation of the country's water resources. The central argument is that land fragmentation in the wake of de-collectivization and restitution contributes to the irrigation systems' abandonment. This paper concentrates on the institutional factors, but also considers additional factors, that may have influenced the process; further, it examines the causes driving these changes and analyses their effect on irrigation. It is based upon a review of relevant legislation, as well as field work in 17 villages located in the Plovdiv region of Bulgaria. The paper concludes that, in addition to changes in large-scale market forces and weakening of the state enforcement mechanism, institutional settings have contributed to the decline of irrigation in Bulgaria.

Asian food production in the 1990s: Irrigation investment and management policy

This article addresses the implications of declining productivity growth for rice and wheat in Asia and parallel changes in irrigation investment patterns for future irrigation investment and management policies. The general economic case for increased public investment in new irrigation is examined, the potential for improving existing irrigation systems assessed, expansion of private irrigation investment discussed, and policy implications for irrigation investment and management strategy in Asia presented. The authors conclude that substantial recent cutbacks in public investment are largely appropriate, but that modestly higher shadow prices for rice and wheat should be utilized in evaluating investments. Other policy implications include the importance of considering a wider range of performance improvement options and of greater selectivity in project design, the need for more fundamental reform in many public irrigation institutions, and the undervalued importance of private investment in irrigation development coupled with greater public investment in supporting infrastructure and institutions.

Future of irrigation in balanced third world development

Almost 80% of the world population lives in developing countries and 80% of these people live in small settlements or villages and are the ‘rural poor’ whose lives often are plagued by serious health, water and sanitation problems and food shortages. Many countries have changed from self sufficiency and exporters of food to importers of food. Food production often can only be increased by improving or rehabilitating existing irrigation systems and by building new irrigation projects. Yet, the rate of growth in world irrigated area has greatly decreased in the last decade. For North America, the irrigated area has actually decreased. Around cities, sewage effluent will become increasingly important as a water source for irrigation. By the year 2000, there could be 18 megacities with more than 10 million people each in the Third World. Energy sources must be developed to meet the needs for irrigation and fertilizer manufacture. Development of the Third World must simultaneously take place in all key sectors (irrigation, agriculture, water supply, health, energy, education etc.), so that a balance is achieved and progress in one sector is not hampered by stagnation in another. Balanced development must also use both hard technology (roads, canals, structures, machinery, technology etc.) and soft technology (social structure, human interactive processes, motivational techniques, social participation etc.).