Sustainable water use in potato production in Algeria : Introduction of a subsurface fertigation system in the desert

Abstract

Potato production 1.3 Reasons for change 1.3.1 Lower the Water Footprint 1.3.2 Efficient fertilizer application 1.3.3 Climate smart agriculture and the choice for the potato 1.3.4 Prevention of post-harvest losses 1.4 Aim of the project 2 Material and methods 2.1 Potato growth and water use under pivot irrigation 2.2 Potato growth and water use with a subsurface fertigation system 2.2.1 Introducing subsurface fertigation 2.2.2 Soil moisture monitoring and irrigation practice 2.2.3 Potato varieties 2.2.4 Analyses and growth measurements 2.3 Implementation of the new technology 3 Results 3.1 Water use of traditional pivot irrigation system 3.2 Rolling out the demo 3.2.1 Soil and water characteristics 3.2.2 On-line monitoring 3.2.3 Water supply 3.2.4 Yields 3.3 Dissemination of knowledge and capacity building 3.3.1 Official kick-off and closure 3.3.2 Field visits and knowledge exchange 3.3.3 Implementation 3.3.4 Publicity 4 Discussion 4.1 Success of the demo project 4.2 Lessons learnt for the Netherlands 5 Recommendations 6 Acknowledgements 7 References Fertilizer supply subsurface irrigation Report WPR-1017 | Preface The region around El Oued city in Algeria is an important population area with 750,000 inhabitants using water from an approximately m deep aquifer. The region of El Oued has been growing potatoes for about 15 years, and with 33.000 hectares potato cultivation, the region has turned into the largest potato production area of Algeria with two harvests per 12 months. However, the commonly used irrigation system is not sustainable due to high water waste. Therefore, a subsurface Decision Support System (DSS) fertigation method was introduced in this project to explore the opportunities for innovation towards more sustainability in potato production in a desert area. The smallholder potato producers of El Oued (in total around 2000) did not have the financial means to fully sponsor the project, but were willing to make land available for setting up, testing and demonstrating this innovative technique. This project, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, via the Policy Support program has been carried out within the framework of the current and highly relevant theme "Sustainable agricultural development in a food system approach". In 2017, Wageningen UR Plant Research signed a collaboration agreement with the Algerian universities of El Oued, Biskra and Ouargla to work together on the innovation and sustainability of water use in potato cultivation in the Sahara. For the introduction of this DSS fertigation system Wageningen and the University of El Oued successfully cooperated and paved the way for future research cooperation.

Climate-Smart Agriculture in African Countries: A Review of Strategies and Impacts on Smallholder Farmers

“…Moreover, tuber yields have slightly increased in autumn (9.2 tons/hectare to 11.5 tons/hectare using center-pivot irrigation and subsurface fertigation, respectively). The new potato varieties, i.e., Arizona, Manitou and Rudolph, had better yields than the traditionally used Spunta [45]. Despite being a relatively simple installation, in which planting and installation of driplines can be carried out at the same time, subsurface fertigation is not yet widely used in Algeria, probably due to the current costs of water (fully supported by the authorities), investment costs, knowledge gap on technology and lack of skills to get it running.…”

“…Smallholder farmers in Algeria are currently required to raise agricultural production while using fewer resources (such as less energy and more water) and under more constraints (e.g., an increase in temperatures, soil salinity and desertification). A number of CSA practices have been initiated and implemented, such as water saving, construction of dams and hill reservoirs, fight against erosion and desertification, anti-drought programs, protection and rehabilitation of steppe lands and preservation and extension of forests [43][44][45][46][47][48]. Here are some examples of climate-smart innovations in the agricultural, livestock and forestry sectors, financial resources and policy evolution.…”