5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

CASE STUDY PAPER

SYSTEM IRRIGATION WATER PROVISION

IN BENA IRRIGATED AREA
TO IMPROVE SUSTAINABLE WATER RESILIENCE

Melkior A. Lukas1, Susilawati2*

1
BWS-NT II, Kupang; Parahyangan Catholic University
2
Flores University
*sr.susi.dp@gmail.com; phone no. +62.81394058770

Received: ….. (left blank) Revised: ….. (left blank) Accepted: ….. (left blank)

Acceptance information: Font Times New Roman, size 10, regular,andcenter alignment

Abstract

The water availability for agricultural irrigation was more difficult. The water
decreases due to the changes in land use, while demand for food is increasing due
to population growth. Climate changes increasingly threaten water security for
irrigation, which ultimately also impact on food security. While developed rice
seeds or cropping systems to increase food production such as SRI (system of rice
intensification), but the system of irrigation which is less precise, also will
threaten water security and agricultural production. Provision of proper irrigation
based on the crop water requirement in accordance to the crop development itself.
The provision of water irrigation continuously, is a waste, because it is not
excessive given the extent required. The provision of water intermittently,
managed based on the need, will save water, but still provide optimum
agricultural production. To find a system of proper water irrigation is necessary to
do some simulations using the CropWat 8 program, issued by FAO. From the
several simulations, it can be found some way or system of irrigation water right.
This system supports water resistance, so that agricultural production is also
optimized, which in turn will provide sustainable food security.

Keywords: water irrigation provision system, water security, agricultural

production, sustainability.

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

INTRODUCTION

General Background

Water is a natural resource, which is very important and absolutely needed by

living things, because without water there would be no life. Water is used in a
variety of life, events both for domestic (household), industrial and agricultural.
The crops will not have better live, grow and produce well harvest, if suffering for
lack of water or excess water. The water availability for irrigation is becoming
scarce and so difficult. The river water flow is decreasing due to the changing of
land used, while the demand for food increasing due to population growth. The
climate change is more and more threatened the water resilience for irrigation,
which in turn also have an impact on food sovereignty. While have been
developed rice seeds or cropping systems such as SRI (system of rice
intensification) to increase food production, but the system irrigation water
provision was not appropriate, also will threaten water resilience and agricultural
production.

The East Nusa Tenggara Province have rice fields covering an area of 348,70 ha.
From that area consist of the technical irrigated area as 98,95 ha (Kepmen PU,
2014), including 3,871 ha of irrigation areas Bena (BWS-NT II, 2013). Bena
irrigated areas using water from the river Noelmina, with a maximum water
design of 7,2 m3/s to irrigate an area of 3,871 ha (Figure 1). The Bena irrigation
area in google earth map is illustrated in Figure 2. The monthly rainfall data from
Panite rainfall station during the year of 1989 until 2014 is illustrated as Figure 3.
There are no data on the year of 1990 and 2005. The lowest rainfall is happened
on the year of 2012 (443,6 mm/year), then the year of 2013 (473 mm/year).

Triggered by an urge to improve food sovereignty and the decreasing water flow
on the river, it is necessary to study concerning the system irrigation water
provision in Bena irrigated area to improve sustainable water resilience. The
objective of the study are to find some strategies needed to use the river water
resources optimally, efficient and provide maximum production.

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

Figure 1. Bena irrigation area (3551 ha)

Figure 2. Bena irrigation area on google earth map (2016)

Note:
: existing irrigated area
: potential irrigated area

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

Figure 3. Panite rainfall station (BMKG, 2015)

