This report analyses the adaptive capacity in agricultural water management, adaptation in agriculture to water variability and extreme events, (floods and droughts), mitigation, (water and energy) and uncertainty about further climate change.

A Tradition in Transition presents an in-depth assessment of the century-old Wadi Laba indigenous spate irrigation system in Eritrea. This system has relied on earthern and brushwood structures and customary water rules to support subsistence livelihoods of the Wadi Laba communities for many years. The book presents original research, which analyzes the effectiveness of contemporary water laws and a new headwork in improving production and standard of living. It also compares the lack of success of these new approaches with traditional methods of water management.

Volume 3 takes the subject of better land husbandry further. The book first points out the sort of things which have been, and are being used, but are failing to deliver what is required. It then explains the causes of erosion, the theory and practice of soil and water conservation, and practical and lasting ways to construct terraces, including such details as how to build different kinds of terrace walls. Nothing grows from the top down, as also with soil improvement. It explains in detail the way of achieving practical and sustainable soil and water conservation, practical ways in which farmers can themselves make and use practical and lasting ways to construct terraces, including such details as how to build different kinds of terrace walls.

Egypt is a country of tremendous land resources but limited water resources The area of cultivated land is only 3.2% of the gross area. The river Nile is the main sources of water. In the recent years the Governement established large-scale agricultural projects in light of food security related to the population growth. Expansion of irrigated agriculture has to be predomantly relalized bt increasing the water use efficiency. In Egypt, the dominant irrigation method is surface irrigation, which covers approximately 83% of the irrigated areas. Surface irrigation or gravity methods are generally characterized by a low efficiency. One opportunity to increase the efficiency is to convert surface irrigation to modern irrigation systems, which are generaly highly expensive for a country like Egypt. Another option to increase the efficiency of surface irrigation systems is to convert the traditional irrigation method based on continuous flow to surge flow irrigation. Surge flow irrigation is the intermittent application of water to furrows in a series of relatively short on and off time periods. This study has been carried out to demonstrate the applicability of surge flow irrigation for water saving under the short field conditions that prevail in Egypt. The results indicate that surge flow irrigation is an effective irrigation method to save water and to increase crop production.

