Managing water for sustainable agriculture Also at http://www.icid.org 2007/2
Message from the President his has been a busy the next forum. Also, the partnership This starts with the topic of climate Tfour months for me, agreed between ICID and the World Water change, which is expected to feature moving back to my Council (WWC), signed in Antalya, pro- prominently at the next WWF. Also, it has home in UK after six vides the framework for the two organi- been proposed that IWALC members could years residence in sations to work more closely together in provide useful input to the next UN World India managing Mott addressing water for food issues more satis- Water Development Report that will be MacDonald’s growing factorily at the next forum. I am grateful to issued at the next WWF. ICID as the business there. I have President Hon Bart Schultz in agreeing to IWALC Secretariat, and also as a member been away from home coordinate the topic with WWC and the of UN-Water, has to play a pivotal role in for a lot longer, and other involved organisations. In the this. there is much to do. meantime, President Hon Aly Shady will th head up the task force that will coordinate 4 Asian Regional Conference 5th World Water Forum, Istanbul ICID efforts to contribute to the forum. Well attended and well organised, the 2009 th Liaison with other Water 4 Asian Regional Conference brought us together with the International Network On my way back from India, I spent a Organisations month in New Zealand and then stopped on Participatory Irrigation Management off in Turkey in March for the kick-off Clearly, if ICID is to have greater influence (INPIM), which now has its base in meetings for the next World Water Forum over the programme for the next forum, Islamabad. An international seminar on (WWF), to be held in Istanbul in 2009. The and more generally look after the interests History of Irrigation and Drainage drew on Iran’s rich history of water supply and kick-off meetings in Istanbul were followed of agriculture in the world of water, it must irrigation technologies, especially the world by an International Congress on River Basin be more active in its dealings with other famous qanats. The conference/ seminar Management in Belek near Antalya that organisations. was opened by His Excellency the Prime was opened by His Excellency the Minister Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Water for agriculture was not the only of Energy Mr Fattah. His Excellency The meetings were very well attended and subject that was relatively under- Dr Zargar, Deputy Minister for Water productive on several levels. represented at the last WWF. The cross Affairs and Chairman, IRNCID was with us cutting theme of science and technology throughout the proceedings. It was most Despite ICID’s best efforts and the support (S&T) and the implication that the policy in encouraging to see the strength of the of the Mexican organisers, the last WWF water should be science-based, was also private sector in Iran, and their gave rather less attention to water for food weak. In order to rectify this, I am pleased involvement in the National Committee, than we would have expected. Agriculture with the role that ICID Central Office, as and also the number of students and young is often seen negatively for its “use” of Secretariat of the International Water professionals in attendance. Out of a total 70% of the available water resources, but Associations Liaison Committee (IWALC) attendance of about 900, about 140 were by my reckoning only about 8% of the has played in reactivating that institution from outside Iran and there were seven forum sessions in Mexico were about this and finding common cause with our sister office bearers of ICID, four current and use. Clearly, we cannot expect the organisations, to strengthen the S&T input four past vice-presidents. My thanks to the percentage of sessions to be anything like to the next WWF. Obviously, it is quite Iranian Organising Committee and the the percentage of use, but water for difficult to bring together many of these concerned working groups for making this agriculture seemed to many, to be under- organisations at any one event, but I have such a triumph. represented. attended meetings in Delhi, Mexico, Perhaps as a reaction to this, I sense that Barcelona, Stockholm and Antalya where the tide has turned, and it has heartening gradually we seem to be developing a that several voices were raised in defence pragmatic approach that will encourage Peter Lee of agriculture at the kick-off meetings for more contact and common initiatives. President, ICID
International Commission on Irrigation and IN THIS ISSUE Drainage (ICID) was established in 1950 as a • Introduction and opening addresses 2-3 • Closing speeches 8 scientific, technical and voluntary not-for-profit • Managing water for sustainable agriculture 4 • Tehran declaration 9 non-governmental international organization. • PIM for sustainable irrigation systems 5 • Report on visit to Qazvin Province 10 The Newsletter is published quarterly by ICID • Lessons learned from PIM worldwide 6 • Advertisements 11 Central Office, New Delhi, India. • History seminar & TF-LDCs-AS 7 • Forthcoming ICID events 12
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 1 Photo: Editor
4th Asian Regional Conference, 10th International Seminar on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), and International History Seminar on Irrigation and Drainage were held in the beautiful city of Tehran, Iran from 2 to 5 May 2007. The city is situated at 1200 m above the sea level on the slopes of Alborz Mountain. Over 900 professionals (including 140 from overseas), policy makers, researchers, managers from 40 countries and international organizations participated in these events. All the events were organized and hosted by the Iranian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (IRNCID) and International Network on Participatory Irrigation Management (INPIM) and co-sponsored by Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture, Iran Water Resources Management Co, The World Bank, and International Water Management Institute (IWMI). All the events were held at the world-class IRIB International Conference Centre (IICC), Tehran. This issue of the Newsletter covers highlights of the above events.
During the opening ceremony, addresses/ speeches were made by their Excellencies Mr Parviz Fattah, Minister of Energy and Dr Rasoul Zargar, Deputy Minister for Water Affairs and Chairman of IRNCID, Mr Peter Lee, President, ICID and Dr Salah Darghouth, Water Advisor for Agriculture, The World Bank and Chairman, INPIM.
