An Agent Based Hydro Informatics Approach for the Engagement of Farmers in Irrigation Water Management in Saudi Arabia

The use of software agent systems and technologies to simulate water resources management scenarios and improve the engagement of stakeholders in policy making is gaining paramount importance. Such importance originates from two main concerns or change agents. Firstly, the context of water management is becoming highly complicated due to the intensity of connections with other systems, the diversity of stakeholders and the multiplicity (and sometime conflicting) objectives of decision partners. Moreover, the domain used for capitalizing on water management issues is becoming planetary (as it is the case of shared basins) rather than being local (watershed, watercourse, scheme, etc.). As a result, the concern is not limited to the optimization of the utility matrix of stakeholders but additional attention is required to incorporate many emerging issues such as the maintenance of financial sustainability, functional mainstreaming and improving engagement to promote reconciliation and change of water use behaviors. Secondly, the recent technological developments have improved the processing capacity of hardware, software functionalities and the accessibility of telecommunication platforms. Such developments have been reflected in the improvement of the capacities of decision makers to address complex problem domains. Software agents' technologies possess the qualities that make them useful for the provision of decision support in water management domains. As it is the case of irrigated agriculture, software agents' technology can be used for the design of farm surface irrigation systems, the improvement of irrigation systems management and the enhancement of the involvement of farmers in the processes of integrated water management. This paper is concerned with the use of agent based systems to facilitate the engagement of farmers in Al Ahsaa area in the management of water resources. The government of the Kingdom is adopting a demand management approach for the management of irrigation water by discouraging the cultivation of water-consuming crops such as wheat and dates. Improving the ability of farmers to analyze alternative cropping patterns significantly affects their water use behavior.

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An Agent Based Hydro Informatics Approach for the Engagement of Farmers in Irrigation Water Management in Saudi Arabia

Agri-Food Supply Chain Management ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-1629-3.ch017 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 404-423

Author(s):

Tagelsir Mohamed Gasmelseid

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Use ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Software Agents ◽

Management Approach ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Cropping Patterns ◽

Agent Based ◽

The Government

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ORGANIZATIONAL AND ECONOMIC MECHANISM OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development ◽

10.37100/2616-7689/2019/6(25)/14 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 88-93

Author(s):

Kateryna Ryzhova ◽

Olga Mytrofanova

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Use ◽

Management System ◽

State Regulation ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Systems Management ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Economic Mechanism ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations

The necessity of a fundamentally new approach to the formation of a water management system and state regulation of water use has been proved in order to achieve sustainable water use parameters in the agricultural sector of the economy. The principles of integrated water management in irrigated agriculture are defined. It is shown that the formation of the model of integrated management in the water management and reclamation complex requires the introduction of organizational and economic innovations, changes in the institutional environment, transformations in the organizational structure of agricultural enterprises and public authorities. The essence of transformations of the irrigated agriculture management system is disclosed, which involves the transfer of irrigation systems management from state structures to non-governmental organizations. In this case, the transfer of powers and responsibilities from state structures to non-governmental organizations can be carried out with the transition stage of joint management, which is the most rational in the current conditions. Found that the formation of effective management system is impossible without institutionalization of a wide spectrum of forms of partnership relations between different objects of functioning. It is shown that the reforming of irrigation systems management should be carried out on the basis of decentralization with the transfer of water management and water operations to water, this will ensure that water resources and irrigation system infrastructure are managed effectively at the lowest level. The basic directions of improvement of the economic mechanism of development of reclamation are offered.

