Irrigation Infrastructure Research Articles

A new decision-making method for the renewal of agricultural irrigation wells: A case study of Songzhuang town, Tongzhou District, Beijing

Pumping wells (PWs) lie at the core of agricultural irrigation infrastructure, and their spatial configuration is of great significance for the scientific management of regional agriculture and rational use of water resources. To solve the problems of unreasonable and unscientific spatial allocation of regional agricultural irrigation PWs, this paper proposes a new strategy for updating agricultural irrigation PWs based on a spatial decision model, using Songzhuang Town, Tongzhou District, Beijing as a case study. The model utilizes constraints based on local factors such as actual land use, and proposes a novel feasible solution strategy that combines random local search and abrupt jumps to increase the probability that feasible solutions will be found, addressing the performance issues of simulated annealing algorithms, influence of initial values, and parameter sensitivity. Finally, we used the proposed method to perform updated decision analysis on the spatial configuration of PWs in the study area. The results showed that most of the crops in the study area lack irrigation, and the currently available PWs cannot meet the needs for irrigation. The new PWs added based on this decision method can be more evenly distributed within the predefined optimization unit. The proposed number of PWs to be added is 166, the density of PWs is 0.04/ha, and the crop area covered by the PWs is 3350.43 ha. In contrast to the previous PW layout, the optimized PW configuration can meet the irrigation needs of residents, indicating that the new method proposed in this paper has good potential for extension and application.

Determinants of Capital Formation in Agriculture: A Case Study of Dimapur District of Nagaland, India

"The formation of capital through investment in agriculture helps build up the stock of capital assets and resources that enable the farmers to utilize their resources, particularly land and labour, more efficiently. The present study includes a total sample of 200 farm households consisting of marginal, small, medium, and large farmers from Dimapur District of Nagaland, selected through a three-stage stratified sampling technique for the year 2020-21. Using multiple regression technique assessed the factors that affect the capital investment at the farm level. The coefficient of determinant (R2) value reveals that the model as good fit. Many factors influence the formation of capital in agriculture, among which family income (in `), working members (in number), and cropping intensity (in %) have positive influence. Unlike popular studies, the operational holding (in acres) has shown negative influence. Further, the age and education of the head of a family show no influence. There is a pressing need for fundamental change in the strategy to raise the resources and income of the farmer and accordingly accelerate the pace of capital formation in agriculture through targeting investment in irrigation, land development, and other infrastructure development."

Evaluation of the sustainability of groundwater irrigation development in Tejakula and Kubu Districts

The Sustainable Agricultural Irrigation Development Project in Buleleng and Karangasem (SDIABKA) is project activities aim to increase community access to irrigation infrastructure and facilities needed to support increased agricultural productivity and food subregional security in north-east Bali. Institutional developmentof tubwell users group (TUG) have been carried out which in turn will be able to support the management of efficient and sustainable groundwater irrigation facilities both economically and environmentally.It is very important to be known the sustainability of the project such as: Financial independence of the irrigation system, irrigation water supply, and the sustainability status. This valuable experience of developing groundwater irrigation is useful for lesson learned. The target population in this study is 24 SDIABKA TUGs. The TUGs located is in 9 villages in Tejakula and 3 villages in Kubu District.

Effects of Subsurface Pipe Drainage Spacing on Soil Salinity Movement in Jiangsu Coastal Reclamation Area

The agricultural development of reclaimed coastal areas in Jiangsu Province is significantly hindered by high soil salinity and an inadequate irrigation and drainage infrastructure. Optimizing the layout of subsurface drainage systems has been identified as an effective means of reducing soil salinity, with the proper designation of engineering parameters being crucial. This study applied 12 treatments (T1–T12) consisting of four different spacings of subsurface drainage pipes (6 m, 11 m, 15 m, and no subsurface drainage pipes) and three observation wells at varying distances from the drainage outlet (5 m, 25 m, and 45 m). Results showed that all three subsurface pipe spacing treatments significantly reduced soil salinity compared to natural drainage, with a smaller subsurface pipe spacing treatment leading to better salt-reducing effects. The farther the distance from the measuring point to the drain, the higher the salinity. As the burial depth of the outlet decreased and spacing between the subsurface drainage pipes decreased, the salinization rate of the 0–60 cm soil layer was higher, while the salt accumulation in the 60–80 cm soil layer was more severe. Therefore, a subsurface drainage pipe spacing of 6 m and an outlet burial depth of 40 cm are recommended as more suitable choices to effectively control salt concentration in the soil. The research aimed to provide scientific reference data and technical support for the optimized design of subsurface drainage engineering parameters while promoting efficient desalination of saline-alkali areas worldwide.

