This document provides a summary of key issues from the President of ICID regarding managing water for sustainable agriculture. It discusses the growing challenges of food insecurity as population and biofuel crop area increases. It emphasizes ICID's role in promoting sustainable irrigation and drainage to improve water use efficiency and productivity. The President aims to strengthen capacity building, knowledge sharing, and support developing countries in addressing food and water security concerns through ICID events and collaboration with other organizations.

1. Managing Water for Sustainable Agriculture
2011/4
Also available at http://www.icid.org
Message from the President
Dear Friends and members of ICID family, biofuel crop area, global food security
scenario is becoming more and more
I am very pleased to write this first serious and complex. In 2010, the number
message as the new President of ICID. of undernourished population was 925
It is indeed an honour to serve as your million. There are enormous challenges to
President. First of all, I would like to achieve the MDG for food security.
thank you and all National Committees
for electing me as the President of ICID. Given these huge challenges, ICID will
ICID is the organization that I like to continue to promote the sustainable
contribute to and devote whole heartedly. development of irrigation and drainage to
I wish to assure you that I will do my increase irrigation water use efficiency and
best to uphold the Office of the President water and land productivity. Current global
and to work closely with all National irrigated area is only 19% of the total
Committees and members of various farmland of the world and about 55% of
workbodies in order to fulfill our mission. the food production comes from irrigated/
drained land. Irrigation has played and will
Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the continue to play an important role in
entire ICID family I would like to express increasing global cereal production. To further reinforce the collaboration with the
heartiest thanks once again to Iranian cope with climate change and water related international organizations.
National Committee and Local Organizing scarcity threats, we need to modernize The 3rd African Regional Conference
Committee for their exceptional work and our existing irrigation and drainage will be held in Bamako, Mali, from 29
efforts in hosting the 21st Congress, the infrastructure. Some countries have already November to 5 December. I am glad
62nd IEC meeting and the 8th International enhanced their investment in irrigation to tell you that about 200 participants
Micro Irrigation Congress very success- sector. Thus, the good news is that there including the representatives from FAO,
fully. My special thanks must go to are opportunities to extend new and the World Bank and other international
Prof. Chandra Madramootoo, President improved techniques and management organizations will attend this important
Hon., Er. M. Gopalakrishnan, Secretary measures for increasing water use ICID event. I will attend this conference
General, Vice Presidents Hon. Dr. (Mrs.) efficiency and productivity. and hope that this event will help the
Samia El-Guindy, Dr. Shinsuke Ota, and
There is an urgent need to strengthen the African region in promoting irrigation
Prof. Lucio Ubertini for their valuable
capacity building in irrigation and drainage development and contribute towards
contributions to ICID.
sector, especially in the developing addressing the water and food security
During the past 62 years, ICID has countries. Exchange of experiences, in the region. I am aware that some
dedicated to enhance the worldwide knowledge and information among ICID developing countries, especially the least
supply of food and fiber for all people by fraternity will make a difference for the developed countries (LDCs) have financial
improving water and land management and developing countries to increase their water problems to attend ICID events. In this
the productivity of irrigated and drained use efficiency and productivity, and help regard, we have to seek ways to help
lands through appropriate management of address their food and water security them. I am pleased to inform you that
water, environment and application of concerns. The world needs a strong ICID, CNCID will support 6 delegates from
irrigation, drainage and flood management which is based on the strength of our African countries to attend the 3rd African
techniques. ICID has made remarkable National Committees and various Regional Conference.
contribution to the sustainable development workbodies with the active involvement
In our member countries, there are many
of irrigated agriculture, global food supply of irrigation and drainage professionals,
remarkable and historic irrigation, drainage
and poverty alleviation. However, with especially young professionals. We need to
and flood control projects. These projects
growing population, water scarcity, impact work actively to strengthen the cooperation
of climate change, and expansion of among ICID National Committees and Continued on page 2/-
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage IN THIS ISSUE
(ICID) was established in 1950 as a scientific, technical • Report from Tehran Congress 2-3 • SonTek – Believe in infinite possibility 6
and voluntary not-for-profit non-governmental • New Office Bearers /Award Winners 4 • Conserving Rainwater for Enhancing
international organization. The ICID News is published Crop Productivity 7
• Key Recommendations of the 5
quarterly by ICID Central Office, New Delhi, India.
