Search Results (15)

Driven by the growing frequency of flood risks, this study focused on farming water resource management (FWRM) as an ecosystem-based solution. Despite its significance, there are limited studies investigating paddy farmers’ community-based adaptations (CBAs) for managing diverse farming water resources at a micro-spatial level, particularly within multidimensional communities. This study aims to bridge this gap and focuses on how community diversity and household characteristics impact farmers’ adaptation to different CBA methods. We conducted a household questionnaire survey in floodplain paddy farming communities in Kawasoti Municipality, Nepal, based on cultural, socioeconomic, and settlement diversity. The questionnaire was subjected to farmers’ CBAs for integrated FWRM and multiple structural and nonstructural adaptation measures for irrigation and rivers. The results showed that farmer participation varied across community groups. To understand the most important associated factors within community diversity and household attributes to adopt different water resources, the most adopted structural measures of water flow management (54%) from irrigation and buffer zone vegetation (54%) from rivers were analyzed. We used the Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector model, which suggests that water accessibility associated with community diversity, landholding, and water intake is important to improve farmers’ participation in irrigation management. However, for river management, community diversity, which relates to location in relation to a river and is associated with household income and farmland distance, is an important factor. Full article

The rice–crab co-culture (RC) system is a multidimensional integrated farming model with significant potential for balancing ecological and economic benefits in paddy fields. However, improper nitrogen (N) fertilizer application exacerbates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, degrades water quality, and disrupts the balance of the RC ecosystem. Therefore, optimizing and improving N management strategies for the RC system is crucial to maximize its ecological and economic benefits. This study conducted a two-year field experiment to assess the impact of optimizing N application on the productivity, sustainability, and economic benefits in RC systems. Comparisons were made to compare rice and crab productions, GHG emissions, and net ecosystem economic benefit (NEEB) between the RC and rice monoculture (RM) systems under different N application rates (0, 150, 210, and 270 kg ha⁻¹) with the aim of identifying the optimal N application rate for the RC system. The results showed that the N application rate of 210 kg ha⁻¹ in the RC system improved the agronomic traits and N use efficiency, leading to a 0.4% increase in rice yield (7603.1 kg ha⁻¹) compared to the maximum rice yield in the RM system at 270 kg ha⁻¹. At this application rate, surface water quality was optimal for crabs, resulting in the highest crab yields (370.1 kg ha⁻¹) and average weights (81.1 g). The lower N application reduced the greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) of the RC system by 13.7% compared to the RM system. The NEEB at the optimal N application rate of 210 kg ha⁻¹ in the RC system reached 8597.5 CNY ha⁻¹, which was 1265.7% higher than that of the RM system at 270 kg ha⁻¹. In summary, optimizing N application in the RC system conserves N fertilizer resources, increases rice and crab yields, and reduces GHG emissions, thereby synergistically enhancing both economic and ecological benefits. Optimizing the N application rate has greater potential in other innovative RC models, and the productivity, sustainability, and economic efficiency should be further investigated. Full article

In order to address the increasingly prominent issues of water resource protection and agricultural non-point source pollution in the Erhai Lake Basin, this study conducted a two-year field experiment in Gusheng Village, located in the Erhai Lake Basin. In 2022, two irrigation treatments were set up: conventional flooding irrigation (CK) and controlled irrigation (C), with three replicates for each treatment. In 2023, aiming to enhance the utilization rate of rainwater resources and reduce the direct discharge of dry-farming tailwater from upstream into Erhai Lake. The paddy field was used as an ecological storage basin, and the water storage depth of the paddy field was increased compared to the depth of 2022. Combined with the deep storage of rainwater, the dry-farming tailwater was recharged into the paddy field to reduce the drainage. In 2023, two water treatments, flooding irrigation with deep storage and controlled drainage (CKCD) and water-saving irrigation with deep storage and controlled drainage (CCD) were set up, and each treatment was set up with three replicates. The growth and physiological index of rice at various stages were observed. Nitrogen leaching of paddy field in surface water, soil water, and groundwater under different water treatments after tillering fertilizer were observed. The research results show that the combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers under organic planting can provide more reasonable nutrient supply for rice, promote dry matter accumulation and other indices, and also reduce the concentration of NH₄⁺-N in surface water. Compared with CK, the yield, 1000-grain weight, root-to-shoot ratio, and leaf area index of C are increased by 4.8%, 4.1%, 20.9%, and 9.7%, respectively. Compared with CKCD, the yield, 1000-grain weight, root-to-shoot ratio, and leaf area index of CCD are increased by 6.5%, 3.8%, 19.6%, and 21.9%, respectively. The yield in 2023 is 19% higher than that in 2022. Treatment C can increase the growth indicators and reduce the net photosynthetic rate to a certain extent, while CCD rain-flood storage can alleviate the inhibition of low irrigation lower limit on the net photosynthetic rate of rice. Both C and CCD can reduce nitrogen loss and irrigation amount in paddy fields. CCD can reduce the tailwater in the Gusheng area of the Erhai Lake Basin to Erhai Lake, and also can make full use of N, P, and other nutrients in the tailwater to promote the formation and development of rice. In conclusion, the paddy field rain-flood storage methodology in the Erhai Lake Basin can promote various growth and physiological indicators of rice, improve water resource utilization efficiency, reduce direct discharge of tailwater into Erhai Lake, and decrease the risk of agricultural non-point source pollution. Full article

