The Participatory Irrigation Management Policy

After intense search we were able to find different types of irrigation systems that represent different forms of irrigation which are also the most commonly used in their category and generally here in the central valley. There are three categories that form the irrigation system: flood, sprinkler, and drip. Flood irrigation providing us with furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation having the center pivot irrigation, and drip irrigation having its own beneficial water conservation uses, each which waters our crops but not all in the most effective way possible. Furrow irrigation for example tends to flood the crops with water in order to water them, which is not good for the crops as they will be taking in too much water and drowning. When farmers use furrow irrigation they use as much water at once in

As we all understand, the Earth has many landmarks and it is these physical features that create an abundant and organized system within which we thrive. One of the most abundant natural resources on the planet is water and the importance of this element is as crucial as any other. For the fortunate few who get to utilize it, this amazing reserve provides us with our necessity for daily consumption as well as our ability to grow just about anything we please. Common irrigation practices are essential for gathering water into a contained area to grow crops that would not typically survive in areas without heavy rainfall. As a matter of fact, “irrigation is an ancient practice that originated along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in what is now Iraq” and is now the result of an estimated 40 percent of all crops grown around the world (Water Encyclopedia). This tactic has provided many different cultures with numerous varieties of crops as well as growth in crop yield which in turn dramatically advances human civilization. As we develop into a more progressive society, the tools and systems used to grow our crops also become more intelligent as well as sustainable

Using named examples, assess the contribution of large scale water management projects in increasing water security. 15 Water security means having access to sufficient, safe, clean and affordable water. Theoretically, the world’s poorer countries are the most water insecure, suffering from both physical and economic water scarcity. One solution to tackle water insecurity is through large scale water projects for example the Three Gorges project in China, the South-North transfer project also in China and the restoration of the Aral Sea. However there is much controversy over whether these schemes are actually sustainable and therefore beneficial in the long run. The Three Gorges da project in China blocks the Yangtze River; it cost $50

(Hasan and Özay 2002, 73-74). As Albiac (2008) reports, development of pipe network distribution and drip irrigation methods in other countries led the farmers to have remarkable irrigation efficiency in drought (143). Such technologies have already been used in China, but they are not widely spread in China’s agriculture. One investigation in China on rice paddy irrigation systems development was performed and it revealed that using the fry-foot paddy irrigation (when no water flooded the field) instead of flooding irrigation (when the rice field is completely flooded) significantly (40-60%) reduces water consumption (Xiaoping, Qiangsheng and Bin 2004, 351). Furthermore, drip irrigation method was applied in arid Northern China and it raised the water usage efficiency (Du et al 2007). However, introduction of new irrigation technologies faced some difficulties in China. As Hodstedt (2010) noticed in his article, the water saved by these technologies such as drip irrigation systems was simply spent on more food production and, therefore, did not reduce the water shortage. Also, as he reported, this caused two other environmental problems. Firstly, the water, which was the supply for underground water and aquifers as it was lost by deep percolation and leakage, became unavailable after the water-saving technologies were introduced and this strengthened the aquifers depleting along with its overpumping. Secondly, after

per drop’. Irrigation has great significance in increasing agricultural production. The irrigation sector consumes 85%

According to worldatlas.com (http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-environmental-impact-of-irrigation.html), irrigation can have several direct and indirect negative effects on the environment. Irrigation is the practice of redirecting water from one place to another, and is a common practice in horticulture, agriculture and other fields. While direct impacts of irrigation include increased groundwater and evaporation in the irrigated area, as well as decreased waterflow downstream from where the water is being sourced. Changes in moisture levels in the ground and air can also lead to instability in the atmosphere.

Furthermore, the theme of Quality of Life also connects to my topic because of the environmental education farmers have. The methods used to supply water to crops are wasting excessive amounts of drinkable water. Therefore, it is necessary to educate farmers so that they can be aware of the water problems they face with every day. In addition, environmental laws would also force farmers to use proper irrigation systems and water their crops at certain times and days.

Since the turn of the millennia, there has been a greater call for the establishment of a proper framework for politicians, government departments, and non-government organisations (NGO’s) alike to refer upon when dealing with public participation and development (Monno & Khakee, 2012). Although there has been the construction of various public participation procedures which aims to quell this problematic issue which ranges from public open forums to the more formal proceedings such as government led initiatives and meetings, the distinctions between rhetoric and the reality has been far and few when compared in actual practice.