21st Congress and 8th IMIC • Tehran Declaration 8
ICID News 2011/4
1

2. are not only the facilities and structures our goals. I am ready to work closely with more and contribute more to the
for better water management, but also are all members of ICID family to fulfill the sustainable development of irrigated
the great cultural heritage. I am always mission of ICID. Currently under the agriculture, which eventually contribute
encouraged and moved by the wonders leadership of President Hon. Prof. Bart to global food security and poverty
of these projects and we can draw spirits Schultz, we are actively involved in the alleviation.
from them towards sustainable develop- preparations of the Thematic Priority 2.2
ment of irrigation, drainage and flood ‘‘Contribute to food security by optimal Best regards to all.
control schemes. use of water’’ of the 6th World Water Yours truly,
Forum. The Australian National Committee
No doubt, we are facing many challenges, is fully geared up in preparation of the
but we also have many opportunities. It is 63rd IEC meeting and 7th Asian Regional
the spirit of ICID family to unite and work Conference, which are only 7 months Dr. Gao Zhanyi,
together and to help each other to realize away. Let us work together to achieve President, ICID
Report from Tehran Congress
More than 1200 professionals, scientists, irrigation managers, policy makers, consultants, and students from 55 countries and
international organizations gathered in Tehran from 15 to 23 October 2011 to participate in ICID’s 21stInternational Congress on
Irrigation & Drainage, the 8thInternational Micro-irrigation Congress, and the 62nd meeting of the International Executive Council.
Photo: www.President.ir
H.E. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President, I.R. of Iran (inset) addressing delegates at the Opening Ceremony of the 21st Congress
T he 21st ICID Congress was opened
by H.E. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
President, I.R. of Iran. The event was
The event was hosted by the Iranian
National Committee (IRNCID) with the
leadership of H.E. M.R. Attarzadeh,
FAO side event on Investment in North
Africa; Australian Special Session; FAO-
ICID Special Session, Special Session on
graced by the presence of high profile Deputy Minister of Energy for Water and 6th World Water Forum, and the Young
guests and dignitaries - H.E. Pawan Kumar Wastewater Affairs, and Chairman, Professionals meeting. During the Opening
Bansal, Minister of Water Resources from IRNCID and Dr. S.A. Assadollahi, Session, three publications (a) Towards
India; H.E. Khalialian, Minister of Jihad-e- Secretary General, supported by several Sustainable Development of Tidal Areas:
Agriculture, H.E. Namjoo, Ministry of Ministries and National Organizations Some Principles and Experiences (Prepared
Energy, I.R. of Iran; H.E. Dr. Shavkat (Private and Government) from Iran. All by WG-SDTA); (b) Half a Century with
Khamraev, Deputy Minister of Water and the events were held at the magnificent IRNCID; and (c) History of Water
Agriculture, Uzbekistan; H.E. Li Guoying, IRIB International Conference Center in Ancient Iran, prepared by IRNCID
Vice Minister, Ministry of Water (IICC), Tehran. were released.
Resources, China; H.E. Eng. C.K.Chiza,
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Republic The theme of the Congress was “Water Post-congress technical tours to
of Tanzania, Pres. Chandra Madramootoo, Productivity towards Food Security”. Mazandaran Province on the north,
Presidents Hon. Aly Shady, Prof. Bart More than 200 papers were presented and Khuzestan on the south of Iran
Schultz, Peter Lee and serving Vice during the Congress. Besides the were organized.
Presidents and Vice Presidents Hon., and Congress, meetings of 30 ICID
Senior Officers from the FAO, ADB, workbodies, workshops and a large
and WWC. technical exhibition were held.
