Potential Use of Solar Energy and Emerging Technologies in Micro Irrigation is a book that deeply emphasizes on the various kinds of applications that solar energy can have in the field of micro irrigation. The book explores areas in which the solar energy can be applied and the technologies that can be run on solar power. The book also explores the possible applications of current solar technologies in this field and throws some light on the ways in which the solar power can cut down the costs significantly and also reduce the pressure on other sources of energy.

This publication is the outcome of an IAEA coordinated research project which addressed the problem of advancing salinity in irrigated soils of arid and semi-arid regions. Seven participating countries presented their studies focusing on alternative strategies and on integrated soil and water management practices. The publication informs readers on ways to improve crop productivity and sustainability through water and salinity management and defines approaches and technologies to assess and monitor soil water content and salinity. The test results of a new landscape soil moisture measuring tool (cosmic ray neutron sensor) for area-wide soil water measurements are also presented.

Solar Energy and Emerging Technologies in Micro Irrigation discusses the emergence of certain technologies in the field of micro irrigation. It further comprises a framework for the assessment of sustainability of irrigated agricultural system and the application of solar water pump technology amongst the rural farmers. This book also discusses about a comprehensive sizing methodology for stand-alone battery-less photovoltaic water pumping system under the Egyptian climate, feasibility of solar pump for sustainable irrigation in Bangladesh, a hybrid pv/utility powered irrigation water pumping system for rural agricultural areas, performance evaluation of gypsum block wireless sensor network system for real time irrigation scheduling, assessing the economic impact of a low-cost water-saving irrigation technology in Indian Punjab, comparison of traditional and modern deficit irrigation techniques in corn cultivation using treated municipal wastewater, comparative effects of saline water on yield and quality of potato under drip and furrow irrigation, effects of deficit irrigation on yield, water productivity and economic return of sunflower and optimum irrigation water allocation and crop distribution using combined pareto multi-objective differential evolution.

With a roster of international contributors, this volume offers an abundance of solutions to address agricultural water management challenges in today's water-scarce areas of the world. The authors present studies on farmer-friendly irrigation scheduling methods, model-based analysis of crop water requirements, ways to optimize surface irrigation systems, and hydraulic design and management of surface water systems. The book goes on to highlight ways to improve soil properties by taking into account spatial, temporal, and spectral variability in soil properties. The volume also covers various innovative research studies on soil and water productivity of vegetable cultivation under water-stressed areas, application of coir geotextiles, and the role of biofertilizers in controlling soil degradation and maintaining fertile topsoil. Crop management strategies to enhance the efficient use of marginal and saline lands for nonconventional crops are also discussed. The book is divided into four sections, covering: engineering interventions in irrigation management technological interventions in management of soil properties technological inventions for soil and water conservation crop management for non-conventional use This volume will serve as an invaluable resource for academicians, researchers, engineers, agronomists, extension officers, students, and farmers in the broad discipline of agricultural and biological engineering.

"All three volumes of Achieving sustainable production of milk should be considered as a whole...Over more than 1200 pages, the authors review all fields of milk production, beginning with milk composition, genetics and breeding, safety and milk quality, sustainability of milk production as well as dairy herd management, health, welfare and nutrition of dairy. All three volumes could be considered a standard reference for graduate students in the fields of dairy science and veterinary medicine, animal and dairy scientists at universities and other research centres, and also those in governments and companies involved or working in the field of milk production." Animal Feed Science and Technology In meeting rising demand, more intensive dairying systems face a range of challenges such as maintaining high standards of safety in the face of the continuing threat from zoonoses entering the food chain, whilst sustaining nutritional and sensory quality. At the same time farms need to become more efficient and sustainable. Finally, farming must also meet higher standards of animal health and welfare. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research addressing the welfare, nutrition and health of dairy cattle. Part 1 begins by discussing key issues in welfare followed by topics such as genetic selection and welfare, housing and transportation. Part 2 looks at nutrition with chapters on rumen microbiology, feed evaluation and formulation, feed supplements and feed safety. The final part of the book covers aspects of health such as control of diseases and other disorders such as lameness as well as dairy herd health management. Achieving sustainable production of milk Volume 3: Dairy herd management and welfare will be a standard reference for animal and dairy scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in beef production. It is accompanied by two other volumes which review milk composition, genetics and breeding as well as safety, quality and sustainability.