In Afghanistan in 1967 it was proposed by USAID to contract and construct a better irrigation system for the Helmand Valley to increase the ability of the local farmers to raise crops that could be sold at market to increase their annual income. The irrigation system at the time had been built between 1946-1959 by the Morris-Knudsen Afghanistan Corporation which had helped some, but was not reaching all the farmlands. With poor drainage and irrigation it was increasing the water tables and increasing the exchangeable sodium, the area was over cultivated leading to decreased fertility and organic matter of the soil (S. Udall, Sept.1967 pg3). The average farmer owns 12-13 acres that is plowed with oxen and a steel stick plow, the irrigation is brought into small basins with small dikes to prevent the loss of water, with this primitive water control the farmer is limited in his abilities (S Udall, Sept. 1967 pg3). USAID once again stepped in to further build the irrigation and drainage systems, which in turn would make the valley more fertile for harvesting and feeding crops.

At universities across America, and especially at a southern school such as Baylor, water is used in vast amounts each year, leading to large utility bills as well as a high carbon footprint. Therefore the irrigation systems at universities must be highly efficient in order to not be wasteful. Unfortunately, at Baylor we have major irrigation issues. The sprinklers overwater areas of the grass, leaving bog-like areas that are unsavory for anyone passing by, and many of the sprinklers rotate too far, therefore watering large portions of the sidewalks, not only wasting water, but also annoying teachers and students. If it was possible to reduce the amount of water used by Baylor then it would not only be able to reduce its yearly utility bill by a substantial amount, but also enables Baylor to be better stewards of the Earth by saving water and reducing its carbon footprint. In order to save water Baylor has to make efforts to fix the irrigation system. I propose a that Baylor hires the landscaping crew to find areas on campus where the grass is being overwater, reduce the amount of water going to those areas, and also fix the rotation on sprinklers that require readjustment in order to keep the water on the grass.

Furthermore, the stakeholders’ participation allow actors to voice their needs and concerns in the process of design and implementation (Birner et al., 2009). Also, it brings the closeness of farmers to other actors, thereby facilitating large-scale production and high marketability. Moreover, the stakeholders involvement in agricultural innovation system influence their decision and direction of production, market formation and resource mobilization (Anandajayasekeram, 2011). Also, their participation brings about better leveraging of human and capital resources for reduction of the transaction costs and reaching economies of scale (Klerkx et

While Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) have shown that they can be effective agents for alternative development within the post-development paradigm, it is not believed that they did so on their own. By addressing development and how alternative development differs from mainstream development this essay will show that development no matter at what stage is focused on the outcome rather than the journey. By clarifying what NGO’s are and how they are affected by governments, it will be argued that NGO’s are not free from the hierarchical structure that is modern day politics and that due to government structures and policies they are often restricted as they are not in a position politically to determine where donor and government funds are allocated. Finally by analysing two case studies of alternative development this essay will show that even though there are restraints, NGO’s are best situated to help the communities that are being “developed’ through participatory development in particular through alternative methods of education. By looking at the Bunyan in Pakistan this essay has shown that alternative education can open doors to those who would normally not have the access hence improving

Participation process to create fairness development program is a key for sustainability development. The development especially in village level or rural area should not make the people as the object of development. Although majority people who live in the village or rural are poor, youth and women, they are rarely involved in decision making process. They could not deliver their ideas or opinions because they could not have resources and opportunities (Oakley 1991). Marginal group on development process in the rural community may reluctant to participate because the participation method usually tends to become a one way communication therefore marginal group in community should be able to identify their strength (Minkler 1997) to be able to contribute in development process. Rural area in Indonesia especially marginal group has high illiterate or they had primary education only (Dhanani and Islam 2002). However, the data and information about the potential asset in the rural is commonly presented by statistical which rarely encourage people to learn about the meaning of information. A proper participation method is needed to strengthen the capability of the marginal group and community in rural area. Nowadays, Geographical Information System (GIS) is popular tool to use in participation process by using visual data and information which may be easier to interpret by the rural community.

Agricultural Water Demand (AWD), Agricultural Water Shortages (AWS), Available water for irrigation (D) and the annual shortage of the lake (L) for all scenarios are presented in Table 3.

With the nation’s population growing at a semi-average rate of 1.25%, it is without a doubt a need to have under control all the aspects of mitigation and irrigation of the land in terms of its people seeing that as of 2008, India’s approximate irrigated land totaled in at 663,340 square kilometers. Being the fourth largest economy in the world as per the GDP in 2011, India’s economic growth has expanded at a yearly rate of approximately 7% since the year 2000. At this growing rate, energy demand will