The other side events held were
ICID News 2011/4
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3. Challenges of Food and Water Security
President Prof. Chandra Madramootoo in his opening remarks at the 62nd Council meeting highlighted the current key drivers as -
the continuing food crisis and volatile food prices, climate variability - floods and droughts, competition from other water users,
population growth, Lack of water storage capacity, growing demands for energy and alternative fuels, changing dietary patterns,
weak institutional capacity, lack of investments in agriculture and water, weakened applied research and technology transfer
capabilities, and environmental and water quality degradation. The following are excerpts from his speech.
rising demand for water from industrial infrastructure rehabilitation and maintenance
Photo: IRNCID
and domestic sectors at the expenses of and also in research and development,
agriculture” said President Madramootoo. technology transfer, and in capacity
In the Province of Alberta, Canada, for development/ building," said the President.
example, the competition for water from
other sectors of the economy has been Groundwater irrigation has many benefits in
growing significantly. Adopting the package terms of its availability on demand and not
of improved technology in water application, been constrained by institutional systems and
seeds, fertilizers, and farm machinery, supply variability. In countries like India and
farmers in Alberta could dramatically China, tube well irrigation has expanded
rapidly, while canal irrigation remained very
decrease the irrigation water application
modest. Groundwater irrigated areas in India
from about 900 mm per annum in mid
is about 39 million ha, in China 19 million
1950s to only 380 mm today. At the same
ha, and in the USA it is 17 million ha and
time barely yields have actually increased
the area is increasing. Pres. Madramootoo
over the same period from about 2.5 tonnes
said that we must be concerned in
per hectare in mid 1950s to about 6.5
protecting our aquifers to avoid depletion
tonnes per hectare today. Farmers of
of groundwater resources. ICID needs to pay
T
“ he challenge of doubling the food
production over the next 25 years to
meet the food requirements of world's rising
Southern Alberta have come to realize
that they can remain comparative in an
international market and sell their produce
attention to this subject and that there is a
need to develop a better framework of
groundwater management and its protection.
population has to be met with the reduction across the world. "We therefore need to
in cropped area in many countries and the continue investment in irrigation
The Irrigation Sector Shift from Construction to Modernization:
What is required for Success?
On 19 October, the 8th N.D. Gulhati Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Charles M. Burt, Chairman, Irrigation Training
and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) San Luis Obispo, USA. He stressed the need for
improvement of irrigation performance through modernization of irrigation schemes while caring for the environment. Dr. Burt,
with his vast experience spanning over 33 years in irrigation project modernization, elucidated common pitfalls to avoid by citing
practical experience in the western USA. The following are excerpts from his lecture.
canals have diminished and should have
Photo: IRNCID
but most importantly: the irrigation sector
must do more with less (i.e., crop production a vision of re-organizing to meet today’s
must increase per unit of water and energy complex irrigation demands. “ICID can play
consumed), and the environment must be an important role in effectively promoting
protected. this new approach,” suggested Prof. Burt.
In the past, irrigation projects have tradi- Dr. Burt said that the shift to modernization
tionally operated as autonomous entities that must be addressed in a successful program
are answerable only to their own bureau- that will provide excellent service to farmers
cracies and regulations. However, continually while strengthening the environment. Such
increasing external pressures on irrigation programs require a dedicated cadre of
projects to improve performance no longer technical specialists with extensive experience
allow this to hold true. The main factors that in successful modernization. Developing that
impact not only irrigation agencies, but the cadre takes many years, serious funding, and
environment, governmental policies, and the pragmatic training – an effort that is as large
public in general are declining groundwater as, and more important than, building several
levels, increasing and more affluent popu- large dams. Modernization is expensive, and
D
lations, environmental restrictions for must be approached slowly with excellent
ecades of international irrigation
construction of new dams, and climate attention to detail. The good news is that
modernization development have
change impacts on usable water supply. there is tremendous potential, through
clarified certain requirements for success, as
modernization, to improve the environment
well as illuminated indicators of project Strong irrigation departments in most and increase the “crop per drop” of water
failure. Of particular importance are required countries were built with a focus on the and energy consumed, concluded Prof. Burt.
shifts within the state and national irrigation construction of dams and large canals.
