Prospects for Improving Asia’s Irrigation. The Problem Agricultural Irrigation Solutions Other Irrigation Solutions Conclusion Prospects for Improving

Prospects for Improving Asia’s Irrigation

Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178

The Problem Agricultural Irrigation Solutions

Other Irrigation Solutions Conclusion

Contents

The Problem


Swelling Population Increasing Urbanization Under-performing Irrigation Systems

Climate Change

The Problem – Stopping Asia from going Hungry in 2050


Asia’s Growing Population

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 20500

1

2

3

4

5

Year

Popula

tion (

billions)


Rural people have greater opportunities

Wealthy people have different diets

Requiring more water

Urbanization


Predicted Food Demand


dry wheat grain, 715 – 750 litres of water maize, 500 – 630 litres soybeans, 1650 – 2200 litres paddy rice, 1550 litres beef, 50,000 – 100,000 litres clean wool, 170,000 litres

Water needed per kg of food


Under-performing Irrigation Schemes

Old designs Poor maintenance Inappropriate Design Despite large investments


Farmers take irrigation into their own hands

Pumping is popular because of low cost pumps

Provides reliable, timely and adequate supply of irrigation water

Due to poor government irrigation schemes


Effects of pumping

Adequate temporary solution

Represents the bulk of irrigation in Asia

Over exploitation Unmanaged Now 60% of water irrigated

in Asia in pumped from groundwater

Possible Irrigation Solution


How is Asia’s water obtained?

52%48%

South Asia

56%

44%

East Asia

Rain Fed Irrigated

68%

32%

Central Asia


60% of irrigation used in China Flood and Furrow Cheap Ideal for rice

Surface Irrigation


Use 70% less water 30% more efficient

use of fertilizer Prices vary Best for plants not

so close together

Drip Irrigation


Adaptable Good over various

terrains Cover large areas Require large

quantities of power Prices vary

Sprinkler Irrigation


Rice-wheat farming Plant wheat seeds into

untilled soil Seeds germinate in

residual water Conventionally the soil is

tilled then soaked Farmers can produce

higher yields and reduce production costs

Zero Tillage

Tillage - the agricultural preparation of the soil by ploughing, ripping, or turning it

Other Solutions


On-farm storage

Gives farmer control over water supply

Up to 60,000 litres could be lost per hectare per day

Enough to grow 43,000kg more of maize in a year


Water needed to irrigate crops could rise by 10% for every 1oC rise in temperature

Increasing the rate of evaporation

Underground Aquifers as Storage


Underground Aquifers as Storage

120km3

60km3

In USA $215 million project Project started in 2001 Functioning in 2005


Canal Lining

Badqool in Afghanistan to irrigate a further 30 hectares of land (+40%)

Allowing farmers to sell 20 – 30% of their harvest

This can prevent up to 95% of water from being lost

Paid for by IDA


1,300 km Tarim River in China flows to Lake Taitema which dried up 40 years ago

Lining canals with concrete over geo-membranes – cost of $485 million, IDA paid $275 million

saving an estimated 600-800 km3 of water each year

Increasing water coveyance efficiency from 60 to 95%

Large Scale Canal Lining


This contributed to an increase in production of (tons per year): 220,000 of wheat 82,000 of cotton 116,000 of maize

Allowing land reclamtion and land yield improvement


More focus should be on large scale sustainability projects, i.e. Aquifer storage and recovery and canal lining, getting the water to where it is needed

Better educating farmers on what the best type of irrigation is for particular crops

Conclusion

Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigated Agriculture

Questions


Part of World Bank that helps poorest countries

Providing interest free credits for programmes that boost ecomoic growth, reduce inequalitiees and improve living conditions

79 countires currently elligible to recieve IDA funds

51 countries contribute to replenishment of IDA funds

IDA – International Development Association

Documents

Prospects for Improving Asia’s Irrigation. The Problem Agricultural Irrigation Solutions Other Irrigation Solutions Conclusion Prospects for Improving