Besides the seminars, an impressive technical exhibition in which more than 30 consulting firms, companies and manufacturers from Iran and overseas showcased their latest products related to irrigation and drainage, was held. Post seminar technical tours were arranged to Qazvin Province and Yazd City on 5 May and to Shiraz and Isfahan cities on 6-7 May. These technical tours provided an understanding of not only rich and ancient water civilization of Iran but also of the modern and technological advances in the water resources development and management of the country. Iran joined ICID in 1957 and IRNCID is one of its most active National Committees. All these events were organized under the leadership of Hon Dr Rasoul Zargar - fully supported by Dr S A Assadollahi, VP Dr Karim Shiati, VPH Dr Saeed Nairizi, VPH Javad Farhoudi, Dr A R Salamat, Chairman, WG-YPF, and Mr Mehrzad Ehsani, Secretary, IRNCID. Other Office Bearers who attended the events included VP Prof YooMan Huh (Korea), VP Mohd Azhari bin Ghazalli (Malaysia), VPH Shigetaka Taniyama (Japan), and VPH I K Musa (Nigeria). As an outcome of the 4th ARC & 10th PIM, a ‘Tehran Declaration’ was released during the closing ceremony held on 4 May. IRNCID has brought out the proceedings of these events (abstracts of the papers in hard copies and full length papers in CD) which may be requested from Secretary General, IRNCID, E-mail: [email protected]. The full length papers are also available for free download at
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 2 Welcome / Opening Addresses
in operation and management of water resources are some of the paradigms of the Iran’s numerous initiatives. “The Iranian Government is embarking on to decrease the financial burden of the Government in respect of water resources management by assigning conservation, maintenance and operation to the people through Water User Associations (WUAs). Promoting PIM/ IMT in the water resour- ces development and management plans is one of the Iranian Government’s important Photo: IRNCID Photo: IRNCID policies for optimum usage of country’s His Excellency Mr Parviz Fattah soil and water resources. There are some His Excellency Dr Rasool Zargar, Deputy Minister of Energy, I R of Iran impediments - socio-economic, and cultu- Minister of Water Affairs & Chairman, IRNCID His Excellency Mr Parviz Fattah, Minister ral in implementation of PIM which are being studied carefully”, said the Minister. development by way of construction of of Energy of I R of Iran, in the opening multi-purpose dams and large irrigation address, said that since ancient era, and drainage network, to achieve a rapid limited availability of water resources in Iran with a population of 70 million people, has rich natural endowments of oil, gas and economic and technical growth in water the country has made the Iranians think and agriculture sector. As a result, there profoundly on how to harvest, store, mines. The country has arid and semi-arid climate with an average annual precipitation of were 195 multi-purpose large dams and operate, use and manage catchments and 320 small dams, while 80 dams were find optimum ways of water distribution 250 mm. Iran’s irrigated area is 8.5 million ha ranking 5th at the world level. About 90% of under construction and 176 were at the and preventing water wastages. Iran has a planning stage. The country had expertise successful model of PIM in the millennia- the country’s agricultural produce comes from irrigated agriculture. and rich experience in dam building, as old Miraab system for managing the well as in operation, maintenance and karezes and qanats in the arid and semi- In inaugural speech, His Excellency management of irrigation and drainage arid regions. Water supply from qanats, Dr Rasool Zargar, Deputy Minister of systems. He said that Iran was capable water rights in its distribution, manage- Water Affairs and Chairman, IRNCID said and ready to extend technical cooperation ment by water-masters, Cheghazanbil that the Government of Iran had made with the international entities and water treatment and Shaikh-Bahae’s role huge investment in water resources National Committees.
What is PIM and IMT ? The terms Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) and Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. The term Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) refers to the participation of irrigation users – the farmers – in the management of the irrigation system, not merely at the tertiary level of management but spanning the entire system. Participation should not be construed as mere consultation with farmers, but also in the form of resources, both in terms of obligation and contribution. PIM involves substantial changes in functions, roles, responsibilities and authorities of public Irrigation Agencies (IA). Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) is the turning over of authority and responsibility to manage irrigation systems from government agencies to Water User Associations (WUAs). The IMT should involve at least three contingent strategies, namely: improvement of support services delivery; empowerment of farmers and farmers’ organizations; and irrigation system’s long-term financial viability. (www.inpim.org)
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 3 Managing Water for Sustainable Agriculture Irrigated agriculture is often blamed as an imprudent user of water and there is a growing pressure to use it more efficiently so as to divert the saved water to other sectors. President Peter Lee in his opening speech clarified this misapprehension by high- lighting the multiple use of water, role of virtual water and how PIM could help improve water productivity.
