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Pilot Testing of Innovative Technologies to Improve Water Use Efficiency (2019-20 to 2022-23)

The government's vision for the agriculture sector includes promoting water conservation and productivity. Through the use of soil moisture monitoring gadgets, the proposed project aims to enhance water use efficiency at the farm level. By implementing climate-smart interventions and demonstrating their effectiveness, the project seeks to improve water productivity and crop yield. This focus on water use efficiency will not only contribute to conserving water resources but also stimulate rural economic growth. Farmers will benefit from increased incomes and improved livelihoods as they optimize irrigation practices and reduce water wastage. The efficient use of water will lead to higher agricultural output, contributing to food security and creating employment opportunities in rural areas. By prioritizing water conservation and productivity, the government aims to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and support the overall growth of the rural economy.

Project Objectives: Enhancing Water Use Efficiency and Productivity in Agriculture

The main objective of the project is to enhance water use efficiency in agriculture for the socio-economic upliftment of the farming community. The project aims to achieve this objective by implementing several key objectives, including:

  1. Enhancing water use efficiency (WUE) of flood irrigation method: The project will utilize soil moisture gadgets, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method, and Direct Seeding Rice (DSR) technique to improve the efficiency of flood irrigation. These techniques will optimize water usage and reduce wastage.
  2. Demonstrating the impact of soil moisture gadgets: The project will calibrate and demonstrate the impact of soil moisture gadgets on improving water productivity compared to conventional irrigation scheduling methods. This will provide evidence of the benefits of using such gadgets and encourage their wider adoption.
  3. Indigenizing/standardizing soil moisture monitoring gadgets: The project aims to adapt and standardize soil moisture monitoring gadgets to suit the local environment. This will ensure that the technology is appropriate and accessible to farmers in the target region.
  4. Capacity development: The project will focus on the capacity development of professionals and farmers. Training programs and workshops will be conducted to educate them about innovative techniques for enhancing water use efficiency. This will empower them to implement these techniques effectively and make informed decisions regarding water management.

By achieving these objectives, the project aims to enhance water use efficiency, improve water productivity, and uplift the socio-economic status of the farming community.

    

Key Components   

  1. Calibration of soil moisture monitoring gadgets and climate-smart interventions: The efficacy of soil moisture monitoring gadgets and other climate-smart interventions will be calibrated at the Water Management Research Farm in Renala Khurd. This will ensure their effectiveness and suitability for promotion and upscaling.
  2. Awareness creation and social mobilization: Farmers will be educated about the benefits of soil moisture monitoring and irrigation scheduling. Social mobilization efforts will be undertaken to establish Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs) in the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) command area. These centers will serve as demonstration sites for climate-smart interventions related to water use efficiency.
  3. Establishment of Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs): 18 TTCs will be established in the LBDC command area to showcase and promote water use efficiency techniques. These centers will focus on various activities, including farm layout planning, precision land leveling, water budgeting, and accounting. They will also provide rapid soil testing kits for balanced fertilizer application, install flow measurement devices for water accounting, and deploy soil moisture monitoring gadgets.
  4. Adoption of water-saving techniques: The project will encourage the adoption of water-saving techniques such as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) and Direct Seeding Rice (DSR) in rice fields. These techniques aim to increase water productivity while conserving water resources.
  5. Training of farmers and capacity building: Farmers will receive training on the adoption of climate-smart interventions and water use efficiency techniques. Technical staff will also undergo capacity building to provide necessary support and guidance to farmers in successfully implementing these interventions.

These key components collectively aim to enhance water use efficiency, promote sustainable agriculture practices, and empower farmers with the knowledge and tools to improve their productivity while conserving water resources.

Location

Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) command area, encompassing nine tehsils across four districts: Kasur, Okara, Sahiwal, and Khanewal in Pakistan.

Specific locations within the project area:

  1. Water Management Research Farm (WMRF) in Renala Khurd, district Okara: This will serve as the site for evaluating the efficacy of soil moisture measurement gadgets.
  2. Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs): A total of 18 TTCs will be established across the LBDC command area, covering the following tehsils:
    • Pattoki
    • Okara
    • Renala Khurd
    • Sahiwal
    • Chichawatni
    • Khanewal
    • Mianchannu
    • Jahanian
    • Kabirwala

These TTCs will be strategically located in the above-mentioned tehsils to facilitate the demonstration of climate-smart interventions and enhance water use efficiency. Please refer to the attached location map for a visual representation of the project area and its specific locations.

Gestation Period

The proposed project has a gestation period of four (4) years, spanning from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

Expected outcomes

  • The proposed project is expected to yield several positive outcomes, including:

  • Water savings: Implementation of water-saving techniques and the use of soil moisture monitoring gadgets are anticipated to result in water savings of up to 35 percent. This reduction in water usage will contribute to the conservation of water resources and ensure their sustainable use in agriculture.
  • Increased yield: The adoption of climate-smart interventions and improved water use efficiency are expected to lead to an increase in crop yield by approximately 8 percent. By optimizing irrigation practices and providing crops with the appropriate amount of water, farmers can achieve higher productivity and improve their agricultural output.
  • Energy savings: Efficient water use and irrigation management can lead to a reduction in energy consumption by up to 35 percent. This is primarily attributed to the optimized use of irrigation systems and the avoidance of overwatering, which often requires significant energy inputs.
  • Improved produce quality: By implementing climate-smart interventions and enhancing water use efficiency, the overall quality of agricultural produce is likely to improve. Adequate and balanced irrigation, as facilitated by soil moisture monitoring gadgets, can contribute to better crop health, uniform growth, and improved quality of harvested produce.
  • Reduced nutrient costs: Through the application of precision farming techniques and soil testing kits provided at the Technology Transfer Centers, farmers can optimize the use of fertilizers. This optimization ensures that nutrients are applied based on specific crop requirements, leading to more efficient nutrient utilization and a reduction in nutrient costs.

  • These expected outcomes demonstrate the potential benefits of the proposed project, including water savings, increased yield, energy conservation, improved product quality, and reduced nutrient costs. These outcomes contribute to sustainable agriculture practices, better resource management, and improved economic returns for farmers.

Financial Implications (Rs. million)

The financial implications of the proposed project are estimated at Rs. 50.880 million. This figure represents the total project cost, including expenses related to the implementation of various activities, procurement of equipment and materials, capacity building initiatives, and establishment of Technology Transfer Centers (TTCs) in the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) command area. The project cost encompasses all the necessary financial resources required for the successful execution and completion of the project objectives, such as enhancing water use efficiency, improving water productivity, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.