Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter
16.
Irrigation Sustainability in the Land Use/Soil System in South Italy:
Results from a GIS Simplified Approach and Future
Methodological Developments
Andrea Fais,
1
Rosario Napoli,
2
Pasquale Nino,
1
Paolo Bazzoffi
2
and Nicola Laruccia
3
The optimisation of water use in agriculture is a key factor in rural development and
agri-environmental management. The full utilisation of the available water means the
possibility of enlarging the irrigated areas and reducing the environmental impact of
water use.
The irrigation sustainability evaluation in Objective 1 Italian Regions, taking into
specific consideration the interaction between irrigated land use, irrigation soil
suitability and three different irrigation techniques, is one of the supports to water
resources management.
The methodological approach, based on the use of GIS (Geographic Information System)
technology to integrate different data typologies and sources, and on the development of
an irrigation efficiency index (IEff), allows estimation of the inefficiencies in m
3
of
wastewater.
Introduction
Irrigated agricultural productions represent about 72 % of total agriculture's GDP
(Gross Domestic Product) of Southern Italy Regions. The total area covered by irrigated
crops is about 1600000 hectares. It represents the 60 % of the total water consumption,
and the agricultural areas with water distribution networks are still increasing. Water
networks and irrigation utilities have a low degree of efficiency, with significant losses of
water (differences between sources water availability and water availability in irrigation
areas) from sources to field. The full utilisation of the available water means the
possibility of reducing the environmental impact of water use.
1.
MIPAF-Istituto Nazionale di Economia Agraria, Rome, Italy.
2.
CRA-Istituto Sperimentale per lo Studio e la Difesa del Suolo, Firenze, Italy.
3.
Private Consultant, Rovato, Italy.
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