Integrating Geographic Information System, Remote Sensing Data, Field Surveys, and Hydraulic Simulations in Irrigation System Evaluation

Abstract

Drought is characterized by a deficiency or lack of rain in a specific or extended period of time resulting to water shortage affecting animals, plants, and people. In the occurrence of this phenomenon, agriculture is the most affected industry. Agriculture plays a significant role in the Philippines, considering that 32% of the country’s total area is agricultural lands; of these, 44% are permanent croplands. In the absence of precipitation, irrigation systems are constructed to supply water in agricultural areas. In Butuan City, the agriculture industry is an essential contributor to the city’s economy. Drought occurred despite the presence of a vast network of irrigation systems. There is a necessity to quantify the effectiveness of these irrigation systems. In this study, irrigation systems were evaluated using an integrated approach of geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing data (RS), and field surveys at the farm level in Butuan City. The hydraulic model simulation provides a map on the extent of water delivered by the irrigation canal, including the discharge of water that was delivered. Such maps were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the irrigation system.