Your search found 8 records
1 Schmitter, Petra; Haileslassie, Amare; Desalegn, Y.; Tilahun, S.; Langan, Simon; Barron, Jennie. 2016. Improving on-farm water management by introducing wetting front detectors to small scale irrigators in Ethiopia [Abstract only] Paper presented at the Annual Tropical and Subtropical Agricultural and Natural Resource Management (Tropentag) Conference on Solidarity in a Competing World - Fair Use of Resources, Vienna, Austria, 18-21 September 2016. 1p.
Water management ; Water productivity ; Water distribution ; Water user associations ; Small scale systems ; Irrigation scheduling ; Irrigation equipment ; Wetting front ; Crop production ; Cereal crops ; Vegetables ; Agroecology ; Farmers ; Soil conditioners ; Farm management / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047872)
Smallholder irrigation to improve food security in the dry season as well as economic and demographic growth within Ethiopia is developing rapidly. However, the long term sustainability of increased irrigated production, together with degradation of soils (and associated water bodies) may be irreparably damaged by inappropriate watering schedules. In irrigation schemes, over-irrigation results in periodic water scarcity issues and in some cases sodicity. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether using wetting front detectors (WFD), a simple mechanical irrigation advice tool, would give farmers the right knowledge on when and how much to irrigate. Therefore, improving sustainable on-farm water management without negatively affecting crop and water productivity while fostering a more equitable water distribution within the scheme. The study, conducted in different regions of Ethiopia, covered various agro-ecological zones and soil conditions with over 200 farmers irrigating cereals or vegetables. Farmers and water user associations were trained on using the WFD to irrigate and distribute water within the scheme. Irrigation and crop performance was evaluated against control plots, having the same crop variety and management but traditional irrigation practices. Reduction in applied irrigation volume due to the WFD differed within and between sites due to furrow length, soil texture and farmer experience. Although yield increases were highly variable between farmers due to differences in farm management and crop variety cultivated, there was a positive effect of WFD on water productivity. Water productivity on average increased by 9 % whereas yields for the different crops increased between 13 and 17 %. In some cases the volume of water saved could double the cropped area. The reduction of irrigation events, when using the WFD, led to labour saving (up to 11 working days per ha) and fuel saving (between 50 and 150 US$ per ha). In both sites, farmers positively evaluated the scheduling tool, acknowledging that they learned to save water without negatively impacting crop productivity. The study showed that by providing access to when and how much to irrigate, farmers can positively adjust their on-farm water management resulting in more sustainable usage of their natural resources.
2 Taye, B. M.; Schmitter, Petra; Tilahun, S. A. 2017. Evaluating crop yield and water productivity of onion and potato through the use of wetting front detectors by water user associations in Koga irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Sustainable Water Resource Development, Arba Minch, Ethiopia, 23-24 June 2017. 12p.
Water productivity ; Water allocation ; Water availability ; Irrigation water ; Crop yield ; Onions ; Potatoes ; Water user associations ; Irrigation schemes ; Wetting front ; Farmers ; Cultivated land / Africa / Ethiopia / Koga Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048335)
Whilst irrigation schemes and technologies are extensively promoted in Africa, proper water management guidance for farmers is often lacking. Improper on-farm irrigation management practices lead to poor water distribution, non-uniform crop growth, and disputes in irrigation schemes due to unequal water allocation. Hence, the objective of the study was evaluating crop yield and water productivity of onion and potato through the use of wetting front detectors by water user association. In Koga irrigation scheme, there are 11 night storage, which irrigate 12 blocks (7000 ha). From those three blocks (Tagel, Adibera and Chihona blocks) were selected. From each block two water users association (WUA) have been selected and training on how to use the Wetting front detector (WFD) was given: one WUA grew onion while another one cultivated potato. For onion 2.04 ha of land were managed by 9 WFD and 0.82ha were managed by farmer’s own irrigation system. For potato 1.68 ha of land were managed by 10 WFD and 0. 42 ha of land were managed by farmers own irrigation system. In this study a total of 43 farmers irrigated using WFD while 13 farmers were irrigating based on their traditional knowledge. During installation the furrow length for onion was 5m and for potato 20m. The WFD was placed at ¾ of the furrow length from the entrance of the furrow. The shallow detector installed at 1/3 of the root zone (20 cm in this case) and the deep detector installed at 2/3 of the root zone (40 cm). Potato fields that were irrigated based on WFD response received on average 43% less water compared to control fields (i.e. 431mm instead of 753mm) (p<0.05). This resulted in a significant yield increase of 6 % (p<0.05) in the WFD plots. Similarly, for onion a reduction in irrigation depth of 25% was obtained when farmers were guided by WFD (i.e. 504 mm instead of 676mm (p<0.05). While yield increased in the WFD fields by 4%, this was not significant. At scheme level, if all fields were onion guided by WFD, 1509 ha additional could be irrigated. Similarly if all fields were potato guided by WFD, additional land to be irrigated could be 2966 ha. This study has shown that available water in dams can irrigate more land by using on farm water management technologies.
