Technology transfer and development for the management of water resources in Saudi Arabia: A case study

The need for technology can be satisfied by bringing in new technology, modifying imported technology, or by locally developing special technology The Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM/RI.) plays the role of catalyst organization in Saudi Arabia for the process of Transfer and/or Development of Technology (TDT) in different technical areas such as water resources. KFUPM/RI has used different approaches in TDT for the development of a comprehensive water management plan to improve the efficiency of water operation and control in the Al-Hassa Irrigation and Drainage Project. The project consists of a large multibranch open channel irrigation network containing complex hydraulic features. Water flow is unsteady, and the network delivers water to about 21,000 farms cultivated with mixed crops under limited water supply The water table is shallow and the climatic conditions are severely arid. The developed plan includes a multichannel network model and an irrigation management and distribution information system (IMDIS). The multichannel network model is unique in its capability to simulate the unsteady flow phenomena in the multibranch open channel system containing junctions, bottom falls, and gates. The IMDIS has unique features in its capability for estimating the irrigation requirements and schedule for a large number of crops, farms, and canals; the inclusion of a shallow water table as a source; dealing with altered allocation of water to deep rooted crops when the surface supply is limited; and consideration of economic and yield-evapotranspiration relationships. The IMDIS is the first operational model to include such comprehensive coverage. The developed plan is considered a major step forward in irrigation technology The irrigation operation and efficiency of water use in the Al-Hassa Project were improved, agricultural production was preserved, and groundwater resources were conserved. IWRA/Printed in the U.S.A.