Water management and food production in China and India: a comparative assessment

Water Policy ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ximing Cai ◽  
Mark W. Rosegrant
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Comparative Assessment ◽  
The Other ◽  
China And India ◽  
Common Problems

China and India have different climatic and hydrologic features, which characterize their agricultural production; they have experienced different water resources development in supporting their agriculture. In this paper, we try to indicate diversified water management strategies for China and India based on comparisons between the two countries. We also address their common problems and perspectives in water management and agriculture. This paper concludes that China's major challenge is to improve irrigation by more efficient use of water. On the other hand, India may have a greater potential in irrigating more land, improving rainfed crop yields, as well as creating efficient use of water.

scholarly journals Water Resources Management, Technology, and Culture in Ancient Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Saatsaz ◽  
Aboulfazl Rezaie
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Water Governance ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Resources Development ◽  
The Past ◽  
Resources Development

Abstract. Iran is one of the countries facing high water risk because of its geographical features, climate variations, and uneven distribution of water resources. Iranians have practiced different water management strategies at various periods following the region's geo-climatological features, needs, tools, available resources (surface water and groundwater), political stability, economic power, and socio-cultural characteristics. This study is a brief history of water management in Iran from pre-civilization times to the end of the Islamic Golden Age (1219 AD). This study pointed out geo-climatological features have consistently been crucial intrinsic properties controlling water regime, settlement patterns, and other socioeconomic issues. These factors caused the early agricultural communities to emerge in water-rich regions of northwestern, western, and southwestern Iran. By the 4th Millennium BC, while water access became more difficult as population growth, economic activity, and urbanization progress, water resources' systematic development appeared in west and southwest Iran under the Mesopotamian civilization. However, despite all benefits, Mesopotamian water-based technology and administration could not meet all water demands in Iran's arid regions. For these reasons, qanats were developed in Persia by the First Persian Empire (Achaemenid Empire). No doubt, the Achaemenids (550–330 BC) should be regarded as one of the early civilizations that emerged in a land without sufficient rainfall and major rivers. In this time, idle and marginal lands of Iran and neighboring regions of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia could be cultivated through the spread of qanat technology, enabling large groups of peasants to increase crop yields and incomes. After a period of recession during the Seleucid Empire (312–63 BC) and the Parthian Empire (247 BC–224 AD), water resources development gained momentum in the Sassanid era (224–651). In this period, the progress of urbanization was expeditious. Consciously, water resources development in Khuzestan plains (Shushtar and Dezful) was crucial for agricultural intensification, economic expansion, and civilization development. The Sassanids wisely adapted Greek watermills to the complicated topography, limited water availability, and variable climate of Iran to produce food. Although the Iranians practiced a new era of water governance under the Sassanid rule (224–651 AD), chaotic Iran in the Late Sasanian and Early Islamic Period led to severe weaknesses in water-related sectors. After Islam's arrival, the Muslim rulers turned their attention from fighting to set up an Islamic civilization to break the socioeconomic stagnation. To achieve the goal, they opened their scientific doors to science and technology centers. Despite all efforts made during the 8th–12th century, the lack of creativity and investment in promoting water technologies, prioritizing political considerations over social benefits, occurring wars, and poor water management have induced the Iranians to lose their power in developing water resources. In today's Iran, the past water-related problems have aggravated by uneven climate change, population rise, rapid industrialization, urban development, and unprecedented changes in lifestyle. Undoubtedly, solving these problems and moving towards a better future is not possible without addressing the past.

scholarly journals Exploring Farmers’ Management Practices and Values of Ecosystem Services in an Agroecosystem Context—A Case Study from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 6567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Junior Choruma ◽  
Oghenekaro Nelson Odume
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Agricultural Management ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Provisioning Ecosystem Services

Globally, farmers remain the key ecosystem managers responsible for increasing food production while simultaneously reducing the associated negative environmental impacts. However, research investigating how farmers’ agricultural management practices are influenced by the values they assign to ecosystem services is scarce in South Africa. To address this gap, a survey of farmers’ agricultural management practices and the values they assigned towards ecosystem services was conducted in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Results from the survey show that farmers assign a high value on food provisioning ecosystem services compared to other ecosystem services. Irrigation and fertiliser decisions were mostly based on achieving maximum crop yields or good crop quality. The majority of farmers (86%) indicated a willingness to receive payments for ecosystem services (PES) to manage their farms in a more ecosystems-oriented manner. To encourage farmers to shift from managing ecosystems for single ecosystem services such as food provision to managing ecosystems for multiple ecosystem services, market-oriented plans such as PES may be employed. Effective measures for sustainable intensification of food production will depend on the inclusion of farmers in the development of land management strategies and practices as well as increasing farmers’ awareness and knowledge of the ecosystem services concept.

