MANAGEMENT I NTERN AT THE I NTERNATI ONAL RI CE RESEARCH CENTER, LOS BAOS, PHI LI PPI NES The use and dissemination of the alternate wetting and drying technology in Central Luzon, Philippines:
THE CASES OF GRAVITY IRRIGATION IN UPRIIS AND PUMP IRRIGATED AREAS Introduction Water supply is becoming scarce More rice per drop Usually cont. flooded Alternate wetting and drying technology address unproductive water flows Continuous flooding not required throughout the growing season Introduction in Canarem, Tarlac (P-38, pump area) Good results: less water, similar yields Less pump hours, less fuel, less costs Positive feedback and acceptance of AWD
Demo site in Sto Domingo, UPRIIS (gravity) Similar results in terms of no yield reduction Better soil conditions during harvest (mechanization) NIA: encouraged dissemination in UPRIIS and other irrigation systems
Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project Expansion and rehabilitation of UPRIIS service area Additional 37,000 ha (>23,000) More water in the system
Current water situation UPRIIS Division 5 Complementing Division 1-4 Casecnan canal reaches Tarlac
Current water situation UPRIIS Division 5 Complementing Division 1-4 Casecnan reaches Tarlac
The case UPRIIS Flat-rate water pricing Water shortages only in parts during dry season ->Rotational water scheme applied (tail-end first)
Sufficient, but inefficient water distribution (Lampayan) There is no shortage of water to start with (Siopongco et al., 2013) Why should the farmer use AWD when there is plenty of water in the canals? (Lack of incentives, no cost reductions?)
Global relevance of AWD Imminent water crisis in Asia El Nio years? Methane gas reductions and AWD AWD meant as response option to water scarcity The concept should be there (Lampayan)
Research questions AWD relevance in UPRIIS and pump irrigated area? How do irrigation practices of farmers change under Casecnan? What are the perceptions of farmers on AWD? Presentation focuses on Canarem and Casecnan
Hypotheses AWD most beneficial for pump users Farmers with in UPRIIS have sufficient water for cont. flooding and do lack incentives to use AWD The Casecnan project changes the irrigation practices of farmers in Canarem (gets reached by SDC).
Key informant interviews and Focus Group Discussions NIA, NIA-UPRIIS, PhilRice, IRRI Opinions and perceptions on AWD of NIA and farmers Water management focus
2 cases: gravity and pump under improving water availability Data analysis just started Only some initial findings
Canarem Do get reached by SDC (tail-end) in two seasons Overlapping irrigation P-38, TG10 and other IAs (suppl. canal) Parts do not get reached
Canarem Suppl. Irrigation in start of season (timing) Too much water in times of terminal drainage Excess water wets their fields Construction of bypass canal and dam to capture excess water Adjusting for double cropping
Farmers perceptions Back in 2002 there was not enough water. Today it seems that AWD is not needed anymore. Past: 5 hours of irrigation (8 l/h), AWD: 3 hours We used AWD to save costs for irrigation Fuel prices high - Irrigation service fees cheaper
Canarem farmers use AWD even with sufficient water for cont. flooding there are only some stages that the field should be irrigated (tillering and flowering stage) Less irrigation time (costs), more time, heavier grains Disadvantages: 3 days after transplanting we sprayed herbicide to control the weeds
Why is it hard to convince other farmers to implement AWD in their field? Other farmers do not care if other farmers do not have water. It will be very hard to implement AWD in the gravity irrigation system because there is a lot of water. They even suggest volumetric pricing in UPRIIS. Let farmers pay the amount they use
How is AWD implemented? DA Administrative Order 25: disseminate water-saving technologies AWD is part of training activities NIA: why should farmers use AWD when canals are full? There are benefits in using AWD, however not well known Some are not open to it Canarem farmers: There should be somebody who will teach farmers about the technology. NIA should have a strong(er) policy to implement AWD Upstream farmers do not follow rotational schedule NIA Rationalisation + NIA administration has new focus
Why AWD? Water is becoming scarce and farmers should be prepared for the future AWD is a response option in case of water scarcity Local relevance: Farmers will not lose anything The concept should be there AWD can be beneficial for farmers Strong policy support is needed
Suggestions Look for ways to effectively communicate the AWD concept and farmers perceptions among them: Its ok to let the field dry for certain days Canarem farmers use AWD even with sufficient water for cont. flooding