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Water Saving Approaches on Agricultural Consumption in Iran. Mehrzad Ehsani. Director General on Operation of Irrigation Structures, Iran’s Water Resources Management Authority. Population: 75 million (18 th in the world); Area: 165 Mha (18 th in the world);
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Water Saving Approaches on Agricultural Consumption in Iran Mehrzad Ehsani Director General on Operation of Irrigation Structures, Iran’s Water Resources Management Authority
Population: 75 million (18th in the world); Area: 165 Mha(18th in the world); Climate: Arid & semi-arid; Precipitation: 250mm annually; History & Civilization: one of the most ancient countries in the world; Irrigated Area: Around 9 million ha; World ranking the fifth after China, India, USA, and Pakistan, INTRODUCTION Islamic Republic of Iran
Annual Precipitation in Iran The Precipitation is less than 100 mm in more than 50% of to total area of Iran
Per capita renewable water resources Trend of Population Growth from 1900 to 2010 Trends of per capita renewable water resources Rapid population increase is the most important factor of per capita renewable water decrease in Iran during the last 100 years. Iran’s population increased from 8.6 million in 1900 to 75 million in 2012 that is about 8.7 times as many as the previous 11 decades. The per capita renewable water resources (PCRWR) of the country is decreased from 15000 cubic meters in 1900 to about 1730 cubic meters in 2010.
Role of Irrigation in Food Production Irrigation plays vital role in food production and improving food security in the country. Irrigation areas are approximately equal to the rain-fed areas ; however, most of the production comes from the areas under irrigation. For the past 5 years , about 86 percent of Iran total agricultural products are from irrigated farming. Annual crops production of Irrigated and rain-fed lands
Agricultural Production in Iran Ref: FAO, 2008 Iran Share of Fruits and Vegetables Production in the World is 1.93% which ranked as 8th in the World ; reported by FAO.
Development plan of Irrigation Systems Iran government is determined to develop irrigation systems by emphasizing on developing controlled irrigation methods such as pressurized irrigation, greenhouse, and application of pipes instead of open canals. According to the performed studies, there is the possibility of developing pressurized irrigation for about 4 million hectares in the country. Hence, the government is committed to pay about 85% of total investment as the grant and the rest free-interest loans for investment of pressurized irrigation to persuade farmers to extensively use such methods.
Development plan of Irrigation Systems Localized and Sprinkler Irrigation
Irrigation Efficiency IWRM: Iran Water Resources Management Authority
Equipment of irrigation networks to ultrasonic water measurement 15 BCM irrigation water will be managed • Water delivery to around 2 million hectares irrigation network (or 15 BCM water) will be managed and controlled constantly. • Applying automation system for better water management
Groundwater Management Practical Action on Groundwater Water Saving
Iran’s Subsidized Reform Subsidized Reform is the most recent and important policy in water and energy supply and demand: According to this law, real economic value of water and energy shall gradually be estimated and materialized so that the full cost of water and energy in the end of the 5th year of the programm should be covered (domestics and industries). • Energy Price (Electricity) in Agricultural sector has been increased 3 times in first the phase comparing to previous one. • Effect of first phase is under study to decide applying the second phase of subsidized reform. • Increasing Water Fee in agricultural sector is under investigation. • In general, around 5% reduction in water consumption has been reported in domestics sector.
Wells Programmable Gauges • It is the policy that all the agricultural wells must be equipped to Programmable gauges: • Share of farmers from groundwater will be determined each year, and Water allocation will be charged on the specific Card! • Farmer will not be able to withdrawal water more then permitted allocation. • Gauges are completely programmable (monthly or yearly). • In the first step, around 25, 000 wells equipped to Gauge.
Policy: Increase Farm Size • minimum acceptable area of farmers would be 4-10 ha for irrigated land and 10-25 ha in rainfed farms (Avoiding land fragmentation). • In order to support landowners to join small holdings above the determined limits, the government would provide special financial and technical privileges to pay the insurance fees of such farmers’ products for at most 5 years after the land integration has taken place.
Approaches • Raising Public Awareness, through media, cartoon, direct training and expansion of farmers. • Issuing license for volume of permitted water allocation according to size of land, crop pattern and water availability for all agricultural land, and control not to use more the permitted. • Financial Support for innovation in technique and technology in water saving in agriculture. • Revising water fees, (Surface water fee for irrigation network is 1-3 % of produced crops in hectare according to the development of irrigation system).
Conclusions Technical, Managerial and policies programs, as well as, investment on water resources and irrigation infrastructures in addition with training and education of farmers and field engineers towards water saving in agriculture and enhancing water productivity resulted positive impact on better management of limited fresh water in Iran. In fact, It is not the end, we are in the beginning of long way to achieve the comprehensive water management
