Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : An overview of on farm water management practices : a case study of Salar Bagh canal in Asadabad district, Kunar, Province

Auteur : Shakirullah

Université de soutenance : Wageningen University

Grade : Master of Science (MS) 2011

Résumé
The main theme of this study is to investigate the on-farm water management practices of the farmers and give recommendations for the improvement of these practices to reduce water losses at farm-level. The study was carried out in the Tisha and Nawabad villages in the capital of Kunar province. The people of this area were farmers and were engaged in farming. This research studied the current on-farm water management practices of farmers at farm level. The on-farm management practices studied included land preparation and leveling, irrigation scheduling and determination of irrigation time. The physical structure of the watercourses were also studied and observed. The water distribution among the water users was also studied. A survey was conducted in Tisha and Nawabad villages with the help of pre-structured questionnaire. Thirty farmers were selected randomly with the consultation of the directorate of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, Kunar, Asadabad. The data collected was tabulated and analyzed with the help of SPSS. The result of the study revealed that the farmers of the study area were not practicing good onfarm water management practices. Their fields were not leveled properly. There were high and low spots in the fields. The rodent’s problem was also there and the farmers were not able to manage this problem. The physical condition of the watercourses was poor. The water courses were not lined and there were poor water control structures. There were a lot of water losses due to the poor condition of water courses. The water distribution was done by a traditional water management system known as Mirab. The Mirab system was not effective in proper water distribution and O&M of irrigation infrastructure. The water was inequitably distributed among the users. There was no linkage between the farmers and the DAIL department of irrigation. The farmers did not know about the improve water management practices due to the lack of extension services. It can be concluded that the current on-farm water management practices of the farmers were very poor. The poor practices have contributed significantly in the water losses at the watercourse and farm level. Therefore, there is a need to improve the on farm water management practices of the farmers at the farm level in order to address the current water shortage and meet the increasing demand for irrigation water. The DAIL department of irrigation could play important role in this regards.

Mots clés : water management / farms / irrigation / water distribution / afghanistan

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