1. Project Background
Location:
Gandhinagar District, Gujarat, India
Command Area:
120 hectares (comprising 60 land parcels/farms)
Water Source:
Check-dam-fed sump connected to a borewell with submersible pump
Climate and Soil:
Semi-arid, average annual rainfall 650 mm
Sandy loam soil with moderate infiltration rate
Crop Type:
Mixed cropping system (groundnut, cotton, and horticulture)
2. Objective of the PINS Project
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Improve water use efficiency in a water-scarce zone
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Replace the existing open canal flood irrigation system
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Enable equitable water distribution to tail-end farmers
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Facilitate micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems)
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Minimize conveyance losses and operational dependency
3. Design and Implementation Details
System Design Parameters
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Peak crop water demand: 6.5 mm/day
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Irrigation method: Drip for horticulture; sprinkler for field crops
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Operating pressure: 2.5 bar (sprinkler), 1.2 bar (drip)
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Operating window: 12 hours per day
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Design flow rate: ~45 L/s
System Layout
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Centralized pump station connected to 3 km mainline
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Three sub-mains serving 20 farms each
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Laterals laid within each plot with pressure-compensating emitters and sprinklers
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Filtration unit: dual sand + disk filter combo
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Automated pressure-regulating valves with solenoids
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SCADA-ready control unit with flow meters and pressure sensors
Pumping and Control
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Pump type: 20 HP submersible pump
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Total dynamic head: 32 meters
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Power source: Grid + solar hybrid
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Automation: Control panel with programmable scheduling and remote ON/OFF
4. Operation and Maintenance
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Operating model: Community-managed with trained operators
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Irrigation scheduling: Rotational supply based on crop calendar, adjusted using soil moisture sensors and ET data
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Maintenance:
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Weekly flushing of laterals and filters
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Monthly inspection of valve function and joints
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Annual desilting and filter media replacement
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5. Observed Benefits
Water Efficiency
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Water savings of up to 40% compared to prior surface irrigation
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Tail-end farmers reported consistent supply with no pressure drop
Crop Yield Improvements
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Yield increase: 20–25% in cotton and horticulture plots
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Reduced crop stress due to uniform and timely irrigation
Energy and Labor
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Pump runtime optimized, saving ~25% energy monthly
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Reduced labor costs as system was semi-automated
Soil Health
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No waterlogging or deep percolation observed
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Controlled soil salinity due to targeted water application
Scalability
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Farmers in adjoining clusters requested extension
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Integration-ready for remote sensors, weather data, and fertigation
6. Challenges Encountered
Initial Capital Cost
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Total system cost: ₹27 lakh (~USD 33,000)
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High upfront investment was a barrier without government subsidies
Technical Training
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Need for continuous operator training to handle automation panels
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Issues with valve calibration in initial months due to lack of familiarity
Maintenance Burden
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Sediment-heavy water source caused clogging in some emitters
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Filters required frequent cleaning, especially during monsoon
Power Reliability
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Intermittent grid supply affected uniform pressure unless solar backup was engaged
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Pump performance degraded slightly during low-voltage hours
Behavioral Adoption
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Farmers accustomed to flood irrigation initially hesitant to accept restricted water use
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Required demonstration of results to win community trust
7. Lessons Learned and Recommendations
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Stakeholder Involvement from the beginning (design to execution) increases adoption and system ownership
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Subsidy and Financing options (e.g., PMKSY in India) must be explored to offset high capital costs
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Water Source Quality analysis is critical for filter and emitter longevity
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Training and Capacity Building are non-negotiable — even simple systems fail without skilled local operators
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Hybrid Power Supply ensures continuity in areas with unreliable grid infrastructure
8. Conclusion
The Gandhinagar PINS project stands as a successful model of how integrated irrigation system design, community participation, and automation can transform agricultural water use in resource-scarce regions. With improved yields, lower water and energy inputs, and scalable design, PINS demonstrates its value as a climate-resilient, sustainable irrigation solution.
However, for long-term success, challenges related to maintenance, farmer training, and cost-sharing mechanisms must be addressed. With technological enhancements and institutional support, PINS can be the foundation of next-generation irrigated agriculture.
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