Hidrológiai Közlöny, 2016 (96. évfolyam)
2016 / 3. szám - HISTORICAL SNAPSHOT - Ligetvári Ferenc: The power of irrigation
Ferenc Ligetvári: The Power of Irrigation 41 successful farm of the Hungarian irrigation development. In the land of 6000 hectare the seed production became reliable with the irrigation. The water supply of these areas is included also in the Treaty of Trianon. In the years with low precipitation it occurred that only the upper 60 cm became wet and with this condition the production of high-value crops would have been unrealizable. The continuous water supply is extremely important for the sake of nutrient utilization of the soils of this place. The irrigation system could be operated building upon the Transylvanian water resources in the future too. For its expansion the location of the water resource was defined in 1974 (more than 40 years ago); the mountain reservoir and the connecting main canal would be located there. The line would cross the border near Battonya. During the actual water supply 50% of the initial water resources reach the fields to be irrigated. For the sake of water savings the use of paved canals or closed conduits are recommended. Irrigation by Sewage Water Average years - in terms of precipitation - provide sufficient rainfall for agriculture in Hungary, however, in case of prolonged droughts no sufficient reserves can be found in reservoirs to meet the demands. For this reason it is highly important to explore viable opportunities beside relying on precipitations and surface waters and make use of them. There are two forms at hand. One of them is pumping out of groundwater including stratum waters. The other solution could be the use of treated sewage water. Utilization of this method in the arid zones of the world is more and more widespread. In Israel for instance 85% of the waste water is utilized mainly for irrigation. Agricultural produce of this method totally comply with the strict British food-safety prescriptions. As for Greece and Italy, these countries also make use of about 12-16% of the sewage for useful purposes. However, in some African countries untreated wastewater is used to nourish plants. In Hungary the idea of irrigation with waste water goes back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Royal Hungarian Experimental Institute for Limnology and Wastewater Treatment was licenced in 3rd of February 1906 by a Royal Decree proposed by Minister of Agriculture Ignácz Darányi (1849-1927) initiated by János Landgraff (1857-1930) Inspector of Fishing Industry. The first experiments were related to providing nutrient for meadows, but the results were not really used widespread. The real development started in the early 1960s. This time poplars accustomed to humidity were planted mostly in the vicinity of sewage plants. Trees cut down in age between 10 to 15 years could be well utilized. On the other hand, 25-30 year old trees with big foliage and meagre roots became victims to stormy winds. In the field of crop production the seed grain producers took advantage of the opportunity since their products did not become part of the food chain. At present the optimal choice is growing energy plants. The flooding irrigation proved good in rice production and can be utilized also for meadow, cane and tree cultivation. By flooding irrigation method the use of renewable energy can be significantly increased, as the product can be stored even for longer period (several months). The mechanically purified sewage water used for irrigation contributes to the biomass production and it plays an important role in cutting the energy price, a policy enforced by the Government. RECOMMENDATION FOR SETTING UP AN IRRIGATION PROJECT OFFICE AND ITS SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES Controlled utilization of groundwater withdrawal. Reason: Actually there are about 100 thousand illegal water withdrawals. The introduction of water permits - bound to moratorium - is missing for the controlled water supply. Consequence: Produce becomes predictable with the knowledge of the water withdrawals. A higher level of natural vegetation can be formed through groundwater recharge. Preservation and expansion of irrigated areas because otherwise marketable cultivation shrinks to a fraction of the actual growing. Reason: As a result of the climate change extreme loads occur increasingly in the growing period causing a significant decrease in the vegetable condition and in case of reoccurrence they can lead to dying-out. Consequence: Produce is not marketable either quantitatively or in qualitatively. Market loss is guaranteed. Renewal of irrigation plants Reason: After the regime change so called rainfed cultivation was carried out in the fragmented areas. The most important units of the irrigation plants were misappropriated. Consequence: In the possession of previous experience most farmers could carry our cultivation with reduced use of their own resources in modern circumstances. Through concentrated water supply, nutrient management and plant protection quick return of the investment can occur. Establishment of model farms Reason: In the period between World Wars I and II the owners of the so called modem chivalric (vitézi) lands produced with the help of cultivation managers with higher efficiency compared to their surroundings and they supported other farmers’ knowledge growth. Consequence: The rehabilitation of the production regions could be achieved with the knowledge gained from fellow-farmers. As a result of the organized cultivation we could hold on in foreign markets too. Granting assistance for the organization of associated irrigation-based cultivation Reason: Actually the areas of cultivation are scattered thereby organized irrigation-based cultivation cannot be performed. Quantitative and qualitative market demands can be fulfilled only through coordinated work.