Technical Efficiency of Irrigated and Rain-fed Rice Farms in North Sumatra, Indonesia

The present paper compares the efficiency of irrigated and rain-fed farming in North Sumatra using a household farm survey for the 2022 growing season. The authors use the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, mean difference test, and Tobit regression. Empirical results reveal that irrigated farming is more efficient than rain-fed based on CRS and SE assumptions. However, access to irrigation was found to harm rice farming efficiency. Unequal distribution of water, scarcity of water during the growth period, and excess water during the harvest cause a decrease in the efficiency of irrigated farming. The age of the head of household, education, and access to credit was also found to harm technical efficiency. In contrast, the experience variable in participating in farmer groups because it has a positive impact on the efficiency of rice farming. The results provide valuable insights for transforming water management and strengthening the need for investment in irrigation infrastructure as a poverty alleviation mechanism and means to achieve rice farming sustainability in North Sumatra.

Resetting of soil compositions by irrigation in urban watersheds: Evidence from Sr isotope variations in Austin, TX

Human activities in urban areas disturb the natural landscape upon which they develop, disrupting pedogenic processes and ultimately limiting the ecosystem services urban soils provide. To better understand the impacts on and resiliency of soils in response to urban development, it is essential to understand the processes by which and degree to which soil physical and chemical properties are altered in urban systems. Here, we apply the source-tracing capabilities of Sr isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) to understand the impacts of urban processes on the composition of soils in eight watersheds in Austin, Texas. We evaluate natural and anthropogenic Sr sources in watersheds spanning a wide range of urbanization, comparing soils by variations in their natural (including mineralogy, thickness, soil type, and watershed) and anthropogenic (including irrigation, soil amendments, and fertilization) characteristics. A strong positive correlation between soil thickness and 87Sr/86Sr is observed among unirrigated soils (R2 = 0.83). In contrast, this relationship is not observed among irrigated soils (R2 = 0.004). 95 % of 42 irrigated soil samples have 87Sr/86Sr values approaching or within the range for municipal supply water. These results indicate soil interaction with municipal water through irrigation and/or water infrastructure leakage. Soils irrigated with municipal water have elevated 87Sr/86Sr values relative to unirrigated soils in seven of eight watersheds. We propose that original soil 87Sr/86Sr values are partially to completely reset by irrigation with municipal water via ion exchange processes. Our results demonstrate that in urban systems, Sr isotopes can serve as an environmental tracer to assess the overprint of urbanization on natural soil characteristics. In the Austin region, resetting of natural soil compositions via urban development is extensive, and the continued expansion of urban areas and irrigation systems may affect the ability of soils to retain nutrients, filter contaminants, and provide other ecosystem services that support environmental resilience.

Sustainable irrigation and climate feedbacks.

Agricultural irrigation induces greenhouse gas emissions directly from soils or indirectly through the use of energy or construction of dams and irrigation infrastructure, while climate change affects irrigation demand, water availability and the greenhouse gas intensity of irrigation energy. Here, we present a scoping review to elaborate on these irrigation-climate linkages by synthesizing knowledge across different fields, emphasizing the growing role climate change may have in driving future irrigation expansion and reinforcing some of the positive feedbacks. This Review underscores the urgent need to promote and adopt sustainable irrigation, especially in regions dominated by strong, positive feedbacks.

