Water Resources Demand Management at National Level

1. Water Resources Demand Management at National Level MALAYSIA

2. Malaysia • Equatorial climate • 2 distinct monsoons – 60% annual rain falls in Nov. to Jan. • Avg. rainfall 2500 mm/yr • Mean relative humidity – 78% - 87% • Annual bright sunshine hours of 1764 – 2664 hours • Population – 28.25 mill. (2010) • Land area – 33 mill. Ha • Peninsular Malaysia – 13 mil Ha • Sabah and Sarawak – 20 mil Ha • Total cultivated area – 6.2 mill. Ha (40% cultivable) • 90% cultivated area – palm oil, rubber & fruit trees • 10% cash crops – mainly paddy CURRENT WATER RESOURCES DEMAND CONDITIONS AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES - SITUATION

3. Agriculture Land Use

4. Paddy Areas • Total paddy area ~ 475,000 ha • Granary area ~ 210,000 ha • Non-granary area ~ 265,000 ha • Irrigated area ~ 120,000 ha • Non-Irrigated area ~ 145,000 ha • Wet paddy ~ 85,000 ha • Upland Paddy ~ 60,000 ha

5. RICE PRODUCTION IN MALAYSIA 2004 - 2009 (‘000 TONS)

6. CURRENT STATUS OF WATER RESOURCES DEMAND CONDITIONS AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT MEASURES SITUATION Water Resources in Malaysia • 150 major river basins – agriculture consume 70% water • Avg. annual rainfall 2,500 mm = 990 BCM • Groundwater resource estimated safe yield of 64 BCM • No physical water scarcity • Spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall is not uniform • Require more storage and optimization of rainfall

7. WATER RESOURCES DEMAND CONDITIONSCURRENT AND PROJECTED DEMAND

8. AGRICULTURAL WATER DEMANDIN MALAYSIA • Agricultural water demand in Malaysia is currently stand at 13 BCM, mainly for paddy irrigation. • Total paddy planting area is 360,000 ha (270,000 ha irrigated, 90,000 ha rain-fed). • Projected irrigation demands IS PREDICTED TO BE slightly decrease based on improve irrigation efficiencies, improve farming practices, introduction paddy strains with shorter growing periods and other measures • The Future agriculture water demand is based on Agro-Food Policy (2010-2020) formulated MOA to achieve certain Self Sufficiency Level in Agro-Food production

9. WATER DEMAND ISSUES IN MALAYSIA • Agriculture consume almost 70% of water extracted from rivers • Most of water extracted is for rice cultivation • Rice is very important crop for National Food Security and source of income for 300,000 farmers • Malaysia produced 70% - 75% of rice required for local consumption annually • The current Food Policy on rice productions is to produce at least 70% of SSL • Farmers income in rice industry to be uplifted to USD3,000 annually • As no land suitable for new rice cultivation, production need to increase through higher yield and cropping intensity

10. WATER DEMAND ISSUES IN MALAYSIA • To increase yield requires reliable and adequate water supply • Additional water will be required to increase cropping intensity • Water deficit occurs during annual low flow periods and drought years • Irrigation schemes depending on river run-off without reservoirs, vulnerable to water shortage

11. RICE CULTIVATION IN MALAYSIA • Rice cultivation in irrigated areas practice flooding system • Avg. yield = 3.8 kg/ha • Wet direct seeding is widely practiced since 20 years ago • Reliable water supply is foremost in this practiced to control the growth of weeds and other field activities

12. KADA MADA Kemasin Semerak IADP P. Pinang Besut Kerian Seberang Perak Sg. Manik Northwest Selangor LEGEND GRANARY AREA . . Mini Granary Area (74)

13. RICE CULTIVATION IN MALAYSIA - FUTURE • Increase cropping intensity to 5 season in 2 yrs (CI = 225%) is one of the future option to increase production • Non granary areas with available water source will be upgraded to increase yield and cropping intensity through the provision of new water source • New areas to be developed are mainly in Sabah and Sarawak where water sources are available • Apart from developing new water source, water for irrigation need to be secured through increase water use efficiency all levels of irrigation supply

14. ADAPTATIONS MEASURES FOR DEMAND CONDITIONS - IN PLANNING • IWRM in managing the water sector and the catchment. Effective implementation of IWRM contribute to the realization of the national water vision • Revision to water laws and formation of a department to manage water resources • Revision of Irrigation laws • Full farmers participation in irrigation management • Reviewing irrigation design procedures to meet future demand management in irrigation management

15. DEMAND ADAPTATION MEASURES IN PLACE • IRRIGATION SYSTEM LEVEL • Reduce conveyance losses through canal lining and pipeline network • Proper water management and controlling of losses through application of new technologies for real time monitoring of spills, flow measurements • Automation of regulators using automatic control system and other physical means • Design and operation water infrastructures based on service concept: Reliable, flexible on-demand supply • Optimization of naturally available water sources: rainfall and uncontrolled surface flow (rivers)

16. Improve irrigation efficiency at all irrigation water supply levels • More effective or more extensive rainwater harvesting and storing in the paddy fields • Develop seed varieties that are more resistant to water stress, shorter growth duration and produce high yield with less water • Good agricultural water management practices to secure land and environment ADAPTATIONS MEASURES FOR DEMAND CONDITIONS - IN PLACE

