Irrigation Modernization Research Articles

An empirical analysis of irrigation modernization projects using the CGE model

An empirical analysis of irrigation modernization projects using the CGE model

Optimal Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Measures to Ensure Long-term Sustainability on Large Irrigation Systems

Observed and projected consequences of climate change on streamflow generated in the Pyrenees threatens the long-term sustainability of water resources systems downstream, especially those with high irrigation demands. To tackle this challenge, the participation of stakeholders in defining potential adaptation strategies is crucial to building awareness and capacity for the community, providing agreed solutions, and reducing conflict. However, there is also a need for a top-down approach to incorporate other, large-scale, or innovative adaptation strategies. This article describes a bottom-up-meets-top-down approach to estimate the optimal implementation intensity of adaptation strategies under different climate scenarios on a complex water resources system. Future streamflow projections were used in a water allocation model combined with a Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling process to obtain optimal combinations of measures to meet different sustainability objectives. The methodology was applied to the Gállego-Cinca River system in NE Spain, which relies on water from the Pyrenees. A stakeholder workshop identified storage development and irrigation modernisation as the preferred adaptation options. However, the modelling results show that more storage in the basin, especially on-farm reservoirs, is not enough to maintain current sustainability levels. This will enable the adoption of demand management measures that optimise water use despite not being among stakeholder preferences.

Irrigation modernization and the efficiency paradox: a meta-study through the lens of Networks of Action Situations

Infrastructure and technology investments that increase water-use efficiency (also called modernization investments) have become one of the most preferred solutions to cope with water scarcity in the context of climate change, increase productivity to satisfy growing demand, and save water to maintain ecosystems. In many cases, however, the higher efficiencies have led to more, instead of less, water consumption. This is generally known as the efficiency paradox or rebound effect. Understanding the processes behind the efficiency paradox remains a difficult task, given the variety of variables that either directly or indirectly factor into farmers’ water-use decisions and the strategic nature of many of those. This is even more the case when water is managed collectively by water-user associations, as in many irrigation systems worldwide. In order to better understand this complexity, our study applies the Networks of Action Situations approach to 37 studies of irrigation modernization investments in collectively managed irrigation systems. Through a systematic case review method, we identify 12 different action situations and 192 institutional, physical, and informational linkages that connect them. Although some studies report linkages between the modernization-investment and water-saving decision situations, many others relate them to situations typically associated with the collective management of irrigation systems (like the water application or infrastructure maintenance situations). A number of these situations, also including the water-saving situation, involve collective action problems that need to be integrated in current analyses. The solution towards more water saving may indeed benefit from a more active involvement of irrigation associations, given their proven capacity to promote collective action among farmers vis-à-vis other irrigation management situations.

Waterscapes of power in Bangladesh: The politics and anthropology of contested access in large‐scale irrigation modernisation

AbstractThis paper is drawn from ethnographically informed research undertaken in 2016‒2017 pertaining to the planned modernisation of two large‐scale irrigation schemes in Bangladesh, funded by the Asian Development Bank. The research confirms existing critical irrigation anthropology on the politics and power of large‐scale irrigation modernisation and related drive to privatisation. The modernisation of the scheme aimed to increase water, energy and agricultural productivity and to include a new higher‐level irrigation management service. Irrigation, it is argued, also has considerable social consequences because it defines specific patterns of cooperation and conflict in serviced agricultural areas. The modernisation of the scheme overlooked socio‐cultural, political and ethnoecological considerations largely due to complex institutional constraints and the existing social modalities of power. In the field, using the anthropological method, information was generated in order to better understand the various stakeholder perceptions of the modernisation program and advise on practical implementations. In particular, the research noted how and in what manner dominant and influential social and political alliances control these complex waterscapes.

