Optimal water resource planning for waterlogged cropped land

Abstract

Development plan of water resources in a surface waterlogged area in coastal district of Odisha, India was attempted. Vulnerability extent of dry spell was to the tune of 17-55 % during monsoon season using Markov chain procedure, which emphasized the requirement of micro-level water resources plan in the study area. Through field survey procedure, four farm pond locations were suggested for farm ponds in 41 ha command area. Further, the CAD&WM, DOWR, Govt. of Odisha executed field drain and helped in modulating water congestion in the crop fields and enhanced paddy yield ranging between 2.3-3.1 t.ha-1 as against 1.2 t.ha-1 under pre-drainage condition. Due to successful functioning of the surface drainage system, reduction of ponding up to 49 cm in paddy field took place in a peak rainfall event of 152 mm, when field drain observed 109 cm inundation. Renovation of minors helped in regaining their carrying capacity, which ranged between 0.9-1.63 m3.s-1. Applying multi-objective programming technique with water availability at 75% and 85% scenarios, the optimal crop allocation was found at 75 % level, which suggested growing of kharif paddy in 20 ha, rabi tomato in 24.1 ha and rabi brinjal in 5.9 ha with maximum profit and production. Thus, due to execution of field drain and rejuvenation of farm ponds and minors in the command area, rabi crops were successfully introduced with varying successes.