Determining operational efficiency and capacity building of vegetable growers installed drip irrigation systems

Drip Irrigation System is the most efficient irrigation water saving initiative. Technical know-how, capacity building of beneficiaries is prerequisite for sustainable adoption, mitigating minor repair and efficient running of the system. The data pertains to the year ending Dec 2018 of vegetable growers installed Drip Irrigation System in Rawalpindi district Punjab Pakistan. The district having in total 27 sites have taken up for study. The data collected through validated questionnaires in person from 135 acres vegetable grown, 108 acres 4 acres from each 27 sites under drip irrigation and 27 acres, 1 acre with conventional irrigation system, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Descriptive analysis summarized by applying Student’s tTest. The research concludes that 100% vegetable growers preferred to go for Drip Irrigation System. The ultimate objective, water productivity increased by 15.55 kg/m. As regards operational efficiency 38.5% facing problem in filtration unit, 31.1% in distribution unit and 5.2% in pumping unit. Repair is being carried out 59.25% by companies. It is assessed, for capacity building only one day training was organized for 77.78% and none for 22.22% pathetically. Crop production plan was provided by the companies to 85% beneficiaries, substance wise 52.17% growers considered good, 3.48% very good, only 4.55% found the best and 44% placed the backup services as poor. Majority 52% suggested to hold 3-5 days session. 8% proposed for upscaling the existing DIS with computerized one, 7% demanded for enhanced warranty period covering 5 years and 15% for provision of electricity.


Introduction
Pakistan Provincial Water Accord (PWA) 1991, reveals that for Punjab surface water allocation is 55.94 Million Acre Feet against the total availability of Pakistan 107 MAF. Whereas, province is actually receiving 50 MAF for 59500 outlets at tertiary level. Substantial amount 21 MAF is lost due to uneven fields and poor farm layout, approximately 33 MAF is added by mining ground water resources. Even then only 53 MAF remains available for the use leaving behind the shortfall of 12 MAF against 65 MAF, the actual crop water requirement to maintain cropping intensity 150% [1].
Consequently, due to deficiency of 12 MAF the agricultural productivity is much lower than the international yard sticks and in comparison with neighboring countries too. For sustainable use of diminishing resources (Land, Water and Environment) the strategy must incorporate along with others irrigation water saving innovative interventions, the ground water recharge, recycle and reuse of drainage [2]. It is pertinent to mention that ground water has contributed huge share in the development of agriculture and rural economy of Pakistan. Ground water extraction has been risen exorbitantly 50-60%, has increased five times during the period 1985-2015 throughout the Punjab, Pakistan. In rain fed tracts of northern Punjab mainly Agriculture has to rely on ground water over drafting. If we figure out the present status of tube wells in the Province which is over 1.04 million with total water exploiting about 33 MAF. Inclusive of diesel operated 0.90 million and electricity operated 0.14 million tube wells, consuming monstrous fuel and energy resources and causing environmental degradation as well [3]. Therefore, under the peculiar circumstances paradigm shift from inefficient inexact to exact agri practices are required through adoption of innovative irrigation water saving initiatives. The irrigation efficiency is all about High Efficiency Drip Irrigation Systems (DIS), considered as one of the most efficient irrigation method in addition to better weed control, effective use of fertilizer and other nutrients required for plants growth. Primarily DIS focusing at water and other inputs applications slowly, regularly and frequently to the effective root zone of plant at various growth stages. Regular periodical maintenance, cleaning and flushing is also essential for running the system efficiently. Capacity building is equally important for the adoption of irrigation water saving interventions and to mitigate minor repair [4]. The present participatory study is conducted during the year ending December 2018. One of the objectives is to evaluate the operational efficiency, capacity building and backup service provision to vegetable growers in District Rawalpindi who installed the Drip Irrigation Systems. The facility is extended as High Efficiency Irrigation Systems (HEISs) component under the on-going Punjab Irrigated-Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (PIPIP) On Farm Water Management lead Project of the Punjab Agriculture Department. The present research is carried out as one and only meaningful vigilance without conflict of interest other than the stake holder entities and also evaluation for reorientation of decision makers to incorporate corrective measures if required at the most appropriate time. And to provide food for thought to the researchers and implementing agencies in devising strategies in future for sustainable adoption of water saving innovations too.