bureaucracies, as well as universities. The Irrigation departments need to recognize that The full text of the lecture can be accessed at
irrigation sector faces numerous challenges, the days of construction of new dams and <http://www.icid.org/nd_gulhati_2011.pdf>
ICID News 2011/4
3

4. ICID Elects New Office Bearers Best Performing National
At the 62 Council meeting held in Tehran, ICID elected a new President and three
nd Committee/ Workbody and Best
new Vice Presidents and also ratified the appointment of the new Secretary General. Paper Awards
President Vice Presidents
Photo: IRNCID
Photo: IRNCID
Photo: Editor
South African National Committee on
Prof. Dr. Gao Zhanyi (China) was elected as (From Right) Prof. Tai Cheol, Kim (South Korea) Irrigation and Drainage (SANCID) has won
the 22nd President of ICID for three years term is the Professor in Irrigation, Drainage and Rural the 4th Best Performing National Committee
(2011-2014). He took over from Dr. Chandra Engineering in Chungnam National University; Award for its outstanding achievements and
Madramootoo whose Presidential term ended Mr. Adama Sangare (Mali) is the President of contributions to ICID activities. The Trophy
after the Tehran Council meeting. Dr. Zhanyi is the Mali National Committee (AMID) and was received by VPH Felix Reinders,
the Director, National Centre for Efficient Co-Director of the BETICO; and Dr. Gerhard Chairman, SANCID
Irrigation Technology Research. He has also Backeberg (South Africa) is the Director of
served as the Vice President of ICID (2005- Water Utilization in Agriculture at Water
2008). He is the youngest ICID President so far. Research Commission.
Photo: IRNCID
Photo: IRNCID
Photo: IRNCID
The 3rd BPWA was presented to the
ICID Working Group on Sustainable
Development of Tidal Areas (WG-SDTA).
Dr. Park Sang Hyun (Korea), Chairman,
Secretary General M. Gopalakrishnan will The 62nd IEC ratified the selection and WG-SDTA received the award
be retiring at the end of December 2011 appointment of Mr. Avinash C. Tyagi as
after serving ICID for 8 years. He was the Secretary General with effect from
honoured by presenting a plaque by 1 January 2012. Mr. Tyagi presently is the
President Chandra Madramootoo Director at the World Meteorological
Photo: IRNCID
Organization (WMO), Geneva
Winners of WatSave Awards 2011
Prof. Dr. Subhash for their work on “SAPWAT 3: Irrigation
Taley (India) has won Water Planning Tool”.
the WatSave Innovative
Mr. Jerry Erstrom (USA) has
Photo: IRNCID
Water Management
Award 2011 for his won the WatSave Farmer
work on “Participatory Award 2011 for his work on
Rainwater Conservation “The Willow Creek Piping
of Rainfed Agriculture of Vidarbha Region Project”.
The Best Paper Award 2011 was presented to
(Maharashtra), India”. Please see page 7. Messrs Yanbo Huang, Guy Fipps, Stephan J.
Messrs. Pieter S van Maas, and Reginald S. Fletcher (USA) to the
Heerden and paper titled “Airborne Remote Sensing for
Charles T Crosby Detection of Irrigation Canal Leakage”
The award winning water saving/ conser- published in Volume 59, No. 5,
(South Africa) have vation contributions can be accessed:at
won the the December, 2010. The award was
<http://www.icid.org/awards.html#watsave> received by VPH Larry D. Stephens,
WatSave Techno-
logy Award 2011 Executive Vice President, USCID
ICID News 2011/4
4

5. Key Recommendations of the 21st Congress on Irrigation and
Drainage and 8th Micro Irrigation Congress
Question 56: “Water and Land ness of water allocated to agriculture • The concept of crop water requirement
from economic and environmental needs to be reconsidered with the aim
Productivity Challenges” consideration, particularly within the to focus on the actual water consumed
Prepared and presented by VPH Dr. Saeed water stressed region. The definition of by crops. Irrigation technology should
Nairizi (Iran), General Reporter IWP should be framed based upon the be deployed to minimize the real water
different objectives, and scales. losses.
• Irrigation efficiencies should be studied
and recommended for planning and • Evaporation from the field is an actual • In order to achieve high water
decision making based on basin water productivity, other important factors like
water loss within the irrigation schemes,
balance rather than measurement at the proper agro-technology, improving the
which is not recoverable. So attempts
farm level. soil condition, better seeds, appropriate
should be directed to the technology and
fertilizer application, and above all the
Irrigation water productivity (IWP) is a management of irrigation planning and
• better farm management should be given
promising tool to evaluate the effective- operation to minimize such water losses.
due attention.
