Abstract:
In this study current practices of irrigated agriculture in arid zone on the basis of
multilevel approach is considered and
integrated measures for its improvement are
proposed. Investigations were conducted in Salyan Steppe of Azerbaijan Republic which
is one of the typical arid zones of the country. The essence of this study is to analyze the
peculiarities influencing irrigat
ed agriculture and delineate necessary measures under the
emerging economic and environmental conditions of land and water usage in the
agriculture sector. The results of analyses indicate a number of problems in all levels of
farming management. Irrigated
agriculture in the country is facing a number of
problems, due to deteriorated physical condition of irrigation infrastructure, currently
established farming structure and farming practices. Needs for improvements of the
irrigation infrastructure of a who
le district is evidently demonstrated, since during
conveyance, distribution and at the field level agriculture water use efficiency is low. Only
one
-
third of water taken from the sources is used for crops in the field. The established
current farming stru
cture consisting of small plot sizes and surface irrigation practices
complicate a future rationalization of the irrigation water and land usage. For the listed
reasons, the concept of rehabilitation and other required measures (economic,
institutional etc
.) are proposed to be elaborated as integrated arrangements within a
single goal
-
oriented program, rather than limited improvement works at a separate level
of an irrigation system.
Keywords
: Improvement needs, Irrigated agriculture, Multilevel approach,
Salyan Steppe,
Water losses