Explanation about literature study

Mawardi Erman (2007) states that irrigation is an attempt to get water availability
for crop by construct the artificial channels and some structures to support
agricultural production. The Law of Indonesia Government Number 11 (the Act)
in 1974, has stated that the regulation and management of irrigation should be
done thoroughly and sustainably to achieve maximum efficiency for the
prosperity fair and equitable of the people. Water management is also stated by
the Regulation of the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing No. 09 / PRT
/2015 on the Use of Water Resources, in article 3, paragraph 2 stated that the
purpose of utilization of water resources sustainable by saving water resources
accurately in the use of resources and its water infrastructure.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method is rice cultivation techniques that can
enhance the productivity of rice by changing the management of plants, soil,
water and nutrients. This method was first discovered accidentally in Madagascar
between 1983 and 1984 by French Jesuit monk named FR. Henri de Laulani, S.J.
By its discovery, this further methodology in the French and English language.
Then in 1990 formed Tefy Science Association (ATS), a Non Governmental
Organization (NGO) Malagasy to introduce SRI. Four years later, Cornell

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD), began

working with Tefy Science to introduce SRI around Ranomafama East National
Park in Madagascar which is supported by the US Agency for International
Development. This method has proven successful in increasing productivity of
rice by 50%, and even in some places reached more than 100%. SRI is a way of
intensive rice cultivation and efficient management processes based on the root
system of management of land, water, and plants (Guswara and Pasandaran,
1998). The management of soil, water and plants in the SRI method is realized
throughout initial displacement and create conditions for the best growth of the
plants (plant spacing width, optimal humidity, soil active and healthy in terms of
biological, as well as aerobic soil conditions during the growing period).
Displacement young seedlings is done carefully one by one with a spacing rather
wide, during the vegetative growth of the land is not flooded, the use of organic
fertilizer (compost), and premature weeding intensity more often. Farmers who
practice SRI encouraged to experiment to find out how the application of the basic
principles of best suit of SRI method in local environmental conditions. The SRI
methods development Model SRI has also been tested in various countries in
Asia, including South Asia such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, as well as in
Southeast Asia such as the Philippines and Vietnam as well as in Mainland China
with a positive result. In 1999, the cooperation of Nanjing Agricultural University
in China and Aard (Agency for Agriculture Research and Development) in
Indonesia do first experiment outside Madagascar. SRI became world famous
through the efforts of Norman Uphoff (Director Of Ornell International Institute
For Food, Agriculture And Development). In 1997 Uphoff held a presentation in
Indonesia which is the first opportunity SRI conducted outside Madagascar. Test
pattern of SRI technique has first implemented by the Institute for Research and
Development of Agriculture at Sukamandi West Java during the dry season in
1999 with a result of 6.2 ton/ha and in the wet season 1999/2000 rice yield an
average of 8.2 ton/ha (Uphoff, 2002; Sato, 2007). SRI has also been applied in
several districts in Java, Sumatra, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa
Tenggara is largely promoted by Governmental Organization (NGO).

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

Irrigation water requirement is the amount of water needed to increase rainfall in

order to meet the needs of plant growth. Irrigation water requirements for a
defined period of the growing season shape:
IR = E + T + S + D + P - Re .................... ......... ............... (1)
Where IR: irrigation water requirement (mm), E: evaporation (mm), T:
transpiration (mm), S saturation (mm), D: inundation (mm), R: effective rainfall
(mm). The water requirements for rice crop during the growth is an average of +
1.4 lt/sec/ha. Rice fields with heavy textured clay soil, getting enough water of +
0.7 - 1 lt/sec/ha, but for the light and valuable land (textured sand) + 6 lt/sec/ha

According Doorenbos and Pruitt (1977) crop water requirements is formulated in

the form:
ETc = ETo x Kc ……………………................………………...(2)

where, ETc: crop evapotranspiration. ETo: potential evapotranspiration

and Kc: crop coefficient.

