SIMULATION BASED OPTIMIZATION OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Abstract

The simulation and optimization model were assembled for the optimisation of irrigation systems and their operation. The simulation model CROPWAT was used for the calculation of crop water requirement, time and depth and evolutionary algorithm (GANetXL) was used for the optimal planning of cropping pattern, for maximization of net benefits and minimization of irrigation water requirements for the study area of Holeta catchment, Ethiopia. The study area included three command areas, Farm A, Farm B and Tsedey State Farm and five different types of crop i.e. potato, tomato, apple, peach and winter wheat. The simulated results from the CROPWAT model show that crop water requirement for Apple was highest (988.86 mm), followed by peach (912.03 mm), tomato (469.05 mm), potato (355.6 mm) and wheat (292.60 mm). Fruit crops have more crop water requirement than cereals. The analysis results from the GANetXL show that when the cropped areas were changed to allow between minimum to maximum 23% of water can be saved. The total net benefit increased from the study area was 588 Birr/ha which is expected for improvement of the farmers socioeconomic condition.