Irrigation Planning and Management Through Optimization Modelling

Proper planning and management of irrigation is vital in achieving food security for the burgeoning global population and sustaining livelihoods. Because irrigated agriculture is expected to provide more food, if managed properly. The comprehensive reviews on the use of various programming techniques used for planning and management of irrigation have been provided in this paper. The literature review revealed that the management models used in the past mainly considered the objectives of maximization of net farm income, minimization of waterlogging, and minimization of groundwater depletion. These objectives were achieved by optimizing the allocation of available land and water resources. The past reviews are grouped into four sections based on the programming techniques adopted. The sections include: linear programming, nonlinear programming, dynamic programming, and genetic algorithms. This review provides the basis for the selection of appropriate methodology for the planning and management of irrigation.