From: Plusquellec Herve [mailto:plusquel@...]
Sent: 24 March 2007 20:56
To: Peter Lee; Mark Svenden
Cc: Bernhard L. Kiep; Garces, Carlos (AGLW); ICID; Helvecio Mattana Saturnino; thierry.facon@...
Subject: Re: Valley pivots in Egypt

Dear Peter,

I would certainly agree that on-farm water saving techniques- whether drip or large pivots- are essential for the development of irrigated agriculture. However I would like to emphasize the importance of improving the delivery service to the farmers, an essential condition to the adoption of these techniques by farmers in the large scale irrigation systems (where economically justified).  

The explosive use of groundwater is already reaching its limits in a number of countries (and has exceeded it in some regions). As I have stated in a number of papers, the issue of improving the quality of water delivery in gravity schemes can no longer be ignored-or treated superficially.  The key note speaker for the Gulhati lecture during the ICID meeting in Beijing, Bert Clemmens, made that point very strongly in stating that managerial or institutional changes will  produce some improvements bu not to the level required by the future needs.

Best regards,

Herve

----- Original Message -----

From: Peter Lee

To: Mark Svenden

Cc: Kiep, Bernhard L.; Garces, Carlos \(AGLW\); Herve Plusquellec; ICID; Helvecio Mattana Saturnino

Sent: 3/6/07 1:54:22 AM

Subject: Re: Valley pivots in Egypt

Mark

Thanks for the link to the Acumen Fund and IDE India sites.  In the Newsletter message I lumped together drip with other emitter systems, as I was looking for a parallel with "groundwater irrigation" as the driver the last revolution in food production, and they seem to have too much in common to take up two slots in the top-ten.

Drip and centre pivots may be argued as being far apart, but they are both emitter systems that can irrigate with precision and high productivity, undulating lands that otherwise were suitable only for rainfed production.

I suspect the next revolution is going require a mixture of both a multitude of small scale improvements (eg with drip) and some big commercial expansions in capacity (eg with centre pivots), particularly in places like Brazil, which will buy time for things such as land consolidation and better allocation of water supplies (both of which are political and socially difficult in traditional societies). I feel strongly that ICID needs to connect with both strands of development, and identify how one can help the other.

Regards

Peter

Mumbai, India

From

Peter Lee
President ICID
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----- Original Message -----

From: Mark Svenden

To: 'Peter Lee'

Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 1:18 PM

Subject: RE: Valley pivots in Egypt

Peter,

You may be familiar with Acumen and IDEI.  I am not personally, but saw a news story recently about their move into Pakistan and sought out their websites.  Would be worth investigating as one of the top 10, particularly if equity is given any weight.  The top ten is a good idea.

Best, Mark 

http://www.acumenfund.org/Work/WaterInnovations/Investments.asp

<<=>><<=>><<=>><<=>><<=>><<=>>
Mark Svendsen, Ph. D.
Cairo Marriott
email: msvendsen@... (new)
mobile: 20-10-990-5972
skype: marktsvendsen
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From: Peter Lee [mailto:peterlee-icid@...]
Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 11:27 PM
To: Stolte, Michelle E.; Mark Svenden
Cc: ICID; helvecio@...; Larry Stephens Home; Kiep, Bernhard L.; Herve Plusquellec
Subject: Re: Valley pivots in Egypt

Michelle/Mark

Two days ago I was travelling through the Christchurch Plains of New Zealand and saw a number of centre pivots (some were definitely Valley). But the ones that were working seemed to be working only at partial pressure and irrigating pasture, so they too did not make for an impressive picture!

ICID is a good forum not only to promote modern irrigation, but also inform decision makers and others that the technology needs to be set up and run properly if it is really going to justify the investment.  I am reminded of something said last year in Brazil that "many framers are just playing at irrigation", particularly if investment and the cost of water is somehow subsidised.

Incidentally, my "message" in the current ICID Newsletter (http://www.icid.org/index_e.html) is on the topic Which technology has the capability to revolutionise food production so that we can meet the challenge of producing 67% more food with only a modest increase in water use over the next 25-30 years?. I am hoping to provoke debate/interest in a) a "top-ten" list of technologies possibly to do this and b) management and policy changes needed along with the technology itself.  It needs much more debate, and more people taking an interest.

Regards

Peter Lee

Reply to peterlee@...

Travelling in New Zealand till 2 March
with intermittent access to e-mails.

In an emergency I can be reached on
+64 21024 47778 (NZ mobile)

----- Original Message -----

From: Stolte, Michelle E.

To: Mark Svenden

Cc: helvecio@... ; Peter Lee ; Larry Stephens Home ; Kiep, Bernhard L.

Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 3:13 AM

Subject: RE: Valley pivots in Egypt

Hi Mark,

I hope your trip to Egypt was enjoyable!  This picture you sent is probably not the most flattering to mechanized irrigation - the water pressure has not been regulated correctly, and has caused a misting effect, which leads to high evaporation.  I would ask that if you would like to promote Valley equipment that you use one of the photos attached rather than the one you sent.  This one does not display water efficiency at its best.    

As for the conference in Sacramento, we are discussing the extent of our involvement.  As I am sure you are aware, Jake LaRue of Valmont is preparing a paper for the conference and we are organizing a submission for the WatSave Award.  We would also be interested in providing an objective speaker on mechanized irrigation during one of your opening sessions.  We believe in promoting the awareness of water conservation and the important role that mechanized irrigation plays in this.

Regards,

Michelle

From: Mark Svenden [mailto:msvendsen@...]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2007 1:41 AM
To: Stolte, Michelle E.
Cc: helvecio@...; Peter Lee; 'Larry Stephens Home'; Kiep, Bernhard L.
Subject: Valley pivots in Egypt

Dear Michelle,

Some months back there was some email correspondence among yourself, Peter Lee (ICID) and others regarding center pivots and irrigation efficiency improvement.  I recently visited the Toshka project in Upper Egypt (near Lake Nasser) and took the attached photo of a small Valley centerpivot in operation.  KADCO was producing alfalfa cubes for export to the Gulf States with it.

May I take the opportunity also to remind you of the upcoming USCID international conference in Sacramento in late September (http://www.icid2007.org/).  Hope to see Valmont there.

Best, Mark

<<...>>

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Mark Svendsen, Ph. D.
Cairo Marriott
email: msvendsen@... (new)
mobile: 20-10-990-5972
skype: marktsvendsen

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