ENHANCING WATER PRODUCTIVITY UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE: ADVANCES IN PRECISION IRRIGATION, SMART TECHNOLOGIES AND SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Climate change is intensifying pressure on already scarce water resources and making both irrigated and rainfed agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, increasingly uncertain. Improving water productivity (WP), the yield or economic value of a crop per unit of water used, has therefore become a central strategy for climate-resilient agriculture. Conventional irrigation systems lose large volumes of water through evaporation, runoff, seepage and deep percolation, which keeps WP low. This review examines the principal factors that determine WP, namely climate and weather, soil properties, crop species and variety, irrigation method and scheduling, agronomic practices and conveyance losses, and evaluates strategies and technologies that reduce water losses and raise WP under climate change. Canal lining, efficient irrigation systems, science-based irrigation scheduling, soil and crop management and water reuse provide the foundation for reducing non-beneficial water use. Modern technologies, including hydroponics, aquaponics, sprinkler and drip irrigation (including gravity-fed TIPA systems), precision (smart) irrigation, soil-water tension sensors (Chameleon), Tal-Ya trays, crop simulation modelling (AquaCrop), water footprint assessment and conservation agriculture, are assessed for their ability to match water supply with crop demand and maximise productive transpiration. Reported water savings range from 20–30% for sensor-based control added to sprinkler systems to 30–70% for drip irrigation and up to 90% for recirculating aquaponic systems. Used together, these technologies enable real-time monitoring, controlled water application and informed decision-making, reducing irrigation water use while maintaining or increasing yields. Combining modern water management technologies with climate-smart agronomic practices is essential for improving WP, climate resilience and the sustainability of agricultural production in water-limited environments.