and Rural Planning
No. 30 (1996. 2) pp. 1•`6
Editorial
Activities of IPTRID and Japan's Participation in the Program: New R & D Program on Drainage
in the Humid Tropics Yoshinobu KITAMURA*
1. Introduction: What is IPTRID?
Since irrigable land and water are becoming increasingly scarce concur-rently with the growing need for improved assessment of the environmental impacts of irrigation and drainage in many developing countries, new projects are expensive and, in general, the design of those projects is becoming more complex. Furthermore, the funds that ate being invested in applied research in irrigation and drainage are about only 0.5% of investment in the sector which is far lower than that in most other sectors. Thus technological ad-vances to increase productivity with respect to water are being -and will have to be- encouraged. There is also a need for technological improve-ments which fit within the framework of an environmentally sustainable irri-gated agriculture.
In view of these requirements, the International Commission on Irrigation
and Drainage (ICID) requested the World Bank (IBRD) to initiate an interna-tional effort to enhance and expand research in irrigation and drainage in
de-veloping countries. IBRD and UNDP agreed to cosponsor the International
Program for Technology in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID), and IBRD con-sented to host the Program beginning in 1991.
IPTRID is managed by a secretariat in the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department of IBRD. In addition to support from IBRD, IPTRID has received cash and commodities contributions from CIDA, the EC, FAO, the
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (INCAS) (Manuscript Received December 12, 1995, Accepted Jan. 12, 1996)
Ford Foundation, IFAD, ODA, USAID, and the governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Spain.
2. Objectives of IPTRID and Links with CGIAR
IPTRID has the broad objective of promoting technology research and
de-velopment (R & D) in irrigation and drainage. The specific objectives of the
program are as follows:
1) Provide a framework for collaborative action among developing
coun-tries, donors and research institutions in the assessment, formulation,
im-plementation, and monitoring of priority research projects.
2) Facilitate training and exchange of information and experiences
re-lated to global priorities in irrigation and drainage technology research.
These objectives have been pursued through activities involving
identifica-tion of R & D priorities in developing countries; provision of technical
assis-tance in the formulation of R & D proposals; assistance to obtain financial and
technical support for implementation of the R & D projects; monitoring
pro-grams in implementation; and efforts to facilitate professional interchange of
information and experience.
IPTRID's objectives are fundamentally linked to those of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Centers and the
National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS). By helping to redress the
imbalance between agricultural and irrigation technology, IPTRID assists the
CGIAR Centers to more fully exploit the results of their research. By
assist-ing the NARS in the identification, formulation, financing, and
implementa-tion of projects, IPTRID addresses the fundamental weaknesses of national
research institutions, including chronic underfunding and poor capacity to
formulate research projects and national research agendas.
There are clear distinctions in mandate between IPTRID and the
International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI), both substantively and
functionally. While IIMI performs research, IPTRID promotes research; i.e.,
IPTRID's defined role is that of a facilitator of research and not that of an
ex-ecutor. IPTRID and IIMI are working to strengthen linkages between the two
programs in appropriate areas, including performance assessment and human
resource and institution-building.
3. Activities of IPTRID and Its Performance
IPTRID has helped developing countries identify priorities, prepare
invest-ment project proposals, mobilize resources for funding and -through the
crea-tion of nacrea-tional and international networks and exchange programs
-disseminate lessons learned.
So far IPTRID has identified priorities for technology research in six coun-tries and one sub-region, i.e., Egypt, Pakistan, China, Morocco, Mexico, India and West Africa, which represent some 70% of the world's irrigated agricul-ture. It has also began activities in two new countries, Indonesia and Tunisia.
It has assisted in preparing and financing some 29 project proposals. Of
these, 8 have been approved by donors and are being implemented, 13 have
been submitted for donor appraisal, and 8 are being finalized pending
identifi-cation of donor interest.
