Prioritize strategies for increasing water productivity in irrigation networks using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), (Case study: Qazvin Irrigation network)

Irrigation and drainage networks are considered the largest distributor of agricultural water and plays an important role in water supply and optimized distribution. Therefore, investigations and investments should be concentrated on the management, technical, economical, social and environmental aspects of the irrigation networks. In this paper by refering to the irrigation network of Qazvin and consultation and interviewing with network officials and managers of water industry in the operation of irrigation systems and also with previous studies, effective strategies were determined for increasing water productivity in networks from the viewpoint of management, technical, economic, social and environmental issues. AHP model and Expert Choice software was used for prioritizing these strategies using of expert opinions. Results showed that the management - operation viewpoint is the highest priority with the relative weight of 0.509. From the management-operation viewpoint using of pressurized irrigation systems, from the technical-structural viewpoint use of Neyrpic module in all channels, from the economic viewpoint to get the actual pricing of cost water, from the social viewpoint advice and promotion of modern irrigation systems to farmers and from the environmental viewpoint prevent the discharge of urban, industrial and agriculture sewage in the channels are the most important. For example, applying the best strategy to increase water productivity from the technical-structural viewpoint simulate the L6 canal of Qazvin irrigation network with Canalman hydrodynamic model. Results show that Neyrpic modules have high performance and reduce water losses in irrigation networks considerably.