Application of multiple agricultural water resources
The increase in industrial and domestic water demand due to the development of economy as well as change in industrial structures has put pressure on agricultural water. Moreover, as the development of water resources is becoming difficult, especially with the advent of the WTO, how to effectively distribute and manage water resources has become an urgent issue. As agricultural water used to account for most part of the water resources in almost every country, a comprehensive water resources policy and regulations are needed. In the future, the goals for agricultural water would be “ecology, living, and production.” In fact, the benefits of paddy fields in ecological and living functions are far greater than their production functions, and their roles could not be ignored. The beneficiaries include not only the low-income farmers, but the entire people. Consequently, the agricultural business must stress on sustainable management in order not only to provide sufficient and safe food, but also for the sake of long-term national security. It is, thus, urged that rice-paddy fields and agricultural water need to be rationally secured and protected.
Although shallow in depth, the agricultural area is a “natural reservoir”, and should be properly used. Unfortunately, some people suggest to increasing water of other sectors by cutting down agricultural water simply because agricultural production value is lower, riceplanting area is decreasing, and consequently the application of water would be less. By doing this, only the ratio of effective use of rainfall has decreased, and it is definitely not an effective use of water resources.
An idea of leasing the fallow areas to the government or industries in order to convert to ponds for water storage purposes could be considered. The surface water storage would not be reduced because of the decrease in rice production; the functions of climate adjustment, groundwater recharge, as well as flood reduction could be retained. In other words, the conventional purpose of rice paddy irrigation is transformed from production to joint functions of production, living, and ecological.