Faktor Pengelolaan Operasi dan Pemeliharaan Irigasi Di Kabupaten Tanah Datar

In recent years, the Tanah Datar district government has focused more on the physical implementation of irrigation area development and has not prioritized the budget for operating and maintenance costs so that there are still many Irrigation Areas (DI) whose irrigation infrastructure is not functioning properly with a high level of network damage that requires high costs. In addition, low awareness of the provision of operational and maintenance (OP) funds, limited human resources for OP staff, and the participation of groups of farmers using water (P3A) or a combination of groups of farmers using water (GP3A) is also not optimal. In order to function optimally and can be used for a long time, the irrigation that has been built needs to be maintained and managed systemically and to develop an optimal operating and maintenance management framework. The purpose of this study was to identify the dominant factors and factors that influence the operation and maintenance of irrigation networks in Tanah Datar District, as well as to optimize the operation and maintenance of the network. This study used a quantitative method by distributing questionnaires to respondents. The results of the research conducted revealed that there were 2 factors that influenced the operation and maintenance of irrigation networks in Tanah Datar Regency, namely the condition of physical infrastructure and supporting facilities and P3A Personnel Organization and Institutions..

Geospatial data and web based tools for managing irrigation infrastructure expansion projects

AbstractImproving irrigation infrastructure is important for sustaining food security in developing countries like India. The irrigation potential of a system is estimated at the planning phase using conventional approaches. A mismatch in the irrigation potential planned to be created and the land suitable for cultivation can lead to a gap in the irrigation potential created and utilized, making the scheme unrealistic and uneconomical. This study aims to use geospatial data and geographic information system (GIS) tools to identify land suitable for cultivation when planning an irrigation system. This study was conducted in Telangana State in India, where the projected irrigation potential creation was 5 million ha (Mha). It was observed that the total land suitable for cultivation in the state, considering the soil's topography, and physical and chemical characteristics, is about 6 Mha. Time series of average monthly Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) over a 10‐year period was used to identify the critical blocks. The study illustrates how the geospatial data derived from remote sensing and recent GIS tools can aid managers in planning, implementing, and monitoring irrigation projects. The study also demonstrates how long‐term satellite information can be used for regional prioritizationprioritisation for constructing irrigation infrastructure and postconstruction impact assessment. This study was conducted as part of the Young Water Professions (YWP) Training program, which allowed the participants to develop professional competencies and implement their learning in real‐world situations.

A Study of Infrastructural Development in District Siddharth Nagar

Abstract: This research paper focuses on the study of infrastructural development in District Siddharth Nagar, examining the current state of basic infrastructure facilities such as electricity, primary schools, drinking water sources, healthcare facilities, and irrigation infrastructure. The methodology includes a combination of primary data collection through interviews and surveys with key stakeholders and secondary data collection from government reports and relevant sources. The findings reveal that all villages in the district are electrified, with approximately 70% of the villages having primary schools. Hand pumps are the main drinking water source in the majority of villages, indicating a need for improved water supply infrastructure. The presence of sub-centers and healthcare professionals in certain villages reflects progress in healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, a significant portion of cultivable land is under irrigation, supporting agricultural activities. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to address gaps in infrastructure, including enhancing water supply infrastructure, expanding educational facilities, and strengthening healthcare services. Policymakers and stakeholders can utilize the study findings to formulate effective strategies for sustainable infrastructural development in District Siddharth Nagar, ultimately improving the socio-economic conditions and well-being of the residents. Further research and monitoring are recommended to assess progress and inform evidence-based decision-making in the future.

Agricultural drought severity in NE Italy: Variability, bias, and future scenarios

This study investigated the variability of agricultural drought severity, as depicted by vegetation indices, and the bias in identifying drought events when considering a stationary vs nonstationary climate reference. The work leveraged gridded climate data (NCEP CFSv2, CHIRPS 1981–2022), soil properties (OpenLandMap), satellite imagery (Sentinel2/Landsat, 2000–2022), and future climate projections (NEX-GDDP, 2050) together with local knowledge of selected farms, to augment drought monitoring techniques and identify potential issues for agriculture. For the study domain, significant differences were observed when comparing drought characteristics using stationary and nonstationary drought indexes, with biases being not ubiquitous in either space or time of year. When developing sustainable drought mitigation and adaptation strategies, decision-makers should carefully address this uncertainty to avoid a possible underestimation of drought magnitude. Results showed a drought increase (∼50%) by the mid and late twenty-first century. Projection of future climate highlighted an even more significant impact (∼80%) with a wide variability of risk across the domain. As drought impact was also related to soil organic carbon (SOC), our results suggest that improving SOC content could be a sustainable strategy for enhancing soil drought resilience, especially in areas commonly characterized by low concentrations of organic carbon and nutrients. The analysis highlighted that drought impacts were also modulated by investment in irrigation infrastructure and irrigation efficiency. Researchers and land managers could apply the proposed analysis design to address historical, current and future indicators of vegetation conditions within irrigated regions. By providing spatio-temporal information on the patterns of drought impacts and their bias, this study supports identifying priority regions for targeted drought risk reduction and adaptation options, including water resources and soil management sustainability criteria, to move towards more resilient agricultural systems.

