Innovative Solution

arid and semi arid regions, water scarcity, sustainable water supply, minimum irrigation, dry farming, indigenous knowledge

technical

We want to describe and introduce some traditional methods for growing crops with minimum irrigation and even with no irrigation, once practiced in the Iranian desert. We have classified these methods into three categories as follows: 1- thorn-based cultivation: in this method such crops as cucumber or watermelon can live off the moisture being secreted out from the vascular system of some desert plants. 2- pottery irrigation: in this method the crop can be irrigated just by the minimal water seeping through a clay membrane into the soil according to osmotic pressure. 3- flood irrigation: the flash floods can be controlled and harvested behind the earthen dams in order to increase the soil moisture. Some crops can be grown behind the dams after the water would percolate the earth.

Though these methods may seem antiquated, but are still valid and applicable to many arid regions in the world. We try to show how we can incorporate our modern knowledge into these ancient techniques in order to come up with a practical solution. Water scarcity has turned many arid lands bare and barren, which can blossom again with these innovative methods. Minimum irrigation can turn out as an effective solution for many arid and semi arid regions around the globe.

Minimum irrigation techniques can be regarded as practical solutions to make the most of water and soil resources in arid and semi arid regions. Given that the focus of this solution is on cultivation, it is more applicable to rural areas and farming communities.

The main actors can be governmental or private entities involved in water resources management and irrigation. Also, some green or indigenous knowledge NGOs can take the lead to introduce Minimum irrigation to the regions with good predispositions from environmental and economic points of view. In Iran, the actor can be ministry of agriculture which seeks feasible remedies to water scarcity in a proper economic and cultural context. The follow-up on the solution would be ensured mostly by the villagers themselves, because implementation and continuation of these methods directly benefit them.

Apart from some limited spots in Iran where Minimum irrigation methods are being practiced in a traditional way, this solution is at its theoretical stage but can be put into action in all the regions suitable from climatic and environmental points of view. It is conceivable that the proposed solution would be hailed by many countries, because it does not bring about any environmental backlashes on one hand and can be carried out at a reasonable cost on the other hand.

The question is that if there are any sustainable methods to enable us to better overcome water scarcity in the arid and semi arid regions without placing any pressure on our natural resources. We want to find a proper answer to this question by investigating the ancient traditional technologies. 

Our solution fits the target 1.1.5 which points out “simple inclusive and reliable reporting mechanism for water supply”. For example pottery irrigation is as simple as a permeable container which provides the crops with a constant minimum water to prevent any excess water from wasting away, though there are some rich indigenous know how behind it. These techniques can be carried out in every area with a variety of geological conditions, and its maintenance is not as costly as the other alternative methods.

Also, our solution lies within the target 3.1.1 “policies and strategies to protect and sustainably use water”, because minimum irrigation does not put pressure on groundwater resources and can be carried out only by the use of available cheap materials. These methods are the ideal examples of sustainable irrigation in a perfect harmony with our natural environment.

Obviously minimum irrigation can be carried out at a lowest cost and just by using available cheap materials. For example in thorn-based cultivation, no raw materials, machinery or tools are needed but some wild plants and some labors to implant the crop seeds into a branch of a desert plant. This practice brings about no environmental consequences or damage to the natural vegetation, and the profit gained would be really high in comparison to the cost.

In case of minimum irrigation, there are some tangible qualitative and quantitative indicators which signify the success of the project. For example the area cultivated by minimum irrigation or the number of households profiting from this technique tells us about how successful the project has been.

Minimum irrigation techniques are easy to use, and their low implementation cost can attract low income rural communities who welcome such feasible remedies. We believe that all the people including both gross roots and authorities would show interest in such effective methods which can mitigate water scarcity to a large extent.   

Minimum irrigation techniques are recommendable in many arid and semi arid regions because:

1-     These techniques are completely in harmony with nature and do not result in environmental backlashes.

2-     They are easy to use and no special raw materials or machinery are required other than some simple materials at local people’s disposal.

3-     They are considerably cheap in comparison to the other methods.

4-     They are highly economical according to their profit to cost ratio.

5-     They are applicable to arid regions with a minimum amount of water.

6-      The cost of the project implementation is affordable for most of the low income countries, because a large part of its expenses is related to labor cost that can be provided by the same beneficiary community.

7-     Cooperation in carrying out minimum irrigation projects would promote social convergence among the farmers, which is regarded as an essential element of sustainable development.

A research project on minimum irrigation has been conducted by International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures (ICQHS). This project has yielded some fruitful results which can be put into practice in rural areas. Now ICQHS is in the process of discussing some practical ways to carry out minimum irrigation with some relevant Iranian entities such as ministry of agriculture.

International Center on Qanats and Historic Hydraulic Structures (ICQHS), under the auspices of UNESCO

Mojtame Edarat, Daneshjoo Blvd, Yazd, Iran

P O Box: 89165-1553

Tel: +98 351 8350553

Fax: +98 351 8281690

www.icqhs.org

Labbaf@icqhs.org

Pottery irrigation is one of the minimum irrigation techniques, which is ideal for fruit trees. This technique is premised on osmotic flow out of the pottery, without any extra energy such as electricity. Pottery irrigation provides the root area with enough water though the soil surface is dry, and evaporation is at its minimum rate. So the wild weeds can not feed on this subsurface moisture to germinate and burgeon around the trees, and there is no need for getting rid of such herbs by plucking or using herbicide. Pottery irrigation consumes three times less water than trickle irrigation with the same efficiency, and the likelihood of soil salinity in this method is almost zero.