Provision of proper irrigation water is based on the water needs of the crop in
accordance with the development of the crop itself. Water requirement for crop in
any stage of development is not the same. It is more determined by the number of
leaves, as the crop develops in the process of photosynthesis, which is required
water. Then the introduction of irrigation water right must be based on the amount
of water is required in the process of photosynthesis.
Mathematically can be formulated in the following formula:
Irreq = ETcrop - Reff …………..……………….……………….…….(3)
where: Irreq: irrigation needs, ETcrop: crop water needs (for photosynthesis) Reff:
effective rainfall that can be utilized by crop

Several ways of irrigation water to the fields, which can be done with five (5)
ways (Hansen, VE Israelsen, OW, Stringham, GE, 1992 p. 4): 1) flooding, 2)
large or small furrow 3) sub-irrigation, 4) sprinkle and 5) trickle system.

The water provision for rice crop is better by inundation (flooding) and furrows
system, carried by continuous flow or intermittent flow.

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

The amount of water requirement released from buildings is calculated using the
following formula:

Qi = qi * Ai ......................................................................................... (4)

Where: Qi: irrigation water discharge in period of i(l/s, mm/day)

qi : irrigation water discharge per unit area in period of i (l/s, mm/day/ha)

Ai: irrigated area in period of i (ha)

In the system of water-saving irrigation in rice cultivation is done in irrigation

water intermittently system. The system is based on the alternation between
periods of wet (shallow pools) and dried. This irrigation method is accompanied
by good crop management methods, so as to increase the productivity of rice
plants could reach 30-100%, when compared to using conventional irrigation
methods continuously inundated.

Sato (2007) in some parts of East Indonesia (NTB) mention that this method is
able to increase the yield productivity of 5 tons/ha increased to 9 tons/ha. The
same thing happened in the district of Cianjur, West Java, where the average
production reaches 10-12 tons/ha. SRI is an example to boost rice production with
agricultural technology. SRI method is chosen because: first, there is efficiency
seed input and water savings. Second, there will encourage the using of organic
fertilizer. Application of SRI method can maintain soil fertility, in addition to
reducing on inorganic dependency (Secretariat of Agriculture, 2007).

Based on the calculation of irrigation water requirements by using a computer

program CropWat 8 (FAO, 2008) can be simulated multiple cropping patterns and
ways of irrigation water supply. Simulations and studies are also conducted in the
framework of the development of the rice crop intensification system of SRI
(System of Rice Intensification) according Juhendi E (2008). From the various
simulations and water balance analysis carried out in the Microsoft Excel
computer program, it can be found to optimize the availability of water from river
water use and irrigation needs with an area of land and cropping patterns as well
as certain intensification system.

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

Examination of the water use efficiency from existing condition, which uses the
system of continuous flow system, compared to other alternatives applied in this
system of intermittent flow system water supply. From the assessment of water
needs from existing conditions compared to other alternative water needs applied,
will produce optimal water balance. Irrigation efficiency showed the efficiency of
water used, which is the ratio between the amounts of water used by a given
amount of water. To optimize utilization of water resources from the river, the
water use efficiency should followed by optimal productivity.

Methodology of Study

Methodology of study undertaken to describe the working process is illustrated in

the following figure.

identify the problem

literature study
background research

Conclusion and result and data collection

recommendation discussion and analysis

Figure 4. Methodology of study

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The analysis of irrigation efficiency calculation on tertiary paddy (Ea), resulted

that the whole efficiency is 55.7%. From this analysis, it can be seen that for each
phase of the growing needs of irrigation water supply to tertiary paddy (Vf) is
greater than the need for water needed by rice crop (Vm). This shows one of the
causes of water shortages downstream. It is known that in paddy rice crops, when
water shortages will reduce production, therefore the water supply needs of the

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5thInternational Seminar of HATHI, 29-31 July 2016, Bali

rice crop should be timely correct and the amount of irrigation water also enough,
so that can save water and adequate water for downstream.

Tertiary irrigation efficiency in the fields can be increased by making the building
a good rice field. Irrigation efficiency value based on the result of planning by
67.50% i.e. 90% on the primary channel, secondary channels 90% and 85% with
tertiary canals that irrigated rice area of ± 10.91 ha. But the value of the
measurement results of efficiency dropped to 37.6%, which resulted in the
irrigated rice area is reduced. This condition can be scaled back if the problems in
the field can be prevented or overcome. The increasing efficiency of irrigation and
irrigated rice area improvement can be recalculated.

