Future Rationalization of Irrigated Agriculture: Multilevel Analyses for Salyan Steppe, Azerbaijan Republic

In this study current practices of irrigated agriculture in arid zone on the basis of multilevel approach is considered and integrated measures for its improvement are proposed. Investigations were conducted in Salyan Steppe of Azerbaijan Republic which is one of the typical arid zones of the country. The essence of this study is to analyze the peculiarities influencing irrigated agriculture and delineate necessary measures under the emerging economic and environmental conditions of land and water usage in the agriculture sector. The results of analyses indicate a number of problems in all levels of farming management. Irrigated agriculture in the country is facing a number of problems, due to deteriorated physical condition of irrigation infrastructure, currently established farming structure and farming practices. Needs for improvements of the irrigation infrastructure of a whole district is evidently demonstrated, since during conveyance, distribution and at the field level agriculture water use efficiency is low. Only one-third of water taken from the sources is used for crops in the field. The established current farming structure consisting of small plot sizes and surface irrigation practices complicate a future rationalization of the irrigation water and land usage. For the listed reasons, the concept of rehabilitation and other required measures (economic, institutional etc.) are proposed to be elaborated as integrated arrangements within a single goal-oriented program, rather than limited improvement works at a separate level of an irrigation system.