Irrigation & Drainage Systems Engineering

Support of Drainage for Management of Nitrogen Cycle in Africa

Abstract

Yadav RC

Drainage engineering known to provide mere relief from excess surface water, water logging, rise in ground wa - ter table, and removal of accumulated toxic salts from the fields. However, since 1994 its scope was broadened and poised to cater functions of bringing social goods by enhancing food security and protection of environment. The conti - nent Africa has the minimum area under irrigation so drainage has not been promoted in general, beyond the small ar - eas under irrigation. The useful transformations of stages of nitrogen cycle occur under aerobic conditions. This study presents how good drainage will help bring aerobic condition. The study presents innovative technologies to enhance productivity of agriculture, grasslands and forest and reduce contribution of nitrous oxide. Provision of drainage on entire land uses has great potential in both irrigated and rainfed agriculture, natural or manmade forest and grasslands that will promote reduction of insect, pest and diseases in Africa. An innovative technology of auto drainage devised by author is to go long way in bringing drainage condition both under irrigated as well as the rainfed agriculture. This study while elaborating support of drainage in bringing management of nitrogen cycle depicts lack of appreciation by the professionals that limit application and cope in utilisation of potential of drainage. The study presented sufficient Justification for the change of names of existing departments of water engineering to production of professionals for execution and that for using the water related facilities for both engineering and agriculture disciplines of research and academic developments. Good scientific knowledge in the course curriculum should be broad based to bring food security and reduce global environmental problems of Greenhouse gases. Convergence of services for nitrogen and water use efficiency amply supports the need for the broadened curriculum of drainage for professional developments.