Assessing the Effects of Practiced Irrigation Methods on Irrigation Water Demand and Allocation among Farmers in Kontsa Irrigation Project, Ethiopia

Increasing of demand for water, allocation of limited water resources, climatic variability, degradation of water in the environment and developing of policies for sustainable water use are issues of increasing concern in the Kontsa irrigation project. This study aimed at assessing the effects of selected irrigation methods on water demand and allocation among farmers in Kontsa irrigation project. The study employed both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected by interviewing 80 farmers, key informant interviews and observation of the project area while secondary data were collected from different agencies of Ethiopia. For this study Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model was used to model the current situation of irrigation water demand and also to create scenario for future irrigation water demand. The model was set up for a current account year in 2015 and last year of scenarios in 2040 based on the available data. Then the irrigation water demand of the project area was modeled while giving consideration for existing and planned developments in the area. The result from the current situation of irrigation water demand indicated that the demand was satisfied fully and the unmet demand under the base year (2015) was zero. Additionally, irrigation expansion scenario was created and the result of this scenario indicates the increment of irrigation water demand as compared to the base year and the reference scenario. The study also revealed that furrow irrigation and plastic buckets were the main irrigation techniques employed by farmers in the study area.

Socio-economic analysis of Baroda branch canal of Som Kamla Amba irrigation project, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

Irrigation system development results in improvements of farmers' economy, followed by livelihood sustainability, standard of living and social attitude. Present analysis focused on socio-economic status of farming families in the command area of Baroda Branch Canal of Som Kamla Amba Irrigation Project. The study considered survey sampling of 10 per cent beneficiaries in the Baroda branch canal command which consisted 150 farming families having 787 persons in numbers. The socio-economic indicators viz., the family structures, employment pattern, education status, livestock ownership, farm asset distribution, cost of cultivation, and cost of returns were analysed. Results indicated that education and living standards are of farmers was low which may be one of the reasons for not adoption of newly farming technologies. Cost of cultivation per hectare for wheat, barley, gram, and mustard crops were found as Rs. 28,503.00, Rs. 26,727.00, Rs. 21,184.00 and Rs. 21,697.00, respectively and net benefits per hectare obtained from these crops were Rs. 13,297, Rs. 13,023, Rs. 14,416 and Rs. 18,303, respectively. The pattern of ownership of livestock showed that the average number of cows in the command area was about 1.97 per family. The productivity in the area is average due to low inputs use.

Research on application of ecohydrology to disaster prevention and mitigation in China: a review

In this paper, the ecohydrology measures including water management and interaction of ecological hydrology were considered to take a holistic view on the impact of climate, ecology, environment, and topography on different types of disasters. In the first step, the contents of the grim disaster situation and the information framework of ecohydrology with disasters were evaluated. Nest, the creation of ecohydrology and its work with related disasters were summarized. Three disasters including flood, drought, and geohazard were evaluated and three examples (Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, Karez, and Ecological slope) have been separately discussed for considering the concept of the problem. Depending on the characteristics and potential for an effect in different disasters, there needed to be some challenges and opportunities for ecohydrology facing related disasters in various fields, such as National Space Planning, Sponge City and the ‘One Belt And One Road’ Initiative. Finally, some valuable conclusions were drawn on the application of ecohydrology to disaster prevention and mitigation. Furthermore, the key systemic settings between water management, hydrology, and ecology were described which is of the main importance for social disaster reduction, emergency management, and protection accident prevention.

Sensitivity of Irrigation Water Requirement to Climate Change in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions towards Sustainable Management of Water Resources

This study aimed to assess the spatiotemporal sensitivity of the net irrigation water requirement (NIWR) to changes in climate, for sixteen crops widely cultivated in four irrigation projects located in arid and semi-arid regions of Iraq. Using LARS-WG and five GCMs, the minimum and maximum temperature and precipitation were projected for three periods from 2021–2080 with 20-year steps (P1, P2, and P3) under representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5. Weather data available for a reference period from 1990–2019 in four representatives’ meteorological stations were used. The climate variables and other required data were inserted into the CROPWAT 8 NIWR tool. Findings revealed that the increase in the NIWR for the considered crops due to climate change falls in the range 0.1–42.4%, 1.8–44.5%, 1.2–25.1%, and 0.7–14.7% for the North Jazeera Irrigation Project (NJIP), Kirkuk Irrigation Project (KRIP), Upper Khalis Irrigation Project (UKIP), and Dalmaj Irri-gation Project (DLIP), respectively. Barley is more susceptible to changes in climate, whereas maize, potato, soybean, and millet are found to withstand changes in climate better than others. The novel outcomes of this study support optimal spatiotemporal allocation of irrigation water requirement and the sustainable management of water resources in a changing climate in arid and semi-arid regions.