“For some time now, irrigated agriculture Multiple Uses We are still very sector-driven, and has been under fire, as it is seen by “The multiple use of water is too often saving water for other uses is not others to be an extravagant user of water, much of an incentive, unless there which must give up some of that water ignored. Water used for driving a small mill, supplying the village with its is a money transaction involved. for other uses. Whilst in many places this domestic needs or those of rural industry Local participation means that transfer is certainly happening, much of all help to increase the productivity of water management is community the water used by agriculture is of too water use beyond its primary function, based, and thus, better able to take low reliability to be of much use for other which is irrigation and which produces the an integrated water management purposes. Domestic and industrial uses basic infrastructure. One of the benefits of (IWRM) approach. usually require a supply that is year-round, a participatory approach is that localised and that can be sustained through the decision makers are more likely to Virtual Water worse droughts. Agricultural water, which appreciate the value-added by more “The supply of water in the form of the is often seasonal, sometimes purely reliable water supplies and multiple uses”. ephemeral is not in these circumstances, food and other produce that can be transported efficiently to distant cities and acceptable to these other uses. Therefore, even other countries, and at the same those that talk in terms of average time provide livelihoods in the source volumes overstate the potential for area, is something at which agriculture agricultural water to be used for other does very well. The electricity generated purposes”. by hydropower also is a form of virtual “This seasonal and less reliable nature of water, but agriculture is strong provider of most agricultural water supply also employment both in the source area and contributes to a large degree on the low also in distribution and processing, levels of productivity often achieved by generating employment in urban areas too. agriculture. Why should farmers invest in Also the water contained virtually in better ways of managing water and better agriculture produce can be stored as well crops, if the supply of water frequently as traded. Thus, water that was only fails them? Farmers who have limited, available in one season is converted into food and other produce available and valued supplies, which are Photo: IRNCID throughout the year through agriculture”. nevertheless reasonably reliable (eg pumped from groundwater), usually “In speaking about productivity and Water for Food achieve much higher levels of producti- multiple uses, I try to avoid thinking only vity. And if farmers have access to good of irrigation efficiency, which is in effect “As populations increase and also seek markets for their produce, they are quick the percentage of water used by higher standards of living, we will need to grow more food… globally about two to invest in improved technologies”. agriculture that is actually consumed. For those who decry the low efficiencies thirds more over the next 20-25 years. Irrigation in Iran achieved by agriculture, I would say just Asia should be able to remain more or be careful what you wish for… do you less self sufficient, but only by increased “Iran, a country with a great tradition in really want agriculture to consume more trading of virtual water from areas of irrigation has small schemes supplied by plenty to those of greater need”. of the water it uses, leaving less for other a stream off-take or a qanat. Storage of winter rain and spring snow melt is uses? So do not focus too narrowly on “If Australia can export rice very profitably to Japan, other countries in the region crucial for sustaining supplies into the dry irrigation efficiency. Think instead of all with more plentiful water should look not summer. It is welcome to hear of Iran’s the ways that agriculture adds to the just at their own self-sufficiency. As we continuing investment in new dams to productivity of water in our increasingly appear to have entered a period of have further storage. In Iran, land that can crowded region”. reduced certainty about climate, the world be commanded by gravity tends to be “Nevertheless, ICID has been active in needs to spread its options in so far as its limited in this terrain, so productivity in promoting the saving of water, principally sources of food are concerned. And the terms of crop output per unit of water was through the WatSave awards that are opportunities to do this will increase as probably not that high. Nevertheless, made for truly outstanding achievements the liberalisation of trade in agriculture where the irrigated land was reasonably through better management and moves closer. This will require agriculture safe from flood damage then higher value technologies, in saving material volumes water management to be responsive to the crops like fruit, and multiple use of the of water. It is interesting that over the last needs of farmers to get the best from the water were alternative strategies for ten years, virtually all the awards were to opportunities that changing demands will pushing up productivity. This is how flood for savings that could be used to expand deliver. Therefore, we need farmers to be control, which is also a part of ICID’s agriculture, rather than release water to involved and participate in management at mandate, can also contribute to all levels”. other uses”. productivity”.
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 4 Particpatory Irrigation Management for Sustainable Irrigation Systems
Dr. Salah Darghouth, Chairman, INPIM and Water Advisor, the World Bank, in his welcome address said that the 4th ARC and 10th PIM was one of the largest joint international events, focusing exclusively on PIM in the context of on-going irrigation reforms globally. He congratulated the Iranian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage (IRNCID), which is one of the most active National Committee of ICID, for organizing and hosting the events.
Dr Darghouth said that the organizers in vogue for over two decades with have got excellent response to the call for varying degrees of success, the fascinating papers and received 110 papers matching and challenging debates on emerging PIM well with the conference and seminar’s issues continue. As irrigation reforms three sub-themes, namely: progress, issues continue to emerge, alternative PIM models and frameworks (1) Review of participatory measures in continue to be experimented in diverse Irrigation – that focuses on success stories local environments, and PIM approaches and experiences with implemented and continue to be evolved and refined. proposed PIM frameworks and models, Importantly, as water becomes scarce and (2) Required grounds and facilities for PIM faces intense sectoral competition in most – that discusses organizational reforms, settings in the world, there is an legal frameworks and norms, socio-cultural increasing need to better use and manage and political grounds, and (3) Support each single drop of water. And the PIM system for PIM sustainability – that approach to irrigation management critically looks into required policies and assumes greater than ever significance in strategies, monitoring and evaluation such settings”.
frameworks, and capacity building and Photo: IRNCID training needs. PIM is now a true worldwide “As we all are aware that worldwide 2007 held at Washington, from 28 Feb- phenomenon. More than 60 demand for water is increasing in all its ruary to 2 March 2007, called for countries have embarked upon PIM uses due to increasing population, increased investments from the public and reforms aimed at improving urbanization, increasing demand for food, private sources in order to enhance water irrigation management and making industrial growth and overall expansion in security in developing countries – with irrigation systems sustainable. These economic activities. This is happening at greater emphasis on right kind of countries represent some 80 times when scarcity and competition for investments with sound institutions and percent of global irrigated area. water is also on rise and prolonged good governance. The events also “This international event provided an droughts becoming common phenomenon, reaffirmed the importance of involving important forum to report and discuss all adding tremendous pressure on relevant stakeholders in the planning and various PIM related issues and challenges, available water resources. In many places management of water resources and share experiences and lessons, discuss water availability is falling to critical decision making processes, capacity solutions and options, and celebrate levels, the quality of ground water and building and cooperation at all levels”. progress made in PIM in international surface water is continuing to deteriorate “In the agricultural water sector, the settings, particularly in Asia that accounts due to the pollution by waste and importance of participatory approach to for over half of the global irrigated area”. contaminants from cities, industry and irrigation management is now widely agriculture”. recognized by governments, donors, “The problem is more serious in most of agencies and other stakeholders. While the low income developing countries- PIM as a concept and approach has been where importance of water is manifold. In these countries, there are enormous challenges in the management of water What is INPIM? Why is PIM/ IMT taking place? resources - particularly so in agriculture International Network on which uses 80 – 90 percent of the Participatory Irrigation Manage- available water resources. The agricultural ment (INPIM) is a unique global Other, 16% water sector has been facing a complex network of professionals for set of problems from basin level to the facilitating and promoting Shortage Part of of public water course and field levels; and participatory irrigation manage- liberalization funds, 35% productivity levels remain low”. ment and related new ideas and policies, 4% best practices in irrigation “However, there are enormous oppor- management worldwide. INPIM’s Low fee tunities for improving the management of collection mission is to make irrigation rate, 18% available water resources – for increasing systems sustainable by supporting productivity, for enhancing water and food institutional reforms that promote security for the poor men and women. To greater involvement and increased benefit from such opportunities, the recent capacity of farmers, water user Poor O & M, 27% global events such as the 4th WWF held in associations, and other private Mexico last year, the World Water Week stakeholders.
