Currently, the utilisation of worldwide freshwater withdrawals for agriculture is approximately 70%, as stated by the FAO in 2019. To ensure safe, stable, and profitable food production while freeing up water for alternative purposes, including environmental preservation, it is essential to implement measures that enhance the efficiency of water allocation for irrigation.
Here are some ways that illustrate how technology has enhanced water allocation for irrigational purposes.
- Automation of Irrigation Technology
Automation or modernization of agricultural equipment has become quite popular in recent decades. This is because it saves time as well as offers improved efficiency that results in better allocation of natural resources. Apart from this, the focus of this replacement is also given to saving water or preventing water wastage. This also aids in reduced labour costs, sustainable agricultural production, and better livelihood for the farmers.
In Australia, the implementation of advanced technology and automation has been extended beyond the farm level to encompass the modernisation and automation of water distribution networks. This entails employing specialised equipment that facilitates the irrigation process to function with minimal human intervention, except for occasional inspections and regular maintenance.
- Irrigation Scheduling
Irrigation scheduling is the process of setting how much water is necessary at a certain point in time. This is the replacement of ancient processes where farmers used to rely on their experiences to water the field manually as and when required.
To effectively schedule irrigation, it is crucial to comprehend the dynamics of plant water consumption. Factors like weather conditions, growth stage, and canopy moisture have a significant impact on it.
- Optimization of Surface Water Irrigation
It refers to the process of manipulating various variables within an irrigation system to achieve the best possible outcome. Traditionally, people have accomplished it through trial and error or the expertise of irrigators. However, with recent advancements in technology, there has been a growing trend of utilising simulation models to aid in the water usage optimisation process.
Real-time control involves utilising measurements obtained during an ongoing irrigation event to make adjustments to that same event. This approach differs from conventional management systems. It typically relies on past or historical records regarding changes in infiltration characteristics. Real-time control becomes feasible when the process is automated, allowing for rapid implementation of feedback.
- Conservation of Water
Depletion of water within a hydrologic basin, caused by plant water usage, is known as evapotranspiration (ET) from the watershed. When farmers divert water from its original path for irrigation, it eventually returns to its source basin through processes like surface runoff or deep percolation. This can occur when you channel excess water through canals, pipes, or other conveyance systems.
The widespread adoption of drip irrigation on farms is an effective approach to water conservation. This type of water allocation for irrigation enables the precise delivery of water directly to plants’ roots, minimising losses due to runoff or deep percolation. By utilising drip technology, the amount of water lost through percolation or surface runoff can be significantly reduced.
- Hydrology
Hydrology is based on the idea of the maintenance of balance between both water flow and stock. The hydrologic model enforces a comprehensive balance for both surface water and groundwater, accounting for all flows and stocks. This model tracks various crucial flows of water, including irrigation, water depletion, reservoir releases, and groundwater pumping. Additionally, scientists closely monitor significant stocks such as reservoir and aquifer levels and incorporate them into the analysis.
Necessity for Water Allocation Management
Efficiency improvement in agricultural water allocation is necessary to address the challenges posed by climate change, population growth, and shortage of water. These factors contribute to increased competition for water and the impact of drought on water availability, as highlighted by the IPCC in 2014. As highlighted by the World Economic Forum in 2019, the identification of water crises is one of the greatest global societal threats, further emphasising the urgency of taking into consideration the gravity of the situation.Technology has been either a curse or a boon to humankind. This entirely depends on how we use technology as the purpose of innovation is to help. Water is the only natural resource that is now facing the danger of depletion. Using technology for careful water allocation for irrigation will save both the agricultural and available sources of water.