Conservation Agriculture (CA) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are both agroecologically-oriented production systems that support more productive, sustainable, and resource-conserving farming, with synergies arising from their respective assemblages of reinforcing agronomic methods. This review article examines the compatibility between CA and SRI, considering examples of their being utilized in complementary ways. The application of CA principles enhances the growth, yield, and performance of the crops grown under the cropping system as well as the health and resilience of the whole ecosystem. SRI practices create more favorable conditions for the development of crop plants below- and above-ground, including conditions that can be enhanced by CA management. SRI practices such as reduced plant density m⁻² can elicit a better phenotypic expression of the genetic potentials of crops grown with CA. For these two agronomic systems to converge at the field level, some of their respective practices for plant, soil, water, and nutrient management need to be modified or aligned. One such adaptation is to practice SRI in CA systems on permanent, no-till, mulch-covered raised beds, with rainfall or irrigation water in the furrows between the beds furnishing and controlling water and providing weed suppression and improved nutrient recycling. SRI rice cropping can benefit from the CA practices of no-tillage, mulch soil cover, and diversified cropping, both in paddies and on raised beds. Several examples have shown that this convergence of cropping systems is feasible for smallholding farmers as well as for larger-scale producers and also that SRI practices within a CA system are amenable to considerable mechanization. Further research and experimentation are needed to identify and assess appropriate practices for capitalizing upon their synergies. Full article

This study assessed the equity in irrigation water uses and its impacts on paddy yield and water productivity among rice farmers in the Kano River Irrigation Project. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) respondents were used for the data collection from January to June 2021. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal Walli’s test, Tukey kramer post-Hoc test, physical water productivity, and the Logit model. The results indicated that the downstream farmers had the lowest mean yield (1625 kg/acre), lowest access to irrigation water, and lowest irrigation water use (2430 m³/acre). However, they had the highest water productivity (0.66 kg/m³) against 0.44 kg/m³ and 0.58 kg/m³ for middle and upstream farmers, respectively. The logit regression results disclosed that the farm locations, quantity of irrigation water, access to irrigation water, and training on water use were statistically significant determinant of paddy output. Efforts to teach farmers about the actual crop water requirements are needed to promote irrigation water efficiency and conserve scarce resources for other competing users. Full article

Global projections show that increases in agriculture water productivity (AWP) by 30 and 60% in rain-fed and irrigated agriculture, respectively, are required to ensure food security in the period 2000–2025. In sub-Saharan Africa, attempts to understand AWP has seen a lamping of input values which paints an unrealistic picture of AWP. We employed the residual imputation method to isolate the marginal productivity value of water in six paddy farming systems viz. the conventional transplant and flooding system (CTFS), the system of rice intensification (SRI), and the Kilombero Plantation Limited (KPL) mechanized system. Findings showed that AWP for rainfed CTFS is 0.39 Kg/m³ or 0.003 US$/m³, irrigated CTFS (0.30 Kg/m³ or 0.002 US$/m³), rainfed SRI (0.68 Kg/m³ or 0.08 US$/m³), irrigated SRI (0.52 Kg/m³ or 0.06 US$/m³), rainfed KPL (0.33 Kg/m³ or 0.05 US$/m³), and irrigated KPL (0.68 Kg/m³ or 0.11 US$/m³). This shows that rainfed systems have good AWP, especially physical ones. We recommend a rollout of rainfed SRI to secure local food security and downstream ecosystem services. In addition, groupings of farmers will assist in optimizing resources, stabilizing markets, and prices for the better economic value of water (US$/m³). Adoption of SRI will require intensive demonstration that needs public financing. In addition, revamping the KPL off-taker arrangement with small-holder farmers could also be a good PPP anchor. Full article

