Water Use Efficiency for Increased
Agricultural Productivity,
Sustainability and Competiveness in
the Philippines: Technologies and
Practices, Issues and Problems, and
Recommendations
by
Victor B. Ella
Professor
College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT)
UPLB, College, Laguna
NAST Roundtable Discussion on Intensification of Agriculture
Traders Hotel, Manila
February 21, 2011
Water Use Efficiency
• Ratio of amount of water
beneficially used to the amount
of water delivered or withdrawn
(hydraulic definition)
• Mass or value of agricultural
produce per unit amount of
water withdrawn (other
definition)
Water Use Efficiency (cont’d)
• Degree by which the use of
water withdrawn from a given
source for whatever purpose is
maximized (practical definition)
• Implies minimization of losses
during conveyance and
application
Technologies and Practices
for Improving Water Use
Efficiency
Technologies and Practices
• Drip irrigation
• Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD)
• Conservation Agriculture (Biological
Engineering)
• Proper irrigation water management
at the farm and system level
Technologies and Practices
(cont’d)
• Irrigation by demand or by rotation
• Improvement of conveyance and
water delivery system
• Development of minor irrigation
systems
Technologies and Practices
(cont’d)
• Optimal water resources allocation
• Water recycling and reuse
• Water conservation and
sustainable water resources
management
Issues and Problems
• Lack of relevant research on
efficient, effective and
appropriate irrigation water
management technologies
• Lack of financial and
institutional support
Issues and Problems
(cont’d.)
• Absence or inadequate water
control and hydraulic structures
• Social and organizational
problems
• Poor maintenance of existing
irrigation systems (NIS and CIS)
Issues and Problems in
Irrigation (cont’d.)
• Low priority given to minor irrigation
systems (STWs, LLPs, SFRs)
• Failure to fully implement AFMA
Relevant Provisions of the
Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act (AFMA) of
1997 (R.A. 8435)
• NIA is mandated by AFMA to plan,
design, develop, rehabilitate and
improve the National Irrigation Systems
• The planning, design and management
of communal irrigation systems are to
be devolved to LGUs with NIA providing
technical assistance
The Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act (AFMA) of
1997 (R.A. 8435) cont’d.
• DA is mandated by AFMA to formulate
and develop a plan to promote minor
irrigation systems e.g. STWs and LLPs
• AFMA stipulates that irrigation research
and development shall be pursued and
priority shall be given to the
development of effective, appropriate
and efficient irrigation and water
management technologies
The Agriculture and Fisheries
Modernization Act (AFMA) of
1997 (R.A. 8435) cont’d.
• DA is mandated by AFMA to coordinate
with DENR in the preservation and
rehabilitation of watersheds to support
irrigation systems
RECOMMENDATIONS
Continued research and development
on efficient irrigation technologies and
practices
Provision of adequate institutional and
financial support for research and
technology promotion
Provision of the necessary water
control structures in existing irrigation
systems
RECOMMENDATIONS
(cont’d.)
Proper design of new irrigation
systems to incorporate measures for
increasing water use efficiency
Organization and/or strengthening of
irrigators association
Capacity building for all water users
 Prioritization of minor irrigation
systems
RECOMMENDATIONS
(cont’d.)
Better coordination among agencies,
organizations and other entities that
develop, manage and use water
resources in the country
Revisit and implement the provisions of
AFMA that are geared towards water use
efficiency
Better policies on water resources
utilization in the Philippines
Sustainable water resources
management
Thank You!
Contact Information
Dr. Victor B. Ella
Professor
College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial
Technology
University of the Philippines Los Baños
College, Laguna
Tel/Fax: (63-49) 536-2387
E-mail: vbella@up.edu.ph or
vbella100@yahoo.com