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 5 Lessons Learned from PIM/ IMT Worldwide
Since the 1980s, Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) has been adopted in varying degrees and ways in about 60 countries representing some 80 percent of the global irrigated area. In the 4th ARC/ 10th PIM seminar over 110 papers - covering a wide range of issues and experiences from a variety of situations were presented. The results of the PIM/ IMT process undertaken across the globe are a mix of successes and failures. The following are some of the lessons/ experiences shared by the participants that need to be addressed in order to obtain the benefits of PIM/ IMT.
A comprehensive implementation plan In sub-Saharan Africa, the Participatory for PIM should involve - policy reforms, Benefits of PIM/ IMT Rapid Analysis & Action Planning of legal reforms, agency restructuring, Reduced cost of irrigation to govern- Irrigated Agricultural Systems (PRDA) may provision of new support services, and ment Increased cost recovery and be a good tool to achieve successful PIM. improvement of irrigation infrastructure transparency Better operation, impro- In transition economy countries, water Many countries have implemented PIM ved coverage and quality of maintenance management authorities have little capacity – mostly by organizing WUAs at lower Better water distribution equity and and/or experience for meeting new level of irrigation systems efficiency, tail enders get a better deal situation. The dilapidated infrastructure is Fewer water conflicts Freedom of not equipped for efficient water distribu- A few countries have implemented crop planning Better conjunctive use of tion. WUAs are still a new phenomenon IMT with the Public Irrigation Agency (IA) surface and groundwater Flexibility in in countries of the former Soviet Union. reforms. In most cases, reforms have water scheduling Efficient water use, been deferred due to reluctance or improved water use efficiency, and in- political difficulty creased farm productivity, Less corrup- Conditions determining success Irrigation Agencies often tend to resist tion Improved sustainability of irri- and sustainability of PIM reforms owing to perceived threat to gation systems due to local governance PIM/ IMT reforms staff jobs, budget, authority or and user ownership and Unity among Institutional framework – legislative independence farmers and better cooperation in WUAs. backing, clear and strong legal status of Clarity regarding the responsibilities of water services fee collection has been FOs/ WUAs and authority of WUAs, IA and local erratic Representation and partnership – administration, cost sharing, rights to water supportive links, effective partnerships and and infrastructure is essential for Democratic selection of WUA leaders interactions with relevant government sustainability is problematic and is often not achieved PIM has not been able to make a agencies, NGOs and private sector Often, government financial support organizations falls short of IMT needs serious impact on crop productivity enhancement and equitable access to Political support – strong political will, WUAs and irrigation agencies need water, except in certain innovative cases commitment and support capacity development and training on Leadership – strong multiple local continuous basis Rehabilitation and modernization of the system prior to or along with leadership IMT programs need systematic public implementation of IMT is necessary awareness campaigns, consultations, Financial strength – healthy financial involvement and support of all key Cultural rules/ traditions of water status, adequacy of resources stakeholders management and agricultural practices of Capacity building and support – long the farming community need greater Application of successful model of one term capacity building, support services, attention country may not necessarily be successful Water and land rights – clear water to another country. IMT should be tailor- The newly established WUAs need to use rights, land tenure security made and flexible be supported financially, technically by Authority and powers – full manage- concerned government departments for The absence of legislation, or ill ment authority and power transfer their sustainability adapted legislation, will have a negative Effective system of accountability, impact on sustainability Knowledge of the traditional irrigation transparency, incentives and conflict institution/ system should be embedded in Stronger the WUA ownership, greater resolution the new PIM approach is the farmers participation Homogeneity of community – there is Government agencies should come Social divisions may disrupt homogeneity of community in terms of forward in promoting PIM and establish communications and decision-making caste, income, and resources pilot WUAs between farmers and IA Dependence on agriculture and There is a need to establish drainage Adequate human, financial and agricultural profitability – higher degree beneficiary groups for operation, mainte- information resources should be available of dependence on irrigated agriculture for nance and sustenance of agricultural to support the local management livelihoods, productivity levels high drainage systems Unprofitable agricultural conditions do Cost and benefits to farmers – cost to Constraints like illiteracy, dominance of not encourage the formation of WUAs farmers is small proportion of the benefits big land owners, hinder the process of Condition of irrigation infrastructure – There is no evidence that the IMT PIM process leads to an improvement in water physically sound infrastructure and well- Participatory groundwater management distribution system functioning irrigation system, better control needs to be promoted - where ground- over irrigation supplies. IMT has achieved government’s water exploitation is a threat for objectives only partially. The performance sustainable use (Source: Dr. Intizar Hussain, INPIM)
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 6 International Seminar on History of Irrigation and Drainage
