Introduction
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
What is water harvesting ? What are the benefits of water harvesting ? What are the limitations of water harvesting ? For which areas is water harvesting suitable ?
Where was water harvesting used traditionally ?
Where is water harvesting used at present ?
What is water harvesting?
A process of collecting runoff from a catchment area
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
to be directly conveyed to a cropping area and stored in the soil profile for immediate uptake by the crops (i.e. runoff farming systems) or
1.
The principle
Run-on area = cropping area
or storage media Runoff area = catchment area
to be stored in a water reservoir for future productive uses
2.
domestic consumption
livestock watering irrigation
aquaculture
The main goals of water harvesting
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
To secure water supply in dry areas where other water resources (surface water or ground water) are not available or are uneconomical to develop, in order to:
increase
the productivity of arable and grazing land which suffers from inadequate rainfall
increase yields of rainfed farming minimize the risk of crop failure in drought- prone areas desertification by afforestation, fruit tree planting or agroforestry
combat
supply drinking water for animals supply domestic water
The principle of water harvesting
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production
Water Harvesting
Run-on area water Runoff area (catchment) water
Storage media
Unit 1 Introduction
Storage media
Irrigated crops
Annual crops / trees / pasture
water
Storage in the soil profile
The principle of water harvesting
Microcatchment
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Floodwater harvesting
Macrocatchment
Catchment area
Roof tops
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Courtyards, streets, public squares
Catchment area
Small ground surfaces
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
untreated treated
Catchment area
Slopes
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
untreated treated
Catchment area
Large, untreated catchment areas which feed seasonal water courses
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Catchment areas
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production
Roof tops Courtyards, streets, public squares Small ground surfaces untreated treated
Slopes
Unit 1 Introduction
untreated treated
Large catchment areas feeding seasonal courses
Storage media
Underground storage
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Soil Sediments
Storage media
Underground storage
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Cisterns
Storage media
Storage above ground
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Tanks and jars
Storage media
Storage above ground
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Ponds
Storage media
Storage above ground
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Reservoirs
Storage media
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production
Underground storage
Soil
Sediments Cisterns
Storage above ground
Unit 1 Introduction
Tanks and jars Ponds Reservoirs
What are the benefits of water harvesting ?
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Higher productivity (higher yields and less risk) Crop production in areas where it is normally not feasible Soil conservation (for macrocatchments on cropping area only) = less soil erosion
Pasture improvement = more livestock [= more desertification ?]
Improved re-/afforestation = less desertification
WATER HARVESTING
Suppression of salinity in soil = more productive land
Water conservation (tapping unused water)
Groundwater recharge = more water available
What are the limitations of water harvesting?
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Climatic risks still exist
No guarantee for high yields
Methods scientifically not well established Very often limited experience of extension service
Possible conflicts between people upstream and downstream
Possible harm to fauna and flora Larger schemes and structures are difficult to implement (need acceptance by people, political backing and financial support)
For which areas is water harvesting suitable?
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Arid, semi-arid and semi-humid areas Where water demand of crops is higher than supply because of
low rainfall and / or uneven seasonal distribution of rainfall and / or
high temperatures (high evapotranspiration)
Where rainfall exceeds 150 mm /year, if rain falls in the cool season Where rainfall exceeds 200 mm /year, if rain falls in the hot season and if no storage in ponds or reservoirs is provided
Where was water harvesting
used traditionally?
Asia
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production
America
Unit 1 Introduction
Jordan (since 7000 BC) Mesopotamia (4500 BC) Palestine (2000 BC-1200 AD) Yemen (since 1000 BC) Pakistan India Sri Lanka China
Arizona and New Mexico (1000 AD)
Africa
Tunisia: `Meskats, Mgoud and `Jessours Somalia: `Caag and `Gawan systems Sudan: `Haffire, `Teras etc. Burkina Faso: Pits
Where is water harvesting used at present in Africa ?
Examples: WH well documented Morocco Algeria Egypt Chad Mali WH most probably applied Niger Sudan Ethiopia Somalia Other countries Kenya Tanzania Zambia
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Where is water harvesting used in sub-Saharan Africa?
Some examples:
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Niger, Ader Doutchi Maggia area (Haussa): rock bunds, stalks and earth for water diversion in fields Burkina Faso (Mossi): rock bunds and stone terraces Mali : stone constructions, macrocatchments
Chad, Ouaddai area: small check dams
Burkina Faso: pitting (Zay), rock bunds Kenya, Turkana and Baringo area: many types Many more traditional water harvesting systems exist
In sub-Saharan Africa, water harvesting is still far below its potential!
Where is water harvesting used at present in Asia? (I)
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
WH well documented
Syria Jordan Saudi Arabia India Oman Yemen Iran China
WH most probably applied
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Other countries
Where is water harvesting used at present in Asia ? (II)
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
WH well documented
China
WH most probably applied
India
Myanmar
Vietnam Laos Philippines
Thailand Cambodia
Other countries
Summary
Water harvesting
Water Harvesting for Improved Agricultural Production Unit 1 Introduction
Is the collection and concentration of runoff water Can produce crops in areas with insufficient rain Can improve pasture and crop yield Is suited for arid, semi-arid and semi-humid regions Has positive side effects on: water and soil conservation Consists of a runoff area and a run-on area
The water is stored in the soil, in cisterns or reservoirs
Has been used traditionally in many (semi-) arid areas of the world
Its use is still far below its potential!