3 Taye, B. M.; Schmitter, Petra; Tilahun, S. A. 2017. Evaluating crop yield and water productivity of onion and potato through the use of wetting front detectors by water user associations in Koga irrigation Scheme, Ethiopia. Paper presented at the Ethoipian Institute of Water Resource Annual Research Symposium, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 June 2017. 12p.
Water productivity ; Water allocation ; Water availability ; Irrigation water ; Crop yield ; Onions ; Potatoes ; Water user associations ; Irrigation schemes ; Wetting front ; Farmers ; Cultivated land / Africa / Ethiopia / Koga Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048339)
Whilst irrigation schemes and technologies are extensively promoted in Africa, proper water management guidance for farmers is often lacking. Improper on-farm irrigation management practices lead to poor water distribution, non-uniform crop growth, and disputes in irrigation schemes due to unequal water allocation. Hence, the objective of the study was evaluating crop yield and water productivity of onion and potato through the use of wetting front detectors by water user association. In Koga irrigation scheme, there are 11 night storage, which irrigate 12 blocks (7000 ha). From those three blocks (Tagel, Adibera and Chihona blocks) were selected. From each block two water users association (WUA) have been selected and training on how to use the Wetting front detector (WFD) was given: one WUA grew onion while another one cultivated potato. For onion 2.04 ha of land were managed by 9 WFD and 0.82ha were managed by farmer’s own irrigation system. For potato 1.68 ha of land were managed by 10 WFD and 0. 42 ha of land were managed by farmers own irrigation system. In this study a total of 43 farmers irrigated using WFD while 13 farmers were irrigating based on their traditional knowledge. During installation the furrow length for onion was 5m and for potato 20m. The WFD was placed at ¾ of the furrow length from the entrance of the furrow. The shallow detector installed at 1/3 of the root zone (20 cm in this case) and the deep detector installed at 2/3 of the root zone (40 cm). Potato fields that were irrigated based on WFD response received on average 43% less water compared to control fields (i.e. 431mm instead of 753mm) (p<0.05). This resulted in a significant yield increase of 6 % (p<0.05) in the WFD plots. Similarly, for onion a reduction in irrigation depth of 25% was obtained when farmers were guided by WFD (i.e. 504 mm instead of 676mm (p<0.05). While yield increased in the WFD fields by 4%, this was not significant. At scheme level, if all fields were onion guided by WFD, 1509 ha additional could be irrigated. Similarly if all fields were potato guided by WFD, additional land to be irrigated could be 2966 ha. This study has shown that available water in dams can irrigate more land by using on farm water management technologies.
4 Endrie, B.; Schmitter, Petra; Haileslassie, Amare; Desalegn, Y.; Chali, A.; Tilahun, S.; Barron, Jennie. 2019. Feeding hungry and thirsty soils increases yield and protects the environment: some results of a Wetting Front Detectors (WFD) experiment in LIVES [Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders]. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.13-17.
Irrigation schemes ; Water management ; Wetting front ; Experimentation ; Reservoirs ; Fertilizer application ; Crop yield ; Soils ; Farmers ; Agricultural practices / Ethiopia / Koga Irrigation scheme / Meki Irrigation scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049335)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/102356/AR_proceedings_2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049335.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049335.pdf
(0.16 MB) (6.23 MB)
5 Adimassu, Zenebe; Balana, B. B.; Appoh, Richard; Nartey, Eric. 2020. The use of the wetting front detector as an irrigation-scheduling tool for pepper production in the upper east region of Ghana: evidence from field experiment and farmers' perceptions. Irrigation and Drainage, 69(4):696-713. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2454]
Irrigation scheduling ; Wetting front ; Crop yield ; Pepper ; Crop water use ; Water requirements ; Water productivity ; Farmers' attitudes ; Irrigation water ; Fertilizer application ; Soil properties ; Risks ; Field experimentation ; Economic analysis / Ghana / Nyangua / Tekuru
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049734)
(13.60 MB)
We compare the effect of the wetting front detector on yield and water productivity with farmers' practices (FP) and irrigation requirements based on crop water requirement calculation (IRCWR). A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the wetting front detector, FP and IRCWR combined with six fertilizer rates. We also interviewed 50 farmers to understand their perception about the use and associated concerns with the wetting front detector. Analysis of variance and partial budget economic analysis were performed. The results show that the wetting front detector saved 16% of irrigation water compared to FP, which in turn led to 16% labour saving to irrigate pepper as compared to FP. Yield and water productivity of pepper were not significantly affected by the irrigation regimes. Regardless of irrigation regimes, yield of pepper was significantly influenced by fertilizer treatment in both years. Although the highest fresh fruit yield of pepper (8.6 t ha-1 ) was recorded from Fortifer granules, the highest marginal rate of return was obtained from application of inorganic fertilizer including 173 N, 36 P,18 K ha ¹. The majority of farmers perceived the wetting front detector as low risk and compatible to use. The result also suggests that farmers are interested in buying and adopting the tool for future use.
