There are many challenges to be faced in order to achieve the optimum use of available resources
against the increasing food and other demands of the world population with the shrinking
resources. Optimization can be considered as the ensemble of steps which must be taken to find
the minimum, or maximum, of a function that is usually called an objective function.
This paper provides snapshots of research and practical implementation of optimum design
concepts and criteria of surface irrigation systems. Technical papers and reports are reviewed
addressing challenges and different aspects of this issue, in addition to optimum allocation systems
of surface water and ground water.
It is concluded that the optimum irrigation may be defined more broadly as maximization of overall
benefits, including nonmonetary benefits as water quality protection, food security, increased
employment, and resettlement of populations. Linear programming, dynamic programming and
genetic algorithms techniques are still very popular to get optimal surface irrigation systems.
Surface irrigation parameters identification represents an important way to get optimal surface
irrigation systems. Optimal conjunctive use of surface and ground water resources may be needed
in some cases, such as water deficits in arid and semi-arid regions and uncertainty. |
