Irrigated agriculture and the use of water resources in agriculture face the challenges of sustainable development. Research has advanced our knowledge of water use by crops, soil-water-solutes interactions, and the engineering and managerial tools needed to mobilize, convey, distribute, control and apply water for agricultural production. However, the achievements booked in user practice have revealed the need for new developments in the areas of resource conservation, control of environmental and health impacts, modernisation of technologies and management, economic viability and the social acceptance of changes. The contributions to Sustainability of Irrigated Agriculture cover most of the relevant disciplines. Besides its multidisciplinarity, the different origins, experience, backgrounds and practices of the authors provide a wide, in-depth analysis of the various aspects of water resource utilization in agriculture. The papers review scientific, technical and managerial aspects, highlighting the main problems, issues and future developments. The book covers the different aspects of sustainability, including environmental, technical, economic, institutional and social ones. Advances in irrigation science and engineering are dealt with, both on- and off-farm. Special attention is paid to the different components of water quality management, to the transfer of technology, and to capacity building.

This report presents a methodology for identifying the main features (constraints and opportunities) of gravity-fed irrigation systems, which influence management and operation of the system for the purpose of water delivery. It presents the development of a generic for improving irrigation system operations. A case study of 64 irrigation systems in Sri Lanka is presented illustrating the practical application of the proposed typology.

Introduction; Institutions, policy and research; Research and policy on irrigation: the case of Pakistan; Discussion: linking research with policy; Conclusion.

The management of irrigation systems is context-dependent, socially constructed, and technically uncertain. An example of complex social-ecological systems, irrigation deals with both the ecosystem uncertainty and the implementation of new technological systems and water management options. Issues to be addressed by irrigation systems at the global scale include: water productivity and food security, field operation and maintenance, spate irrigation in climate change scenarios, and vulnerability of environmental resources. This book provides examples of some of the current challenges faced by irrigation systems from technical and social perspectives. The book offers an easy-to-follow format focused on different case studies combining evidence-based solutions for increasing resilience and reducing vulnerability of irrigation systems in semi-arid and arid regions across the world.

This book presents recent research work on Biosaline Agriculture presented during First International Forum on Biosaline Agriculture in Laayoune, Morocco from May 3rd to May 4th 2019. The aim of this book is to showcase the global potential of Biosaline agriculture, provide an update on the development of recent innovations in the field of Biosaline agriculture, the best management practices to safely use brackish and saline water, highlight the use of non-conventional water in marginal environment production and the current advanced technologies of desalination of brackish and seawater. The different chapters will also discuss solutions that are adapted to local conditions as part of a sustainable development perspective. The book provides up-to-date technical and scientific data on growing crops under marginal environment so as to encourage the dissemination of this knowledge in the best practices to increase the productivity in Biosaline agriculture, in view of the potential to contribute to food security. The book is expected to stimulate interest in the non-conventional water resources and crops among junior and senior researchers and among those who are increasingly focused on exploiting marginal environments. It will also be of interest to decision-makers and the public and private sectors to jointly address the issues of food security especially of the poor and vulnerable people living in marginal environments worldwide by providing innovative technology transfer.