6 Dirwai, T. L.; Senzanje, A.; Mabhaudhi, Tafadzwanashe. 2022. Development and validation of a model for soil wetting geometry under moistube irrigation. Scientific Reports, 12:2737. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06763-x]
Irrigation methods ; Subsurface irrigation ; Wetting front ; Geometry ; Models ; Soil hydraulic properties ; Soil water content ; Soil water movement ; Sandy soils ; Clay loam soils ; Silty soils / South Africa / KwaZulu-Natal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050970)
(2.13 MB) (2.13 MB)
We developed an empirical soil wetting geometry model for silty clay loam and coarse sand soils under a semi-permeable porous wall line source Moistube Irrigation (MTI) lateral irrigation. The model was developed to simulate vertical and lateral soil water movement using the Buckingham pi (p) theorem. This study was premised on a hypothesis that soil hydraulic properties influence soil water movement under MTI. Two independent, but similar experiments, were conducted to calibrate and validate the model using MTI lateral placed at a depth of 0.2 m below the soil surface in a soil bin with a continuous water supply (150 kPa). Soil water content was measured every 5 min for 100 h using MPS-2 sensors. Model calibration showed that soil texture influenced water movement (p< 0.05) and showed a good ft for wetted widths and depths for both soils (nRMSE = 0.5–10%; NSE = 0.50; and d-index = 0.50. The percentage bias (PBIAS) statistic revealed that the models’ under-estimated wetted depth after 24 h by 21.9% and 3.9% for silty clay loam and sandy soil, respectively. Sensitivity analysis revealed agreeable models’ performance values. This implies the model’s applicability for estimating wetted distances for an MTI lateral placed at 0.2 m and MTI operating pressure of 150 kPa. We concluded that the models are prescriptive and should be used to estimate wetting geometries for conditions under which they were developed. Further experimentation under varying scenarios for which MTI would be used, including feld conditions, is needed to further validate the model and establish robustness. MTI wetting geometry informs placement depth for optimal irrigation water usage.
7 Oke, A.; Traore, K.; Nati-Bama, A. D.; Igbadun, H.; Ahmed, B.; Ahmed, F.; Zwart, Sander. 2022. Small-scale irrigation and water management technologies for African agricultural transformation. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 166p. (Also in French) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.212]
Small-scale irrigation ; Water management ; Technology ; Agricultural transformation ; Smallholders ; Farmer-led irrigation ; Land resources ; Water resources ; Water supply ; Pumping ; Shallow water ; Groundwater ; Tube wells ; Runoff water ; Water harvesting ; Ponds ; Embankments ; Dams ; Conveyance structures ; Pipes ; Irrigation methods ; Surface irrigation ; Basin irrigation ; Border irrigation ; Furrow irrigation ; Sprinkler irrigation ; Drip irrigation ; Irrigation systems ; Irrigation scheduling ; Wetting front ; Soil water content ; Sensors ; Contour cultivation ; Tillage ; Land levelling ; Soil moisture ; Moisture conservation ; Water conservation ; Techniques ; Crop production ; Water requirements ; Water use efficiency ; Irrigation equipment ; Maintenance ; Irrigation efficiency ; Solar energy ; Cost analysis ; Investment ; Business models ; Capacity development ; Training materials ; Learning activities / Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051446)
(7.73 MB)
8 Oke, A.; Traore, K.; Nati-Bama, A. D.; Igbadun, H.; Ahmed, B.; Ahmed, F.; Zwart, Sander. 2022. Technologies d’irrigation à petite échelle et de gestion de l’eau pour la transformation agricole Africaine. In French. [Small-scale irrigation and water management technologies for African agricultural transformation]. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 179p. (Also in English) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.213]
Small-scale irrigation ; Water management ; Technology ; Agricultural transformation ; Smallholders ; Farmer-led irrigation ; Land resources ; Water resources ; Water supply ; Pumping ; Shallow water ; Groundwater ; Tube wells ; Runoff water ; Water harvesting ; Ponds ; Embankments ; Dams ; Conveyance structures ; Pipes ; Irrigation methods ; Surface irrigation ; Basin irrigation ; Border irrigation ; Furrow irrigation ; Sprinkler irrigation ; Drip irrigation ; Irrigation systems ; Irrigation scheduling ; Wetting front ; Soil water content ; Sensors ; Contour cultivation ; Tillage ; Land levelling ; Soil moisture ; Moisture conservation ; Water conservation ; Techniques ; Crop production ; Water requirements ; Water use efficiency ; Irrigation equipment ; Maintenance ; Irrigation efficiency ; Solar energy ; Cost analysis ; Investment ; Business models ; Capacity development ; Training materials ; Learning activities / Africa
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051447)
(7.50 MB)
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