Contents:
Preface. Acknowledgement. Managing Water Quality. Application tf the Root Zone Water Quality Model for Environment-Water Management In Agricultural Systems - L. R. Ahuja, L Ma, J. D. Hanson and R. S Kanwar. Assessing Atrazine In Irrigated Soil Profiles - A. S. Azevedo, R. S. Kanwar and L. S. Pereira. Influence of Sub-Surface Drainage On Herbicide Management In Low-Land Areas - D. Cruiciani, G. C. Baptista, P. J. Christoffoleti and K. Minami. Effects Of The Traditional and No-Tillage Systems Upon Runoff and Herbicide Transport - F. J. B. Teixeira and G. Basch. First Results on Controlled Drainage to Reduce Nitrate Losses From Agricultural Sites - M. Borin, G. Bonaiti and L. Giardini. Nitrate Movement in Level Basins: Reduced Versus Conventional Soil Tillage - D. V. Santos, P. L. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Impact of Agricultural Developments on Water Contamination and Environmental Sustainability - R. S. Kanwar. Effect of Irrigation with Saline Water on Soil and Crop in South-West Spain - M. M. Ridao, F. Moreno, F. Cabrera, J. E. Fernandez, M. J. Palomo and E. Fernandez-Boy. Soil Hydraulic Parameters For Environmental and Leaching Studies - M. C. Gonçalves, R. M. Fernando and L. S. Pereira. Reducing Acid Pollution From Reclaimed Acid Sulphate Soils: Experiences from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam - T. P. Tuong, L. Q. Minh, D. V. Ni and M. E. F. Van Mensvoort. Control Of Furrow Erosion and Infiltration on a Mediterranean Soil Using Polyacrylamide - F. L. Santos, R. P. Serralheiro, F. S. Melhorado and M. R. Oliveira. Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Pollution Using the Drastic Method. Application to the Alqueva Area - J. P. Lobo-Ferreira and M. M. Oliveira. Managing the Effects Of Agricultural Practices on Groundwater Quality - M. C. Caputo, G. Passarella, M. Vurro and G. Giuliano. Managing Demand. Environmental Criteria in a Decision Support System for Surface Irrigation Design - J. M. Gonçalves, L. S. Pereira And P. L. Sousa. Surface Irrigation Efficiency in Cracking Soils as Influenced by Water Restrictions - A. Zairi, A. Slatni, J. C. Mailhol and H. Achour. Furrow Surge Irrigation as a Water Saving Technique - I. Varlev, Z. Popova and I. Gospodinov. Evaluation of Performance of Surface Irrigation Systems: Optimization of Infiltration and Roughness Parameters - M. J. Calejo, P. L. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Real Time Management of Furrow Irrigation with a Cablegation System - S. Shahidian, R. P. Serralheiro and L. L. Silva. Predicting Runoff Under Sprinkler Irrigation Using Eurosem - B. Ghorbani. Performance Of Centre Pivot Systems In Field Practice - J. Montero, J. M. Tarjuelo, F. T. Honrubia, J. Ortiz, P. Carrión, J. A. De Juan And M. Calvo. Optimization Of Water Application For Sprinkler Irrigation - V. P. S. Paz, J. A. Frizzone, T. A. Botrel and M. V. Folegatti. New Non-Water Stressed Baselines for Irrigation Scheduling with Infrared Thermometers - I. Alves and L. S. Pereira. Crop Water Stress Index for Beans Obtained from Temperature Difference Between Canopy and Air - P. E. P. Albuquerque, R. L. Gomide and A. E. Klar. Real-Time Irrigation Scheduling Model for Cotton - Y. H. Li and B. Dong. Using Sap Flow Measurements to Quantify Water Consumption in the Olive Tree - M. J. Palomo, A. Díaz-Espejo, J. E. Fernández, I. F. Girón and F. Moreno. Water-Yield Function of Rice and Its Temporal and Spatial Variation - Z. Mao and Y. L. Cui. managing Supply in Irrigation Systems. Participatory Research on Technical Interventions to Improve Irrigation Performance: Informing Perceptions - B. A. Lankford and J. W. Gowing. Canal Inspectors Know-How in Water Management - R. Bustos, M. Marre, J. Chambouleyron and S. Salatino. Demand Management by Irrigation Delivery Scheduling - N. Hatcho. Performance Analysis of On-Demand Pressurized Irrigation Systems - N. Lamaddalena and L. S. Pereira. New Approaches To Design and Performance Analysis Of Low Pressure Distribution Systems - A. Douieb, R. Bounoua, L. S. Pereira, P. L. Sousa and N. Lamaddalena. Effective Monitoring Of Canal Irrigation With Minimum Or No Flow Measurement - B. A. Lankford. Canal Water Delivery System Automation. A Case Study - M. Rijov and V. Paulo. Waterproofing Mira, Campilhas, Senhora Do Porto Canals with Drained Geomembranes - J. L. Machado Do Vale, A. M. Scuero and G. L. Vaschetti. Minimum Level Of Water Demand For A Profitable Operation Of An Irrigation Scheme - I. Nicolaescu and E. Manole. Spatial Distribution Of Irrigation Water Requirements Using Geostatistical Analysis - V. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Rice Production In Floodplains: Issues For Water Management In Bangladesh - J. J. F. Barr and J. W. Gowing. Users Governance Of Irrigation Water: On-Going Reforms and Potentials - Masahiro Nakashima. water Conservation and Hydrologic Behaviour. Reuse Of Return Flows And Local Runoff In Irrigation Systems - J. W. Gowing and P. S. Maheepala. Remote Sensing For Rainwater Harvesting In Mediterranean Agriculture - D. Prinz, T. Oweis and A. Oberle. A Model To Obtain The Hydrograph Of Surface Runoff In Terraced Areas - F. F. Pruski, J. M. A. Silva, L. N. Rodrigues And D. D. Silva. Dynamic Flood Control Along Arterial Drainage Networks, A Case Study - Y. Nedelec, D. Zimmer, C. Chaumont and M. D. Porcheron. River Meadow Programs -Planning In Partnership - H. Patt. Effects Of River Diking On The Water And Slat Regimes Of Flood Plain Soils - F. Statescu, A. Nicolau and V. Tobolcea. Influence Of Tillage System On Water Regime In Irrigated And Rainfed Sunflower Production - G. Basch, J. P. Mendes, M. J. G. P. R. Carvalho, F. Marques and M. J. Santos. Measurements Of Soil Hydraulic Properties In An Olive Orchard Under Drip Irrigation - F. Moreno, J. E. Fernandez, M. J. Palomo, I. F. Girón, J. M. Villau and A. Díaz-Espejo. Effect Of Mulching With Black Polyethylene Sheets On Sweet Pepper Evaporation Losses - G. Ghinassi And L. Neri. coping With Water Scarcity and Drought. Reduced Demand Irrigation Scheduling Under Constraint Of The Irrigation Method - R. M. Fernando, L. S. Pereira, Y. Liu, Y. N. Li And L. G. Cai. Water and Salt Management Strategies In The Aral Sea Basin - V. A. Dukhovny, And V. I. Sokolov. Drought Forecasting As An Aid To Irrigation Water Management - I. Pálfai, G. Y. Szilárd and L. M. Tóth. Characterizing Agricultural Droughts In Eastern Romania - C. Cismaru, I. Bartha, I. Cojocaru, N. Marcoie and V. Gabor. Modeling The Occurrence Of Dry Spells and Their Impact On Crop Yield - S. A. V. Sousa and J. A. Frizzone. Reconnaissance Optimal Sustainable Groundwater Pumping Strategies For The Lower Ghaggar Basin - A. Kumar, R. Shyam, N. K. Tyagi and R. C. Peralta. Irrigation, Sustainable Development and Law - M. Mathus Escorihuela. Comprehensive Criteria For Water Ecosystems Sustainability Assessment - V. I. Sokolov and V. A. Nikolayenko. Subject Index.