Er M Gopalakrishnan, Secretary General, ICID in his welcome address highlighted the importance of historical lessons for sustainable development and compared different historical water development paths in Iran and India. Prof N Hatcho, Chairman, ICID Working Group on History of Irrigation, Drainage and Flood Control (WG-HIST) said that the Group was the oldest workbody of ICID and was celebrating its 30th anniversary by holding this Seminar. He said that the seeds for WG were sown in Iran. A total of 26 presentations from 8 countries, including 17 from Iran, were made in 5 parallel sessions. The keynote addresses were made by Dr H Fahlbusch, Vice Chairman of the German Water Photo: IRNCID History Association on the overall development perspective on water regions. The qanat is a typical example. In • While achieving sustainable water management since the prehistoric times, Iran, there are more than 30,000 ancient development and management, Dr K Emami (Iran) on the challenges of qanat systems, and many of them are still a combination of traditional wisdom the 21st century to combine historical in use. Iran has established an Inter- with modern science and technology knowledge/ wisdom with modern science national Center on Qanats and Historic is needed, and technology, and Mr B Farhangi on the Hydraulic Structures in Yazd. Other • Additional advantage should be taken Iranian ingenuity of constructing numerous topics discussed during the seminar were to incorporate traditional wisdom into water structures since olden times such as ancient water supply systems, weirs and modern science, and dams/ weirs, qanats, or water mills. dams, tanks and management issues. • Engineers, politicians and general Following lessons /issues emerged as Iran has a rich history of water and public should be made aware of the recommendations of the seminar: irrigation development/ management, value of traditional wisdom and should sustainable from ancient times. Being • Traditional water systems have multiple learn from experiences. located in arid and semi-arid region, water values in addition to economic or (Contributed by Prof Dr N Hatcho, supply, irrigation and drainage have production value, including social, Chairman, WG-HIST) played very important roles in establishing cultural, religious, and environmental the base for civilization in Iran, which values, which have been nurtured over influenced the civilizations of other a long term period,
2nd Special Session of Task Force for the LDCs in Asia The 2nd Special Session of the Task Force ment and management of irrigation, through farmers’ participation”, and for the Least Developed Countries (TF- drainage and flood control schemes in Prof Dr M Satoh, Japan and Ms Tassanee, LDCs-AS) was held on 3 May 2007. The LDCs and other countries in Asia’. VPH Thailand presented “The government’s theme of the Special Session was Dr Nairizi, Iran, made a presentation on role in making participatory irrigation ‘Affordable technology for the develop- “Irrigation improvement and management management successful”. VPH Dr S Taniyama (Japan), Chairman of the TF, briefed the first draft of summary report of the Special Session held at Kuala Lumpur in September 2006. The session was attended by President Peter Lee, VP Dr Karim Shiati, VP Ir Azhari bin Ghazalli, VP Dr Huh Yoo-Man, and VPH Engr I K Musa among others. Participants touched upon the priority issues of irrigation in LDCs and proposed actions that ICID might like to initiate for helping LDCs with their problems. (Contributed by Dr S Taniyama Chairman, TF-LDCs-AS)
Photo: Taniyama ICID Newsletter 2007/2 7 Closing Speeches Call for Papers – 10th
The closing ceremony of 4th ARC, 10th International Drainage PIM and History Seminar was held on Workshop, 2008 4 May 2007 and was addressed by VP Karim Shiati, SG M Gopalakrishnan, National Committees of Finland (FINCID) Dr Intizar Hussain, Executive Director, and Estonia (ESTCID) have a great honour INPIM and Dr S A Assadollahi, to invite all members of the ICID family Secretary General, IRNCID. to the 10th International Drainage Workshop in Helsinki and Tallinn from Dr Karim Shiati, Vice President and 6 to 11 July 2008. Chairman, Asian Regional Working Group (ASRWG) in his closing address thanked all the delegates for their active participation in all the events. He hoped that the conference was successful in its objectives of sharing of experiences, expertise and technology in the context of PIM/IMT across the world, especially in
Asian countries. VP Dr Shiati also Photo: IRNCID presented the recommendations of the Dr Karim Shiati, Vice President, ICID The main theme of the workshop is Special Session of the TF-LDCs-AS. ‘Agricultural Drainage and Environment’. The workshop will deliberate on five sub- Shifting Focus from Livelihood to Wealth Creation in Farming Community themes viz., (i) Agricultural drainage and environment in different farming policies; M Gopalakrishnan, Secretary General, (ii) Technical solutions to prevent leaching ICID in his concluding address took an from agricultural drainage systems; overview of the key issues emerged from (iii) Agricultural water management and the various events including the ‘Tehran decision support methods and technology; Declaration’. (iv) Drainage in the context of environ- “The goal enshrined in PIM objectives can mental river engineering, and (v) Extreme be possible only when we consider both weather conditions and drainage. Authors soft and hard options, which could differ who wish to give a presentation (oral or in different settings. One aspect that may poster) should submit an abstract by require further deliberations for achieving e-mail: [email protected] before 1 July 2007. the overall objectives relates to making Language of the workshop is English. the farming more attractive. ICID in its last annual event held in Kuala Lumpur Important deadlines recognized the need to acknowledge that Notification of ‘Agriculture is business’ and reaffirmed its abstracts acceptance 1 August 2007 commitment to address agricultural water Photo: IRNCID Submission of draft management, holistically. How do we papers 1 November 2007 couple it with pro-poor policies and take want to achieve through PIM efforts. That PIM is just one of the necessary Review comments to on board issues relating to poverty authors 1 January 2008 alleviation? Rural development as a tool to conditions though not necessarily the sufficient condition”. Submission of final prevent the large scale urban migration papers 1 April 2008 which is likely to, in due course, impact “Agricultural credit and subsidy aspects agriculture”. did come up in the presentations or Online registration facility will be “A widespread perception that unbearable interventions on papers. Who can be other available from 1 September 2007. burden of debt and an increased players apart from Governments and competition from imports are symptomatic Donors who can be attracted to invest in For more information about the of a crisis in the developing countries’ agriculture sector? Perhaps food processing preliminary program, technical tours, agriculture. Import liberalisation with the industries, and commercial banks registration, accommodation, transport etc. ongoing WTO regime is gradually enthusiasm to extend lending to them, please visit: www.fincid.fi/idw2008. creeping in even in countries that tried to could encourage down the chain, the Contacts: resist them initially. This is already formation of new cooperatives. The water causing a strong dampening effect on the users associations can take up in turn a Mr Pertti Vakkilainen, Chairman, FINCID, prices of several crops, especially in such new role to support this process. The goal Simonkatu 12 A 11. 00100 Helsinki, diversified crops that are advocated for being to shift the farming from livelihood Finland. Tel +358 9 694 2100, Fax +358 enhancing farmers’ income. The farm and support in rural poor settings in deve- 9 694 2677, E-mail: [email protected]. the farming economics are no longer loping and least developed world to Mr Mati Tõnismäe, Chairman, ESTCID, insulated. The growing economic and perhaps providing opportunities to ‘wealth 39/41 Lai Street, Tallinn 15056, Estonia. social disparities between agriculture and creation’ even in farming communities?“ the rest of the economy and between rural Tel +372 625 6149, Fax +372 625 6200. and urban sectors may be a critical factor that would play a key role on what we
