Short-term rainfall forecasts as a soft adaptation to climate change in irrigation management in North-East India

Ashok Mishra, Christian Siderius, Kenny Aberson, Martine van der Ploeg and Jochen Froebrich

Agricultural Water Management, 2013, vol. 127, issue C, 97-106

Abstract: We explored the potential of using short-term weather forecasts to increase irrigation efficiency in rice cultivation, as a potential adaptation option to future climate change. We used 5-day hypothetically perfect rainfall forecasts and 4-day real rainfall forecasts for 2007–2008 issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The rainfall forecasts were incorporated into the agro-hydrological model SWAP (Soil Water Plant Atmosphere), to produce alternative irrigation schedules. The SWAP model was calibrated with data from field experiments at Kharagpur, North-East India. Rice yield simulations were performed for observed weather (1989–2009) and for a future climate with more dry spells and more intense rainfall events. The model revealed that basing the decision to irrigate rice on short-term weather forecasts could reduce average water application by 27% when 5-day perfect rainfall forecasts were used. Even though the real 4-day rainfall forecasts were not very accurate, their use also resulted in a reduction in irrigation water application. Using 5-day hypothetically perfect forecasts under future climate conditions led to a saving of 32% of irrigation water compared to water use under the current climate.

Keywords: Soft adaptation; Climate change; Weather forecast; Rice crop; North-East India; Irrigation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:127:y:2013:i:c:p:97-106

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2013.06.001

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