This report presents the results of the most recent survey carried out in the six countries of the Central Asia region, and it analyzes the changes that have occurred in the ten years since the first survey. Following the AQUASTAT methodology, the survey relied as much as possible on country-based statistics and information. The report consists of three sections. Section I describes in detail the methodology used and contains a glossary of the terms used. Section II contains the regional analysis presenting a synopsis on water resources, water use and irrigation in the region and the trends over the last ten years. It also describes the legislative and institutional framework for water management as well as environmental issues and it presents prospects for agricultural water management from the countries' perspective. Section III contains detailed country profiles for Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and one river basin profile for the Aral Sea basin.

Dense phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) is a non-thermal method for food and pharmaceutical processing that can ensure safe products with minimal nutrient loss and better preserved quality attributes. Its application is quite different than, for example, supercritical extraction with CO 2 where the typical solubility of materials in CO 2 is in the order of 1% and therefore requires large volumes of CO 2. In contrast, processing with DPCD requires much less CO 2 (between 5 to 8% CO 2 by weight) and the pressures used are at least one order of magnitude less than those typically used in ultra high pressure (UHP) processing. There is no noticeable temperature increase due to pressurization, and typical process temperatures are around 40C.

DPCD temporarily reduces the pH of liquid foods and because oxygen is removed from the environment, and because the temperature is not high during the short process time (typically about five minutes in continuous systems), nutrients, antioxidant activity, and vitamins are much better preserved than with thermal treatments. In pharmaceutical applications, DPCD facilitates the production of micronized powders of controlled particle size and distribution. Although the capital and operating costs are higher than that of thermal treatments, they are much lower than other non-thermal technology operations.

This book is the first to bring together the significant amount of research into DPCD and highlight its effectiveness against microorganisms and enzymes as well as its potential in particle engineering. It is directed at food and pharmaceutical industry scientists and technologists working with DPCD and other traditional or non-thermal technologies that can potentially be used in conjunction with DPCD. It will also be of interest to packaging specialists and regulatory agencies.

Sustainability is beginning to transform the food industry with environmental, economic and social factors being considered, evaluated and implemented throughout the supply chain like never before. Sustainability in the Food Industry defines sustainability with a comprehensive review of the industry's current approach to balancing environmental, economic and social considerations throughout the supply chain. In addition, tools and information are provided to enhance future progress. To achieve this, the book combines technical research summaries, case studies and marketing information. Coverage includes sustainability as it relates to: agricultural practices, food processing, distribution, waste management, packaging, life cycle analysis, food safety and health, environmental labeling, consumer insight and market demand, product development, practices in food manufacturing companies, food retailing and food service. An international group of authors covers the information from a global perspective. Sustainability in the Food Industry offers an overview of sustainable sources of impact and improvement, how they relate to the key sectors of the food industry and how programs may be implemented for further improvement.

The Workshop was held in the context of a decreasing inland capture fisheries and aquaculture production in all of the Central Asian countries. Inland capture fisheries and aquaculture are potentially important sources of food, income and employment for many of them. The Workshop aimed to build awareness among policy-makers, administrators and representatives of the irrigation and fishery sectors on the need to share information and increase collaboration and review the current status of inland capture fisheries in irrigation systems at the national level in the five Central Asian countries.

In this book, Leslie Small and Ian Carruthers examine in detail the potentials and limitations of user fees for financing irrigation operation and maintenance. Both authors have extensive field experience in irrigation in developing countries and have combined this experience with simple concepts of economics to examine possible institutional and financial reforms which would not simply ask farmers to pay for an inadequate irrigation service, but would create the potential for significant improvements in the quality of the service provided. The proposed elements of any such reform are discussed in depth - a system of user fees covering the recurrent costs of irrigation; a financially autonomous irrigation agency that can retain and use the fees to operate and maintain the irrigation facilities; and a macro policy environment that is not unduly skewed against the agricultural sector. Written in a style intended to convey economic perspectives and insights to non-economists, this book will be essential reading for all those concerned with the financing and performance of irrigation in developing countries.