Written for a one-semester course in hydraulics, this concise textbook is rooted in the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and aims to promote sound hydraulic engineering practice. Basic methods are presented to underline the theory and engineering applications, and examples and problems build in complexity as students work their way through the textbook. Abundant worked examples and calculations, real-world case studies, and revision exercises, as well as precisely crafted end-of-chapter exercises ensure students learn exactly what they need in order to consolidate their knowledge and progress in their career. Students learn to solve pipe networks, optimize pumping systems, design pumps and turbines, solve differential equations for gradually-varied flow and unsteady flow, and gain knowledge of hydraulic structures like spillways, gates, valves, and culverts. An essential textbook for intermediate to advanced undergraduate and graduate students in civil and environmental engineering.

Water for the People features twenty-five essays by world-renowned acequia scholars and community members that highlight acequia culture, use, and history in New Mexico, northern Mexico, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Spain, the Middle East, Nepal, and the Philippines, situating New Mexico's acequia heritage and its inherent sustainable design within a global framework. The lush landscapes of the upper Rio Grande watershed created by acequias dating from as far back as the late sixteenth century continue to irrigate their communities today despite threats of prolonged drought, urbanization, private water markets, extreme water scarcity, and climate change. Water for the People celebrates acequia practices and traditions worldwide and shows how these ancient irrigation systems continue to provide arid regions with a model for water governance, sustainable food systems, and community traditions that reaffirm a deep cultural and spiritual relationship with the land year after year.

This textbook provides a comprehensive treatment of irrigation engineering for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It does not require a background in calculus, hydrology, or hydraulics, offering a one-stop overview of the entire field of study. It includes everything a student of irrigation engineering needs to know: concepts of climate, soils, crops, water quality, hydrology, and hydraulics, as well as their application to design and environmental management. To demonstrate the practical applications of the theories discussed, there are over 300 worked examples and end-of chapter exercises. The exercises allow readers to solve real-world problems and apply the information they've learned to a diverse range of scenarios. To further prepare students for their future careers, each chapter includes many illustrative diagrams and tables containing data to help design irrigation systems. For instructors' use when planning and teaching, a solutions manual can be found online alongside a suite of PowerPoint lecture slides.

Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management is a comprehensive volume on this important topic. It broadly covers the sources, availability, demand, and supply of water and its uses in irrigation and crop production in agriculture. It then delves into many specific aspects of water resource development and management, including Irrigation creation and utilization Water storage efficiency, conveyance efficiency, distribution efficiency, and application efficiency The role of water in plant systems and soil-water-plant relationships Estimating the water need for irrigation along with management strategies Water quality in agriculture as well as the impact of water quality on human health Water pricing Wetland management and water productivity Water pollution in agriculture and water contamination in urban and rural areas Examples and case studies are included to illustrate and reinforce the text, such as reviews of river linking projects, adopted water management technologies for agricultural farms, important irrigation projects (both minor and major), and more.Written by two eminent researchers and scientists in agricultural water management, this informative volume is designed for students of agriculture, researchers, policymakers, and teachers engaged in the field of water management.

The global expansion of irrigated lands during the 20th century and beyond continues to contribute to food production, but also degrades the environment significantly. The consequent search for policy remedies has stimulated a vital body of economic research. The issues addressed in this comprehensive collection of previously published articles include the effects of existing government intervention on the environmental impacts of agriculture, the economic costs and benefits of environmental regulations for agriculture, and the economic and environmental merits of alternative mechanisms for water allocation and water quality protection. In this volume the editors present a sampling of economic research on the interface of irrigated agriculture with the environment. The articles included are by leading researchers in this field and span the topics of nonpoint pollution control, salinity management, and the allocation of water.

This book focuses on best management practices for drip irrigated crops. It cover irrigation methods, scheduling of micro irrigation, and mulching and crop performance. Micro irrigation techniques with diverse crops are discussed, including sweet pepper, chili, tomatoes, cauliflower, wheat, sweet peas, sugarcane, and potatoes. The performance of the various techniques has been tested and evaluated in the field. Written by experts on micro irrigation, this valuable book is a must-have for micro irrigation professionals as well as advanced students.

The reuse of wastewater in irrigation is being practiced only recently to solve water scarcity problems in agriculture. Management of water, soil, crop, and operational procedures, including precautions to protect farm workers, play an important role in the successful use of sewage effluent for irrigation. Appropriate water management practices must be followed to prevent salinization. If salt is not flushed out of the root zone by leaching and removed from the soil by effective drainage, salinity problems can build up rapidly. Leaching and drainage are, thus, two important water management practices to avoid salinization of soils. One of the options that may be available to farmers is the blending of treated sewage with conventional sources of water to obtain a blended water of acceptable salinity level. This important book focuses on the use of wastewater as a valuable resource for agricultural micro irrigation purposes. It covers effective wastewater management practices in a variety of climates, including semi-arid regions and others; how to perform effective evaluations to gauge the quality of the water on plants, including potatoes, maize, and eggplant; and the cost-benefit of using wastewater. It addresses the sources of wastewater for irrigation and the problems along with challenges, including water quality, clogging, soil quality, and more. The mission of this compendium is to serve as a reference manual for professionals in biological and civil engineering, horticulture, soil and crop science, and agronomy, as well as for graduate and undergraduate students in related fields. It will be a valuable reference for professionals who work with micro irrigation/wastewater and water management, for technical agricultural centers, irrigation centers, agricultural extension services, and other agencies that work with micro irrigation programs.

This book forms the proceedings of the 18th European conference on irrigation and drainage. Water is not a free commodity, and demand is becoming more and more intense for its allocation. This book focuses on the role of irrigation and drainage in the debate on water, and will be used by planners, designers and policy makers internationally.

Management Strategies for Water Use Efficiency and Micro Irrigated Crops presents new research and technologies for making better use of water resources for agricultural purposes. The chapters focus on better management to improve allocation and irrigation water efficiency and look at performance factors as well. Chapters look at irrigation technology, environmental conditions, and scheduling of water application. One section of the book focuses on water management in the cultivation of sugarcane, a very important industrial crop used in many fields. Other sections are devoted to principles and challenging technologies, water use efficiency for drip-irrigated crops, performance of fertigated rice under micro irrigation, and evaluation of performance of drip-irrigated crops. This valuable book is a must for those struggling to find ways to address the need to maintain efficient crop production in the midst of water shortages. With chapters from hands-on experts in the field, the book will be an invaluable reference and guide to effective micro irrigation methods.