From the calculation, it can be seen that the water supply intermittent system
gives more water-efficient than continuous flow system, which equal to:

1. Cropping Pattern I (C.P.I): 9.749.60 m3 (30.6%), Cropping Pattern II

(C.P.II): 1.801.08 m3 (9.2%); Total of 2 cropping pattern: 12.594.04 m3
(22:36%).
2. Continuous flow systems no more energy is needed than intermittent water
supply systems, which more energy needed for operation of the tertiary tap
building and quarter should be regulated (opened and closed) every day on
the hour/time specified.
3. The water provision of intermittent water supply system is more efficient
than continuous flow system and does not affect to production yield.
4. The cropping pattern done is: rice-rice (continuous flow), rice-rice-crop
(intermittent) in C.P. I and C.P. II., and rice-rice-crop (continuous flow) by
reducing cropping intensity to 52.93% for C.P.I. In principle there is no
shortage of water in the water balance.
5. The results of Dem-farm SRI activity in Bena irrigated area (10 ha
obtained): the water use efficiency for SRI is 30.49% compared to non-
SRI pattern. Yields Dem-farm SRI activity is to 8.5 ton/ha dry paddy, and
the location surrounding is around 5.56 tons/ha.

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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The implementation of the intermittent irrigation water supply system at tertiary

Bena irrigated area, which includes cropping pattern of paddy-paddy-crops and
the development of SRI method, provide more water-efficient and maximum
production yield. This offers an opportunity for the development of the potential
field area to achieve food sovereignty independently with sustainability water
resilience.

REFERENCES

BMKG, 2015. Data Rainfall for Panite Rainfall Station (1989-2014).

BWS-NT II, 2013. Laporan Tahunan Soft Component, Kupang.
FAO, 2008. Crop Water Requirement – CropWat 8, Food and Agriculture
Organization, Roma. Download at: http://www.fao.org/nr/water/infores_
databases_cropwat.html
Google Earth Map, 2016. Bena Irrigation Area
Juhendi, E., 2008. Pengembangan Pertanian Hemat Air melalui SRI (System of
Rice Intensification) dan PET (Pembelajaran Ekologi Tanah), Pelaksana
Pelatihan PPK Irigasi, SNVT Pelaksana Pengelola SDA Cimanuk-
Cisanggarung, Departemen Pekerjaan Umum, Cirebon.
Kepmen PU, 2014. Penetapan Status Daerah Irigasi yang Pengelolaannya
Menjadi Wewenang dan Tanggung Jawab Pemerintah, Pemerintah Provinsi,
dan Pemerintah Kabupaten/Kota
Mawardi Erman, 2007. Desain Hidrolik Bangunan Irigasi. Jakarta: Alfabeta.
Guswara and Pasandaran, 1998. Irigasi di Indonesia, Strategi dan
Pengembangan. LP3ES, Jakarta.
Uphoff, 2002. The System of Rice Intensification: Using alternative cultural
practices to increase rice production and profitability from existing yield
potentials, International Rice Commission Newsletter, No. 55, Food and
Agriculture Organization, Roma.
Sato, 2007. SRI Mampu tingkatkan Produksi Padi Nasional.
http://www.kapanlagi.com/h/0000182474 download 10 April 2016.
Doorenbos and Pruitt, 1997. Guidelines for Predicting Crop Water Requirement,
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper, Roma. Download at:
http://www.fao.org/3/a-f2430e.pdf
Hansen, VE. Israelsen, OW., Stringham, GE., 1992. Dasar-Dasar dan Praktek
Irigasi, Erlangga, Jakarta.

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Secretariat of Agriculture, 2007. Presiden SBY Minta SRI Dikembangkan

http://setjen.deptan.go.id/berita/detail.php di download: 10 April 2016

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