Water Security Needs What Ought to Be Done to Increase the Future Water Security as a Fundamental Base for Social, Economic and Political Stability—The Case of Jordan

This study discusses the present water security situation in Jordan and delineates the required policies and programs to reach at a more robust and resilient water security situation. Although Jordan has achieved much in securing the different components of its water sector system, some components have still to be adequately addressed and others strengthened. Increasing the available water resources, which is practically only possible by desalinating sea water at Aqaba under sole Jordanian sovereignty, is found to be the most important and vital issue in improving the country’s water security situation. It improves the security issues of providing dearly needed additional water, releases the overexploited aquifers and saves them from depletion and quality deterioration, allows introducing new industries to Jordan, de-sharpens the conflict on the shared water resources with Jordan’s neighboring countries and is expected to render these conflicts to a problem of royalty on water resources and not as it is at present a social, economic, human, environmental and political conflict. Desalination will also make Jordan more resilient to climate change. Infrastructure security must be strengthened in Jordan both against natural hazards and against intended sabotage and damage. Water quality protection from pollution and deterioration has still to be adequately addressed requiring strengthening of laws and regulations and their application. The already delineated surface and groundwater protection zones have to be strictly adhered when licensing human activities in addition to implementing cybersecurity best practices. In addition, technology-dependent management tools have to be strongly advanced using integrated water resources management to ensure sustainable resource management, detection and repair of physical water losses and illegal water tapings, pricing water at its opportunity cost, irrigation modernization, strict environmental impacts assessment and application wherever water resources and water infrastructures are involved, and strengthening of training and management programs.

SWOT Analysis of Formation of Modern Irrigation Management Unit in DI Kromong (Kromong Irrigation Area), Kabupaten Mojokerto

Kromong Irrigation Area (Kromong Irrigation Area), is an irrigation area that already has readiness for the implementation of irrigation modernization (Sari, 2019). Hence, it is necessary to establish a Modern Irrigation Management Unit (UPIM), as an initial step to start the modernization of irrigation in the irrigation area. To find out the readiness for the establishment of UPIM, the data are needed for the existing irrigation management. The data were collected by firstly, interviewing irrigation officials in charge of the Kromong Irrigation Area. Secondly, distributing questionnaires to determine SWOT indicators to irrigation officials and the Association of Water Users Farmers Association (GHIPPA) in the Kromong Irrigation Area. Furthermore, the results of the SWOT indicators are weighted and rated to determine the Internal Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) and External Strategic Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS) of each irrigation management agency. The study found that the readiness of mandatory functions in UPIM at Dinas PU PSDA Provinsi Jawa Timur had the highest value in the TOWS strategy quadrant graph (2.41 , 3.17), followed by UPT Pengairan Pugeran (1.89 , 2.24), and UPT PSDA Brantas Korwil Surabaya (0.78 , 1.86). All agencies have more strengths and opportunities than their weaknesses and threats. Therefore, DI Kromong is ready to establish an UPIM.

Hydroeconomic modeling for assessing water scarcity and agricultural pollution abatement policies in the Ebro River Basin, Spain

Water scarcity and water quality degradation are major problems in many basins across the world, especially in arid and semiarid regions. The severe pressures on basins are the consequence of the intensification of food production systems and the unrelenting growth of population and income. Agriculture is a major factor in the depletion and degradation of water resources, and contributes to the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). Our study analyzes water allocation and agricultural pollution into watercourses and the atmosphere, with the purpose of identifying cost-effective policies for sustainable water management in the Ebro River Basin (Spain). The study develops an hydroeconomic model that integrates hydrological, economic and water quality aspects, capturing the main spatial and sectoral interactions in the basin. The model is used to analyze water scarcity and agricultural pollution under normal and droughts conditions, providing information for evaluating mitigation and adaptation policies. Results indicate that drought events increase nitrate concentration by up to 63% and decrease water availability by 42% at the mouth of Ebro River, highlighting the tradeoffs between water quantity and quality. All mitigation and adaptation policies reduce the effects of climate change, improving water quality and reducing GHGs’ emissions, thus lowering environmental damages and enhancing social well-being. Manure fertilization and optimizing the use of synthetic fertilizers are important cost-effective policies increasing social benefits in a range between 50 and 160 million Euros. Results show that irrigation modernization increases the efficient use of nitrogen and water, augmenting social benefits by up to 90 million Euros, and enlarging stream flows at the river mouth. In contrast, manure treatment plants reduce private and social benefits even though they achieve the lowest nitrate concentrations. Our study provides insights on the synergies and tradeoffs between environmental and economic objectives. Another finding is that drought conditions decrease the effectiveness of policies, and increase the tradeoffs between water availability and nitrate pollution. The results contribute to the discussion of designing cost-effective policies for the abatement of agricultural polluting emissions into water and the atmosphere.

