 Back to Rainfed Benchmark
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Background Several techniques for the timing and piloting of irrigation have been locally developed for a variety of cereal species. These techniques have been developed and also applied on experimental plots and farmers fields under the technical supervision of researchers. However, these techniques were not fully mastered by farmers used to growing crops under rainfed conditions. Difficulties encountered for adoption of irrigation techniques timing fall within three categories: Communication problems with farmers: it has been difficult to communicate to farmers the concepts and components of the irrigation timing package while using simple and easily understood terms. These problems relate to the following three questions: (i) when to irrigate? (ii) What amounts to bring? And (iii) how to convert irrigation quantities or millimeters into irrigation duration? Farmers usually do not think in terms of millimeters of irrigation and do not take into account the infiltration depth. They prefer to be provided with the information in terms of irrigation duration per day or per single irrigation. Required effort from the farmer: knowing the true quantity of water applied on a given field plot, is a major difficulty in maneuvering irrigation using agro meteorological follow up of the water balance. Farmers have more important and urgent tasks to do in the management of their farms and have difficulties finding time to calculate the water balance. Reluctance of the managers: water timing techniques are not yet perceived by decision takers as water saving measures, in spite of the fact that they enable (i) reducing water consumption (ii) improving crop productivity and (iii) reducing negative impact on the environment. The work proposed in this "satellite" research action seeks to improve the control and better use of irrigation by farmers. It is expected that the application of this research action results, can be subsequently undertaken within a framework in which researchers, meteorological services workers and extension agents will collaborate in bringing pertinent information to farmers with no burdensome addition to their tasks. Site Selection Development of the model and S.I. warning system will concern Objective The work hypothesis we have adopted is that; i. The setting of a warning system for supplementary irrigation based on the evaluation of water stress on plants which will improve the performance of crops under rainfed conditions. ii. Develop the capacity to transmit rapidly information easily understood by the majority of farmers during the growing season. Outputs i. Policy monography (7-12 months). ii. Practical tools (the models and systems for decision taking); (2005, one year); iii. Develop orientations and technologies for water management (year 3); Activity i. Develop helpful and comprehensive advices on supplementary irrigation opportune applications, taking into account: Climate, soil and crop ii. Guidelines will be provided in a table form or in the form of graphics to aid farmers: Management of cereal production and optimization of water allocation to various crops in times of scarcity. iii. Characterizing the rainfall status with modeling work on a large scale in order to detect water deficits iv. Modeling will be made using the water balance equation of an agro-ecological region. A climatic water balance utilizing ETo and P will be developed for cereal crops over ten day period time series. Estimation of risks associated with water deficit can be dealt with on the basis of models such as the De Witt or FAO type, and then will be integrated in the decision aid system proposed. Methodology i. Participatory, integrated community based research ii. Approaches, making the project results easily transferable to the overall community iii. Development of participatory techniques iv. Research will be carried on with farmers v. Farmers are required to accept risk factors
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