|
|
|
| R Number: R6879 |
|
| Contractor: HR Wallingford | |
| Dates: July 1997 to March 2000 | |
| Millions of hectares are lost annually through waterlogging/soil salinity. Project aims to develop user friendly software to train drainage engineers in principles of water table and salinity control. Simulation model and modular design aids. | |
| Executive Summary |
| Objectives |
|
To improve planning and design of land drainage and reclamation works.
1) Technical paper on drainage deficiencies, needs, constraints and priorities. 2) Interactive computer-based training and development aid for simulating the effect of technical and management options on water table and soil salinity. 3) Modular software packages to assist with elements of drainage design.. 4) Material for short training courses, emphasising technical and social determinants of drainage design. |
| Methodology |
|
Output 1 A technical report, OD/TN 92: Research priorities for agricultural drainage in developing countries, was prepared by HR Wallingford with inputs from Silsoe University and University of Southampton. The report was produced in February 1998. Output 2 A formal review was made of existing software. There are many programs to assist with various aspects of drainage. Most of them require a lot of basic data. There are none commonly available which present and analyse principles of drainage and salinity in user-friendly form, with graphical interface, to assist engineering/agricultural students and practising engineers. It was decided to structure development around a piece of Silsoe software for irrigation water management. Basic concepts were discussed in 1998 with potential users at IWASRI, the research coordinating body in Pakistan; Faisalabad University; the Centre for Excellence in Water Resources (CEWR), Lahore; the National Drainage Programme. The initial version of the software and manual will be assessed with users in Pakistan in mid-1999, and modified as necessary. Output 3. Not started at March 1999. Modular software utilities to complement the simulation software and aid detailed design are scheduled for development from April 1999. Output 4. Preparation of training material currently (March 1999) in hand. |
| Further Information |
| List of Publications |
|
Abbott, C.L. and Leeds-Harrison, P.B. (1998) OD/TN92. Research Priorities for Agricultural Drainage in Developing Countries. HR Report. |
| Collaborating Organisations |
|
HR Wallingford, UK IWASRI (under WAPDA), Pakistan Cranfield University, UK |
| Contact Details for Further Information |
|
DFID KAR WATER Dissemination Officer HR Wallingford Howbery Park Wallingford Oxon. OX10 8BA Tel: +44 1491 835381 Project Manager John Skutsch Email: jcs@hrwallingford.co.uk |