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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » SWRC » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191415
Title: PLANNING FOR INCREASING IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY IN MEXICO 1815

Author
item COHEN, I. - INIFAP
item RODRIGUEZ, H. - INIFAP
item Heilman, Philip - Phil
item MANN, R. - NRCS RETIRED

Submitted to: American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/31/2005
Publication Date: 6/27/2005
Citation: Cohen, I.S., Rodriguez, H.M., Heilman, P., Mann, R.S. 2005. Planning for increasing irrigation efficiency in mexico. American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference, Institutions for Sustainable Watershed Management: Reconciling Physical and Management Ecology in the Asia-Pacific, Honolulu, Hawaii, June 27 - 29, 2005.

Interpretive Summary: This paper presents in summary fashion a strategy linking researchers, officials and water users of the irrigation district No. 017 in the Comarca Lagunera, a part of Hydrological Region 36 in northern Mexico. Members of the Irrigation District participated in building a matrix of problems and possible solutions. The major problem to be addressed is the lack of efficiency in delivering the water, with an estimated 63% of the water lost between the dams and application on irrigated fields. A Decision Support System (Facilitator) was used for making decisions. Solution alternatives have been evaluated by expert opinion. Results have been analyzed considering different orders of importance. According to the findings, the price of water needs to be increased to make the system sustainable. Other important alternatives are to train water users in irrigation matters, increase conveyance efficiency and to provide basic knowledge for agribusiness.

Technical Abstract: In 1996, Mexico joined the International Council of Watersheds. Within this council, the society participates in decision making regarding natural resource management. This scheme has relevancy in the northern states of Mexico given the severe drought that this part of the country has suffered since 1990. This paper presents a strategy linking researchers, officials and water users of the Irrigation District No. 017 in the Comarca Lagunera which belongs to the Hydrological Region 36 in northern Mexico. Users participated in building a matrix of problems and possible solutions. A Decision Support System (Facilitator) was used for making decisions. Solution alternatives have been evaluated using expert opinion. Results have been analyzed considering different orders of importance. According to the findings, the price of water needs to be increased to make the system sustainable. Other important alternatives are to train water users in irrigation matters, increase conveyance efficiency and to provide basic knowledge for agribusiness.