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Impact of irrigation on sugarcane-based production systems
Agricultural WaterManagement, 17 (1990) 317 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands
317
IMPACT OF IRRIGATION ON SUGARCANE-BASED PRODUCTIONSYSTEMS J. M. CHASTEL Institut de Recherches Agronomlques Troplcales et des Cultures Vivrieres, Reunion
ABSTRACT Chastel,J.M., 1990. Impact of irrigation on sugarcane-basedproduction systems.A4~ric. Water
Manage., 17: 317.
Since the 19th century, irrigation has brought about increases in cane yield in Reunion island. Today, over 25~ of the total cane acreage of Reunion is irrigated. The 'Bras de la Plaine' irrigated zone is the largest irrigated area of the island. The Institute for Research in Tropical Agronomy (IRAT) runs a station sited in the middle of this zone and has conducted two successive surveys in the area. The objectives of the surveys were: (a) to evaluate the impact of irrigation on production systems and (b) to analyse the needs of farmers in terms of technological innovation. Irrigation has been adopted very quickly in the Bras de la Plaine with, up to now, 4,900 ha irrigated, i . e . 88% of the zone. As implementation progressed, sugarcane production increased. Yield increments attributable to irrigation have been estimated at 60%. However, irrigation has not induced agricultural diversification and the area under sugarcane has remained stable. Yield increase figures for the whole zone conceal quite variable performances. Only specific categories of planters have mastered the requirements of irrigation. Small planters have, on the whole, kept to an extensive system which enables labour savings but leads to water wastage. New irrigation projects are being conceived on the island and scarce water will have to be better distributed. Consequently, new attitudes to water management need to be developed. The education and awareness of farmers practising irrigation is today a matter of priority.
0378-3774/90/$03.50
© 1990 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.
317
IMPACT OF IRRIGATION ON SUGARCANE-BASED PRODUCTIONSYSTEMS J. M. CHASTEL Institut de Recherches Agronomlques Troplcales et des Cultures Vivrieres, Reunion
ABSTRACT Chastel,J.M., 1990. Impact of irrigation on sugarcane-basedproduction systems.A4~ric. Water
Manage., 17: 317.
Since the 19th century, irrigation has brought about increases in cane yield in Reunion island. Today, over 25~ of the total cane acreage of Reunion is irrigated. The 'Bras de la Plaine' irrigated zone is the largest irrigated area of the island. The Institute for Research in Tropical Agronomy (IRAT) runs a station sited in the middle of this zone and has conducted two successive surveys in the area. The objectives of the surveys were: (a) to evaluate the impact of irrigation on production systems and (b) to analyse the needs of farmers in terms of technological innovation. Irrigation has been adopted very quickly in the Bras de la Plaine with, up to now, 4,900 ha irrigated, i . e . 88% of the zone. As implementation progressed, sugarcane production increased. Yield increments attributable to irrigation have been estimated at 60%. However, irrigation has not induced agricultural diversification and the area under sugarcane has remained stable. Yield increase figures for the whole zone conceal quite variable performances. Only specific categories of planters have mastered the requirements of irrigation. Small planters have, on the whole, kept to an extensive system which enables labour savings but leads to water wastage. New irrigation projects are being conceived on the island and scarce water will have to be better distributed. Consequently, new attitudes to water management need to be developed. The education and awareness of farmers practising irrigation is today a matter of priority.
0378-3774/90/$03.50
© 1990 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.