This new book, the fourth volume in the Innovations and Challenges in Micro Irrigation book series, examines the potential of solar energy and other emerging energy technologies in micro irrigation to create sustainable energy sources. The authors discuss a variety of innovative micro irrigation system designs, with a special focus on solar energy and photovoltaic (PV) energy.

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.

Micro irrigation, also known as trickle, drip, localized, high frequency, or pressurized irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant. Clogging is a menace in the success of drip irrigation systems, and the situation is more complex under subsurface drip irrigation. Irrigation planners and engineers have found a variety of innovative methods to help to minimize clogging. This book emphasizes the implications of micro irrigation clogging, especially under the subsurface placement of laterals. The book offers remedies to decrease clogging and methodologies to improve the performance of micro sprinklers. This valuable resource addresses this critical problem, covering: Challenges in clogging under subsurface drip irrigation Principles, practices, and management of emitter clogging Efficiency of acidification for unclogging of emitters Performance characteristics of micro sprinklers The book will serve as a reference manual for professionals in biological and civil engineering, horticulture, soil and crop science, and agronomy, as well as for graduate and undergraduate students in related fields. It will be a valuable reference for professionals who work with micro irrigation/wastewater and water management and for technical agricultural centers, irrigation centers, agricultural extension services, and other agencies that work with micro irrigation programs.

This new book, Sustainable Micro Irrigation Design Systems for Agricultural Crops, brings together the best research for efficient micro irrigation methods for field crops, focusing on design methods and best practices. Covering a multitude of topics, the book presents research and studies on: Indigenous alternatives for use of saline and alkali waters Hydraulic performance Distribution of moisture Fertigation technology Buried micro irrigation laterals Drip irrigation scheduling Rainwater harvesting Adoption and economic impact of a micro irrigation model This book is a must for those interested in irrigation planning and management, namely, researchers, scientists, educators, and students.

Closed circuit trickle irrigation is a form of micro irrigation that increases energy and water efficiency by using closed circuit drip irrigation systems designs. Modifications are made to traditional micro irrigation methods to reduce some of the problems and constraints, such as low compressor water at the end of irrigation lines. This approach has proved successful for the irrigation of fruit trees and some vegetable and field crops. Closed circuits of drip irrigation systems require about half of the water needed by sprinkler or surface irrigation. Lower operating pressures and flow rates result in reduced energy costs, and a higher degree of water control is attainable as well. Plants can be supplied with more precise amounts of water, and disease and insect damage is reduced because plant foliage stays dry. Fertilizers can also be applied through this type of system, which can result in a reduction of fertilizer and fertilizer costs. This new volume in the Research Advances in Sustainable Micro Irrigation book series presents a diverse collection of research on closed circuit irrigational technology and design and provides studies of its use on such crops as wheat, maize, yellow corn, soybeans, rice, and snap peas. The book explores: * Soil moisture and salinity distributions under modified sprinkler irrigation * Performance of sprinkler irrigation * Design considerations for closed circuit drip irrigation systems * Performance of bubbler irrigation * Energy and water savings of drip irrigation systems * Automation of mini-sprinkler and drip irrigation systems * Water and fertilizer use efficiencies for drip irrigated maize * Evaluation of emitter clogging for drip irrigated systems This book will be valuable for those interested in irrigation planning and management, namely, researchers, scientists, educators, upper-level students, agricultural extension services, and others.

This book examines the tablon system, a type of irrigated, raised-bed horticulture found in the present-day village of Panajachel in Guatemala. It demonstrates how individual Mayan farmers use the tablon system as a strategy for adapting to the demands of a local economy.