In the coming year, IPTRID's activities will expand to other countries in
North Africa and the Middle East, East and Southern Africa, and Southeast
Asia. As a result of IPTRID's activities, R & D projects in developing countries
valued at some $60 million have been approved.
4. Japan's Participation in the New R & D Program "Drainage of the Humid Tropics"
(1) Background
Drainage has been given limited attention, mostly confined to irrigation-induced salinity problems in the arid regions. Rainfall-induced drainage prob-lems in the humid regions have so far largely been neglected.
In the past, waterlogged condition of the land during the monsoon season
was generally not a major constraint as rice was the main crop during this
sea-son and agricultural production levels were in any case restricted by many
other factors. Rising yield levels, introduction of more sensitive varieties, and
growing demand for crop diversification have changed this situation. As a
result, the need for improved drainage during the monsoon season is receiving
increasing recognition as a means to enhance agricultural productivity as well
as to improve the living environment of rural inhabitants. This is especially
true for the low-lying lands of South and Southeast Asia, which experience in-undation during the rainy season almost every year.
In many of the plains and delta areas in South and Southeast Asia, major
flood control has already been provided, and this needs now to be followed by
improved land drainage. IBRD attaches much importance to drainage and is
trying to address this problem within the framework of IPTRID.
Japan has, so far, participated in the IPTRID program in the field of
"drain-age of the humid tropics." As a first activity, a Japanese consultant was made
available to the IPTRID program to help China with the preparation of a
re-search proposal on "paddy drainage in South China." This proposal is now
under appraisal by MAFF and JICA. As a second activity, IPTRID organized
a 3-month reconnaissance-level study of drainage problems and R & D needs in
five countries of South and Southeast Asia (India, Malaysia, Thailand,
Vietnam, and the Philippines). This "Asia Drainage Study" was undertaken
by a Japanese Expert Team during September-December 1994. Here, only
the latter is explained in detail.
(2) Research proposals and development needs
On the basis of the field surveys carried out in five countries, it was con-cluded that improved drainage is essential in the region where many countries are being faced with various types of severe drainage problems. The nature
and magnitude of the attention paid to drainage improvement differ and de-pend on the country mainly owing to the difference in the natural
environ-ment and in technical and socio-economic background. Complete
informa-tion and full understanding of the present state of drainage problems is the
starting point for further drainage improvement in each country/region. On
the basis of findings of the study, 22 long-term R & D needs in 8 broad themes
were identified (see Annex).
In order to develop a sound knowledge base and capabilities to contribute to the upgrading of drainage technology toward the next century, it is important
to concentrate efforts on some priority research projects. Out of the 22
iden-tified needs, 5 key research project proposals which should be implemented on
a short-term basis were selected. All of these research projects contain
impor-tant elements of training and collaboration between researchers and
profes-sionals in Asian countries and with partners from outside the region.
1) Field Drainage Development in Paddy-Based Irrigation Schemes
The main objectives of this research program are to develop guidelines for
field drainage planning and design and on-farm water management through
the R & D on a pilot farm. Various drainage methods would be investigated,
including surface drainage, subsurface drainage, combined drainage of pipes
and moles, and combined subsurface drainage/sub-irrigation. The improved
systems would increase not only yields but also expansion of acreage for rice
double-cropping and enhance opportunities for the growing of some non-rice
crops (cash crops).
2) Main Drainage Development for River Plain and Delta Areas
The densely populated river plain and delta areas in South and Southeast Asia have a semi-polder type water management system. The residential and agricultural areas are partly protected by embankments against floods while excess water is discharged by gravity outfall. The full development of the economic potentials of these plains may ultimately require a modern polder-type, fully flood-protected, pumped outfall type of water management. The proposed study would focus on the intermediate steps which meet the short and medium-term requirements but do not pre-empt further developments in the future.
