I would tend to agree with ...

I would tend to agree with Yogesh. It comes down to efficency. Rice is a very inefficient user of water resources, unless some of the newer varieties are used. My expertise lies in maize and soya under very efficient center pivot irrigation (which is presently used in Kenya) planted rotationally to preserve soil health. Valmont is proposing a program for small hold farmers on 60 ha center pivot, each farming 2-3 ha. The center pivot can use either ground or surface water and electricity or diesel pumps. Fertilizers and chemigation products can be applied through the pivot itself. Center pivot using groundwater is the most efficient method of applying water we have. There is little evaporative loss and the newest technologies even allow variable rate water application. The dilema I have, is a good feel for hydrology and groundwater availability. The cheapest and simplest method of getting water for irrigation is to drill for it. We need to convince governments that one of their main support functions, is to be able to supply information on quality and quantity from test wells.