PLANNING AND OPERATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Water is a fundamental resource for all life systems and a crucial component of irrigated agriculture. Nevertheless, due to degradation it is getting increasingly scarce. In order to fulfil the food and fibre requirements of rapidly growing population, emphasis is placed more on efficient use of existing water resources than on new resource developments. Latest advances in computer technology provide the opportunity for information gathering, transferring and processing to be done much more easily, efficiently, and sometimes automatically. The present study was aimed at developing methods and tools by making use of advances in computer technology for efficient planning and operation of irrigation systems leading to enhanced water use efficiencies of irrigation projects. The work is aimed at a broad range of users, from field engineers and extension specialists to water managers at the farm, district, and higher levels. It can be used as a planning tool or to assist in making management decisions, whether strategic, tactical or operational developing agricultural water management strategies for a variety of objectives and applications.

AFTAB H. AZHAR, PhD: Irrigation Engineering (VUT-Australia), M.Engg (AIT-Bangkok), Assistant Professor at Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering, University of Engg. & Tech., Lahore ? Pakistan. B.J. CHRIS PERERA, PhD: Civil Engineering (Canada), Professor/Associate Dean, Victoria University of Technology, Melbourne?Australia.