Literature Study of Irrigation Management of Irrigation Modernization Based to Support the Productivity of Paddy

The availability of irrigation water for agriculture is one of the determinant factors that affect production, so it is important and strategic to support the success of agricultural business, especially in an effort to increase food production and productivity to realize food security. The Indonesian government has already spent considerable funds on the agricultural irrigation sector, but paddy crop production has not increased, so innovative measures are needed in handling it. The use of seeds supports irrigation modernization, and quality fertilizer is the right step to increase paddy production. The irrigation modernization plan will also be directed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the utilization of irrigation management funds through the development and management of participatory irrigation. A literature study is needed to explore the research about the potential, problem, and solution that support the direction of irrigation management system renewal policy in paddy productivity improvement scheme. The result of the analysis based on a previous study on IKMI and IKSI showed that the low score of the indicator (IKMI < 60 percent and IKSI < 55 percent) is on Human Resources, which include human resources institution/manager and human resources community water users (P3A). The use of superior seeds and balanced organic fertilizer will affect paddy productivity by 18.18 percent. The establishment of UPIM will be beneficial in fostering the management of modern irrigation systems and the use of quality seeds and fertilizers so that paddy productivity will be achieved.

Application of Data Envelopment Analysis to Evaluate Investments in the Modernization of Collective Management Irrigation Systems in Valencia (Spain)

Climate change and increased competition for water resources are generating growing concern about how to improve water-use efficiency in agriculture. In turn, this has prompted substantial investments in the installation of water-saving technologies in irrigation systems. The first aim of this research is to use data envelopment analysis to quantify, in terms of gross water savings (GWS), the local-scale efficiency of the irrigation policies adopted in an area of Spain suffering from a structural water deficit. Second, the cross-efficiency method is used to produce a ranking of the irrigation organizations analysed, in order to identify patterns of water-use efficiency performance that can guide future lines of investment. The results reveal that water-use efficiency prior to modernization is a key determinant of the efficiency achieved in terms of GWS at local scale. However, the investments targeted at irrigation modernization often have objectives other than water savings. These and other aspects should be taken into account when allocating public funds to irrigation modernization.

Orchard Level Assessment of Irrigation Performance and Water Productivity of an Irrigation Community in Eastern Spain

Over the last three decades, a great investment effort has been made in the modernization of irrigation in the Valencian Community (Spain). The initial change from distribution networks to pressurized ones and the shift towards drip irrigation systems was followed by improvements in irrigation scheduling, based on agrometeorological data, soil water content sensors, and remote sensing. These improvements are considered adequate for increasing irrigation water use efficiency, but it is difficult to find systematic measurements to assess its impacts on irrigation adequacy along with irrigation productivity in fruit orchards. This work presents the results of a four year assessment of irrigation water and energy use efficiency along with water productivity of a recently established irrigation community in the province of Valencia (Spain). The study was carried out at the orchard level and focused on two fruit crops: persimmon and peach trees. Six irrigation performance indicators, relative water supply (RWS), relative irrigation supply (RIS), yield performance (Yp), global water productivity (WPoverall), output per unit irrigation water (OUI), and the percent of nitrogen fertilization obtained by irrigation water, were defined and calculated for years 2017 to 2020 in 104 persimmon and peach orchards. The results showed that most of the farmers irrigated below the crop water requirements, showing RWS and RIS values less than 1, and there was great variability among farmers, especially in WPoverall and OUI indicators.

