Technification and Management of Community Irrigation Systems and Their Impacts on the Territory (Phase 2)

This project focuses on the comprehensive evaluation of impacts generated by the modernization (technification) of community irrigation systems (CIS) implemented by the Undersecretariat of Irrigation and Drainage in Ecuador since 2012. While traditional technification focused solely on infrastructure, this study addresses social, economic, and environmental dimensions, aiming to correct persistent issues like water conflicts arising from poor irrigation scheduling. The methodology is participatory, involving the selection of systems in the central and northern highlands. Techniques employed include field observations, interviews, focus groups, and participatory mapping using GIS. Key stages involve identifying and digitizing system components using GPS, monitoring water flows and pressures, calculating water requirements with CropWat, and evaluating overall irrigation efficiency. Furthermore, the study will analyze agricultural costs/revenues, the economic productivity of water, and sociocultural changes within communities. Finally, water quality will be assessed through physicochemical and microbiological analyses (pH, COD, BOD5, etc.) to determine potential contamination sources from agricultural activities, ensuring a complete view of the interventions' sustainability.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To study the sociocultural, socioeconomic, and socio-environmental changes resulting from the implementation of community irrigation system modernization projects by the Undersecretariat of Irrigation and Drainage. The goal is to strengthen the community management and handling of these systems to guide them toward sustainability, utilizing specific indicators across each domain.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Sustainable water and soil management