Transdisciplinary approach for planning the expansion of irrigation infrastructure at a regional scale

AbstractThe focus on irrigation infrastructure development in countries like India, including a significant allocation of the government's budget, highlights the importance of achieving a high benefit–cost ratio for these projects. However, past reviews have revealed instances where irrigation projects yielded low benefits. To address this issue and ensure a more effective evaluation of future projects, it is crucial to develop multi‐criteria and transdisciplinary approaches. In the context of Telangana, India, a study was conducted to determine cultivable land using a multi‐criteria and transdisciplinary approach. This approach aimed to provide assistance to managers involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of irrigation schemes. The study was undertaken as part of the Indian Young Water Professionals (IYWP) training program in 2022. The project followed a journey outlined within this paper as part of the training program. It utilized the Situation Understanding and Improvement Project (SUIP) as an inquiry‐based learning design program. This initiative facilitated the understanding and implementation of transdisciplinary learning approaches learned during the training program. The SUIP project demonstrated the benefits of incorporating a multi‐criteria framework, known as the [I]NSPECT model, into the decision‐making process. The [I]NSPECT model considers various perspectives, including individual, natural, social, political, economic, cultural, and technical factors. By incorporating these perspectives, the decision‐making process becomes more comprehensive and holistic. Overall, this study highlights the importance of adopting multi‐criteria and transdisciplinary approaches for evaluating irrigation projects. By incorporating diverse perspectives and considering various factors, it becomes possible to enhance the effectiveness of decision‐making processes in the realm of irrigation infrastructure development. The study concluded that the absence of transdisciplinary approaches, the inefficient techno‐managerial performance of governmental workplaces, and the non‐use of technological advancements to the fullest are primary reasons for gaps in the irrigation potential created and utilized in the State.

How Useful? Fish-Friendly Irrigation Guidelines for the Lower Mekong Lack Definition in Five Key Areas.

A proliferation of irrigation infrastructure throughout the Mekong River has impacted the ability of certain fish species to migrate to fulfil their lifecycle. In response, fishways, a type of fish-friendly irrigation structure, have been developed to provide passage for these fish. In recent years, several guidelines documents providing guidance on fish-friendly irrigation structures and their construction have been published. The development process from guideline inception to publication is unclear, while their purpose, audience, and contribution to fishway practice are vague. This study is the first to review the development of three fish-friendly guideline documents, using structural criteria analysis, combined with qualitative data from 27 key informant interviews. It aimed to understand document elements such as purpose, audience, scope, and framing. The results showed reviewed guideline utility and impact could be improved by attention to five key aspects, namely: definition of target audience; engagement of target audience in guideline design; definition of guideline scope; specificity of recommendations; and evaluation. Attention to these 5 aspects may result in guidelines that are perceived as more useful by their target audience and have greater impact on water management practice.

Application of Digital Twin in the Industry of Axial Hollow-Wall Pipes

With the increasing demand for automation in agriculture, more and more researchers are exploring the application of digital twin in agricultural production. However, existing studies have predominantly focused on enhancing resource utilization efficiency and improving irrigation control systems in agricultural production through the implementation of digital twins. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable research gap when it comes to applying digital twins specifically to buried water conveyance pipelines within an agricultural irrigation infrastructure. Focusing on the long-term performance requirements of buried pipelines in agricultural irrigation and drainage, this study established a digital twin system for the industry of axial hollow-wall pipes with an outer diameter of 200 mm, specifically designed for this field of operation. The system was used to optimize the end-forming process of axial hollow-wall pipes, resulting in improved leak tightness under internal pressure and angular deflection of the pipes. The study suggests that the most effective method for the end-forming process of axial hollow-wall pipes is to heat the pipe for 60 s at the ambient temperature of 15 °C, with heating temperatures of 225 °C on both the inner and outer sides. Additionally, preheating the stamping equipment to 70 °C and controlling the cooling temperature, during pipe detachment, to between 35 °C and 45 °C is recommended. In terms of the leak tightness under internal pressure and angular deviation, the study found that increasing the thickness of the protruding end of the sealing ring to 16 mm, and shortening the chamfer length to 20 mm, while maintaining the same slope, can enhance the sealing effectiveness of the pipeline interface. The implementation of the digital twin system improves the production efficiency of the hollow pipe production line during the end-forming process, resulting in a yield rate of the pipe of up to 95% for qualified products. Moreover, the system provides intelligent closed-loop feedback which ensures the long-term operation and maintenance of the pipelines, making it easier to identify problems and implement design improvements. By doing so, it contributes to ensuring the long-term stability of related agricultural production.