Society’s demand for the preservation of water resources has stimulated technological advances and improved agricultural management, to limit its negative impacts, favor socio-economic development and promote the conservation of natural resources. This study assessed the impact of a rice farming system in the Mediterranean area on the microbiological quality of water, representing the irrigation and cultivation conditions of the Lis Valley Irrigation District (LVID). Indicators used include the counting of total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), fecal enterococci (FE) and ampicillin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (Amp^r), and a phenotypic characterization of antibiotic (AB) resistances. The results show that the water at the LVID inlets contained high microbiological contamination due to sources outside the perimeter. The rice paddy agroecosystem had a beneficial impact on the load of TC, FC and FE of the respective drainage water, with a decrease of two orders of magnitude between the values of these counts at the inlets and at the outlets of the rice fields. However, the relative frequency of Enterobacteriaceae Amp^r increased in the rice paddy soil, possibly as a result of the favorable conditions provided by this wetland ecosystem for the transfer of AB resistance genes. The analysis of AB resistance patterns revealed high relative resistance percentages for both β-lactams and non-β-lactams in all samples. This study made it possible to assess the risks of microbiological contamination of irrigation water and the beneficial effect of the rice-growing system in controlling the applied indicators. Full article

Rice irrigation by continuous flooding is highly water demanding in comparison with most methods applied in the irrigation of other crops, due to a significant deep percolation and surface drainage of paddies. The pollution of water resources and methane emissions are other environmental problems of rice agroecosystems, which require effective agronomic changes to safeguard its sustainable production. To contribute to this solution, an experimental study of alternate wetting and drying flooding (AWD) was carried out in the Center of Portugal in farmer’s paddies, using the methodology of field irrigation evaluation. The AWD results showed that there is a relevant potential to save about 10% of irrigation water with a reduced yield impact, allowing an additional period of about 10 to 29 days of dry soil. The guidelines to promote the on-farm scale AWD automation were outlined, integrating multiple data sources, to get a safe control of soil water and crop productivity. The conclusions point out the advantages of a significant change in the irrigation procedures, the use of water level sensors to assess the right irrigation scheduling to manage the soil deficit and the mild crop stress during the dry periods, and the development of paddy irrigation supplies, to allow a safe and smart AWD. Full article

Water shortages in rice production represent a formidable challenge for the world’s food, economic, and social security. Water is the most important single component for sustainable rice growth, especially in the world’s traditional rice-growing areas. Therefore, this study attempts to evaluate the improvement of rice water productivity in Northern Iran on the basis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. This study is a qualitative-descriptive survey. A random sampling method was used to determine the sample size, and finally, 105 male and female rural facilitators in Sari city (the capital of Mazandaran Province located in Northern Iran) were surveyed. The results showed that the development of appropriate infrastructure, increasing new irrigation and drainage networks with the aim of increasing the use of efficient water technologies, was the most important strategy. The most necessary strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to improve the water productivity and management of paddy farms in the study area are, respectively, as follows: “fertile paddy fields and relatively good soils in most areas”, “weakness in the participation and interaction of users in water resources projects and paying attention only to the physical development of irrigation networks and ignoring the issues of network operation and farmers’ participation in the management”, “improving irrigation planning”, and “surplus harvest from Tajan River and drop in water level”. Obtained findings may be used to address water scarcity and water quality management issues in the agriculture sector. The results demonstrate that, under potential climate change and water shortages, SWOT may be seen as a guide for contingency initiatives. Full article

This study was conducted to elucidate the introduction of agriculture and social continuity from the Jomon to the Yayoi period, from an ethnoarchaeological perspective. The Yayoi period has been divided into two types: a broad spectrum economy that relied on many kinds of resources, such as rice, millet, and nuts, and a selective economy that specialised in rice and wild boar. However, it is not clear how the livelihoods shifted from the Jomon to the Yayoi period. In this study, ethnohistorical materials were examined first. Ethnohistorical reference materials gathered worldwide have revealed three relationships between hunter–gatherers and farmers: coexistence, fusion, and assimilation. Focusing on fusion, this study examined situations of hunting, gathering, and fishing, as inferred from ruins of the Late and Final Jomon period, and assessed their relationships with agriculture using ethnohistorical reference materials of the Early Edo period. There were not many social changes caused by the introduction of field farming; however, the introduction of paddy rice cultivation had different effects on society depending on the level of investment in obtaining water from streams and springs and creating irrigation features. Full article

Paddy rice fields on an alluvial fan not only use groundwater for irrigation but also play an important role as groundwater recharge sources. In this study, we investigated the spatial distribution of isotopic and hydrochemical compositions of groundwater in the Nasunogahara alluvial fan in Japan and applied a self-organizing map (SOM) to characterize the groundwater. The SOM assisted with the hydrochemical and isotopic interpretation of the groundwater in the fan, and clearly classified the groundwater into four groups reflecting the different origins. Two groundwater groups with lower isotopic ratios of water than the mean precipitation values in the fan were influenced by the infiltration of river water flowing from higher areas in the catchments and were differentiated from each other by their Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations. A groundwater group with higher isotopic ratios was influenced by the infiltration of paddy irrigation water that had experienced evaporative isotopic enrichment. Groundwater in the fourth group, which was distributed in the upstream area of the fan where dairy farms dominated, showed little influence of recharge waters from paddy rice fields. The findings of this study will contribute to proper management of the groundwater resources in the fan. Full article