Materials and Methods
The city Rawalpindi is adjacent to country capital Islamabad at an elevation 508 meter above sea level as country 4 th largest city with population 5.46 million. The district fulfills the share from vegetables and fruits 74.5% and 25.5% respectively, remaining requirement is met from the produce of adjoining districts. Main vegetables grown are cucumber, tomato, potato, cabbage, onion and cauliflower. District Rawalpindi, Punjab Pakistan, is selected for the study. The entire district is covered, having in total 27 sites adopted Drip Irrigation Systems (DIS) for vegetable cultivation. 135 acres data is collected, 108 acres, 4 acres from each site under DIS and 27 acres, 1 acre adjacent to DIS as control /conventionally irrigated taken for perception-based study. Authenticated complete list along with particulars is obtained from OFWM District office and data were collected with the collaboration of field staff. The data pertains to year ending December 2018, collected through validated questionnaire in person at the doorstep of farmers. Triangulation approach is used, objectives are taken as dependent variables, and independent variables such as education level, operational issue, capacity building also taken into consideration. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize different variables by applying Student's t-Test.

Results and Discussion
It holds valid reasons to believe that education is proven source to increase knowledge, enhance awareness and wisdom [5, 6] concluded education had significant positive impacts on adoption of improved farm practices.

Education
The data collected during the research as ( Fig. 1)

Water productivity increase
It is assessed during the study conducted, reflected in (Table 1) water productivity with DIS 21.55 and with control/conventional irrigation method is 6.00 difference of means is 15.55 kg/m 3 (t value 27.90 and p value 0.000). Increase 15.55 kg/m 3 in water productivity the ultimate objective of each water saving intervention is highly significant and is quite handsome incentive for the beneficiaries for sustainable adoption of innovative initiatives. The increase in land and water productivity is in line with various researches conducted already such as [12][13][14][15]. Increased Water Productivity is also contributing positively in terms of WUE, socio economic status, sustainable environment and sustainable agriculture too. Different HEISs methods and availability of spare parts It was revealed during the course of research that 100 % respondents (vegetable growers in District Rawalpindi) opted DIS, the question asked pertaining to cost comparison, easy operation, better yield, requiring repair, availability of parts was absolutely positive for DIS and hence dispensed with.

Operational efficiency
As for as operational efficiency is concerned in (Table 2) is reflecting the frequency of problems.
Respondents facing post installation of DIS depicted the owners facing problems mostly pertains to filtration unit 38.5%, then distribution unit 31.1% then come pumping unit 5.2% and lastly 5.2% facing no problems so far after installation the DIS at their farms.

Repair carried out and problems
The analysis reflects in case of problems repair is carried out 59.25% by the company, 36.11% by themselves and 4.63% narrated that minor repair was carried out with the guidance of department. It is worth mentioning that 30 Services and Supply Companies supplying HEIS system throughout Punjab province have entered into agreement (as per prescribed terms and conditions) to provide post installation follow up services for two years. Provision of training regarding DIS Results in (Table 2) describes the provision of training 77.78% responded one-day training was held at the time of installation of the system at their farms and 22.22 % replied no capacity building training session was arranged at all, which is dismal and embarrassing at the part of SSCs, which could not manage one-day training even inspite of gaining business from it. Such negligible training occasions would not provide the skill and insight required for O & M enhancing operational efficiency for the DIS system owners. It is serious threat for sustainability of the on-going programmer as well.

Provision of production plan to DIS users
The beneficiaries were asked regarding the provision of production plan, by whom it was provided and the extent of utility of the stuff. Results in (Table 3) revealed that 85% responded yes but 15% refrained that no backup brochure/booklet, literature for crop designed was provided. Similarly, upon asking from whom it was provided 85% replied that plan was provided by the company but 15% respondents conveyed nobody provided such plan at all.   System as quite convincing. To achieve "MORE CROP PER DROP" more training session be carried out he added. Therefore, it is concluded that due importance and focus must be given, under-estimating the due diligence could be disastrous.

Comparison of weed control and easiness
As regards efficiency in weed control through DIS and control/conventional irrigation methods 100% responded that DIS is helpful to control weed efficiently and effectively. None opted for No. and upon asking for easiness comparison of both systems responses are determined as (Table  4). Through DIS 75.6% considered very easy, 24.4% easy and 0 for difficult. Whereas through Conventional Irrigation Method 88.9% found difficult, 11.1% easy and 0 some considered very easy weed control. The results also found highly significant with mean difference 1.644 of both DIS and control method having t value 37.42 and p value 0.000. The (Table 5)  [24] further added not only increase in quantity but quality of the crop as well. Suggested procedural changes While expressing views pertaining to satisfaction level regarding the on-going OFWM lead PIPIP the beneficiaries (vegetable growers) desired modifications in existing procedure. It was estimated in (Fig.  2) that 89.63% respondents desired to have procedural changes and only 10.37% very thin percentage is satisfied over the implementation procedure in vogue. In contexts with specific reference of objectives Operational Efficiency and Capacity Building DIS owners suggested the following. i) Training duration Respondents were dissatisfied over holding one-day training only at their farms at the juncture of installation of Drip Irrigation System (DIS), they suggested different duration like 3-5 days, 6-7 days, 8-10 days having percentages 52%, 44% and 4% respectively. The (Fig. 3) is reflecting the proposed duration by the beneficiaries.     were also of view that adequate knowledge be disseminated to the concerned for successful implementation of innovative irrigation water saving technologies. iii) Booklet/brochure utility The respondents were asked to share their views regarding utility of brochures as satisfactory, poor and very poor. Feedback is assessed in (Fig. 5)

