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
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
Swelling Population Increasing Urbanization Under-performing Irrigation Systems
Climate Change
The Problem – Stopping Asia from going Hungry in 2050
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
Asia’s Growing Population
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 20500
1
2
3
4
5
Year
Popula
tion (
billions)
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
Rural people have greater opportunities
Wealthy people have different diets
Requiring more water
Urbanization
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
Predicted Food Demand
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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
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
Under-performing Irrigation Schemes
Old designs Poor maintenance Inappropriate Design Despite large investments
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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
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
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
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How is Asia’s water obtained?
52%48%
South Asia
56%
44%
East Asia
Rain Fed Irrigated
68%
32%
Central Asia
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60% of irrigation used in China Flood and Furrow Cheap Ideal for rice
Surface Irrigation
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Use 70% less water 30% more efficient
use of fertilizer Prices vary Best for plants not
so close together
Drip Irrigation
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Adaptable Good over various
terrains Cover large areas Require large
quantities of power Prices vary
Sprinkler Irrigation
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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
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
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
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Water needed to irrigate crops could rise by 10% for every 1oC rise in temperature
Increasing the rate of evaporation
Underground Aquifers as Storage
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Underground Aquifers as Storage
120km3
60km3
In USA $215 million project Project started in 2001 Functioning in 2005
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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
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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
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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
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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
Prospects for Improving Asia's Irrigation 0737178
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