ARS | Publication request: SALINITY AND SODICITY MANAGEMENT TO INSURE SUSTAINABILITY IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE (INVITED BOOK CHAPTER BY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE INITIATIVE) - TO BE SHARED WITH AG REPS FROM 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES.

Submitted to: 1998 Conference on National Conservation Buffer Initiative
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: September 30, 1999
Publication Date: December 1, 1999
Citation: WIENHOLD, B.J. SALINITY AND SODICITY MANAGEMENT TO INSURE SUSTAINABILITY IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE. CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL CONSERVATION BUFFER INITIATIVE pp 103-104. 1999.

Technical Abstract: Irrigation allows crop production in areas where precipitation is insufficient either in timing or amount. The importance of irrigation to agriculture can be emphasized by the fact that while only 15% of the agricultural land in the world is irrigated, this land produces 40% of the world¿s food. Negative side effects associated with poorly managed irrigation have slowed the rate of growth in this management practice. It has been estimated that 45 million hectares of the 230 million hectares of irrigated crop land are negatively affected by salt. Proper design and management are essential in developing sustainable irrigation projects. Soil-water compatibility, drainage, and leaching requirement are the major factors which must be considered when designing and managing irrigation. As the human population increases, agriculture will have to continue to make advances in improving the quantity and quality of food and fiber produced. Competing demands for limited land and water resources will mak it essential that wise choices be made in how resources are utilized.