17. On-farm level and tertiary system • Reduce irrigation period and water saving irrigation practices. • Rearrangement of lot size, shape and level • Transplanting - reduce requirement of water for weeds control • Strengthen farmer’s institution • Crop management and variety: high yield variety, high value crop, shorter duration • Best Management Practice and precision agriculture: Conserve water, energy, labour and environment. ADAPTATIONS MEASURES FOR DEMAND CONDITIONS - IN PLACE

18. DEMAND MITIGATION MEASURES IN PLACE AND IN PLANNING • Development of alternative water source, such as groundwater to be used during drought • Development of water reuse or recycle facilities- PUMP AND RESERVOIRS • Redesign and improvement of drainage structures to store water and to regulate water level when required • Developing of Drought management plan for all irrigation schemes • SCADA system to monitor real time water situation in rivers, reservoirs and irrigation systems

19. National Level Policies • National Water Resources Policy - Water Resources Sustainability • - Federal and State Governments will look at optimising and minimising wastage of water resources and address aspects related to demand management Demand Mgmt. Policies & Programs

20. National Demand Management Programs and Investments • Programs in the National Food Security • Increase irrigation infrastructure to optimum level of 50 m/ha – reduce water loss • Land Leveling – implement land leveling to improve efficiency of good agricultural practices • Government Programs • Rehabilitation, upgrading and modernize existing irrigation scheme • Improve management, O&M to increase water use efficiency • Provide incentive for commercial paddy farming Demand Mgmt. Policies & Programs

21. National Demand Management Programs and Investments .. Cont.. • Government Programs • Continuously worked through research and collaboration with International and Regional organizations in increasing agriculture water use efficiency, demand management and sustainable water use through various programs:- • - such as Benchmarking, Rapid Appraisal Procedures (RAPs) Evaluation, MASSCOTE, Capacity building, Conferences, country visits, pilot projects and technical studies., Demand Mgmt. Policies & Programs

22. Demand Mgmt. Policies & Programs Strengthening Water User Group (e.g. Farmers participation in decision making processes) Remote Sensing Technology Research and Development

23. National demand management programs and investments • Irrigation Modernization programs to increase irrigation efficiency • Development of water recycle facilities and reservoirs • Land consolidation and land levelling • Provision of SCADA and telemetry system for efficient water management • Training of farmers and establishment of Water User Group

24. LESSONS LEARNED • Proper irrigation scheduling can result in significant savings in irrigation time, labour, energy, and water. By carefully managing the amount of water applied, leaching of nutrients and erosion can be reduced. • No single agency entrusted with the overall planning and management of water. There is a need for one agency to pursue a more effective water management. • Lack of people awareness on WDM issues and the greater lack of trained personnel equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge on WDM

25. Recycling drainage water for irrigation • Fourth water source for irrigation Lessons Learned In Muda irrigation scheme, all the recycling pumps contribute 17% of the water from reservoir.

26. Reduce conveyance losses through canal lining and pipeline network. Lessons Learned

27. Telemetry system to Muda area for managing water demand • Information (rainfall/water level) to priorities on the effective and optimum usage of water resources, • Information (water level/gate opening) for decision on water distribution Best Practices in Demand Mgmt.

28. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES REGARDING DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE • To provide appropriate irrigation system and infrastructures to meet demand management requirement • Small size, irregular shape and unlevel paddy fields in most paddy areas • To get farmers cooperation to practice efficient water management at tertiary level • Provision of government annual budget for O&M of irrigation scheme to support State Government • Develop seed variety that are more resistant to water stress and shorter growth duration - use less water

29. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES REGARDING DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE • SMALL SIZE, IRREGULAR SHAPE AND UNLEVEL PADDY FIELD IN MOST OF PADDY AREAS IN MALAYSIA...WHY?? • It is difficult to manage water and apply modern farming activities • Require more intensity of irrigation infrastructure • Have to deal with many farmers

30. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES REGARDING DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE • TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE IRRIGATION SYSTEM AND INFRASTRUCTURES TO MEET DEMAND MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS.....WHY?? • Permanent reservoirs are required for demand management and water saving • Installation of infrastructures requires significant investment • Demand management requires the coordination of all level irrigation management

31. PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES REGARDING DEMAND MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE • TO GET FARMERS’ COOPERATION TO PRACTICE EFFICIENT WATER MANAGEMENT AT TERTIARY AND ON FARM LEVELS.....WHY?? • Farmers age and level of education • No water charge imposed • Too many farmers • No nurtured farmers organisation • Existing field infrastructures are difficult to manage and to operate

32. NEW DEMAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES BEING DEVELOPED OR IN PROGRESS • R&D in the search of appropriate tertiary canal to meet demand management • Guidelines and procedures for modern design of irrigation infrastructures • Land levelling and land consolidation is associated with new irrigation design • Encouragement of using pipelines as irrigation conveyance

33. Ideal situation is for the government at all levels federal, state and local – to work together towards demand management • No single consolidated water policy for the country, at least not yet. If there were one, it involves managing water demand as a priority before rushing head-on to yet another large scale supply side-management project. • Acceptance of farmers is crucial in all demand management policies Important factors to consider and principles to follow in demand management policies

34. CONCLUSION • Future water demand scenario in Malaysia requires supply and demand management • Demand management is required to reduce the pressure to develop new water source infrastructures to meet future demand • Demand management requires investment and innovation in new irrigation infrastructure, management and capacity building • Sharing of knowledge and experiences in demand management and demand response in irrigation water management among ASEAN countries will contribute to meet future water demand for irrigation

35. Thank You !