3) Development of Suitable Land Consolidation Programs for Asian
Lowlands
In order to grow non-rice crops and to obtain appropriate soil and working
conditions for farm machinery in the paddies, farm drainage and access roads
must be improved through land consolidation. To promote a land
consolida-tion project, the key point is not only a matter of engineering but a social
mat-ter, i.e., how to reallocate the land rights and how to get agreement to
exchange tenant rights on the paddies among the beneficiary farmers.
Special technicians are needed who have some special training and experience. 4) Drainage Guidelines for Acid Sulphate and Peat Soils
There are vast areas of acid sulphate soils or/and peat soils in coastal planes
in humid Asia. In acid sulphate areas, the fall of water table below the pyrite layer will result in the oxidation of pyrite and the formation of acid sulphate soils and other acids. Research on design for appropriate drainage systems to provide proper control is vital for optimum production and to prevent prob-able irreversible soil damage. In the peatlands, it is necessary to study the hy-drological characteristics to develop design criteria for the drainage improvement. Further detailed study should be carried out to assess the sustainability of peat area development based on a long-range viewpoint.
5) Drainage Guidelines for Semi-Arid Regions with Monsoon Climate
Since semi-arid areas in India also suffer rainfall-induced drainage problems during the monsoon season, proper drainage improvement is required to cope with both irrigation-induced drainage problems and rainfall-induced drainage problems in such areas.
5. Conclusion
The IPTRID program plays a most important role in the promotion of future technological advances to increase productivity in irrigation and drainage in an environmentally sustainable "manner. Technical networking between re-searchers and professionals on a worldwide basis is essential for the further activation of the IPTRID program.
The reconnaissance study on "drainage of the humid tropics" has clearly es-tablished the needs and prospects for improved drainage in South and
Southeast Asia. This should be followed up by further preparatory activities which will lay the foundation for further drainage development in the region.
In particular, a comprehensive regional networking for sharing technical in-formation should be established with the active support of the IPTRID International Network.
Annex Twenty-two (22) long-term R & D needs
1. Agricultural conditions and standardization of drainage works
(1) Study of hydro-meteorological conditions
(2) Study of paddy-based irrigation systems
(3) Standardization of drainage works
2. Main drainage and flood control
(4) Drainage improvement strategies based on global climate changes:
Impact assessment of sea level rise on drainage
(5) Data collection, information management, and networking on drainage
(6) Guidelines for drainage planning and management in a semi-arid
re-gion with monsoon climate
(7) Guidelines for polder-based drainage improvement in a delta area
(8) Criteria for design of paddy field drainage for mechanization 3. Field drainage
(9) Construction of conceptual model for field drainage planning in
paddy-based irrigation systems
(10) Development of subsurface drainage methods for diversified cropping systems in paddy fields
(11) Guidelines and manuals for field drainage design for diversified crop-ping systems in paddy fields
(12) Guidelines for construction and maintenance of field drainage systems
(13) Pilot farms for research on field drainage systems
4. Land consolidation
(14) Guidelines for land consolidation projects
(15) Guidelines for reallocation of land rights
5. Socio-economic issues
(16) Farmers' associations for drainage project promotion
(17) Assessment of opportunity losses incurred by inadequate drainage
6. Problem soils
(18) Criteria for design of drainage in acid sulphate areas
(19) Criteria for design of drainage and water management in peatland
7. Environmental problems
(20) Study of drainage effects on environment and environmental
im-provement through drainage
(21) Guidelines for design of drainage facilities based on ecological conser-vation: Design of coastal bund taking account of ecological conserva-tion
8. Rural development
(22) Guidelines for drainage for rural development and sanitary
improve-ment
References
1) IPTRID (1993): Program review and future prospects, IPTRID, Washington, D. C. 2) Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, The World Bank (1995): The
International Program for Technology Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID), Tokyo Symposium on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. 3) Kitamura, Y., Murashima, K., Ogino, Y. and Smedema, L. (1995): Research and
de-velopment for drainage improvement in Asian monsoon region: Working paper for the Workshop on Asia Drainage Study, JIID, Tokyo.