Question 57: “Water Management productivity especially in water scares the role of women and youth need to be
areas. given special attention.
in Rainfed Agriculture”
• Water harvesting through both micro- • Increased support to research to fill
Prepared by Dr. Theibe Oweis (ICARDA, catchments (soil water storage) and knowledge gaps on water management
Syria), General Reporter and presented by macro-catchments (surface and ground and associated aspects, especially on the
Dr. N. Heydari (Iran) water storage) are instrumental for impacts of climate change on rainfed
climate change adaptation in reducing agriculture and its adaptation. Besides the
• Policies need to be developed to runoff, erosion and floods in addition to research, capacity building is important to
encourage the use of water efficient and increasing water availability to farmers disseminate and apply improved practices
productive practices such as supplemental and crops. and technologies.
irrigation, water harvesting and other
rainfed farming inputs and tools. • Improved crop varieties and other • Access to markets was identified as the
Supplemental irrigation for early sowing cultural practices should be supportive to most important and work on developing
and for alleviating soil moisture stress improved yields and water productivity. markets in remote areas and improving
during dry spells in the crops growing access to markets in rainfed areas need
• Institutions should be developed in
seasons is very effective in improving utmost attention.
rainfed areas and existing ones should be
rainfed agriculture. Deficit supplemental
strengthened and empowered. Especially
irrigation can maximize water
8th International Micro Irrigation agricultural promoter’s researches to • Recognizing that increase in water
improve designs and to increase micro- productivity based on crop per drop,
Congress irrigation systems efficiency. it is recommended that climate change
Prepared and presented by VPH Felix factors and droughts be seriously
• Farmers should be educated while
considered, and local knowledge and
Reinders (South Africa), Chairman WG-On- shifting from conventional surface
modern technological information are
Farm irrigation to drip irrigation, especially
required to increase water use efficiency.
in case of trees/ orchards to avoid any
• Recognizing the priority of training adverse impact on their growth. (The Central Office, ICID has brought out
farmers to adopt pressurized and micro-
• Realizing that sub-surface drip irrigation Congress proceedings (printed volume) with
irrigation systems in countries with low
is more effective than the other drip ‘Abstracts’ and a ‘CD-ROM’ containing all
literacy level of the farmers.
irrigation systems in decreasing full length papers of 21st Congress and
• There is an urgent need for extending evaporation losses and deep percolation 8th IMIC, both in English and French)
and applying the results of the especially in arid regions and light soils.
Launch of On this occasion, MoUs were signed with
National Committees of Egypt, Indonesia, ICID-IGS MoU signed
Tanzania, Mali, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan
IRAN-IRPID to create a new ‘Knowledge Base’ and A MoU was signed between ICID and
exchanges by cooperative efforts. the International Geosynthetics Society
IRNCID launched “International Research (IGS) during the Council meeting at
Program for Irrigation and Drainage Dr. Mohammad Javad Monem is the
first Programme Manager of the new Tehran. The MoU was signed by
(IRPID)”, the Nodal Centre for Central President Chandra Madramootoo on
Asia and Middle East in Tehran on ICID-IRPID Centre in Tehran.
behalf of ICID, and Eng. Eric Blond,
16 October 2011 in the hands of ICID Dr. Monem may be contacted at: Council member on behalf of IGS.
Secretary General M. Gopalakrishnan. <monem@net.modares.ac.ir>
ICID News 2011/4
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6. ICID News 2011/4
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7. Enhancing Crop Productivity in Rainfed Agriculture
through Rainwater Conservation
Rainfed farming (aka dry land agriculture) is practiced on some 80% of the world’s cultivated land, contributing more than 50% of
global food production. The productivity of rainfall in most regions of the world is relatively low and there is a considerable scope
to improve through rainfall management and agro technological interventions. In Vidharbh region of Maharashtra State of India,
some 93% (5 million ha) of the cultivated land is dependent on rainwater for crop production. Due to variable and uncertain
rainfall in monsoon season, crop yields are quite low and unstable. Dr. Subhash Taley, Professor of Agri. Engineering and Director
Agro-ecology & Environment Centre at Dr. P.D. Agriculture University, Akola has been promoting since 2007 various low cost
innovative agronomic and engineering techniques of in-situ soil and rain water conservation and harvesting through farm ponds in
a participatory approach. Prof. Taley received ICID Watsave Management Award 2011 for his innovative water conservation and
saving contribution. A brief:
I n the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, contour cultivation the crop yields were
Photos: Subhash Taley
approximately 93% of its cultivated area higher by 39% to 88% and the water use
is rainfed, and crop production is signifi- efficiency of 0.55 - 2.67 kg/ha-mm was
cantly influenced by the monsoon. Rainfed achieved. Similarly trends of higher crop
agriculture supports about 65% of the productivity and water use efficiency were
rural population and is also the major observed in case of opening of alternate
producer of cereals, pulses and oilseeds. furrows in across the slope and in contour
in order to enhance the crop productivity cultivation.