scholarly journals Water Management for Sustainable Food Production

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 778
Author(s):  
Narayanan Kannan ◽  
Aavudai Anandhi
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Sustainable Food Production

The agricultural community has a challenge of increasing food production by more than 70% to meet demand from the global population increase by the mid-21st century. Sustainable food production involves the sustained availability of resources, such as water and energy, to agriculture. The key challenges to sustainable food production are population increase, increasing demands for food, climate change, and climate variability, decreasing per capita land and water resources. To discuss more details on (a) the challenges for sustainable food production and (b) mitigation options available, a special issue on “Water Management for Sustainable Food Production” was assembled. The special issue focused on issues such as irrigation using brackish water, virtual water trade, allocation of water resources, consequences of excess precipitation on crop yields, strategies to increase water productivity, rainwater harvesting, irrigation water management, deficit irrigation, and fertilization, environmental and socio-economic impacts, and irrigation water quality. Articles covered several water-related issues across the U.S., Asia, Middle-East, Africa, and Pakistan for sustainable food production. The articles in the special issue highlight the substantial impacts on agricultural production, water availability, and water quality in the face of increasing demands for food and energy.

scholarly journals Scenario-based strategy development for integrated water management

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-368
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Water System ◽  
Cost Recovery ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Resources Management

This paper presents a step-by-step methodological approach for the development and evaluation of strategies for water deficient regions. The primary focus of the approach followed was the mitigation of water stress, while applying the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management and the EU Water Framework Directive. The participation of Stakeholders and end-users through consultations was a key point in the methodology followed. Stakeholders and actors were approached and their opinions on Water Management were collected and integrated into a list of measures and instruments suited and available for implementation, forming the basic assumptions governing the strategy formulation process for a region. Comprehensive scenarios were developed and examined for each of the selected options, through a prototype Decision Support System (WSM DSS), in order to obtain an initial ranking with regard to their suitability and performance. Then, the strategy formulation involved the integration of options on a regional basis in a set timeframe, based on their previous estimated performance and technical considerations with regard to their implementation. To achieve the set-out goals and principles two distinct strategies were evaluated and compared, one reflecting the traditional and current practices and policies, and one closely following the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The developed Strategies were evaluated against each other and against the reference state of the water system, using a set of appropriate indicators for performance, cost, environmental and social impacts. Alternative pricing schemes were also explored in order to achieve a desired level of cost recovery for water services, and determine its effect on Strategy implementation. The developed strategies were re-examined and adjusted on the basis of the cost recovery structures, to account for the effects of price elasticities, and an overall evaluation was obtained enabling a final comparison. The methodology is illustrated through an exemplary application for the island of Paros, Greece. On the basis of the perceptions of different stakeholders, alternative water management strategies were developed and evaluated, and recommendations were made towards the mitigation of impacts caused by the high temporal water imbalance in the island.

Characterising river character, pattern and behaviour in the Bislak Catchment: towards a geomorphic template to inform river management in the Philippines

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Louise Tolentino ◽  
John Edward Perez ◽  
Esmael Guardian ◽  
Carlos Primo David ◽  
Richard Boothroyd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
River Basin Management ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Type I ◽  
Channel Network ◽  
Land And Water Management ◽  
Geomorphic Template

<p>The design and implementation of water management strategies in the Philippines, where  precipitation is abundant and groundwater reserves are substantial, are compromised by extreme hydrometeorological events that create hazards such as flooding, bank erosion and landslides. Additionally, structural and institutional factors, such as responsibility for land and water management being divided among 38 agencies, inhibit integrated land and water management. Such a fragmented context threatens the sustainability of water resources and provide challenges for risk management. Integrated river basin management and master plans have been formulated to address catchment-related concerns which include water resources, disaster risk, biodiversity, mineral resources, and socio-economic development. These plans typically include assessment on physical variables such as hydrology and geology. One critical aspect that is missing is baseline understanding of dynamic river geomorphology. Such understanding of river character, behaviour and pattern is required to underpin scientific guidance from a rational evidence base that informs management applications. The Bislak Catchment (593 km<sup>2</sup>), north-western Luzon Island, is underlain by interbedded clastic sedimentary and volcanic rocks. It has a Type I climate which is described as having distinct dry and wet seasons. Early this year, the region suffered a prolonged drought which resulted to huge agricultural damage. In 2018, two severe tropical storms hit the area that caused destructive flooding to communities and infrastructure. In response, flooding and erosion are currently being mitigated by new and repaired defences such as gabion walls and concrete dikes. Satellite images from 1970 to 2019 show spatially variable channel change, in response to channel network and valley geometry. Here, the morphodynamic units throughout the catchment are described using the River Styles Framework which provides a geomorphic template to assess management trajectories. This approach is demonstrated for the Bislak Catchment, and is proposed as a template wider use in the Philippines.</p><p> </p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Water Management in the Urban Cultural Heritage of Myanmar

