leads to multiple data sets each reflecting the perception about ensuring the water
availability and also to establish a case for assured availability of such nature that
even in below average years also the entitlement is not encroached upon.
Utilization data is the big casualty in this case. Assessments are made at the time
of project planning about the cropping patterns and requirements of irrigation water
for various seasons. However, the changes in cropping patterns are rampant. There
being a pricing skew in favour of water intensive crops, the availability of irrigation
water leads to changes in cropping pattern thereby utilization from the projects. The
projects also have a long gestation period before the full utilization comes into
effect. Hence, the partially developed command area gets habituated with increased
availability leading to increase of water intensive crops. The implementing agency
is also interested in demonstrating the full use of the allocated quota of water for the
project and by extension for the state which at times, lets such usage patterns grow.
All these aspects affect the reporting of utilization data in a rational manner and on
an equal level of accuracy comparable with the resource availability data. At the
union level, the situation is difficult to handle due to lack of manpower and adequate spread in the field for making such assessments.
These aspects have contributed significantly towards lack of progress in establishment of a consistent data regime.
9.3 Multiplicity of Sources and Need for Appreciation
Amongst Specialized Agencies About Requirements
for Water Sector and Vice Versa
A comprehensive database for water management is an integration of
multi-disciplinary databases from such sectors which are having an impact either on
water availability or utilization. However, these sectors are disciplines in their own
right and have priorities in their own areas of operation. Any database gets primarily established for catering to the needs of the sector. When such data is to be
used for other purposes, it becomes necessary to transform some of the data elements into a form which can be consumed by the field of interest in this case water.
In order to achieve this, the data products that are planned are required to be on a
consultative basis. At present, the products are generated based on the convenience
and perceptions within the field. Simultaneously, the data consumers within the
water resources field have to devise ways in which the datasets available in the
associated fields can be leveraged for the analysis and projections. Such convergence is especially needed for assessment of actual water consumption in irrigated
areas by crops and assessments of field level efficiencies achieved in practice.
Data Usage for Development, Management of Water Resources
159
availability and also to establish a case for assured availability of such nature that
even in below average years also the entitlement is not encroached upon.
Utilization data is the big casualty in this case. Assessments are made at the time
of project planning about the cropping patterns and requirements of irrigation water
for various seasons. However, the changes in cropping patterns are rampant. There
being a pricing skew in favour of water intensive crops, the availability of irrigation
water leads to changes in cropping pattern thereby utilization from the projects. The
projects also have a long gestation period before the full utilization comes into
effect. Hence, the partially developed command area gets habituated with increased
availability leading to increase of water intensive crops. The implementing agency
is also interested in demonstrating the full use of the allocated quota of water for the
project and by extension for the state which at times, lets such usage patterns grow.
All these aspects affect the reporting of utilization data in a rational manner and on
an equal level of accuracy comparable with the resource availability data. At the
union level, the situation is difficult to handle due to lack of manpower and adequate spread in the field for making such assessments.
These aspects have contributed significantly towards lack of progress in establishment of a consistent data regime.
9.3 Multiplicity of Sources and Need for Appreciation
Amongst Specialized Agencies About Requirements
for Water Sector and Vice Versa
A comprehensive database for water management is an integration of
multi-disciplinary databases from such sectors which are having an impact either on
water availability or utilization. However, these sectors are disciplines in their own
right and have priorities in their own areas of operation. Any database gets primarily established for catering to the needs of the sector. When such data is to be
used for other purposes, it becomes necessary to transform some of the data elements into a form which can be consumed by the field of interest in this case water.
In order to achieve this, the data products that are planned are required to be on a
consultative basis. At present, the products are generated based on the convenience
and perceptions within the field. Simultaneously, the data consumers within the
water resources field have to devise ways in which the datasets available in the
associated fields can be leveraged for the analysis and projections. Such convergence is especially needed for assessment of actual water consumption in irrigated
areas by crops and assessments of field level efficiencies achieved in practice.
Data Usage for Development, Management of Water Resources
159