Irrigation improvement program

The irrigation improvement program included in the National Irrigation Plan H-2008 of May 2001 (MAPA) is associated with actions on irrigated land where the allocation index is greater than one. The allocation index is the ratio of the difference between the water supply and the theoretical crop demand, divided by the theoretical demand, and then multiplied by 100. That is: (I = (Supply - Crop Demand) / Crop Demand) x 100). Based on the result of this index, the following reference classification is obtained: If the index is equal to or greater than 10%, the irrigation is considered over-allocated; if the index is between 10% and -10%, it is considered adequately allocated; if it is between -10% and -25%, it is slightly under-allocated; and below 25%, it is under-allocated. The main objective of this program is to reduce water use that exceeds the theoretical crop allocation. Both the program and the index and its values are used for irrigation planning and were employed in the MAPA's 1997 Irrigation Water Demand Study.