REDSIM-IS

Open-public web-based information system for decision making in water stressed and desertification-prone regions

The most relevant result from REDSIM is a wider adoption of good irrigation management practices (through the REDSIM information system) and environmentally sound irrigation strategies (Deficit Irrigation). REDSIM-IS is a single web portal that integrates all available spatiotemporal information (meteorological networks, weather radar, satellite remote sensing, surveying, etc.) of the study basins, to provide updated information on soil and crops for better irrigation management, planning and scheduling by the farmer, but also other decision makers. REDSIM further developed and evaluated an irrigation advisory bulletin fed by data from REDSIM-IS and providing farmers detailed information about irrigation practices and crop water needs of their selected plot.

The REDSIM information system was successfully implemented during the project and farm-level evaluation has been done with a group of farmers. Deficit irrigation strategies were tested in various crops during the project period and results were synthesized for dissemination among farmers within a brochure in English and Spanish. Field experiments in REDSIM have proven that there is a significant potential to increase the economic output of irrigation water in this area. Farmers should however have better access to this knowledge (for example guidelines brochure of REDSIM, capacity building, demonstration projects), and should be supported through REDSIM-like information systems. Besides, continuous evaluation and updating with the latest knowledge on irrigation scheduling practices is recommended, requiring an adequate science-user interface.

- Low-cost information obtained from optical remote sensing platforms (satellites, radars) to provide information on water use and demand for water managers for irrigation districts and for basin planning, integrating and complementing ground-based sensors networks.

- User-friendly, similar to a ‘google maps” website

- The REDSIM-IS based irrigation advisory bulletin was a product fed by information from the system and that aimed at providing a more tailored information product to the farmer. Its design was established following a participatory approach by carrying out surveys among a group of selected farmers before and after its use.

- The web-based mapping service is compatible with the European INSPIRE standard and improves the sharing of data and other information in the line of the Water Information System for Europe (WISE) Implementation Plan.

- A key innonvative data product included in REDSIM-IS is the high resolutaion rainfall mapping that allows the farmer to know precisely the amount of rainfall that received his plot. Tecnology based on state-of-the-art algorithms that combine ground weather stations with rainfall radar systems.

At this stage the REDSIM-IS has free access.

No major technical barriers are foreseen for transferring the REDSIM tools to other water-scarce regions in Europe. However, the following issues are considered important for successful uptake:

Risk-adversity and lack of knowledge of deficit irrigation techniques by farmers is a key barrier. Now, of many crops, enough knowledge is available that is yet to be communicated to farmers, though for example the REDSIM guidelines (Annex VII) and demonstration projects. Also, REDSIM confirmed that a participatory approach for the implementation of farm advisory support is recommended to adapt design to local preferences and knowledge

Information on rainfall is currently scattered among different organizations and institutes within the same basin: in the Segura Basin, but also in several other drought-prone basins in Europe. A key outcome of REDSIM is the successful integration of all available networks, including remotely-sensed rainfall radar, providing a product that gives farmers plot-level information on the amount of rainfall during the latest hours. The key barrier to be dealt with is the institutional setting in each basin, that may limit the exchange of data for other purposes than those that are supported by the organization itself.

Even if the investment needs are relatively low, farmers will only adopt new irrigation techniques when they find some type of economical incentive, depending on the marginal financial benefits in optimizing water use in each region.

• Farmers and irrigators associations,
• Basin Water Authorities (as intermediaries because they design policies to cope with scarcity)

The key targeted users of the system (farmers) are not frequent users of internet and therefore they require well-designed products adapted to their level of expertise and knowledge and in a format they have easy access to. REDSIM-IS followed a participatory approach to account for this, but more efforts are necessary for a longer period to promote full uptake.

The REDSIM information system and the data- and tool-integrating approach, was warmly welcomed and positively evaluated by stakeholders in the study area. Also, regional authorities have been positive about its development and see potential in its use. Unfortunately however, no funds have been secured yet for maintenance, further dissemination (demonstration projects, capacity building, continuing of participatory approach in design of the derived products from REDSIM-IS) and future improvements. Nevertheless, until the end of 2012, the online components will be maintained and updated continuously from existing resources. In the meantime, new initiatives and proposals are being launched to regional and EU programmes to further enhance the tool and foster its uptake.

• Submission of a new proposal (demonstrative character)
• Maintenance of system during 6 months

• Capacity building, workshops: 20k€
• Demonstration projects: 80k€
• Further tailoring of farm-specific REDSIM bulletins: 20-50k€
• Implementation in other water-scarce area Europe: 200k€