and reduce the instability of crop yields
Square basins (20 m x 20 m) prepared Tied (intermittently broken) furrows in cotton
under uncertain rainfall situations, farmers
prior to commencement of rains enhanced
were motivated through participatory
the yield of chickpea by 67% and
approach to adopt packages of in-situ
rainwater use efficiency in the range of
rainwater conservation measures to
0.89 to 1.48 kg/ha-mm over the control
enhance soil moisture in-situ and also
trial. Green manuring of the basins during
capture runoff in farm ponds for “life
kharif (rainy) season enhanced the soil
saving” irrigations during dry spells. He
moisture content from 43% to 64%, yield
has worked with about 9500 farmers from
of chickpea by 38% and rainwater use
115 villages conserving an estimated 227
efficiency from 0.89 to 1.22 kg/ha-mm
million cubic meters of water on 21,000
over the control treatment.
ha in 2009-10, plus 50,000 cubic meters
were made available for protective Farm pond storages Soybean+Pigeonpea cultivated on contour
irrigation by promoting the construction layout with opening of alternate furrows
of 15,000 farm ponds, leading to a Runoff harvested from the cultivated fields
significant increase in crop yields. into farm ponds was used to provide
protective irrigation during prolonged spell
In-situ rainwater conservation of rainfall in kharif and moisture stress in
rabi (winter) seasons. A protective irrigation
Various rainwater conservation measures
through a drip system enhanced the yield
adopted by farmers of Vidharba region
of pigeon pea by 67% and water use
included modified land configurations like
efficiency between 0.89 to 1.38 kg/ha-mm.
deep cultivation, contour and across the
Two protective irrigations through drip
slope cultivation, intercropping, opening
system to cotton enhanced the yield level
of furrow in alternate crop rows and tied
by 51% and water use efficiency between
furrows (intermittently broken) etc. The
1.61 to 2.13 kg/ha-mm. One protective
study indicated that in deep cultivation the
irrigation to soybean through sprinkler Green manuring in basins
water use efficiency (kg/ha-mm) achieved
system using farm pond storage enhanced
was between 1.24 - 1.49 for the sole crop
the yield by 24% and water use efficiency
of soybean and 0.98 - 1.09 in case of
from 2.15 to 3.48 kg/ha-mm over the
cotton. Compared to shallow/ conventional
controlled field treatment.
cultivation, the crop yields in deep cultiva-
tion were found to be higher by 11% to Field experiences of last three years have
37%, runoff decreased by 8% to 13%, shown that the adoption of the modified
and the soil loss reduced by 17% to 31%. land configurations like deep cultivation,
The opening of tide furrows in cotton, across the slope/ contour cultivation, and
soybean, black gram, green gram and opening of furrows and tied furrows, green-
sorghum enhanced the yield levels by manuring, square basin lay out, etc., can Sprinklers irrigation using farm pond water
4% to 14% and water use efficiency from enhance rainfall storage in the soil profile
1.18 to 2.82 kg/ha-mm than the conven- and made available to crops in terms of during prolonged dry spells. For effective
tional field layout. In case of across the enhanced soil moisture, crop yields and and successful implementation of these
slope cultivation higher crop yields up to water use efficiency and reduction in conservation measures, strong commitment
50% and water use efficiency of 0.55 - runoff, soil and nutrient losses. Farm ponds of the Government agencies and full
2.67 kg/ha-mm were achieved. Similarly in provide life saving irrigation to crops participation of farmers is necessary.
ICID News 2011/4
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8. Tehran Declaration
The 21st ICID Congress, the 8th International Micro-irrigation Congress and the 62nd IEC meeting of ICID were held between
15-23 October 2011 in Tehran, Iran. More than 1200 delegates from 55 countries attended. More than 200 papers were presented.