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Uzbekistan’s Aquatic Environment and Water Management as an Area of Interest for Hydrology and Thematic Tourism

Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism ◽

10.14505//jemt.v12.3(51).04 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 642

Author(s):

Jacek RÓŻKOWSKI ◽

Mariusz RZĘTAŁA

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Global Scale ◽

Aral Sea ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Natural Lakes ◽

Area Of Interest

The functioning of Uzbekistan’s economy is closely linked to the water resources of its huge cross-border rivers: the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, as well as to the groundwater present within their basins. Both natural lakes and artificial reservoirs (e.g. the Aydar-Arnasay system of lakes, the Kayrakkum Reservoir, the Chardarya Reservoir) are present there, which retain significant amounts of water, and large canals with lengths of up to several hundred kilometres which involve complex hydraulic structures are used for irrigation purposes. All these are components of a water management system which needs optimisation; as much as 80% of agricultural land is irrigated, with 70% of the water being lost due to inefficient irrigation systems. The consequence of this allocation of river flows and the overuse of water in irrigation systems has been the disappearance of the Aral Sea (1960 year – 68,900 km2, 2017 year – 8,600 km2) and the inflow of water into the Sarygamysh Lake as well as the reduction of Uzbekistan’s groundwater resources by about 40%. The intensive development of irrigated agriculture is associated with changes in surface and groundwater quality caused, inter alia, by the increased use of chemicals in agriculture and the discharge of collector-drainage waters into river systems as well as their reuse. The extent of environmental degradation in some areas (especially in the Aral Sea region) is unique on a global scale. The origins of Uzbekistan’s other hydrological tourist attractions are related to attempts to ensure the availability of water for both human consumption and industrial use under conditions of water scarcity in the country’s arid and semi-arid climates. Not just the spectacular watercourses and water bodies present there (e.g. rivers, lakes, canals), but also small water retention facilities and minor infrastructure elements (e.g. wells, springs and retention basins, canals, ditches and flow control structures) are of potential tourist importance.

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GIS and Remote Sensing Application in Water Management in Agriculture Field

10.14293/s2199-1006.1.sor-.ppvtpo5.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sassi Mohamed Taher

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Remote Sensing ◽

Water Resources ◽

Land Surface ◽

Remotely Sensed ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Remotely Sensed Data ◽

Gis And Remote Sensing ◽

Practical Applications

This document is meant to demonstrate the potential uses of remote sensing in managing water resources for irrigated agriculture and to create awareness among potential users. Researchers in various international programs have studied the potential use of remotely sensed data to obtain accurate information on land surface processes and conditions. These studies have demonstrated that quantitative assessment of the soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer processes can lead to a better understanding of the relationships between crop growth and water management. Remote sensing and GIS was used to map the agriculture area and for detect the change. This was very useful for mapping availability and need of water resources but the problem was concentrating in data collection and analysis because this kind of information and expertise are not available in all country in the world mainly in the developing and under developed country or third world country. However, even though considerable progress has been made over the past 20 years in research applications, remotely sensed data remain underutilized by practicing water resource managers. This paper seeks to bridge the gap between researchers and practitioners first, by illustrating where research tools and techniques have practical applications and, second, by identifying real problems that remote sensing could solve. An important challenge in the field of water resources is to utilize the timely, objective and accurate information provided by remote sensing.

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Opportunities for saving and reallocating agricultural water to alleviate water scarcity

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2017.143 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 886-907 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Brian D. Richter ◽

James D. Brown ◽

Rachel DiBenedetto ◽

Adrianna Gorsky ◽

Emily Keenan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use ◽

Water Scarcity ◽

Water Saving ◽

Internet Survey ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Irrigation Systems ◽

Water Savings ◽

Consumptive Water Use ◽

Water Scarce ◽

Consumptive Water

As water scarcity worsens globally, there is growing interest in finding ways to reduce water consumption, and for reallocating water savings to other uses including environmental restoration. Because irrigated agriculture is responsible for more than 90% of all consumptive water use in water-scarce regions, much attention is being focused on opportunities to save water on irrigated farms. At the same time, many recent journal articles have expressed concern that claims of water-saving potential in irrigation systems lack technical credibility, or are at least exaggerated, due to failures to properly account for key elements of water budgets such as return flows. Critics have also asserted that opportunities for reallocating irrigation savings to other uses are limited because any freed-up water is taken up by other farmers. A comprehensive literature and internet survey was undertaken to identify well-documented studies of water-saving strategies in irrigated agriculture, as well as a review of case studies in which water savings have been successfully transferred to other uses. Our findings suggest that there is in fact considerable potential to reduce consumptive water use in irrigation systems when proper consideration is given to water budget accounting, and those savings can be beneficially reallocated to other purposes.

