Effect of irrigation canal conveyance efficiency enhancement on crop productivity under climate change in Nepal

Nepal is expanding its irrigation facilities as an adaptive measure to climate change; however, the current canal conveyance efficiency (CCE) is low with significant water losses. In this study, we assess the potential impact of increasing CCE on the productivity of rice, maize, and wheat under different climate change scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5), utilizing three bias-adjusted general circulation models. The study simulates potential yields at ecoregion levels for two periods: near future (2023 to 2050) and end-century (2075 to 2100). Management scenarios include the following: (1) business as usual, (2) CCE at 30%, (3) CCE at 50%, and (4) CCE at 70%. The results indicate that increasing CCE to 30%, coupled with expanded irrigated areas and adjusted fertilization rates, could boost yields by three tons per hectare across all three crops at the national level. Further increasing CCE to 50% could yield additional increases of up to 0.6 t/ha of maize and 1.2 t/ha of rice in the terai region. A CCE of 70% results in further increases of up to 2.1 t/ha of rice and 1.2 t/ha of maize. The benefits of improved CCE vary by location, with the subtropical terai region experiencing the most and the mountain regions showing the least. We conclude that there is potential to increase yields by increasing CCE to 70% in the terai region, 50% in the hill region, and 30% in the mountains. Wheat appears to benefit the least from improved CCE. This work highlights efficient irrigation as a reliable adaptive measure for future climate change in Nepal.