Problems, current issues and trends on irrigation development for Near East region
1989
Arar, A. (FAO, Rome (Italy). Regional Commission on Land and Water Use in the Near East)
The future thrust of irrigation development will concentrate mainly on techniques that will systematize management decisions, reduce labour input and provide more precise and timely water applications. The socio-economic factors driving the evolutionary process of irrigation technology development are the need to reduce labour, management and resource input expenses, while at the same time increase agricultural output. New irrigation application equipment and new techniques and control systems are envolving from managing, conveying and applying water to achieve these goals. They provide automation which reduces both, management and labour input needs, while delivering precise and timely application of water. The consumption of resources is reduced by designing to minimize energy input and provide uniform and optimally-scheduled irrigation to minimize water and fertilizer losses. Furthermore, with optimum applications of water, crop production per unit of land, as well as per unit of water is significantly improved. This combination of factors dictates new management objectives, including improvement of system performance, reduction of operating costs, increase in production through higher levels of inputs, more emphasis on research and training, and transfer of some operational responsibilities to farmers. Health aspects are likely to assume greater importance as are upstream consideration, including watershed hydrology and management
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