International Study Tour “MODERN TECHNOLOGIES AND PARTICIPATORY IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT FOR WATER SAVING IN AGRICULTURE” 16-20 October 2017 Study Tour is organized by the CIHEAM – Bari Institute for a group of 20 irrigation experts and professionals from Bosnia and Herzegovina – Republic of Srpska within the Irrigation Development Project (IDP) implemented in the Republic of Srpska by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management / Agricultural Projects Coordination Unit (APCU) in cooperation with the Ministry Finance. In the course of the study tour, the participants will be introduced to the work of the organizations/ consortiums for irrigation – implementing Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) – as well as using modern technologies in order to accurately determine the needs of agricultural crops for water, and to promote water savings in irrigation sector. Moreover, the participants will learn how to strengthen the organizations that represent through the adoption of good practices of the Consortium for irrigation in their communities. PROGRAM IN BRIEF Monday, October 16th 2017 Time Activity 9.00 – 9.30 Welcome address, presentation of the participants, the study tour program and sites and WUAs to be visited 9.30 – 11.00 Introduction to Participatory Irrigation Management and Transfer 11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break 11.30 – 13.00 Phases of PIM implementation and assessment, discussion 13.00 – 14.30 Lunch break 14.30 – 17.00 Visit of the demonstration fields, agro-meteorological station, greenhouses, laboratories and other facilities at the CIHEAM-IAMB Tuesday, October 17th 2017 Time Activity 8.30 – 10.00 Departure from the CIHEAM-IAMB to the location of Capacciotti Dam and artificial lake, close to Cerignola (Apulia Region) 10.00 – 11.30 Presentation of the Consortia and Sinistra Ofanto irrigation scheme: . governance structure and mechanisms . Operation, Maintenance and Management activities by the staff of Consortium 11.30 – 12.30 Transfer from Capacciotti Dam to San Ferdinando Irrigation district and local irrigation support unit 12.30 – 14.00 Presentation of the main infrastructures and operation and maintenance of a pressurized systems: . Determination of different irrigation schedules . Demonstration of ”AquaCard” and best management practices implemented for water saving . Organizational structure of WUA management . WUA governance mechanisms and mode of water users participation . Interaction of WUAs with local authorities and state institution . Determination of water tariffs, fees collection and sanctions . Irrigation and drainage improvements 14.00 – 15.30 Lunch break 15.30 – 17.00 Visit of San Ferdinando farmers cooperative 17.00 – 18.30 Travel back to the CIHEAM-IAMB Institute Wednesday, October 18th 2017 Time Activity 8.30 – 9.00 Departure from the CIHEAM-IAMB to Acquaviva delle Fonti (province of Bari) 9.00 – 10.30 Technical visit to Farmers Cooperative and Water User Association “La Molignana” Technical visit of the irrigation infrastructures and treated wastewater plant Presentation of the irrigation scheme and structures, governance/management organization and its implementation Implementation of program for the use of treated waste water in irrigation in collaboration with local authorities (the municipality) 10.30 – 12.30 Travel from Acquaviva delle Fonti to Mesagne (Sysman s.r.l.) 12.30 – 13.30 Presentation of Bluleaf – a smart DSS for real-time irrigation management . System configuration and data requirements . DSS modules for data monitoring and determination of irrigation requirements . Automation of data transfer and management decision using the cloud- based network and remotely operating electro-valves. Examples of operational setup of DSS for different crops 13.30 – 15.00 Lunch break 15.00 – 15.30 Travel from Mesagne to “Moccari” farm (close to Mesagne) 15.30 – 17.00 Technical visit to “Moccari” farm, which uses a smart DSS for real-time irrigation management . Visit of farm and agro-meteorological station . Visit of irrigation fields and practical demo-presentation of electro-valves and irrigation system functioning. Discussion about the benefits and eventual operation problems of the system 17.00 – 18.30 Travel back to the CIHEAM-IAMB Institute Thursday, October 19th 2017 Time Activity 7.00 – 10.00 Departure from the CIHEAM-IAMB to the location of Piedimonte Matese (province of Caserta, Campania), 10.00 – 12.00 Presentation of the Irrigation Consortia Sannio Alifano e Valle Telesina: . Consortia establishment, statute, regulations, governance structure and mechanisms . Operation, Maintenance and Management activities by the staff of Consortium 12.00 – 13.30 Travel from Piedimonte Matese to Napoli 13.30 – 15.00 Lunch break 15.00 – 17.00 Visit of the University of Napoli Federico II and ARIESPACE s.r.l., Spin-off company of the University, Portici, Naples . Use of modern technologies – satellite-based data for irrigation management at farm and district scale . Practical presentation of IRRISAT functioning for satellite-based irrigation management . Tariffs determination and fees collection . Willingness of farmers to pay for irrigation services 17.00 – 20.00 Travel back to the CIHEAM-IAMB Institute Friday, October 20th 2017 Time Activity 9.30 – 11.00 Presentation of the systems for monitoring and evaluation of participatory irrigation management and transfer 11.00 – 11.30 Coffee break 11.30 – 13.00 Presentation of other latest technological solutions for irrigation management (proximal sensing and other remote sensing and DSS tools) and regional web- based services for the support of farmers 13.00 – 14.30 Lunch break 14.30 – 16.00 Discussion, insights about the applicability of PIM and presented irrigation technologies in Republic of Srpska Conclusions, closing remarks .