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 8 Tehran Declaration on Participatory Irrigation Management
The 4th ARC and the 10th INPIM Seminar provided an important forum to stakeholders for reporting and discussing issues, challenges and options for agricultural water management, specifically focusing on participatory approaches to irrigation management, sharing knowledge, experiences, lessons and promoting best practices and innovative ideas on PIM. Taking note of discussions, deliberations and recommendations of the stakeholders, the Tehran Declaration -
Reaffirms the critical importance of varied across settings and have depended on Points out that so far PIM reforms have irrigation for enhancing productivity, a number of factors such as the clarity and focused on ‘downstream’ side of reforms, employment, farm incomes and food strength of the institutional and legal that is, on establishing and strengthening security – promoting agricultural and framework, higher level political will and WUAs, and only little attention has been economic growth and reducing poverty. local level leadership, financial and paid to ‘upstream side’, that is, on reforming It is recognized that the positive impacts technical resources, access to support public irrigation agencies. For success of of irrigation can be substantially increased services, incentive system, capacity building PIM reforms, reforming public irrigation through interventions that address issues and training etc. Understanding these and agency is as important as establishing related to inequities in land and water other facilitating or constraining factors WUAs. There is a need to clearly define distribution, water allocation within and (institutional, financial, socio-economic, new roles and responsibilities of the public across sectors, maintenance and agricultural and hydrological) is important irrigation agency, and its capacity needs to management of irrigation infrastructure, for further strengthening and expanding PIM be developed to enable it to adapt to its access to improved production technologies reforms. new roles. and agricultural support measures – with Suggests that efforts being made in Encourages action research on PIM greater emphasis on pro-poor approach to promoting PIM reforms should be continued reforms through pilot testing within a such interventions. and further strengthened, greater emphasis is framework for learning and scaling up. Pilot Recognizes that there are enormous needed on ensuring equity in sharing experiments may be necessary to clarify challenges and complex set of issues facing benefits of PIM reforms and sustainability of modalities and generate support for irrigation sector – from basin level to such benefits – under the pro-poor frame- innovation and for creating a common watercourse and field levels – but so are the work. The stakeholders call for broadening vision for developing a national strategy. opportunities. The forum emphasizes the the framework of PIM from simple ‘transfer’ Pilot activities for PIM should be continued need for reengaging in the sector and calls to an instrument of ‘restructuring’ the water even when PIM reforms are under full for increased investments from both public sector for improving its performance, implementation, because they can tackle and private sources not only for expanding ensuring equitable water access and additional aspects of reforms requiring irrigation, where needed, but also for allowing transition to a sustainable and experimentation, especially for “second reforming and modernizing existing irrigation integrated management and use of water generation” issues, such as WUA federa- systems – with focus on right kind of resources. It is suggested that the PIM tions, innovations in irrigation financing, investments with sound institutions that approach can provide an important charging and cost recovery, multi- deliver larger benefits to the poor. mechanism for tackling water resources functionality of WUAs, technology transfer management issues. through WUAs, asset management in Recognizes that PIM is now a widely transferred schemes, agency personnel accepted approach and its implementation is Emphasizes the need for greater atten- changes, and development of private sector a worldwide phenomenon; there is a general tion during post-intervention phase of PIM support services. consensus on the need for further promo- reforms, especially on the following areas: ting, strengthening and expanding PIM Reiterates the importance of building reforms in irrigation sector across countries; a. Support Services - long term support in consultation with farmers/ users while capacity, promoting collaborations and and in many countries PIM is becoming a avoiding increasing dependency. partnerships across stakeholders at various central component of irrigation/water levels; and promoting the exchange of policies. b. Monitoring and Evaluation - multi- information, knowledge, best practices and perspective and participatory approach lessons learned on PIM reforms. Highlights that PIM approach delivers a with emphasis on a third party/ private number of positive outcomes and impacts sector based on a set of robust indicators. Calls upon national governments, local, for stakeholders, including the following: (a) regional and international donors, develop- empowers farmers, (b) leads to better system c. Capacity Development - substantial and prolonged capacity development at the ment banks and partners to take facilitating maintenance and service, (c) reduces cost of level of policy environment, institutional role in promoting PIM reforms, help irrigation to the government, (d) improves strengthening and individual development. mobilize financial and technical resources productivity and profitability of agriculture from public and private sources, and and water use, and (e) leads to innovations d. System of Incentives to promote provide required assistance to relevant performance and innovation. in irrigation management and agriculture in organizations involved in promoting and general. However, the magnitude of such e. Financial Strength - resource mobilization strengthening PIM reforms. outcomes and impacts and the degree of and revenue generation capacity of PIM reform success and sustainability have WUAs.