Protecting Our Investments in Irrigation Infrastructure‐ Past Experiences and Future Directions

Protecting Our Investments in Irrigation Infrastructure‐ Past Experiences and Future Directions

Root Cause Analysis of Recurrent Irrigation System Destruction in Jowhar District, Middle Shabelle Region, Somalia

Governments have historically considered irrigated agriculture as a way to stabilize rural communities, increase rural incomes, and meet the growing population's requirements for food and fiber. In Somalia, irrigation development started during the Italian colonization era of 1920s for the purpose of banana cultivation. The majority of these infrastructural investments were made in Middle Shabelle. The central government's fall in 1991 left the Somali government become weak financially and unable to finance the maintenance and operation of the irrigation infrastructure. The main objective of this research is to identify the root causes of recurrent irrigation system destruction after their rehabilitation in the Jowhar district of the Middle Shabelle Region, Somalia. Two sub-objectives of the study were to assess how insufficient institutional capacity and financing affected the failure of irrigation canals in the Jowhar District. In the study, 28 participants participated. A mixed-methods strategy was used to conduct the research, which included surveys, field observations, and interviews. The questionnaire is divided into three sections, each of which has a question about management, design, and financing. The final section investigates how inadequate institutional capability contributes to canals failure. This study examined the relationship between finance availability and institutional capacity with regard to canal failures and concluded that finance availability is positively correlated to the failure of irrigation canal and also low institutional capacity have moderately positive correlation with failures of irrigation canal.

A comparative analysis of social vulnerability to household food security of Raya Kobo and Raya Alamata Weredas, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Ethiopia’s neighboring weredas, Raya Alamata in Tigray and Raya Kobo in Amhara regional states, to determine the reasons for disparities in household food security in the two districts. The goal was to see if there was a link between social vulnerability in terms of access of communities to basic infrastructures and food security among households in the two districts. It employed both qualitative and quantitative methods using the Aloui Zouhaier governance model. Despite their near proximity, similar work habits, natural resource availability, and land size, the Raya Alamata and Raya Kobo communities have a substantial gap in food security and social vulnerability, with Raya Alamata reporting 84% food insecurity and Raya Kobo reporting 24%. The study examined the degree of social vulnerability and food security of households, with irrigation systems, agricultural input consumption, extension packages, and other support systems being the primary variables connected to disparities in food security between the two weredas. Differences in social vulnerability and food security between the two weredas were mostly attributable to households’ lack of access to irrigation systems, agricultural supplies, and extension services, which were exacerbated by Raya Alamata’s ostensibly, intended administrative marginalization. The study recommends that basic social infrastructure, such as irrigation infrastructure, extension services, agricultural supplies, roads, standard education, health infrastructure facilities, etc., be provided to households in the area, and that the federal government should hold the regional and local government bodies accountable for the failures to ensure the provision of the services that could realize a reduced level of social vulnerability to food insecurity.

