Field tests were conducted with inflow rates of 1.7–2.4 l s −1 to compare the advance rates both in continuous and surge‐irrigated furrows. The furrows were 149 m long, with 0.2–1.5% slopes. Water applied and rate of water advance were measured during five irrigation events. During the first irrigation, a reduction in applied water volume of 23–60% was observed in surge‐irrigated furrows compared with continuous irrigation. It...

Underperformance of the irrigation systems and poor cost recovery from irrigated area in Pakistan have been a source of concern for the last few decades and since then it has been the subject of considerable external assistance and internal policy reforms. To address these problems in the management of irrigation systems, the World Bank proposed a number of institutional changes for irrigation management turnover (IMT). After...

The River Swat is the source of irrigation for the entire irrigation system of Mardan, Nowshera and Charsadda districts. Reductions of water and overdrainage have influenced the yield of major crops. The impact of reduced supply at the inlet from the source, drought conditions and overdrainage from the area have lowered the groundwater to a disastrous level. Thus the present groundwater level cannot contribute to the crops. A...

Waterlogging and salinity are the major threats to the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Pakistan. About 50% of the Culturable Command Area (CCA) in the Fordwah Eastern Sadiqia South (FESS) is affected by waterlogging and 12% by surface and profile salinity. A sample of 26 watercourses was selected in the project area to evaluate the individual and combined impacts of waterlogging and salinity on the yields of cotton,...