The document discusses modernizing rice irrigation and drainage systems in Cuba using a case study of Yucayo Farm. It analyzes the current rice production methods and challenges. The objectives are to develop a methodology to study modernization scenarios and evaluate policies to improve rice farms. The study uses simulations and economic analysis to show that relatively simple modernization actions like changed water management, laser land leveling, and reuse systems can significantly increase rice yields in an economically viable way.

1. Modernization of Rice Irrigation and Drainage Systems in Cuba. Case Study: Yucayo Farm 40th International Course on Land Drainage By: José A. Rodríguez Alvarez

2. Contents 40th International Course on Land Drainage 1.- Overview of Rice Production in Cuba. 2.- Objectives. 3.- Material and Methods. 4.- Results. 5.- Conclusions.

5. Objectives 40th International Course on Land Drainage 1.- To develop and apply a methodology for studying modernization scenarios in a rice farm. 2.- To evaluate modernization policies that can be extended to other rice farms sharing similar problems.

6. Material and Methods 40th International Course on Land Drainage Yucayo Farm

7. Material and Methods 40th International Course on Land Drainage ADVANCE DATA Advance front was determined at variable time intervals, locating flags at the edge of the advancing front. Irrigation Trial Irrigation Trial

10. Material and Methods 40th International Course on Land Drainage

13. Results (Validation of B2D Model) 40th International Course on Land Drainage Simulated Measured 10 min. Measured 20 min. Measured 35 min. Measured 50 min. Measured 110 min. Measured 170 min. Measured 200 min. Measured 230 min.

14. Results (Simulation Results) 40th International Course on Land Drainage

15. Results (Modernization Actions) 40th International Course on Land Drainage Water Management Laser Land Levelling Reuse System

16. Results (Economic Analysis) 40th International Course on Land Drainage

17. Conclusions 40th International Course on Land Drainage 1.- The performance of the rehabilitation scenarios is low. Distri- bution Uniformity and Germination Percent have been estimated as 66% and 65% respectively. 2.- Relatively simple mordernization actions as change in water management, laser land levelling and introduction of reuse sys- tems, can increase the Distribution Uniformity by about 20% and the Mean Germination by 50%, as well as, reduce the Applied Volume of Water by more than 60%.

18. Conclusions 40th International Course on Land Drainage 3.- Of all modernization actions, change in water management (increase the irrigation discharge of the first irrigation at rice basin level) has the highest positive impact on the performance of irri- gation and drainage systems. 4.- From the technical and economical points of view, sloping basin with reuse systems (Scenario III-b), is the best suited mo- dernization scenario for the predominant conditions in Field 19 of Yucayo Farm.

19. Conclusions 40th International Course on Land Drainage 5.- Increase the price of water could be a stimulating measure for introducing more efficient irrigation and drainage systems in the rice production sector of Cuba.