Optimization of multi-objective cropping pattern using linear and goal programming approaches

Irrigation planning and scheduling are essential components of water management in irrigated agriculture. For this purpose, optimal allocation of land and water is required for optimization of cropping pattern under a set of limitations. In this paper, an attempt was made to optimize the cropping pattern for Barna irrigation project using Linear and Goal Programming (LP and GP) approaches. Three different objectives such as maximization of net return, protein and calorie values were considered for optimization of cropping pattern. The factors like amount of net return, values of protein and calorie, and quantum of water utilized for irrigation by LP and GP were considered for selection of best approach for optimization of cropping pattern for the project. The paper presents the methodology adopted in optimizing the cropping pattern using LP and GP approaches and the results obtained from the study. GP approach was found to be best for optimization of cropping pattern for the project.

Remote sensing techniques in mapping spatial variability of salinity in Kano River Irrigation Project (KRIP), Nigeria

Salinity has become a major issue in most large scale irrigation schemes, assessing the extent of the spread has become daunting and laborious. Remote sensing techniques were used to map salinity and develop models for extracting and identifying salinity in soils. Sentinel-2B optical imaging satellite with 13 spectral bands and 10 m spatial resolution was used. SNAP Desktop, ERDAS Imagine, and ArcGIS 10.6 software were used as the main GIS packages for building models and running functions such as input, output, analysis, and processing. Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) techniques were carried out for the assessment of the spatial distribution of ECe and to predict salinity level at different locations of the Kano River Irrigation Project (KRIP). Four models were developed, however, due to the lower Variance Inflation Factor (VIF), model 2 which is a combination of salinity Index and band 3 (Green band) was used in delineating the spatial extent of the salinity. Close monitoring of the salt development and application of reversal measures were recommended.

A multi-objective mathematical model of a water management problem with environmental impacts: An application in an irrigation project

The study proposes applying an efficient but straightforward multi-objective constrained optimization model for optimal water allocation among irrigation and environmental sectors. The model has been implemented in the Muhuri Irrigation Project (MIP), Bangladesh, where the irrigation systems lead to unjustifiable use of groundwater. This study explores how water can be optimised to increase agricultural production and sustain the local environment in the MIP. Hence, the paper has two objectives—to maximise the net return and minimise the deficit in environmental flow. The study uses a Non-Dominating Sorting Genetic Algorithm, NSGA-II, to solve the research problem. Results indicate that crops more profitable to trade should be cultivated. Furthermore, the rainfall has more impact on the net return and environmental flow deficit than water inflow. The findings of this study can help plan irrigation water and cropland resources and be a reference for further studies.

Time and Cost Performance Status of Sikta Irrigation Contract

Purpose: The government of Nepal (GoN) is implementing many small, medium, and large types of Irrigation Projects. Sikta Irrigation Project (SIP) is the National Pride Project implemented by the GoN. The command area of the project has 42766.00 ha and beneficiaries of the project have 46715 households consisting of 449588 population of Banke district. The paper aims to assess the contract performance in terms of the Time and Cost of the Sikta Irrigation Project, Banke, Nepal. Design/Methodology/Approach: Using secondary data of contract, content Analysis of Project documents review and Key Informant Interviews were used for assessing the contract performance. Findings/Result: Sikta Irrigation Project has a total of 52 contracts out of which consider for study based on documentation, only 18 contracts completed based on schedule time whereas 16 contracts behind schedule. However, 16 contracts are still on going far behind the schedule and one contract terminated. The actual expenditure of the project has 16.26 billion (64.90% of estimated cost) and the allocated budget was 18.26 billion (72.99% of estimated cost) whereas the estimated cost has 25.032 billion. It indicates that the progress of the project was 64.90% and fails to complete the scheduled time 2076/077. The client should prepare the project well before implementation with proper planning, designing, and detailed study from the beginning. Originality/Value: It is empirical research to assure the project performance based on lessons from Sikta Irrigation Project. Paper Type: Analytical Policy Research