The use of urban wastewater in agriculture is receiving renewed attention, with the increasing scarcity of fresh water resources in many arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Wastewater is a low-cost alternative to conventional irrigation water, although it may carry health and environmental risks.This book critically reviews experience worldwide of these issues. Emphasis is placed on untreated wastewater use by means of field-based case studies from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. It brings together a range of perspectives including economic, health, agronomic, environmental, institutional, and policy dimensions.

The proposed Polavaram dam, located in Godavari delta, is part of the major irrigation expansion programme of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, which includes 26 projects with an outlay of Rs. 46,000 crores ($10 billion). Controversies around major water infrastructure projects are not new in India, Polavaram being no exception. As river disputes in India are bound to take centre stage of national politics, and environmental issues are set to dominate public agenda in coming years, Polavaram project is sure to engage the attention of both common man and intellectuals/activists. ""Perspectives on Polavaram"" provides a platform to articulate diverse views on this mega irrigation project. This book is an effort to establish an informed dialogue on Polavaram based on mutual respect. Comprising contributions by eminent people from a wide cross section of the society and representing different interest groups, this 'first of its kind' publication attempts to bring together various perspectives on the Polavaram project.

History of irrigation reforms in India dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. A number of studies have addressed to the need and process of reforms but these largely ended with two rhythmic suggestions involving pricing of irrigation water and participatory management of the sources of irrigation. It is startling to note that most of these solutions are a century old. The authors have provided evidence that these reform solutions began from the very First Irrigation Commission Report of 1903, and continued thereafter, reappearing periodically almost after every two decades albeit with fragmentary success. This study integrates efforts of the authors incorporating more than a decade's sustained work addressing to the question of irrigation reforms in the current context. The authors preferred not to take the usually traded path and at the same time not totally avoiding it analytically. Here's a study that covers the entire canvass of irrigation development in India and addresses the issues for further analysis. It dwells over the specific problem of irrigation, to provide the technically feasible and economically viable solutions under declining availability of water and increasing demand for it. The study incorporates analysis of the nexus between poverty and irrigation as well as agricultural wages in the context of irrigation, an area hitherto neglected by irrigation analysts. Finally, it deals with the participatory irrigation management and power subsidy issues in a most candid manner to suggest a path for reforms under the present conditions of scarce water availability and market orientation.

The rice-wheat system is the predominant cropping system in Asia, providing food, employment and income, ensuring the livelihoods of about one billion resource poor people. However, the productivity of the current rice-wheat systems is seriously threatened by increasing land degradation and scarcity of water and labour, inefficient cropping practices and other emerging socioeconomic and environmental drivers. Responding to the need to develop alternate crop establishment methods and improved cropping practices, this publication summarizes the results from a joint FAO/IAEA coordinated research project on optimizing productivity and sustainability of rice-wheat cropping systems. It provides relevant information on how to modify existing water and nutrient management systems and improve soil management in both traditional and emerging crop establishment methods for sustainable intensification of cereal production in Asia.

This publication summarizes the research work undertaken as part of a FAO/IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) which aimed to assess and enhance ecosystem services provided by wetlands, ponds and riparian buffer zones for improving water storage and nutrient use within agricultural catchments. The specific objectives of the CRP were to determine the capacity of water conservation zones for water and nutrient storage, assess nutrient attenuation capacities, assess the link between water and nutrient dynamics and optimize water conservation zones for improving water storage and quality.

Nuclear and related techniques can help develop climate smart agricultural practices by optimizing water and nutrient use efficiency, assessing organic carbon sequestration in soil, and assisting in the evaluation of soil erosion control measures. Knowledge on the behaviour of radioactive materials in soil, water and foodstuffs is also essential in enhancing nuclear emergency preparedness and response. Appropriate sampling and sample preparation are the first steps to ensure the quality and effective use of the measurements and this publication provides comprehensive detail on the necessary steps.

