FAO's Irrigation and Drainage Paper No. [Author] 63 introduced the MASSCOTE methodology in 2007, tailored for modernizing large-scale canal irrigation systems. [Author] With global interest shifting towards pressurized pipe systems, particularly in water-scarce regions, the need for a similar methodology became apparent. [Author] Pressurized systems offer advantages like on-demand irrigation, reduced water wastage, and environmental impact. [Author] However, they require complex management due to changing water demands. [Author] To address this, FAO developed the MASSPRES approach, building on MASSCOTE's principles. [Author] MASSPRES aims to assess and enhance the performance of pressurized irrigation schemes, introducing steps like the Rapid Appraisal Procedure (RAP) for system mapping. [Author] It offers innovative methods for evaluating pressures and discharges at farm hydrants under various operating conditions, replacing earlier statistical analysis approaches. [Author] MASSPRES incorporates indicators for capacity, reliability, distribution equity, sensitivity to change, and perturbation risks into user-friendly software. [Author] Practical examples from Egypt, Italy, Spain, and Tunisia showcase its effectiveness. [Author] As governments seek to improve water and food production amidst increasing water scarcity, adopting technologies like pressurized irrigation becomes crucial. [Author] MASSPRES provides a systematic framework for both upgrading existing systems and designing future ones, addressing the complexities of managing pressurized irrigation efficiently. [Author]

This report focuses on reinforcing local and national capacities to cope with water scarcity in an irrigation system. The Caza of Marjayoun in Lebanon is suited to agriculture, yet its deteriorated infrastructure has led to high water losses and poor irrigation efficiency.

In a worldwide context of ever-growing competition for water and land, climate change, droughts and man-made water scarcity, and less-participatory water governance, agriculture faces the great challenge of producing enough food for a continually increasing population. In this line, this book provides a broad overview of innovation issues in the complex water–agriculture–food nexus, thus also relative to their interconnections and dependences. Issues refer to different spatial scales, from the field or the farm to the irrigation system or the river basin. Multidisciplinary approaches are used when analyzing the relationships between water, agriculture, and food security. The covered issues are quite diverse and include: innovation in crop evapotranspiration, crop coefficients and modeling; updates in research relative to crop water use and saving; irrigation scheduling and systems design; simulation models to support water and agricultural decisions; issues to cope with water scarcity and climate change; advances in water resource quality and sustainable uses; new tools for mapping and use of remote sensing information; and fostering a participative and inclusive governance of water for food security and population welfare. This book brings together a variety of contributions by leading international experts, professionals, and scholars in those diverse fields. It represents a major synthesis and state-of-the-art on various subjects, thus providing a valuable and updated resource for all researchers, professionals, policymakers, and post-graduate students interested in the complex world of the water–agriculture–food nexus.

This publication describes the MASSCOTE methodology, illustrated by several applications in Asia. MASSCOTE is a comprehensive methodology for analysing the modernization of canal operation. The aim is to enable experts to work together with users in determining improved processes for cost-effective service-oriented management. It is based on previous tools and approaches widely used in Asia by FAO in its modernization training programme (rapid appraisal procedures and benchmarking). From diagnosis through the formulation of operational units and the planning of a service (based on the vision agreed upon with the users), MASSCOTE entails a systematic, ten-step, mapping exercise. The accompanying CD-ROMs contain the full document in English, excerpts in French, a draft version in Arabic and Chinese, training presentations and material, and a number of documents and references on irrigation system operation and management [System requirements: PC with Intel Pentium(r) processor and Microsoft(r)Windows 95/98/200/Me/NT/XP; 256 MB of RAM; 50 MB of available hard-disk space; SuperVGA monitor; 256 colours at 1024x768; Adobe Acrobat(r) Reader (not included on CD-ROM)]

With the strong competition that is arising for water resources the modernisation of irrigation systems is becoming a critical issue. One of the alternatives to modernisation is the use of pressurised systems to replace part of the existing networks. This publication analyses the performance of pressurised irrigation systems operating on demand, and provides revised criteria for the design of such irrigation networks. For this purpose, new approaches and a computer program have been developed. The program has been tested in several field situations in the Mediterranean Basin and has demonstrated its usefulness not only by quickly identifying weak points in irrigation networks but also by identifying the power requirements of pumping stations needed to satisfy varying demand situations.