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Improving the Water-Use Efficiency and the Agricultural Productivity: An Application Case in a Modernized Semiarid Region in North-Central Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Julián González-Trinidad

    (Campus Siglo XXI, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Hugo Enrique Júnez-Ferreira

    (Campus Siglo XXI, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Carlos Bautista-Capetillo

    (Campus Siglo XXI, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Laura Ávila Dávila

    (Campus Siglo XXI, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

  • Cruz Octavio Robles Rovelo

    (Campus Siglo XXI, Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas 98160, Mexico)

Abstract

The increasing population demands a greater quantity of food. In order to satisfy the world’s demand, one of the main challenges worldwide consists of modernizing the current irrigation systems. This research shows an experience carried out in a modernized irrigation module in Central-North Mexico following these objectives: to evaluate the impact of the modernization of the irrigation module, to analyze the agricultural productivity, and to assess a group of parameters related with the agricultural production (system conduction and distribution efficiencies, water productivity, among others) and the water volumes after and before the modernization. After a drought period, a methodology was performed in commercial parcels in 2013 to increase the yield of different crops. Some of the activities were: soil leveling, estimation of the soil properties (field capacity, wilting point, bulk density, pH, and organic matter), optimum fertilization applications, use of a model to scheduling irrigation, measure volumes extracted at the parcel level. With the modernization and the method used, around 1800 and 2000 m 3 ha −1 were saved with respect to the initial granted volume by the Comisión Nacional del Agua and increase in the global efficiency was also achieved (from 55% to 85%). All crop yields increased, i.e., for corn from 2.5 kg/m 3 to 3.8 kg/m 3 . The impact of modernization accompanied with an effective operation allowed a significant increase of the crop yield and water productivity. Despite a controlled distribution of water being carried out, future research should contemplate free water demand scenarios and automation irrigation for improving the module operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Julián González-Trinidad & Hugo Enrique Júnez-Ferreira & Carlos Bautista-Capetillo & Laura Ávila Dávila & Cruz Octavio Robles Rovelo, 2020. "Improving the Water-Use Efficiency and the Agricultural Productivity: An Application Case in a Modernized Semiarid Region in North-Central Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:19:p:8122-:d:422721
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Playan, Enrique & Mateos, Luciano, 2006. "Modernization and optimization of irrigation systems to increase water productivity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 100-116, February.
    2. Tarjuelo, José M. & Rodriguez-Diaz, Juan A. & Abadía, Ricardo & Camacho, Emilio & Rocamora, Carmen & Moreno, Miguel A., 2015. "Efficient water and energy use in irrigation modernization: Lessons from Spanish case studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 67-77.
    3. Borrego-Marín, María M. & Berbel, J., 2019. "Cost-benefit analysis of irrigation modernization in Guadalquivir River Basin," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 416-423.
    4. Córcoles, J.I. & de Juan, J.A. & Ortega, J.F. & Tarjuelo, J.M. & Moreno, M.A., 2010. "Management evaluation of Water Users Associations using benchmarking techniques," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    1. Shuangshuang Liu & Shuhan Gao & Wei-Ling Hsu & Yan-Chyuan Shiau & Hsin-Lung Liu, 2021. "Mechanism Study on the Impact of China Population Structure Change on the Water Use of the Three Main Industries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-22, December.

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