Setup demonstration plots and pilot farms in cooperation with different Water and Farmers Associations  ()

In Jordan Valley, the main activities of the project, in collaboration with the NCARTT, (National Centre for Agriculture Research and Technology Transfer) were aimed at improving irrigation and fertilisation management at on-farm level, adopting an approach based on multiple components, from financial support to the improvement of farm assets and technical assistance.

 All the supports are given through farmers association to enhance associative behaviour, ensure sustainability to the project activities and increase its visibility. Currently, 30 pilot farmers have been selected belonging to three associations:

      -         BALADNA Association for Agricultural Services
-         Pumping Station 95 Water Users Association
-         Melon Producers and Exporters Association

After assessing their irrigation network, an optimized design has been prepared by IrWa staff. On the basis of the new design, the project equipped all the pilot farms with the required material to promote optimized irrigation network and adapted operation and maintenance practices (Filtration Unit, pipes, Dosatron…).

 Vertical sand filters

The model installed, designed by MREA (Mission Régionale Eau Agriculture) is characterized by vertical tanks, horizontal diffusers of appropriate number, proper media (silica or 0.5-1.2 mm quartzite), pressure gauge at inlet and outlet in order to decide the back-flushing whenever the in/out pressure differential reaches 0.5 bar, extra valve for control of pressure at black flushing, extra opening at the bottom to facilitate the extraction of media and cleaning operations.

Before	After

 Fertigation devices

Fertigation optimization is strictly related to irrigation management, as high water distribution uniformity is required to ensure a proper fertilizer application. The improvement in dosage, distribution and scheduling of fertilizers leads to reduce the amount of fertilizers used obtaining at the same time high yields. Fertigation tanks as a first step and water-driven proportional injectors (Dosatron) as advanced systems for the rationalization of fertigation practices were installed in the pilot farms and farmers were trained to use them. 

Before	After

Disk filters

Disk filters are installed after the fertigation devices; to ensure the filtration of possible suspended particles of fertilizers and enhance the level of filtration provided by the sand filters. This model substitutes the screen filter, commonly used in the Jordan valley, with being easier to clean, more durable and more reliable in the results of filtration. 

Before	After

Example: Field implementations in El YEMANI farm

Step 1: Irrigation network assessment
Step 2: Optimization of the irrigation design
Step 3: Agreement with the farmer on its new design and financial participation
Step 4: Distribution of the adapted material
Step 5: Payment of the contribution corresponding to the 20% of the value of the equipment received to the Pumping Station 95 Water Users Association
Step 6: Technical meeting, training on operation and maintenance and regular farm visit by IrWa irrigation engineers and NCARTT extension agents