Protection against the harmful effects of water on the left bank terrace of the Lower Dnipro River

Relevance of research. In the area of ​​irrigated agriculture, one of the most difficult as to developing flooding processes is the area of ​​terrace drift within the ancient delta of the Lower Dnieper in Kherson region. The terrace area is located on a flat area within a large drainless bowl about 40 km long and up to 5-10 km wide. On the surface of the bowl there are large drainless depressions (Chornyanske, Novomayatske, Podokalynivske, Tarasivske) and many small ones.&#x0D; The purpose of the work is to establish the patterns of developing flooding processes and substantiate a system of reliable protection of the territory against that in difficult natural and water conditions.&#x0D; Methods and objects of research. The research was conducted at the research and production site located near Tarasivka village, Oleshkiv district, Kherson region. The results of the research were based on the data of reconnaissance surveys, long-term observations on the depths of the groundwater table (GWT), precipitation, space images, etc. In addition, it was assumed that the area is considered to be flooded if the depth of the GWT exceeds the critical limit, which for the study region is defined as 2 m.&#x0D; Research results and main conclusions. In modern conditions, part of the village and adjacent lands are subject to constant groundwater flooding and periodically surface water flooding. In the central part of the village, groundwater depths exceed the critically acceptable depth, which for the study region is defined as 2 m. The water and ecological situation in the village is significantly exacerbated in wet periods. Current development of flooding within the terrace requires the development and implementation of a more effective protection system. One of the important options for protecting the village territory is the construction of a horizontal drainage system, which is set up in the village and its surroundings. The depth of drainage is 3.0-3.2 m. The runoff is discharged into the North-Crimean Canal by means of a pressure pipeline. The surface drainage system should be represented by a network of trays and ditches arranged in the streets of the village and a collector, which provides self-flowing of excess water into an artificial reservoir - pond. Options for the reconstruction of the NCC, which provide for using the drainage capacity of the canal and the construction of a regional self-flowing reservoir, were addressed. The modernization of irrigation and drainage systems and implementation of the developed proposals will significantly increase the protection level of the ancient terrace of the Dnieper River against the harmful effects of water. The decision on a proposal is made on the basis of feasibility study.

The Operation Management Model of Intermittent Irrigation in Cihea Irrigation Area In Cianjur Regency

The availability of water for irrigation has been decreasing and the need for other sectors has been increasing rapidly over the time. Whereas, there are also several environmental damages due to the serious exploitation of natural resources in many places. This situation causes the irrigation system has to be managed efficiently and effectively. In irrigation modernization, the implementation of intermittent irrigation is the right choice, because it is a water-saving irrigation technology. The model operation of intermittent irrigation operation that is built is a calculation model to determine the interval of irrigation water provision and the amount of irrigation water, which begins with the planning of the cropping pattern. The irrigation operation management model with intervals of providing irrigation water for 3 days developed in the Cihea Irrigation Area, Cianjur Regency has an influence on irrigation performance. The paddy planting season in Cihea, Cianjur Regency with intermittent irrigation operation, was able to achieve irrigation water productivity values > 0.8-1.0 kg / m3 (advanced stage in modern irrigation management).

Irrigation Post-Modernization. Farmers Envisioning Irrigation Policy in the Region of Valencia (Spain)

During the last three decades, like many other Mediterranean states, Spain has intensively promoted the modernization of irrigation, focusing mainly on the introduction of pressurized irrigation systems. Following 30 years of investment, a shift in irrigation policies is needed to solve some of the deficiencies in this modernization process and to incorporate new measures to cope with upcoming challenges generated by international markets, climate change and other social and economic processes. This paper describes and analyses the results of participatory research carried out with the water user associations in the autonomous region of Valencia, in order to define post-modernization irrigation policies. A survey and 24 local workshops involving 304 water user associations were conducted during the irrigation season of 2018 in order to form an assessment of the sector and design new irrigation policies. The results show that after 30 years of important investment, the obsolescence of the infrastructure has become the current main priority, making farmers dependent on public subsidies. New necessities have also emerged, such as renewable energies and nonconventional water resources, which farmers consider indispensable in order to reduce operating costs and guarantee water supply.

Evaluasi Kesiapan Modernisasi Sistem Irigasi di Daerah Irigasi Krueng Jreu Kabupaten Aceh Besar

Irrigation modernization as a fundamental transformation of irrigation water resources management which aims to increase the utilization of human resources and services provided to a farmer in an effective, efficient, and sustainable manner based on the five pillars of irrigation modernization. This study aims to evaluate the readiness of modernization Krueng Jreu Irrigation Area based on the 5 pillars of irrigation modernization. The research method was observation, interview, and research documentation. The results showed that the index value of modernization readiness in Krueng Jreu on the pillars of water availability with a value of 10, the pillars of irrigation infrastructure with a value of 19.8. Pillars of the irrigation management system with a value of 14, the pillars of irrigation management institutions with a value of 9 and the pillars of human resources for irrigation management with a value of 6. The total value of the index for modernization readiness in Krueng Jreu is 58.8 which is categorized as sufficient, irrigation modernization is postponed and must make improvements within 1-2 years.