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 9 Visit to Modern Agriculture Farms of Qazvin Province, Iran Participants during the one day (5 May) technical tour to Qazvin (Ghazvin) province of Iran visited the diversion, water distribution, regulation works of Qazvin Irrigation System, farms of Magsal Agriculture and Livestock Company, and Sharifabad Agro-industrial Company. A brief of the visit is given below.
Qazvin (Ghazvin) Irrigation System Qazvin Irrigation System (QIS) of Qazvin Province of Iran is located at 150 km from Tehran. The QIS covers a net area of 60,000 hectares and about 30,000 water users. The Qazvin Irrigation System Operation Company (QISOC) on behalf of the Ministry of Energy (MOE) is respon- sible for management, operation and maintenance of the Irrigation System. The main source of water is Talghan Reservoir Dam (TRD) having storage capacity of 450 Mm3. The water is conveyed through a 94 km long main
canal and further distributed through a Photo: Editor concrete lined network of 94 km laterals Participants at the main canal of the Qazvin Irrigation System and 749 km of tertiary and quaternary canals. The general cropping pattern of With the objective of reducing the QIS consists of – garden crops and Government expenditure, the Ministry of vineyard (4%), autumn wheat & barley Energy has been promoting PIM and IMT (43%), forage corn, alfalfa, beet, summer since five years. Some 158 WUAs were crops (27%), rotation cultivation (22%), established within the period 2002-2005. and canola (4%). There are 1220 deep The WUAs have formed a Union, and the wells functional within the Project Area. Unions further have been confederated Also an artificial water recharge system into the Irrigation Unions Center (IUC). has been planned for 425 hectares, of The IUC together with WUAs is which 135 hectares have been covered. responsible for supply, distribution of Photo: Editor About 5% of the area is irrigated by water besides maintenance of the system. (L to R): Mr Daneshjou, Head of Qazvin Water pressurized methods (sprinkler and drip) Presently, these associations are facing Resources Authority Co., HE S A Nasry, and other by surface methods (furrows, some financial, legal, technical, Governor of Qazvin Province, SG M basins, border strips). managerial and proprietorship problems Gopalakrishnan and President Peter Lee which are being looked into. Prior to the land reforms in 1963, the move, center pivot, wheel move) and over irrigation management was under the Creation of the IUC and WUAs have had 500 hectare are irrigated by these systems. control of the landlords. Subsequently, it many positive effects like employment The participants saw the linear move was taken over by the Government. generation among young professionals, systems in operation. The farm manager lowering the time gap in told the visitors that earlier, about 12,000 water demand and m3/ha had been applied to the wheat crop supply, lesser cases of by surface irrigation, but now on an damaging equipment/ average 7,000 m3 /ha is applied. Thus, a structure, lower saving of 5,000 m3 of water per ha could distribution costs and be achieved due to the use of the linear fewer problems in water move sprinkler system. The water is distribution. supplied from 7 wells having 350 litters Magsal Comany is the per second discharge and also from the first ‘Agriculture and Qazvin valley main canal. The company Livestock Public Joint has highly experienced specialists, and Stock Company’ (PJSC) closely works with universities and of Qazvin province. The research centers. The compnay is getting company has 1000 high crop yields: wheat - 7.3 tons/ha, corn hectare land and has (silage) - 68 tons/ha, canola - 4 tons/ha, been in operation since dry alfalfa - 15 tons/ha, and sugarbeet 95 Photo: Editor 1973. tons/ha. The livestock division runs a Linear move sprinkler system in operation: Each system covers an modern dairy farm with a herd of more area of 120 ha, the length of the lateral is 600 meters and has 10 The agriculture division than 3000 cattle. Over 1100 lactating spans. Normally, length to width ratio is 2:1. Design discharge=75 of the company has liters/sec, operating pressure at the sprinkler=2.5 kg/cm2 , Irrigation cows are milked thrice a day, the average various types of sprinkler milk yield is 34 kg/cow/day with 3.6% interval=7 days, Gross depth of water application=80 mm/ irrigation system (linear irrigation, Application efficiency=80% butter fat.
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 10 WATER AND POWER CONSULTANCY SERVICES (INDIA) LTD. WAPCOS a Govt. of India undertaking, is a premier International consultancy organisation. WAPCOS has been providing consultancy services to various domestic and overseas clients, in a diverse range of engineering in water resources, power and infrastructure development. WAPCOS is now recognized amongst the top ranking consultancy organizations of the World.