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Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Water ◽

10.3390/w12061538 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 1538 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

V. A. Tzanakakis ◽

A. N. Angelakis ◽

N. V. Paranychianakis ◽

Y. G. Dialynas ◽

G. Tchobanoglous

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Water Resources ◽

Water Use ◽

Water Availability ◽

Water Sources ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Total Water ◽

Natural Ecosystems ◽

Treated Effluent ◽

Critical Issues

Crete, located in the South Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by long coastal areas, varied terrain relief and geology, and great spatial and inter-annual variations in precipitation. Under average meteorological conditions, the island is water-sufficient (969 mm precipitation; theoretical water potential 3284 hm3; and total water use 610 hm3). Agriculture is by far the greatest user of water (78% of total water use), followed by domestic use (21%). Despite the high average water availability, water scarcity events commonly occur, particularly in the eastern-south part of the island, driven by local climatic conditions and seasonal or geographical mismatches between water availability and demand. Other critical issues in water management include the over-exploitation of groundwater, accounting for 93% of the water used in agriculture; low water use efficiencies in the farms; limited use of non-conventional water sources (effluent reuse); lack of modern frameworks of control and monitoring; and inadequate cooperation among stakeholders. These deficiencies impact adversely water use efficiency, deteriorate quality of water resources, increase competition for water and water pricing, and impair agriculture and environment. Moreover, the water-limited areas may display low adaptation potential to climate variability and face increased risks for the human-managed and natural ecosystems. The development of appropriate water governance frameworks that promote the development of integrated water management plans and allow concurrently flexibility to account for local differentiations in social-economic favors is urgently needed to achieve efficient water management and to improve the adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. Specific corrective actions may include use of alternative water sources (e.g., treated effluent and brackish water), implementation of efficient water use practices, re-formation of pricing policy, efficient control and monitoring, and investment in research and innovation to support the above actions. It is necessary to strengthen the links across stakeholders (e.g., farmers, enterprises, corporations, institutes, universities, agencies, and public authorities), along with an effective and updated governance framework to address the critical issues in water management, facilitate knowledge transfer, and promote the efficient use of non-conventional water resources.

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Potential Water Use Conflicts Generated by Irrigated Agriculture in Rhode Island

Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics ◽

10.1017/s0899367x00001586 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 8-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Arthur Gold ◽

Thomas Weaver ◽

Edwin Porter ◽

James Opaluch

Keyword(s):

Simulation Model ◽

Rhode Island ◽

Water Use ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Economic Value ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Residential Water Use ◽

Value Of Irrigation Water ◽

Rates Of Growth ◽

Residential Water

This study constructs a simulation model to evaluate the potential for conflict among residential and agricultural users of water in southern Rhode Island. The model estimates the profitability of irrigation of turf farms and projects the total use and the economic value of irrigation water. The results indicate that the economic value of irrigation water compares favorably with current residential water prices in the area. In addition, substantial demand for irrigation water is projected. Given current rates of growth in turf acreage and residential water use, there appears to be a significant potential for conflict, particularly given the absence of well developed institutions for allocating water among users.

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Unsustainability Syndrome—From Meteorological to Agricultural Drought in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Water ◽

10.3390/w12030838 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 838 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ali Torabi Haghighi ◽

Nizar Abou Zaki ◽

Pekka M. Rossi ◽

Roohollah Noori ◽

Ali Akbar Hekmatzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Resources ◽

Water Use ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Drought Index ◽

Agricultural Drought ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Fars Province ◽

