Application of near-real time monitoring systems for irrigated agriculture in MENA

Irrigated agriculture is a major user of water resources in the MENA region, often accounting for most of the water diverted and consumed. Within the various irrigated production systems in MENA, there is often potential for substantial improvement at the farm level. While policies may currently keep irrigation water cheap, it remains a scarce and valuable resource. Monitoring crops and their environments is a powerful tool to improve on-farm irrigation management. Electronic sensors that measure soil water content, salinity, leaf water potential and sap flow (transpiration) can assess water status and flow through the entire continuum of soil, plant and atmosphere. When combined with data loggers and remote communication via cellular networks, they add a new dimension to irrigation management by enabling near-continuous and near-real-time remote monitoring that can substantially improve irrigation water use. The technology will be implemented and evaluated in four countries in a variety of environments, production systems and scales, in cooperation with the private sector and national research and outreach systems. Besides direct use, it will support other technologies, including computer modeling and weather based irrigation scheduling. The targets are better irrigation management, quantitative data supporting enabling policies, and capacity building. Importantly, an innovative knowledge and data sharing platform will allow collaboration and the sharing of science, technology and experience among investigators and stakeholders. Scientists, technical staff, students, and innovative farmers, with the active involvement of young people, women, and the private sector, will constitute an enduring community of practice that enhances competitiveness and fosters entrepreneurship.