Automatic water level monitoring system based on computer vision technology for supporting the irrigation modernization

Measurement of water level in the irrigation channel is required to calculate the irrigation discharge so that crops can be irrigated precisely. Large irrigation areas require a real-time and accurate monitoring system that cuts operational costs. In a previous study, ultrasonic technology has already been developed and implemented. However, during the actual operation, visual verification is needed. To address the problem, an automatic water level monitoring system based on visual appearance using computer vision technology is developed. The image-based system works by automatically capturing canal gauge, identifying canal gauge in an image using colour detection method, measuring the length of the pixel of canal gauge, and convert it to an actual water level. As a result of the performance test, five photos were taken in 24 hours. One image was accurately measured by the microcomputer. This is because the intensity of sunlight affects the colour of the canal gauge so that the microcomputer incorrectly or inaccurately identifies the canal gauge length. A pre-calibration is needed to find a specific colour range for specific light intensity. Also a robust, less colour sensitive such as night vision imagery needs to be developed to overcome luminescence problems.

Modernization readiness analysis of Belitang irrigation system at region level using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method

Irrigation system management in the Belitang Irrigation System has some constraint that can be overcome by conducting irrigation modernization. Before implementing irrigation modernization, an irrigation system should be assessed to determine the level of irrigation modernization readiness stated by the readiness index of irrigation modernization (IKMI). The assessment of irrigation pillars was carried out in three regions including Belitang I, Belitang II and Belitang III. This study aimed to analyze the readiness of irrigation modernization in the Belitang Irrigation System and to determine the order of irrigation modernization development in three regions. Data was collected using 2 methods, namely walk through survey for irrigation infrastructure pillars and interviews for 4 other pillars including water availability, system management, institution and human resources. The assessment data was recapitulated and processed to obtain the IKMI. Then, decision making for the order of irrigation modernization development was conducted by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The result of determining the IKMI was 69.05, so Belitang Irrigation System was categorized as less ready for modernization. This showed that the irrigation modernization needs to be postponed and the irrigation system is improved for 1-2 years. Furthermore, the results of the AHP analysis showed that the order of order of irrigation system development and improvement for irrigation modernization started from the Region of Belitang III, then Belitang I and Belitang II.

System approach in research of technical efficiency of closed horizontal drainaged

The article presents generalized materials of long – term researches of technical efficiency of the closed horizontal drainage on the irrigated lands of the dry steppe zone of Ukraine. Horizontal drainage is a complex of hydraulic structures, which is a reliable system for preventing unwanted engineering – geological processes – flooding, secondary salinization and salinization of irrigated soils. Drainage provides the project ecological – reclamation condition of irrigated lands in most poorly drained and wasteless areas, where watershed plains and coastal lowlands are composed mainly of aeolian – deluvial loess with filtration coefficients of 0,25-0,50 m / day and depth. 0,0-20,0 from the ground surface are underlain by regional water resistance – red-brown clays with a filtration coefficient of 0,0001 m / day and less. Most of Ukraine’s irrigation systems are located in these natural and climatic conditions: Inguletskaya, Spasskaya, Yavkinskaya, Tatarbunarskaya, Danube-Dniester, Kakhovka, Krasnoznamyanskaya, North-Crimean and others, where irrigation systems and closed horizontal drainage have been built and operate for many decades. The soils on these systems are mainly dark chestnut and southern chernozems. The implementation of the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy in Ukraine for the period up to 2030 requires the restoration, reconstruction, technical modernization and further development of both irrigation and drainage systems, primarily closed horizontal drainage systems. This requires the generalization of all theoretical – methodological and practical experience in design, construction, operation and research aimed at improving the efficiency of closed horizontal drainage: technical, economic, environmental, reclamation. In the restoration of existing closed horizontal drainage systems, which was built in the 60s-80s of the last century and the construction of new drainage systems, the study of the technical condition and efficiency of drainage is a topical issue. On the basis of the materials of the conducted researches the integral, system methodological approach in researches of technical and reclamation efficiency of the closed horizontal drainage is developed, which includes: quantitative estimation of a technical condition of a collector – drainage network; use of regularities of formation of drainage runoff and drainage waters for control of ecological – reclamation condition of irrigated drained lands and efficiency of drainage functioning. It is offered to use the system of estimation of technical and ecological – reclamation efficiency of the closed horizontal drainage for the organization of monitoring of efficiency of functioning of each drainage site on all irrigation massifs.

