Abstract
This study was designed to investigate causes responsible for low water productivity and demonstrate various irrigation
techniques at farmers’ fields for its improvement. A comprehensive questionnaire was designed and 230 farmers were
interviewed in cotton-wheat area, mixed crop area, and rice-wheat area, in Rechna Doab located in Punjab, Pakistan. The
results showed that majority of the farmers is concerned over shortage of canal water, energy and fertilizer related issues
which were the main factors affecting their water productivity (WP). Field experiments showed that drip irrigation method
gave WP of 2.26 kg m-3 for wheat crop and 40% water saving as compared with conventional irrigation method. Perforated
pipe irrigation technique also resulted in relatively better WP of 1.46 kg m-3 and saved water up to 20%. Benefit Cost ratios
for drip, perforated pipe and conventional were 2.47, 2.20 and 1.96, respectively. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for drip
and perforated pipe irrigations over conventional irrigation practices were 40% and 36%, respectively. These findings
suggested that flexible irrigation techniques in response to crop water requirements can improve land and water productivity,
by building on farm water storages and conveying water through pipes to minimize the losses.
