13 research outputs found
Prospects for improving gravity-fed surface irrigation systems in Mediterranean European contexts
Traditionally, most irrigation practices in Southern Europe have been based on gravity-fed
surface irrigation systems. Currently, these systems remain a relevant typology in the European Union
(EU) member states of the Mediterranean areas, where it is often the only sustainable method for
farmers due to the small size of agricultural holdings, their reduced capacity and readiness to invest
and the low ratio between yield profits and irrigation costs. In the last several years, in response
to European and national directives, surface irrigation has garnered increasing attention at the
political and bureaucratic levels due to frequent criticisms of its postulated low efficiency and high
water wastage. However, these systems commonly provide a number of ecosystem services and
nature-based solutions that increase the positive externalities in different rural socio-ecological
contexts and often have the potential to extend these services and provide solutions that are
compatible with economical sustainability. This study aims to discuss the prospects for new practices
and for the rehabilitation and modernization of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems in EU
Mediterranean areas to enhance water efficiency, thus gaining both economic advantages and
environmental benefits. The difficulties, stimuli for improvements and peculiarities of the irrigation
water management of four rural environments located in Italy, Spain and Portugal were analyzed
and compared to the current state of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems with hypothetical
future improvements achievable by innovative technologies and practices. In these different case
studies, the current gravity-fed surface irrigation systems have an obsolete regulatory structure;
water-use efficiency is not a driving criterion for the management of the conveyance and distribution
canal network, and farmers are not yet adequately encouraged to adopt more efficient gravity-fed
irrigation practices. A continuous knowledge exchange is thus necessary for the interaction of all
irrigation water managers and farmers to improve their eco-efficiency and to preserve and promote
their cultural heritage across the entire water supply and delivery chains. We argue that the best
way forward will require precisely targeted rehabilitation measures of gravity-fed surface irrigation
systems based on the integrated use of decision support services, gate automation, remote and
feedback controls and real-time flow optimization
Integrating remote sensing and census information for land securing in Nord Kivu, DRC.
Land disputes are considered both key sources and perpetuating factors of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Existing literature demonstrates that remote sensing (RS) is a useful tool for systematically monitor the spatial-temporal land use/land cover dynamics in many regions of the world. For this reason, in this paper we propose a methodology for the integration of different sources of information, namely satellite imagery and census information, in order to set up a Spatial Decision Support System aimed at Multi-Criteria Evaluation of potential pilot sites for agricultural development and refugees resettlement
evaluating performances of the first automatic system for paddy irrigation in europe
Italy is the leading rice producer in Europe, accounting for more than half of the total high-quality production of this crop. Rice is traditionally grown in fields that remain flooded starting with crop establishment until close to harvest. The water management in rice areas requires a high level of labor because it is based on maintaining a predetermined water height in paddy fields and because the regulation of input and output flow is typically operated manually by the farmers. This study aims to evaluate the hydraulic, control and economical performances of the first automatic and remote-controlled system applied for traditional rice irrigation in Europe and tested in Italy during 2016 agricultural season. In particular, (i) the effects of automation on the water balance; (ii) the reliability of the irrigation system for a real-time control of flow regulation and water level management in the field and (iii) the economic viability of the investment are investigated
Economic Performance of Traditional and Modern Rice Varieties under Different Water Management Systems
Water Management Options for Rice Cultivation in a Temperate Area: A Multi-Objective Model to Explore Economic and Water Saving Results
Prospects for Improving Gravity-Fed Surface Irrigation Systems in Mediterranean European Contexts
Traditionally, most irrigation practices in Southern Europe have been based on gravity-fed
surface irrigation systems. Currently, these systems remain a relevant typology in the European Union
(EU) member states of the Mediterranean areas, where it is often the only sustainable method for
farmers due to the small size of agricultural holdings, their reduced capacity and readiness to invest
and the low ratio between yield profits and irrigation costs. In the last several years, in response
to European and national directives, surface irrigation has garnered increasing attention at the
political and bureaucratic levels due to frequent criticisms of its postulated low efficiency and high
water wastage. However, these systems commonly provide a number of ecosystem services and
nature-based solutions that increase the positive externalities in different rural socio-ecological
contexts and often have the potential to extend these services and provide solutions that are
compatible with economical sustainability. This study aims to discuss the prospects for new practices
and for the rehabilitation and modernization of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems in EU
Mediterranean areas to enhance water efficiency, thus gaining both economic advantages and
environmental benefits. The difficulties, stimuli for improvements and peculiarities of the irrigation
water management of four rural environments located in Italy, Spain and Portugal were analyzed
and compared to the current state of the gravity-fed surface irrigation systems with hypothetical
future improvements achievable by innovative technologies and practices. In these different case
studies, the current gravity-fed surface irrigation systems have an obsolete regulatory structure;
water-use efficiency is not a driving criterion for the management of the conveyance and distribution
canal network, and farmers are not yet adequately encouraged to adopt more efficient gravity-fed
irrigation practices. A continuous knowledge exchange is thus necessary for the interaction of all
irrigation water managers and farmers to improve their eco-efficiency and to preserve and promote
their cultural heritage across the entire water supply and delivery chains. We argue that the best
way forward will require precisely targeted rehabilitation measures of gravity-fed surface irrigation
systems based on the integrated use of decision support services, gate automation, remote and
feedback controls and real-time flow optimizatio