iv) Nature of production plan
The results estimated in (Fig. 6)  agency, categorized as satisfactory, poor and very poor as (Fig. 7), the percentages of their responses are 19%, 44% and 37% respectively, which lead us to conclude beneficiaries desired to revisit the software component, to cater the need of crop diversification and at least backup services in resolving site specific problems for sustainable adoption of initiative, for efficient running of the system (DIS) and for sustainable agriculture too.

Proposal/ suggestions in addition
The vegetable growers of district Rawalpindi who had DIS installed at their farms were invited to put forward proposals/suggestions based on their experiences other than mentioned above for refinement of on-going HIESs component to make it farmer friendly by addressing the impediments. In total 6 suggestions were floated by the beneficiaries based on their experiences, those are i) uplifting of existing HIESs with computerized one by 8% ii) crop expert hiring by SSCs 30% iii) high tunnel provision for crop diversification 11% iv) marketing infrastructure improvement 7% v) replacement of electric motor by SSCs in emergency till 5 years 7% vi) electricity provision as energy source instead of diesel for tube wells operation 15% vii) and finally 6 respondents 22% surprisingly had not been able to present any suggestion. I) In brief, 30% beneficiaries as summarized in (Fig. 8) emphasized, for hiring of crop experts for specific crop designed and further to cope with the crop diversification requirement literature provision to the innovators and early adopters. [29] concluded also to integrate the allied wings and to reinforce the Agri. Extension Services for viable solutions. It is high time for the government to revisit the policies by binding both executing agency and SSCs liable to provide meaningful, the efficient and productive follow up services. II) No doubt HEISs, DIS is newly introduced technology since 8 years back under the umbrella of On-Farm Water Management Punjab, in the Punjab Province, it is also fact it requires high initial cost but proposal put forward by the beneficiaries 11% indicating the fact that they are convinced and motivated for adoption and to avail advantages of initiative launched by the Government so far. Beneficiaries suggested that Government should exhibit flexibility if some farmers intend to go for high tunnel due to obvious reasons of yield increase or to cope with crop diversification the existing walk-in tunnel specifications do not address the issues. III) Marketing infrastructure improvement was also demanded by 7% DIS system holders which is quite genuine until and unless the produce of the farmers is disposed of properly, in time and appropriately, improvement in socio-economic status will remain below the satisfactory level. It will not only hamper his future plans inclusive of timely next crop sowing but will have negative impact on overall economy of the area. The [30] has taken marketing infrastructure as integral part of viable agriculture. IV) Replacement of electric motor in case of emergency in summer by SSCs till 5 years is also proposed by the 15% respondents to avoid detrimental impact on cultivated vegetables/crops, which seems difficult in existing terms and conditions (warranty period covering 2 years after installation) which could be looked into sympathetically. Or some other interim arrangement could be in position at each District level by the SSCs continue working with On Farm Water Management Wing, Punjab Agriculture Department.

Respondents additional suggestions/proposal Conclusion
The study concludes 100% vegetable growers have gone for adoption of DIS as the most efficient irrigation water saving interventions, water productivity have increased by 15.55 kg/m 3 significantly. As regards operational efficiency 38.5% facing problems in filtration unit, 31.1% in distribution unit, 5.2% in pumping unit. Repair is being carried out by companies 59.25% and 36.19% self. Only one-day capacity building training was arranged for 77.78% and none for 22.22% which is pathetic. Crop production plan was given to 85% and nothing for 15%. The plan was provided 85% by SSCs companies, 15% denied the provision of requisite literature. 52.17% vegetable growers found the substance good, 43.48% very good and only 4.35% found the best. Majority 89.63% respondents desired to have changes in ongoing project implementation procedure. In context of training duration 52% proposed to hold 3-5 days session, 52% suggested to arrange such capacity building sessions both in office and at site, 44% system holders found the backup services poor. Responses to further suggestions were concluded as 8% proposed upscaling the existing DIS with computerized one, 7% for enhanced warranty period backup services, 15% demanded provision of electricity and 22% had no proposal. Therefore, installation of DIS only might not suffice, combination of hardware coupled with software component such as upscaling operational efficiency and capacity building of stakeholders is emphasized to ensure sustainable food security and judicious use of diminishing resources as well.