Representatives from FAO, ADB joined the IEC events, given the importance of topics of the Congresses, and other sideline
joint meetings on Investment in Agricultural Water Sector.
While the Congress was focused on
Photo: Subhash Taley
considering the theme on “Water
productivity towards food security,” the
Micro-irrigation Congress deliberated on
issues related to “Innovations in Technology
and Management of Micro-irrigation for
the enhanced productivity.” As a result
of intense deliberations following the
presentations, the following
recommendations emerged:
1. Throughout the world the increasing
signs of water stress, accentuated by the
climate change are too imminent. The
changes in the pattern of precipitation
and temperatures impacts agricultural
sector severely, particularly the rainfed. measures in addition to optimizing water should be directed to the technology and
Increasing physical water productivity management. management of irrigation planning and
reduces the need for additional water operation to minimize such water losses.
5. Cost of desalination of water for
required in irrigated lands to meet the
agriculture use is prohibitively high. 9. Supplemental irrigation is the key
increasing demand for doubling food
Therefore water productivity efforts strategy, so far underutilized on a
production, meeting other water
requirements, while at the same time should focus on: regional basis to unlock the yield
providing sufficient water for the potential under rainfed water scarcity
(i) decreasing water losses in different conditions. Realizing that sub-surface
sustainability of ecosystems. phases of supply, distribution and drip irrigation is more effective than
2. As water becomes a more limiting consumption; conventional drip irrigation systems
resource than land and other resources (ii) improving irrigation methods, in decreasing water evaporation and
it is logical to focus on “maximizing optimizing farming, garden and deep percolation especially in warm
water productivity.” Creating an enabling green area patterns; and regions and light soils.
environment allows the adoption of
improved water management and other (iii) reuse of wastewater for agricultural 10. The concept of crop water requirement
rainfed agriculture technologies to achieve and city green areas. needs to be reconsidered with the aim to
this productivity increase. Where needed, focus on the actual water consumed by
6. Irrigation Water Productivity (IWP) is crops. Irrigation technology should be
the national policies can be changed
a promising tool to evaluate the directed to the systems which minimize
involving all stakeholders to encourage
effectiveness of water allocated to losses and hence moving towards more
maximizing water productivity by valuing
agriculture from econo-mical and water productivity.
water. A financial policy which reallo-
environment consideration particularly
cates to water use efficient practices and
within water stressed regions. Local 11. Water management practices and techno-
options can yield the desired results.
knowledge and modern techno-logical logies with high irrigation efficiencies
3. Rainfed agriculture is very important to information are required to increase should be studied and recommended for
enhance food security and ecosystems water user efficiency. planning and decision making, based on
sustainability. However, the rainfed basin water balance rather than
produces much below the potential 7. It is important to realize that irrigation measurement at the farm level.
achievable. Returns on investment in has only a part role in the crop
rainfed systems is high and hence production process. In order to have 12. There is an urgent need to improve
essential in many areas where with of high water productivity there are other designs and to increase micro-irrigation
supplemental irrigation, water harvesting important key players in this process systems efficiency by incorporating latest
and soil and water conservation in which should be aligned with irrigation research findings. Recognizing the priority
addition to facilitating access to necessary technology and management. The of training illiterate farmers to apply
inputs, better results are achievable. examples are, proper agro technology, pressurized and micro-irrigation systems
improving the soil condition, better in countries with low literacy level of
4. Impacts of climate change and droughts seeds, appropriate fertilization, and the farmers.
on rainfed production require more above all the importance of farm
emphasis and consideration. It is impor- 13. Recognizing that increase in water
management is to be emphasized.
tant to increase support to research and productivity based on crop for drop
capacity building in rainfed agriculture. 8. Evaporation from the field is an actual needs to be given prime importance in
Especially for understanding the impacts water loss within irrigation schemes, the 21st century.
of climate change and adaptation which is not recoverable. So attempts
Editor: Dr. S.A. Kulkarni, Executive Secretary, DTP: K.D. Tanwar, ICID Central Office, New Delhi, India
Tel: +91-11-2611 6837/5679, E-mail : icid@icid.org
ICID News 2011/4
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