Author(s)

T. Yamamoto, A. Jalaldin, T. Nagasawa

Abstract

Chronic water shortage is a major problem in the Tarim River Basin. Countermeasures to overcome this shortage include water supply management and water-saving irrigation, unless a new water resource can be developed. Here we examined the status and adequacy of water supply management and the problems with agricultural water use in this area. The research field was the Xayar district located in the northern part of the Taklamakan Desert, Xinjiang, China. The water management office provided data for the monthly irrigated water volume that was supplied to the districts, and the township water management office provided data for the daily water supply. In addition, we interviewed the water management staff and farmers. The results indicated that the water supply rules were considered rational in this area. However, the enforcement of these rules was not strict, particularly on the borders of the irrigation channel compared with the upper irrigation district. This study demonstrated that the basic rules were strictly observed under the direct control of the water management office, and the rules were flexible, depending on each condition, through direct correspondence with farmers.

Keywords

irrigation, water distribution rule, arid region