Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief

The National Irrigation Policy of 2023 emphasizes the importance of volumetric water allocation for enhancing agricultural productivity in Nepal. A key part of this is enhancing the availability and use of flow data from canals to fields. Currently, Nepal lacks a consistent system for monitoring and...

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Autores principales: Nepal, Santosh, KC, Jibesh, Khanal, A., Neupane, N., Bhatt, D.
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Water Management Institute 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175683
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author Nepal, Santosh
KC, Jibesh
Khanal, A.
Neupane, N.
Bhatt, D.
author_browse Bhatt, D.
KC, Jibesh
Khanal, A.
Nepal, Santosh
Neupane, N.
author_facet Nepal, Santosh
KC, Jibesh
Khanal, A.
Neupane, N.
Bhatt, D.
author_sort Nepal, Santosh
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The National Irrigation Policy of 2023 emphasizes the importance of volumetric water allocation for enhancing agricultural productivity in Nepal. A key part of this is enhancing the availability and use of flow data from canals to fields. Currently, Nepal lacks a consistent system for monitoring and managing irrigation water, resulting in inefficiencies and inequities in water distribution. Many systems suffer from poor infrastructure and ad hoc management, leading to serious head–tail disparities, where tail-end farmers receive little or no water, particularly in dry periods. The absence of regular flow and soil moisture data makes it difficult for both irrigation managers and farmers to make informed decisions about water allocation and irrigation scheduling. To support the policy’s goals, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation (DWRI), initiated a pilot intervention in the Babai Irrigation Project in western Nepal. The project involves the installation of basic instruments that monitor real-time water flow, soil moisture, and weather conditions. These tools help irrigation managers to distribute water more efficiently. This approach is expected to reduce water-use conflicts, promote equity, and strengthen the role of Water User Associations in managing irrigation fairly and effectively.
format Brief
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institution CGIAR Consortium
language Inglés
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
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publisherStr International Water Management Institute
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spelling CGSpace1756832025-11-07T08:30:47Z Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief Nepal, Santosh KC, Jibesh Khanal, A. Neupane, N. Bhatt, D. irrigation systems decision making water distribution systems water flow soil water content water user associations The National Irrigation Policy of 2023 emphasizes the importance of volumetric water allocation for enhancing agricultural productivity in Nepal. A key part of this is enhancing the availability and use of flow data from canals to fields. Currently, Nepal lacks a consistent system for monitoring and managing irrigation water, resulting in inefficiencies and inequities in water distribution. Many systems suffer from poor infrastructure and ad hoc management, leading to serious head–tail disparities, where tail-end farmers receive little or no water, particularly in dry periods. The absence of regular flow and soil moisture data makes it difficult for both irrigation managers and farmers to make informed decisions about water allocation and irrigation scheduling. To support the policy’s goals, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), in partnership with the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation (DWRI), initiated a pilot intervention in the Babai Irrigation Project in western Nepal. The project involves the installation of basic instruments that monitor real-time water flow, soil moisture, and weather conditions. These tools help irrigation managers to distribute water more efficiently. This approach is expected to reduce water-use conflicts, promote equity, and strengthen the role of Water User Associations in managing irrigation fairly and effectively. 2025-07-18 2025-07-18T09:50:12Z 2025-07-18T09:50:12Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175683 en Open Access application/pdf International Water Management Institute Nepal, S.; K.C., J. K.; Khanal, A.; Neupane, N.; Bhatt, D. 2025. Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Policy Innovations Program; CGIAR Scaling for Impact Program. 8p.
spellingShingle irrigation systems
decision making
water distribution systems
water flow
soil water content
water user associations
Nepal, Santosh
KC, Jibesh
Khanal, A.
Neupane, N.
Bhatt, D.
Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title_full Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title_fullStr Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title_full_unstemmed Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title_short Basic instrumentation for informed decision-making in Nepal’s large irrigation systems: technical brief
title_sort basic instrumentation for informed decision making in nepal s large irrigation systems technical brief
topic irrigation systems
decision making
water distribution systems
water flow
soil water content
water user associations
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/175683
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AT khanala basicinstrumentationforinformeddecisionmakinginnepalslargeirrigationsystemstechnicalbrief
AT neupanen basicinstrumentationforinformeddecisionmakinginnepalslargeirrigationsystemstechnicalbrief
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