Use of Pilot Projects for Technology Transfer in Developing Countries

Merriam, John L.; ,

Use of Pilot Projects for Technology Transfer in Developing Countries

by John L. Merriam, Calif. Polytechnic St. Univ, San Luis Obispo, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Irrigation and Drainage: Saving a Threatened Resource?In Search of Solutions

Abstract:

Pilot projects of various sizes - 25-1100 ha of farm land - have been used to demonstrate new concepts in water supply and farming practices in Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan, and they are being introduced in Egypt. The concept is to provide a flexible supply source that operates automatically to the farm level but with control of the farm turnout by the farmer as to frequency, rate, and duration. For the pilot projects, the needed variable small stream can usually be taken from main or branch canals without appreciable upset of the flow by the small plus and minus offtake values from a constant flow. This concept of varying the canal flow is upsetting to conventional engineers and often requires extra explanation of the small magnitude of the effect or how it can be mitigated. The real need for the demonstration projects has proven to be the need to convince engineers, planners, financiers, etc. of the value of the flexible schedule capabilities and the cost. To have a pilot project to convince farmers of the advantages of the upgraded capabilities of such a supply may appear essential. It is not. In all cases, adequate description of the project or a small demonstration, has been all it has taken to gain their enthusiastic support.

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