This new book, Sustainable Practices in Surface and Subsurface Micro Irrigation, offers a vast amount of knowledge and techniques necessary to develop and manage a drip/trickle or micro irrigation system. The information covered has worldwide applicability to irrigation management in agriculture. Focusing on both subsurface and surface micro irrigation, chapters in the book cover a variety of new research and information on: * Irrigation water requirements for tanier, vegetables, bananas, plantains, beans, and papaya * Irrigating different types of soils, including sandy soils, wet soils, and mollisols * New applications for micro irrigation using existing technology, such as meteorological instruments and MicroCAD * Meteorological instruments for water management

Sediment deposition threatens the performance of many irrigation systems. Because of the high impact on irrigation performance and crop production, many studies have been done on how to deal with sediment deposition. In this research, the Delft3D model, originally developed for hydro-morphologic modeling of rivers and estuaries, was adapted for the use in irrigation systems simulations and applied to different case studies. This research addresses two shortcomings of previous studies of sediments in irrigation systems. Firstly, while previous studies primarily used 1D models, this research uses a 2D/3D model. The use of 2D/3D models in irrigation systems is significant because the non-uniform flow around structures such as offtakes, weirs and gates, leads to asymmetric sedimentation patterns that are missed by 1D simulations. Secondly, whereas previous studies mostly considered non-cohesive sediments, this research simulates cohesive, non-cohesive and a mix of both sediment types. This is important for irrigation systems that draw water from natural rivers that carry a mix of cohesive and non-cohesive sediments. The findings of this research are important for irrigation system maintenance and gate operation. It is also essential for the development of canal operating plans that meet crop water requirements and at the same time minimizes sediment deposition by alternating gates.

Irrigation Development in Africa: Lessons of Experience is a veritable encyclopedia of information on African irrigation. It describes a significant subset of the African irrigation experience, from traditional flood recession systems to large projects like Gezira and Bura.

Better water management will be crucial if we are to meet many of the key challenges of this century - feeding the world 's growing population and reducing poverty, meeting water and sanitation needs, protecting vital ecosystems, all while adapting to climate change. The approach known as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is widely recognized as the best way forward, but is poorly understood, even within the water sector. Since a core IWRM principle is that good water management must involve the water users, the understanding and involvement of other sectors is critical for success. There is thus an urgent need for practical guidance, for both water and development professionals, based on real world examples, rather than theoretical constructs. That is what this book provides. Using case studies, the book illustrates how better water management, guided by the IWRM approach, has helped to meet a wide range of sustainable development goals. It does this by considering practical examples, looking at how IWRM has contributed, at different scales, from very local, village-level experiences to reforms at national level and beyond to cases involving trans-boundary river basins. Using these on-the-ground experiences, from both developed and developing countries in five continents, the book provides candid and practical lessons for policy-makers, donors, and water and development practitioners worldwide, looking at how IWRM principles were applied, what worked, and, equally important, what didn t work, and why. Published with the Global Water Partnership

In 1947, British India-the part of South Asia that is today's India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh-emerged from the colonial era with the world's largest centrally managed canal irrigation infrastructure. However, as vividly illustrated by Tushaar Shah, the orderly irrigation economy that saved millions of rural poor from droughts and famines is now a vast atomistic system of widely dispersed tube-wells that are drawing groundwater without permits or hindrances. Taming the Anarchy is about the development of this chaos and the prospects to bring it under control. It is about both the massive benefit that the irrigation economy has created and the ill-fare it threatens through depleted aquifers and pollution. Tushaar Shah brings exceptional insight into a socio-ecological phenomenon that has befuddled scientists and policymakers alike. In systematic fashion, he investigates the forces behind the transformation of South Asian irrigation and considers its social, economic, and ecological impacts. He considers what is unique to South Asia and what is in common with other developing regions. He argues that, without effective governance, the resulting groundwater stress threatens the sustenance of the agrarian system and therefore the well being of the nearly one and a half billion people who live in South Asia. Yet, finding solutions is a formidable challenge. The way forward in the short run, Shah suggests, lies in indirect, adaptive strategies that change the conduct of water users. From antiquity until the 1960's, agricultural water management in South Asia was predominantly the affair of village communities and/or the state. Today, the region depends on irrigation from some 25 million individually owned groundwater wells. Tushaar Shah provides a fascinating economic, political, and cultural history of the development and use of technology that is also a history of a society in transition. His book provides powerful ideas and lessons for researchers, historians, and policy