Hidrológiai Közlöny, 2016 (96. évfolyam)
2016 / 3. szám - HISTORICAL SNAPSHOT - Ligetvári Ferenc: The power of irrigation
40 Hungarian Journal of Hydrology Vol. 96. No. 3. 2016. blossoming or before crop harvesting (e.g. in case of green pepper). We must not forget the most widespread water supplementation irrigation that can supply the water to the root zone in the temperate and subtropical zones of the world. We can see how versatile role water and irrigation have in creating the optimal conditions of survival of plants. Its utility depends on its application in time which is based on numerous natural laws. Without being aware of their correlations the optimum cost-benefit ratio cannot be achieved. It is extremely important to find the ratio between the quantity required ecologically and the economically feasible quantity. In terms of water resources management the coordination of the relations of water withdrawal - water conveyance - distribution - delivery is important in order to accomplish more crops per drop. From the horticultural crops mostly the vegetables are vulnerable to weather conditions. For their supply and protection the most important tasks are to supply water continuously and to ensure the technical conditions of the delivery according to the plant's demand. According to an old saying an equal sign can be put between irrigation and vegetable production. In this light it is important to coordinate the optimum places of production and water resources as it is the expected interest of farmers and the national economy as well. The high investment costs of closed cultivation systems also make necessary the even water and nutrient supply in order to achieve high yields. This very precise dosage can be achieved with the application of the mi- cro/nano irrigation technology that has been spreading in East Asia (Japan, China and Thailand). In Hungary its application has not happened yet, nevertheless its basic concept was patented also in this country 25 years ago. It is an important task to organize the utilization of the existing irrigation plants (indeed in need of reconstruction). The renewal of the establishments dismantling their pumping plants, water delivery equipment can be easier to complete than to organize the land owners for the sake of the common utilization. However, the stock exchange of Chicago does not punish or reward according to being a proud citizen of a given country but based on preparedness, diligence and efficiency. The decision makers’ task is to organize it and future generation will judge their common sense. TERRITORIAL EXPANSION OPTIONS OF IRRIGATION National irrigation survey In Hungary the Ministry of Regional Development in cooperation with the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture conducted a national survey during the first quarter of 2014 among the agricultural producers (farmers, agricultural cooperatives, companies) on their current irrigation water use and future irrigation plans and irrigation water needs. 4000 questionnaires were returned via a newly developed web site. One of the main summaries of the national irrigation survey is presented in Table 3. Table 3. Main summaries of the year 2014 national irrigation survey in Hungary. ( OVF 2014) No. Requested amount of water (nr'/year) Irrigated area (ha) Farms which have water rights permit and actively do irrigation 1 052 228 685 933 109 226 Farms which have water rights permit, but do not irrigate 88 3 783 762 4 036 Farms without water rights pennit, and indicated that they would irrigate, and there is available water resources for them 3 031 280 862 452 126 117 Farms without water rights permit and indicated that they would irrigate, but there is no available water resources* 2 740 119 098 966 91 604 * Note: No available water resources means that either there is no water body from which irrigation can be solved or the water body is not in good or better status according to the Water Framework Directive classification. No water rights permit can be gained for irrigation if the water body is not in good or better status. Expert’s opinion Three ideas were formulated as a result of discussions with long-lived Kurt Budavári hydraulics engineer with ruby degree who died in the 95th year of his life in March 2016 (Budavári 2013). Idea 1 - One part of the Kisköre Barrage and its Irrigation System is the Irrigation System of Nagykunság having the largest capacity. The main canal built in 1968 is able to deliver a large amount of water. In itself provides opportunity to perform the direct irrigation in the connecting areas. Water supply of the areas far away from the main canal (groups of irrigated farms made up from irrigation plants) can be solved with the building of branch canals. This way only several canals must be built making possible the irrigation of almost 300 000 ha. (Its realization may become possible in case of extensive international demand for food supply for the world’s population). The Main Irrigation Canal of Jászság branching from Lake Tisza - which means the water body impounded by the barrage - should be built in its whole length along with the connecting branch canals.The first 20 km section of the main canal had been built by 1968. If it was implemented it could provide irrigation for 250 000 ha. Idea 2 - According to Vásárhelyit proposal the construction of the Barrage of Csongrád is a part of the regulation of River Tisza. An idea for the future generation to think on is the implementation of the reservoir of Alpár through which the South Lake Tisza would be created affecting an area up to the loess ridge of Orosháza. It must be emphasized that a rich natural environment could be created similarly to Kisköre (the Lake Tisza) through a multi-purpose service system. Idea 3 - As a result of the excellent soil conditions the Stud Farm of Mezőhegyes can be regarded as the most