Water Capacity ◽

Irrigated Area ◽

Semi Arid

Water is the most important resource for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, where agriculture is the mainstay for rural societies. By relating the water usage to renewable water resources, we define three stages from sustainable to unsustainable water resources: (1) sustainable, where water use is matched by renewable water capacity, ensuring sustainable water resources; (2) transitional, where water use occasionally exceeds renewable water capacity; and (3) unsustainable, with lack of water resources for agriculture, society, and the environment. Using available drought indicators (standardized precipitation index (SPI) and streamflow drought index (SDI)) and two new indices for agricultural drought (overall agricultural drought index (OADI) and agricultural drought index (ADI)), we evaluated these stages using the example of Fars province in southern Iran in the period 1977–2016. A hyper-arid climate prevailed for an average of 32% of the province’s spatio-temporal coverage during the study period. The area increased significantly from 30.6% in the first decade (1977–1986) to 44.4% in the last (2006–2015). The spatiotemporal distribution of meteorological drought showed no significant negative trends in annual precipitation during 1977–2016, but the occurrence of hydrological droughts increased significantly in the period 1997–2016. The expansion of irrigated area, with more than 60% of rainfed agriculture replaced by irrigated agriculture (especially between 1997 and 2006), exerted substantial pressure on surface water and groundwater resources. Together, climate change, reduced river flow, and significant declines in groundwater level in major aquifers led to unsustainable use of water resources, a considerable reduction in irrigated area, and unsustainability in agricultural production in the period 2006–2015. Analysis of causes and effects of meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought in the area identified three clear stages: before 1997 being sustainable, 1997–2006 being transitional, and after 2006 being unsustainable.

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Past, Present, and Future of Irrigation on the U.S. Great Plains

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.13620 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 703-729 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Steven R. Evett ◽

Paul D. Colaizzi ◽

Freddie R. Lamm ◽

Susan A. O’Shaughnessy ◽

Derek M. Heeren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use ◽

Great Plains ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Water Productivity ◽

Irrigated Agriculture ◽

Crop Water ◽

Irrigation Technology ◽

Irrigated Area ◽

Irrigation Water Use ◽

The U.S

Highlights Irrigation is key to the productivity of Great Plains agriculture but is threatened by water scarcity. The irrigated area grew to >9 million ha since 1870, mostly since 1950, but is likely to decline. Changes in climate, water availability, irrigated area, and policy will affect productivity. Adaptation and innovation, hallmarks of Great Plains populations, will ensure future success. Abstract. Motivated by the need for sustainable water management and technology for next-generation crop production, the future of irrigation on the U.S. Great Plains was examined through the lenses of past changes in water supply, historical changes in irrigated area, and innovations in irrigation technology, management, and agronomy. We analyzed the history of irrigated agriculture through the 1900s to the present day. We focused particularly on the efficiency and water productivity of irrigation systems (application efficiency, crop water productivity, and irrigation water use productivity) as a connection between water resource management and agricultural production. Technology innovations have greatly increased the efficiency of water application, the productivity of water use, and the agricultural productivity of the Great Plains. We also examined the changes in water stored in the High Plains aquifer, which is the region’s principle supply for irrigation water. Relative to other states, the aquifer has been less impacted in Nebraska, despite large increases in irrigated area. Greatly increased irrigation efficiency has played a role in this, but so have regulations and the recharge to the aquifer from the Nebraska Sand Hills and from rivers crossing the state. The outlook for irrigation is less positive in western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. The aquifer in these regions is recharged at rates much less than current pumping, and the aquifer is declining as a result. Improvements in irrigation technology and management plus changes in crops grown have made irrigation ever more efficient and allowed irrigation to continue. There is good reason to expect that future research and development efforts by federal and state researchers, extension specialists, and industry, often in concert, will continue to improve the efficiency and productivity of irrigated agriculture. Public policy changes will also play a role in regulating consumption and motivating on-farm efficiency improvements. Water supplies, while finite, will be stretched much further than projected by some who look only at past rates of consumption. Thus, irrigation will continue to be important economically for an extended period. Sustaining irrigation is crucial to sustained productivity of the Great Plains “bread basket” because on average irrigation doubles the efficiency with which water is turned into crop yields compared with what can be attained in this region with precipitation alone. Lessons learned from the Great Plains are relevant to irrigation in semi-arid and subhumid areas worldwide. Keywords: Center pivot, Crop water productivity, History, Sprinkler irrigation, Subsurface drip irrigation, Water use efficiency.

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