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Take Advantage of ‘Irrigation and Drainage’ Online
The ‘Irrigation and Drainage’ is a prestigious, peer-reviewed Journal of ICID, publishing original papers on scientific engineering environmental and socio-economic issues associated with irrigation, drainage and flood manage- ment. The Journal is published by M/s. John Wiley & Sons Ltd., UK. To subscribe the Journal, please access http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/ ird The Journal is also available online FREE via Wiley InterScience® for all ICID Office Bearers (OB), work body members and subscribers. In 2007 Wiley has provided each OB, Workbody member and subscriber a membership registration number. Your e-mail address is your user name and you can choose your own password. Volumes 56.2 & 56.3 have been published in April 2007 and the contents of the Volume 56.4 (Special Issue on Drainage) will be available shorty. Please visit http://www.interscience. wiley.com/journal/ird for direct access to the homepage of Irrigation and Drainage at the Wiley site, or at abstract of the concerned paper for a direct link. Sign up for free Wiley InterScience Alerts – receive the table of contents via email as soon as an issue is published online: http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/ird
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 11 Forthcoming ICID Events
22nd European Regional Drainage Systems Development in the There is an early bird registration discount Conference, 2-6 September European Environment”. before 02 June 2007. For information on ER2007, Pavia, Italy: The programme, registration form, accommo- During the Conference, two international Conference is organized by dation, and technical tours, please visit C’07the Italian National workshops viz. “History of Irrigation, Drai- Website: http://www.italicid.org/erc2007. Committee of ICID (ITAL- nage and Flood Control” on 2 September For additional information, please contact: ICID) in cooperation with Agriculture and “European Framework Directive in the Ms M Elisa Venezian Scarascia, General General Direction, and Ministry of Agri- Field of Water” on 4 September will be Secretary, ITAL-ICID, Via Sallustiana, culture and Forestry Policies, Italy. The held. In addition, technical tours to Pavia- 10 Rome Italy. Tel: +39 06 488 4728, Conference will address the theme “Water Novara-Vigevano and Pavia-Mantova have E-mails: [email protected], Resources Management, and Irrigation and been planned. [email protected].
58th International Executive the Interaction of Irrigation and Drainage papers will be presented in 15 concurrent Council (IEC) Meeting and Systems with the Wider Society. technical sessions. USCID’s 4th International The ICID workbody meetings will be held The detailed programme is now available Conference on Irrigation and from 30 September to 2 October 2007, online. The USCID will provide a pdf Drainage, Sacramento, the 4th International Conference on California USA, 30 September version of the programme, registration Irrigation and Drainage is scheduled from form and other information, upon request. to 5 October 2007: The theme 3 to 5 October 2007. Technical exhibi- USCID For details, please contact Mr. Larry D. of the Conference is ‘The Role tions will be organized on 3-4 October, Stephens, Vice President, US Committee of Irrigation and Drainage in a Sustainable the IEC meeting will be held on on Irrigation and Drainage (USCID), 1616 Future’ and explored through the three 5 October and technical study tour will th main topics viz. (1) Developing Sustain- begin on 6 October 2007. The list of 17 Street, #483, Denver, CO 80202 USA. able Irrigation and Drainage Systems, (2) accepted papers for oral and poster Tel: 303 628 5430, Fax: 303 628 5431 E- Using Technology to Improve Irrigation presentations has been posted on the mail: [email protected], or visit website: and Drainage Systems, and (3) Improving USCID website, www.icid2007.org. The http://www.uscid.org, for more information.
2nd African Regional The Conference theme is “Contribution of agriculture and rural areas of Africa in Conference, 6-9 rainfed and irrigated agriculture to poverty 21st century. For details regarding the November 2007, alleviation through increased productivity programme, registration, accommodation Johannesburg, South in Africa” and will be explored through etc. please contact: Monica Chipeta, Africa: The Conference is sub-themes which focus on: natural, Global Conferences Africa, E-mail: organized by the South social, human, physical, and financial [email protected] or Dr Gerhard African National Committee capital. The conference aims to attract a R Backeberg, Chairman, South African (SANCID) together with the Southern multi-disciplinary group of professionals National Committee on Irrigation and African Regional Irrigation Association involved with agricultural water manage- Drainage (SANCID). Tel: +27 12 330 (SARIA), the Department of Agriculture ment to create new challenges and 9043 (Direct), E-mail: [email protected] and the Water Research Commission. opportunities for investment in people, or visit http://www.sancid.org.za.
Call for Papers – 20th International Please note the following deadlines: For details, please contact the Conference Congress on Irrigation and Drainage: Secretariat: 506 WAPDA House, Lahore, National Committees to intimate Pakistan. Tel: +92 42 9202538, Fax: +92 The 20th Congress of ICID name(s) of author(s) of paper to the 42 9202154, E-mail: [email protected], or will be held in Lahore, Central Office: 01 August 2007; Mr Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, Secretary Pakistan from 13 to 19 Submission of compre-hensive General, Organizing Committee, E-mail: October 2008. The theme of “summary and conclusions” of about [email protected], and/or the the Congress is ‘Participatory 500-600 words: 01 September 2007; Integrated Water Resources Secretary, ICID, E-mail: [email protected]. Intimation of acceptance of Management–From Concepts to Actions’. The Congress website: http:// “summary and conclusions”: The topics for the two Questions, Special www.icid2008.org has been launched and 15 December 2007; Session, Symposium and Seminar along is being updated from time-to-time. with other relevant information are Receipt of full text of accepted available at ICID website: www.icid.org. papers: 01 March 2008.
INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE 48 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110 021, India Tel: 91-11-26116837, 26115679, 24679532 Fax: 91-11-26115962 Email: [email protected] ● Website: http://www.icid.org Editor: Dr S A Kulkarni, Director - I, DTP: K D Tanwar, ICID Central Office
ICID Newsletter 2007/2 12