DefinePK

Research Objective

To estimate the Crop Water Productivity (CWP) of wheat in the Larkana district of Sindh province, Pakistan, using satellite imagery and to compare it with other global regions.

Methodology

The study utilized satellite imagery from the Google Earth Engine Evapotranspiration Flux (EEFlux) portal, based on the METRIC model. Processed Landsat 8 images with 30m resolution were used to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ETa) at different growth stages of wheat. Crop yield data and reference evapotranspiration (ETr) values were also incorporated. CWP was calculated as the ratio of crop yield to actual evapotranspiration.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD
    A["Obtain Satellite Imagery Landsat 8 via EEFlux"] --> B["Process Imagery using METRIC Model"];
    B --> C["Estimate Actual Evapotranspiration"ETa""];
    C --> D["Incorporate Crop Yield Data"];
    D --> E["Calculate Reference Evapotranspiration ETr"];
    E --> F["Calculate Crop Water Productivity CWP"];
    F --> G["Analyze and Compare CWP"];
    G --> H["Formulate Conclusions and Recommendations"];                    

Discussion

The study highlights the effectiveness of remote sensing technologies like METRIC-EEFlux for estimating ETa and assessing CWP. The CWP in Larkana is influenced by factors such as irrigation techniques and water supply scheduling. While higher than the national average, it indicates room for improvement compared to international benchmarks, suggesting that better irrigation management practices are crucial for enhancing water use efficiency in water-scarce regions.

Key Findings

The mean actual evapotranspiration (ETa) for wheat in Larkana district during the 2017-2018 Rabi season was 358 mm. The Crop Water Productivity (CWP) of wheat in Larkana was found to be 0.89 kg/m³. This is higher than Pakistan's average CWP of 0.76 kg/m³ but lower than that of developed countries like Germany (1.42 kg/m³) and France (1.35 kg/m³). The highest ETa values were observed during the mid-crop stage.

Conclusion

The Crop Water Productivity of wheat in Larkana district is 0.89 kg/m³, which is an improvement over Pakistan's average. However, it remains below the global average, underscoring the need for improved agricultural practices, particularly in irrigation scheduling and water management, to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

Fact Check

1. Wheat growing period: The wheat growing period in Larkana district was from November 1, 2017, to April 10, 2018, spanning 160 days. (Confirmed in Abstract and Table 2)
2. Pakistan's average wheat CWP: Pakistan's average wheat CWP is stated as 0.76 kg/m³. (Confirmed in Abstract and Results and Discussion)
3. Larkana district CWP: The CWP of wheat in the Larkana district was calculated to be 0.89 kg/m³. (Confirmed in Abstract and Conclusion)

Mind Map