Developing IT infrastructure of evaporative irrigation by adopting IOT technology

The primary key to the modernization of irrigation is the effectiveness of agricultural water use that should be supported by good infrastructure, including information technology (IT). The objective was to evaluate the performance of IT infrastructure in collecting weather data for evaporative irrigation. The system was set up under a natural environment since 10 July 2020 in the Kinjiro Farm, Bogor. The system consisted of three parts, i.e., integrated sensors suite (ISS), console (data logger), and the server, including the dashboard system. The ISS involved several sensors, namely: Pyr solar radiation, rain gauge, air temperature, and humidity sensors, together with wind speed and direction. All data were collected through the console and data logger and then transferred into a local computer server to the dashboard system using an internet connection. The users can access all data from the dashboard system as numerical and graphical data. The system showed a reliable performance, as all data were well properly sent to the server every 30 minutes. The weather parameters, including rain events, were correctly monitored every 30 minutes. All observed data were found to directly affect the reference evapotranspiration, a parameter that will be used for further consideration in determining irrigation scheduling.

Assessing The Influence Of Pandrah Irrigation System Performance Indicators Using Structural Equation Modeling

Pandrah Weir, built-in 1987, serves the Pandrah Technical Irrigation Area in Bireuen District, Aceh Province, with an area of 1.203 Ha. Its old infrastructure has experienced various damage that can decrease the irrigation system performance. The Pandrah irrigation system's previous performance assessment by both the MASSCOTE approach and Rapid Appraisal Procedure (RAP) evaluation suggested a service level of 3.05 (useful classification). This study assessed the effect of the variables on the Pandrah irrigation system's performance with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) operated by the AMOS program. The four leading indicators were irrigation service, Water User Farmers Association (P3A), operator Human Resources (H.R.), and irrigation operation modernization. The refinement of irrigation system performance analysis using SEM showed that results of the four irrigation system performance indicators, namely: 0.082 (p=0.768), 0.090 (p=0.273), 0.419 (p=0.287), and 0.606 (p=0.039) for irrigation service, P3A indicator, irrigation operation modernization, and H.R. respectively. Based on the evaluation of the four indicators of irrigation system performance, it is concluded that the Pandrah irrigation system's performance is good. This performance assessment provides a clear picture of irrigation water services, H.R., P3A being an initial assessment for priorities, planning, and scheduling to start modernization programs for irrigation system operations. Irrigation modernization aims to facilitate the operation and maintenance by improving the irrigation system. This modernization means that irrigation planning, irrigation operation, maintenance, and monitoring systems have been carefully calculated before proposing a new irrigation network. The success of monitoring activities requires the use of information technology.

Impacts of Climate Change on Food Production and On the Agricultural Environment

Despite the enormous advances in our ability to manage the natural world, we have reached the 21st century in awesome ignorance of what is likely to unfold in terms of both the climate changes and the human activities that affect the environment and the responses of the Earth to these stimuli. Globally the prospects of increasing the gross cultivated area are limited by the decease of economically attractive sites for large-scale irrigation and drainage projects. Therefore, increase in food production will necessarily rely on a more accurate application of the crop water requirements on the one hand, and modernization and improvement of irrigation and drainage systems on the other hand. These issues have to be analysed in light of the expected impacts of climate change and environmental sustainability. The present Editorial analyses the relevant aspects of these issues in light of the need to increase food production and for sustainable agricultural environment.