El Manual Tecnico Para La Construccion y El Uso de Los Silos Metalicos Familiares Para Almacenar Cereales y Leguminosas de Grano presenta de forma didactica y sencilla las instrucciones para la construccion y uso de diversos tipos de silos familiares, con capacidad de entre 0,12 m3 y 4,2 m3 (aproximadamente entre 120 y 4 000 kg). La contribucion de este tipo de silos a la seguridad alimentaria, a la satisfaccion de los objetivos del milenio y al bienestar de los pequenos agricultores es sumamente importante, especialmente en epocas de crisis agricolas causadas por numerosos factores externos, incluyendo problemas financieros. Los silos cumplen una funcion importante no solo para asegurar la alimentacion familiar del sector campesino, sino tambien para que los pequenos agricultores puedan regular la comercializacion de sus excedentes y tener acceso a los mercados en momentos favorables. El manual contiene las directrices para el uso y la fabricacion a un costo reducido de los silos familiares en forma accesible para artesanos y agricultores. El manual se basa en experiencias de campo hechas por la Agencia Suiza para el Desarrollo y Cooperacion (COSUDE) y posteriormente por numerosos proyectos ejecutados por la FAO en mas de 22 paises en desarrollo.

In most developing countries wastewater treatment systems are hardly functioning or have a very low coverage, resulting in large scale water pollution and the use of very poor quality water for crop irrigation especially in the vicinity of urban centres. This can create significant risks to public health, particularly where crops are eaten raw. Wastewater Irrigation and Health approaches this serious problem from a practical and realistic perspective, addressing the issues of health risk assessment and reduction in developing country settings. The book therefore complements other books on the topic of wastewater which focus on high-end treatment options and the use of treated wastewater. This book moves the debate forward by covering also the common reality of untreated wastewater, greywater and excreta use. It presents the state-of-the-art on quantitative risk assessment and low-cost options for health risk reduction, from treatment to on-farm and off-farm measures, in support of the multiple barrier approach of the 2006 guidelines for safe wastewater irrigation published by the World Health Organization. The 38 authors and co-authors are international key experts in the field of wastewater irrigation representing a mix of agronomists, engineers, social scientists and public health experts from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Australia. The chapters highlight experiences across the developing world with reference to various case studies from sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Mexico and the Middle East. The book also addresses options for resource recovery and wastewater governance, thus clearly establishes a connection between agriculture, health and sanitation, which is often the missing link in the current discussion on 'making wastewater an asset'.

The AQUASTAT Programme was initiated with a view to presenting a comprehensive picture of water resources and irrigation in the countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean and providing systematic, up-to-date and reliable information on water for agriculture and rural development. This report presents the results of the most recent survey carried out in the 18 countries of the Middle East region, and it analyses the changes that have occurred in the ten years since the first survey. It contains the detailed profiles on the situation in each country.

Contains the engineering tools and concepts that have proven useful in planning, constructing, and maintaining drainage systems for successful long term irrigation projects. Provides a ready reference and guide for making accurate estimates of drainage requirements.

This publication provides guidance for water users and districts in selecting, managing, inspecting, and maintaining their water measurement devices. Describes the standard methods and devices used to measure irrigation water. Acquaints irrigation system operators with other established but less common methods and with new or special techniques.

METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR AGRICULTURE, 2E provides students with an easy-to-understand, safety-conscious introduction to agricultural welding processes and techniques. Each section of this full-color book begins by introducing students to equipment and materials used in agricultural welding and includes complete setup instructions. The subsequent chapters in each section allow students to learn individual welding techniques in various applications and positions. METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR AGRICULTURE, 2E provides extensive coverage of brazing and specialized nonmetallic fabrication, designed to lead students step-by-step in developing the skills necessary for welding all types of agricultural machinery. Each chapter includes close up shots of actual welds and learning aids that have been proven to be effective, making this how-to and reference manual a key resource for students participating in agriculture education programs throughout the country.

Metal Fabrication Technology for Agriculture presents readers with a fast-paced, yet easy-to-understand introduction to must-know welding processes and techniques. Focusing squarely on agricultural welding applications, each section of this full-color book begins by introducing readers to the equipment and materials to be used in the process. Complete instructions for setup in preparation for welding are also included. Remaining chapters in the section allow readers to concentrate on mastering individual welding techniques in various applications and positions. Extensive coverage of brazing and specialized nonmetallic fabrication is designed to lead readers step-by-step in developing the skills necessary for welding all types of agricultural machinery. Up close shots of actual welds and proven-effective learning aids have also been built into every chapter, making this how-to and reference manual a key resource for today's farmers, ranchers, and students participating in agriculture education programs throughout the country.