Water Use Efficiency

2. Water Use Efficiency • Ratio of amount of water beneficially used to the amount of water delivered or withdrawn (hydraulic definition) • Mass or value of agricultural produce per unit amount of water withdrawn (other definition)

3. Water Use Efficiency (cont’d) • Degree by which the use of water withdrawn from a given source for whatever purpose is maximized (practical definition) • Implies minimization of losses during conveyance and application

4. Technologies and Practices for Improving Water Use Efficiency

5. Technologies and Practices • Drip irrigation • Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) • Conservation Agriculture (Biological Engineering) • Proper irrigation water management at the farm and system level

6. Technologies and Practices (cont’d) • Irrigation by demand or by rotation • Improvement of conveyance and water delivery system • Development of minor irrigation systems

7. Technologies and Practices (cont’d) • Optimal water resources allocation • Water recycling and reuse • Water conservation and sustainable water resources management

8. Issues and Problems • Lack of relevant research on efficient, effective and appropriate irrigation water management technologies • Lack of financial and institutional support

9. Issues and Problems (cont’d.) • Absence or inadequate water control and hydraulic structures • Social and organizational problems • Poor maintenance of existing irrigation systems (NIS and CIS)

10. Issues and Problems in Irrigation (cont’d.) • Low priority given to minor irrigation systems (STWs, LLPs, SFRs) • Failure to fully implement AFMA

11. Relevant Provisions of the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 (R.A. 8435) • NIA is mandated by AFMA to plan, design, develop, rehabilitate and improve the National Irrigation Systems • The planning, design and management of communal irrigation systems are to be devolved to LGUs with NIA providing technical assistance

12. The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 (R.A. 8435) cont’d. • DA is mandated by AFMA to formulate and develop a plan to promote minor irrigation systems e.g. STWs and LLPs • AFMA stipulates that irrigation research and development shall be pursued and priority shall be given to the development of effective, appropriate and efficient irrigation and water management technologies

13. The Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) of 1997 (R.A. 8435) cont’d. • DA is mandated by AFMA to coordinate with DENR in the preservation and rehabilitation of watersheds to support irrigation systems

14. RECOMMENDATIONS • Continued research and development on efficient irrigation technologies and practices • Provision of adequate institutional and financial support for research and technology promotion • Provision of the necessary water control structures in existing irrigation systems

15. RECOMMENDATIONS (cont’d.) • Proper design of new irrigation systems to incorporate measures for increasing water use efficiency • Organization and/or strengthening of irrigators association • Capacity building for all water users • Prioritization of minor irrigation systems

16. RECOMMENDATIONS (cont’d.) • Better coordination among agencies, organizations and other entities that develop, manage and use water resources in the country • Revisit and implement the provisions of AFMA that are geared towards water use efficiency • Better policies on water resources utilization in the Philippines • Sustainable water resources management

17. Thank You!

18. Contact Information Dr. Victor B. Ella Professor College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology University of the Philippines Los Baños College, Laguna Tel/Fax: (63-49) 536-2387 E-mail: vbella@up.edu.ph or vbella100@yahoo.com