A simulation tool to optimize the management of modernized infrastructures in collective and on-farm irrigation systems

Irrigated areas face new, pressing challenges due to escalating energy costs for pumping, increasing cost of seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals, volatility of agricultural commodities, pressure of environmental regulations, water scarcity and mounting cost of irrigation infrastructure investments. At the same time, from the technical standpoint, farmers can chose from a wide array of irrigation design and operation alternatives for collective and on-farm systems, with variable effects on crop yield and profitability. These factors are often subjected to quick changes, complicating decision making. Simulation models have proven useful to support decision making in irrigation infrastructure, water / energy use, crop agronomy and soil management. In this research, new capacities of the Ador-Simulation software are reported, targeting comprehensive analyses of irrigation modernization. The model implements additional on-farm irrigation methods (low-pressure solid-set, center-pivot and drip irrigation); crop intensification (double cropping in the same season); and crop response to different on-farm irrigation management options (timing and frequency). Model performance was verified using a set of theoretical case studies. Finally, the model was applied to the optimization of irrigation design and management (water and energy) in the Bardenas XI project of northeastern Spain. Water application in center-pivot and drip irrigation were simulated using a normal distribution characterized by a user-defined Distribution Uniformity. In center-pivot, the application depth was randomized in every irrigation event, reproducing the random nature of wind disturbances. In drip irrigation, the application depth followed the same random distribution in all irrigation events, reproducing the deterministic effect of manufacturing and hydraulic variability. According to the literature, the effect of irrigation timing was treated differently for two key sprinkler irrigated crops: corn and alfalfa. Differences in water application and crop yield between on-farm methods resulted in different gross and net income. In the Bardenas XI project, irrigation performance indicators showed different patterns of inter-annual variability. Deep percolation was strongly affected by the amount of seasonal precipitation and by Distribution Uniformity. Indicators at the plot level were strongly determined by the on-farm irrigation method, the soil type, and the crop. In the conditions of Bardenas XI, the design option without pumping station was the most adequate. Natural pressure proved sufficient for a combination of low-pressure sprinkler irrigation, pivot and drip irrigation methods, distributed throughout the irrigated area. Escalating energy costs emphasize the need for careful assessment of pumping requirements at the design phase of irrigation projects.

Effects of individual strategies for resource access on collaboratively maintained irrigation infrastructure

AbstractBuilt infrastructure for water and energy supply, transportation, and other such services underpins human well‐being and socioeconomic development. A fundamental understanding of how infrastructure design and user strategies interact can guide important design decisions as well as policy formulation for ensuring long‐term infrastructure viability in conjunction with improved individual user benefits. In this work, an agent based model (ABM) is developed to study this issue for the specific case of irrigation canals. Cooperatively maintained irrigation canals serve essential roles in sustaining agriculture‐based economies in many regions. Canal system design can strongly affect benefits derived by distributed users, regional agricultural output, and the long‐term viability of the shared infrastructure itself. Here, an ABM is used to investigate how an option to use an independent water source interacts with canal design to affect canal maintenance cooperation and farmer income. The independent water source is stylized as a well that provides access to groundwater and represents a strategically robust design option; a design option that reduces the implementer's utility vulnerability to unfavorable actions by other actors. Research in other systems has demonstrated that strategically robust designs can improve both implementer utility and the probability of collaboration. The results of this research, in contrast, demonstrate that the option of individual resource access, the strategically robust design option, as represented by a well, reduces cooperative maintenance in most cases. However, wells also improve farmer income, especially for downstream farmers that are most affected by water theft.

India’s Cotton Balance Sheet under Two Decadal Scenarios: A Review

India ranks second in the global cotton balance, next only China. Cotton is the mainstay of India’s textile industry, accounting for roughly 74% of total textile mill usage. India’s cotton production has increased due to the introduction and rapid geographical expansion of bollworm resistant Bt cotton. The objective of this paper is to compare cotton balance analyses and to investigate the factors that have influenced cotton development over the last 22 years. The pertinent arguments presented in this article support the analytical discussion of the cotton trade’s yearly trends. Between 2000-01 and 2021-22, there will be an average of 30 million bales of cotton produced, 5.6 million exported and 1.4 million imported by India. By adding observable carryover stocks, the entire supply of cotton in India has consistently outperformed the total demand. However, Indian cotton farmers face a variety of issues, including increasing production costs, unmanageable debts, stagnant yields, constant pesticide use, inadequate irrigation, a lack of modern technology, manual picking, vulnerability to contamination, deterioration in genetic purity, competition from artificial fibres, particularly synthetic fibre, fluctuating market prices and lack of CCI participation. To boost cotton output, governments must provide high-yielding, high-quality hybrid seeds and appropriate irrigation infrastructure.