Technical and economical comparison of canal irrigation systems, low pressure and pressure pipes (Case study; arayez 2&3 project, Shush city)

Water consumption in agriculture, increasing irrigation efficiency, and reducing water consumption against the constant yield of the crop are very important. Therefore, the study of water consumption efficiency in different irrigation methods has a significant role in the macro-agricultural and industrial planning of the country. In the present study, the efficiency of gravity irrigation systems (channelet), low pressure, and pressure irrigation in the lands north of Karkheh Khuzestan (arayez 2&3 project) has been investigated. The results showed that the irrigation efficiency in the pressurized irrigation method was the highest so the total efficiency in the pressurized irrigation system is 64.2% higher than channelet irrigation and 55.8% higher than low-pressure irrigation. Also, irrigation efficiency in low-pressure irrigation methods is about 5.3% higher than in channelet irrigation. Economical studies and analysis of different irrigation systems showed that although the initial cost of setting up a pressurized irrigation system is higher than gravity and low-pressure irrigation, in a long time, it will be economically viable while the return on investment in this project is maximum 5 years.