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-305
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Moore ◽  
U San Win ◽  
Pyiet Phyo Kyaw
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Arid Zone ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Variable Size ◽  
Ecological Zones ◽  
Scarce Water ◽  
And Control

AbstractThis article assesses indigenous perceptions of water through a comparison of the water management strategies at three ancient sites located in different ecological zones of Myanmar. Two of our examples are in the high-rainfall regions of Lower Myanmar: Thagara in the Dawei River valley flanked by mountains on the east and west, and Kyaikkatha on delta lands at the egress of the Sittaung River. We contrast these adaptations with the micro-exploitation of the scarce water resources at Bagan (also spelled Pagan) in the arid zone of Upper Myanmar. In the southern wet regions, despite the different geographical setting of Thagara and Kyaikkatha, the focus was on drainage and control. Multiple ramparts and moats were used to conserve the scarce water in the dry months between December and April and control the heavy floods of the rainy months between May to November. At Bagan, sited directly on the broad Ayeyarwady River, water management of inland streams and seasonal lakes maximised the gentle slope of the plain while also coping with intermittent flash floods in the rainy months. The sites of Thagara, Kyaikkatha, and Bagan demanded specific adaptations but are alike in the absence of extensive transformation of the landscape. This balance of manmade and natural elements provides common ground despite their variable size and urbanised extent, ecological setting, and occupational sequence to highlight the shared significance of water management in their long-term urban success.

Formation and problems of water resources use in Egypt

2021 ◽  
pp. 57-59
Author(s):  
Karolina Yu. Popova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
The Other ◽  
Arid Climate ◽  
Covered Area ◽  
The One ◽  
Artificial Origin

The article examines the formation and use of water resources in Egypt, as the most important producer of agricultural products not only in the Middle East, but throughout Africa. The intensification of agricultural production in an arid climate requires an increasing volume of water consumption, which implies, on the one hand, an increase in the water-covered area of artificial origin, and, on the other hand, the introduction of measures to save water and search for sources, first of all, through desalination.

scholarly journals Effects of Water-Management Strategies on Water Resources in the Pawcatuck River Basin, Southwestern Rhode Island and Southeastern Connecticut

Circular ◽  
2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Breault ◽  
Phillip J. Zarriello ◽  
Gardner C. Bent ◽  
John P. Masterson ◽  
Gregory E. Granato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Rhode Island ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Management Strategies

scholarly journals Water Management in Agricultural Production, the Economy, and Venezuelan Society

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Alejandra Moreno-Pizani
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Surface Water Resources ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Influence Of Water ◽  
Main Production

The availability of water resources has a direct impact on the economy of a country and the development of the main production processes, from agriculture, irrigation, and food production, to energy generation and water supply. The regional economic and social development is influenced by an adequate management of water resources because it stimulates the economy by expanding and ability to provide water for multiple uses, directly impacting on the generation of employment the improving the quality of life of the population. Venezuela has abundant surface water resources in the large basins. The northern part of Venezuela, where the highest percentage of the population and the main economic activities are based, face a severe water scarcity. Irrigation systems under public sector administration are characterized by large budgetary restrictions, with works for rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance generally carried out with inefficient results, due to lack of adequate technical supervision. There is a gap of official information that allows highlight the crisis that the agricultural sector has faced in the last decade. Another, very important aspect is Venezuela's severe energy crisis which began to present a deficit of electric power generation that has been alarmingly evident since 2009, which has worsened for more than a decade, causing the lack of electricity supply in large regions of the country for periods of time exceeding 100 h, contributing to aggravate the country's economic crisis. Due to the situation described, Venezuelan food systems have been seriously affected mainly by the advanced deterioration of irrigation infrastructure and the water availability on production processes. This paper explores and analyses the influence of water management on production Venezuelan economics and society, focus in three pillars representing the qualitative and quantitative relationships of water management and its impact on the system considering the aspects related to the sustainability of Venezuelan agri-food systems, analyzing the fundamental aspects for food production, main indicators related to the national economy, addressing the challenges to ensure food security.

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