Agriculture

Globally, the agricultural sector consumes about 70% of the planet’s accessible freshwater. Because water is vital for the success of agriculture, proper water management techniques are necessary to meet food and fiber material demands around the world. Resources available here pay special attention to efficient irrigation and sustainable agriculture techniques.

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Agriculture Resources

Tanks of South India (A Potential for Future Expansion in Irrigation)

Published: 
June 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
The potential for modernizing and improving tank (small reservoir) irrigation in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is assessed. After reviewing tank irrigation in Tamil Nadu and the problems affecting its performance, the report examines irrigation in the drought-prone Ramanathapuram District (where...Read more
Regional focus: 
IndiaSouth East Asia

Bangladesh Small-Scale Irrigation

Published: 
April 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
The Small Scale Irrigation Project in Bangladesh is an example of a project which could not fail, but, due to a variety of institutional shortcomings, almost did. So concludes this evaluation of the project, which was initiated in 1976 to provide hand tube wells (HTW's) to small farmers in...Read more
Regional focus: 
South East Asia

Minor Irrigation Development in Bangladesh

Published: 
April 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
Agriculture plays a critical role in Bangledesh's economy. It employs seven out of every ten people, produces 56 percent of the nation's Gross Domestic Product and accounts for 90 percent of export earnings. Sector performance has been satisfactory over the past decade. Rapid population...Read more
Regional focus: 
South East Asia

Tank Irrigation Schemes

Published: 
January 1, 1983
U.S. Agency for International Development
This is a report on tank irrigation schemes. Tank irrigation schemes in the developing countries often fail to generate expected levels of crop production and farm income. Causes of poor performance in existing irrigation projects include shortcomings in overall project management and in procedures...Read more
Regional focus: 
IndiaSouth East Asia

Irrigation Development Options and Investment Strategies for the 1980'S: Sri Lanka

Published: 
September 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International DevelopmentColorado State University
Rather than explicitly considering irrigation development options, this paper identifies the problems facing Sri Lanka's irrigation sector and offers recommendations for their resolution. First, the Government of Sri Lanka has not given sufficient attention to the role of irrigation in future...Read more
Regional focus: 
Sri LankaSouth East Asia

On-Farm Water Management Project in Pakistan

Published: 
June 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Watercourse improvements conducted under A.I.D.'s On-Farm Water Management Project in Pakistan have enabled farmers to increase their crop yields and incomes. This report analyzes the setting, history, and impact of the project. While water user associations were not effectively established,...Read more
Regional focus: 
PakistanSouth East Asia

Tank Irrigation in Cross Perspective

Published: 
May 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Because irrigated land is usually more productive than rain fed land, and since in India irrigated agriculture traditionally has been taxable at higher rates, there was an incentive for rulers of the past, and their agents or feudatories, to organize and oversee the building and operation of tanks...Read more
Regional focus: 
IndiaSouth East Asia

Circular Concrete Irrigation Turnout: Design and Construction

Published: 
April 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Improved conveyance channel water control structures are very important for bettering on-farm water management and increasing irrigation efficiency. This handbook describes the design, construction, and use of an irrigation channel turnout for rotational distribution systems in Pakistan. Initial...Read more
Regional focus: 
PakistanSouth East Asia

Economics of Local Control of Irrigation Water in Pakistan: a Pilot Study

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
Pakistan's irrigation system is among the world's largest. Government agencies share responsibility for diversion works and delivery canals while management of local distribution networks is left to farmers. Water allocation to farmers is based on rigid local weekly schedules designed to...Read more
Regional focus: 
PakistanSouth East Asia

Organization as a Strategic Resource in Irrigation Development: a Conference Report

Published: 
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This document examines several important recurring problems discussed at the Conference of Asian Irrigation (1982) including: (1) the flow of communication between local water user associations and the agency about project plans and implementation procedures have been inadequate; (2) local groups...Read more
Regional focus: 
South East Asia

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