Irrigation strategies during droughts
The rice-paddy field is like a “natural reservoir” with vast area although shallow in depth, and should be carefully utilized. When the “excessive” agricultural water is stored in this natural reservoir, it would be recharging groundwater, underflow, and return flow continuously. The way the irrigation practice consumes water is simply to provide evapotranspiration needed for normal growth, and is far different from those of industrial and domestic water. Consequently, from the viewpoint of effective use of water resources, the introduction of should be encouraged without restrictions. In other word, water conservation during wet season when water is abundant is meaningless. Instead, how to retain excessive rainfall water in the rice field for operation purposes, to maintain appropriate seepage, to increase ground recharge, to reduce irrigation management cost, and to create a water-friendly environment, are in fact the reasonable ways to manage irrigation water.