Drought is a dry-weather event characterized by a deficit of water resources in a period of year due to less rainfall than normal or overexploitation. This insidious hazard tends to occur frequently and more intensively in sub-humid regions resulting in changes in the landscape, transitions in agricultural practices and other environmental-social issues. The study area is in the sub-humid region of the northern coastal zone of Binh Thuan province, Vietnam—Tuy Phong district. This area is indicated as a subject of prolonged droughts during 6-month dry seasons, which have occurred more frequently in recent years. Associated with economic transitions in agricultural practicing, urbanization, and industrialization, prolonged droughts have resulted in rapid changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in Tuy Phong, especially in three coastal communes: Binh Thanh, Lien Huong, and Phuoc The. A bi-temporal analysis using high-resolution data, the 2011 WorldView2 and the 2016 GeoEye1, was examined to assess LULC changes from observed severe droughts in those three communes. Results showed a dramatic reduction in the extent of hydrological systems (about 20%), and significant increases of tree canopies in urban areas and near the coastal areas (approximately 76.8%). Paddy fields declined by 51% in 2016; such areas transitioned to inactive status or were alternated for growing drought-tolerant plants. Shrimp farming experienced a recognizable decrease by approximately 44%. The 2014 map and field observations during summer 2016 provide references for object-based classification and validation. Overall agreement of results is about 85%. Full article

Precipitation and temperature variability present significant agricultural risks worldwide. Northern Iran’s agriculture mainly depends on paddy fields, which are directly affected by precipitation and temperature variability. The main aim of this study is to explore farmers’ attitudes towards precipitation and temperature variability and their adaptation strategies in paddy fields in a typical agricultural province in northern Iran. Primary survey data were collected from a sample of 382 paddy farmers of Rasht County in Guilan Province. Data have been analyzed using both summary statistics and bivariate analysis (Pearson, Spearman, and Eta correlation coefficients). Empirical findings reveal that most paddy farmers had experienced precipitation and temperature variability and were taking measures to reduce its negative impacts on their crops. Results also indicate that farm size and household income influence farmers’ perception to precipitation and temperature variability, while availability of water resources also influence farmers’ adaptation decisions. Full article

Because hydrologic responses of an agricultural watershed are influenced by many natural and man-made factors including pond/reservoir, management practices, and/or irrigation/drainage, strategies of hydrological modeling for the watershed must be case-dependent and thus carefully designed to effectively reflect their roles as critical hydrologic components in simulation processes. In this study, we propose a component-based modeling framework that accommodates a flexible modeling approach to consider a variety of hydrologic processes and management practices, especially irrigation-reservoir operation and paddy-farming practices, in watershed-scale modeling. The objectives of this study are twofold: to develop a COmponent-based Modeling Framework for Agricultural water-Resources Management (COMFARM) using an object-oriented programming technique, and to evaluate its applicability as a modeling tool to predict the responses of an agricultural watershed characterized with diverse land uses in a case study. COMFARM facilitates quick and easy development of watershed-specific hydrologic models by providing multiple interchangeable simulation routines for each hydrologic component considered. COMFARM is developed with the JAVA programming language, using Eclipse software. The framework developed in this study is applied to simulating hydrologic processes of the Seon-Am irrigation-district watershed consisting primarily of reservoir-irrigated rice paddies in South Korea. The application study clearly demonstrates the applicability of the framework as a convenient method to build models for hydrologic simulation of an agricultural watershed. The newly developed modeling framework, COMFARM is expected to serve as a useful tool in watershed management planning by allowing quick development of case-oriented analysis tools and evaluation of management scenarios customized to a specific watershed. Full article

Due to the changing climatic and environmental conditions, modifications in agricultural and water policies have been made, and irrigated agriculture has to face the challenge of making a rational and optimal use of the water resource effectively available. This urges rice farming, strongly and traditionally linked to water, to change the modalities for the use of the resource. If on one hand water saving techniques should be preferred, a different water management in paddy fields may lead to lower yields and higher production costs, with consequent repercussions on farm incomes. The paper recognizes the disagreement between environmental and economic concerns and aims at contributing to the discussion about how to reconcile them by adopting alternative irrigation strategies. From this perspective, a multi-objective linear optimization model is used to explore the trade-offs between conflicting objectives in a rice-growing area in Northern Italy. The model returns the optimal allocation of land subject to three different irrigation strategies, as those previously performed in experimental fields; in addition, a scenario analysis is run to simulate reduced resource availability. Results demonstrate the key role of prioritizing one objective over the other, while introducing cultivars more suitable for dry cultivation enables enlarging the frontier of optimal solutions. Full article