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Department of Irrigation & Drainage |
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Dr. Muhammad Rafiq (Ph.D.)
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Tremendous potential
for the development of Pakistan's water resources requires the services of
engineers to plan, design, construct and utilize water resources irrigation
facilities efficiently. The water losses taking place during conveyance and
application cause water shortage on one hand and water logging conditions on the
other. To meet the growing demands for efficient water resources management, the
Department of Irrigation and Drainage forms an important component of the
Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology in producing graduates in the
field of Agricultural Engineering. These Agricultural Engineers by virtue of
their special training are capable of working both with Agri. Scientists as well
as Engineers of other disciplines. |
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The Department's
academic program focuses on the solution of problems encountered in irrigated
agriculture and applied sciences. The department undertakes a number of
coordinated research studies with other research organizations including PARC,
PCRWR, IWASRI, NRAP, IWMI and Water Management Wing of the Department of
Agriculture. The staff of the Department has also taken up a number of
assignments with national and international organizations including NESPAK,
USAID, Colorado State University and Asian Development Bank. Moreover, the
Department has contributed to the development and implementation of a water
management research and training program of the University. A number of
educational institutions also benefit from the professional capabilities of
staff by inviting them on technical committees. |
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Research
Facilities
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The
staff of the Department is engaged in carrying out both teaching and research
activities. In addition to sponsored research projects, the Department runs a
strong postgraduate research program.
The Department
manages a teaching and research laboratories and a farm comprising 9 acres of
land to conduct field experiments. In addition, an irrigation model and a
drainage model have been established to demonstrate the operational aspects of
the water distribution system and drainage/leaching process, respectively.
The laboratories
offer the facilities for testing of hydraulic machinery such as pumps and
turbines, calibration and testing of flow measuring devices, frictional losses
in pipe flow system and open channel flow characteristics. The field
laboratories are located at PARS (Postgraduate Agricultural Research Station) at
a distance of 10 km from University campus near Faisalabad Airport. These
laboratories include the facilities for the design and evaluation of different
irrigation methods. Physical models for investigation of flow problems can also
be studied.
The Soil
Mechanics laboratory includes the facilities to determine physical properties
and shear strength parameters of soil. The hydraulic conductivity can also be
determined in the laboratory.
The Department
has independent computer facilities in addition to a well equipped computer
laboratory managed by the Faculty of Agri. Engineering and Technology. These
computer facilities provide necessary computational and data processing support
to the students and staff. The department has highly qualified and experienced
staff as listed below: |
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Graduate
Research Studies |
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Comparative study
of methods to determine crop-water requirements under local conditions.
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Irrigation
scheduling based on computerized water balance model.
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Analysis of
fluctuations of water table and control of waterlogging for Faisalabad City.
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Farmers
allocations of irrigation water under existing conditions.
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Estimation of
seepage and its effect on water logging and crop yields.
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Calibration and
evaluations of flow measuring device for use in flat gradient channel.
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Development of an
optimal cropping pattern on a command area of distributary.
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Nomograph for cost
calculation of tubewells and economical selection of their components.
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Development of
manually driven jet pump.
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Effect of seasonal
variability of soil infiltration on application efficiency.
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Development of
design criteria for border irrigation.
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Design development
and calibration of double throated flume for measurement in rectangular
channel.
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Diagnostic
analysis of lower pumping efficiencies in SCARP tubewells.
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Optimizing the
water resources of an agricultural farm.
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Water table
control measures in lower Rachna Doab.
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Field slope
responses to distribution nitrate-nitrogen (NO, N) and irrigation water.
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Equity evaluations
and its effect on crop productivity on irrigation sub-system.
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Optimal design of
tubewell based on farm size and water requirements.
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Effect of drain
perforations on permeameter test results.
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Optimum length of
lining for watercourse improvement.
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Feasibility of
Raingun sprinkler irrigation for corn (fodder) under farmers' conditions.
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Performance
evaluation of locally manufactured drip irrigation system.
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Comparative
performance of synthetic and granular drain envelop.
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Soil moisture
simulating balance model for wheat crop.
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Investigation of
ground water contamination by heavy metals.
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Groundwater
contamination by the Satiana road seepage carrier at Faisalabad.
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Development of a
physical drainage model for evaluation of envelope materials.
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Implications of
warabandi system on irrigation management at watercourse command.
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Performance
evaluation of locally manufactured raingun sprinkler irrigation system.
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Feasibility study
of using raingun sprinkler system under irrigated area.
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Evaluation of
irrigation system performance and abiana assessment and collection procedures.
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Irrigation
measurement practices for subsurface drainage water.
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Effect of high
water table on wheat yield and Nitrate-Nitrogen behavior in field lysimeter.
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Impact of
precision land levelling on irrigation efficiencies and crop production.
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Evaluation of
alternate furrow irrigation for cotton.
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Evaluation of
irrigation and planting practices for continuous use of sub surface drainage
water.
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Optimal
watercourse layout and field design for border irrigation system.
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Selection of
synthetic envelop for sub surface pipe drainage.
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Development and
performance evaluation of orchard water spraying system (Raingun) to modify
aerial environment.
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Optimal design of
a sub-surface pipe drainage system.
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Calibration and
application of SCS design equations under local conditions of Pakistan.
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Design of level
basin irrigation system for achieving uniform advance rate
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Sponsored
Research Projects |
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Water Management
Research and Training Program for Rural Development |
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Out of 9
components of this project, the Department shared 4 components and therefore
had a major contribution to this 8.7 million rupees project funded by the
Government of Pakistan.
(a) Improved methods of rehabilitating watercourse: Field oriented research
on various lining techniques and installation of water control structures
such as round panel and sliding slab nakka were carried out and their impact
on water saving and economics was studied. Study concluded with the
development of 4.5" brick wall lining and sliding slab nakka.
(b) Optimizing the on-Farm water application techniques under traditional
and improved conditions. The comparison of furrow bed, border and basin
method of irrigation was carried out to study their impact on crop yield and
water saving. Land leveling at various topographic slopes was tested for
water saving, yield of crop and water distribution. Topographic slope of 0.1
percent was found optimal and furrow bed method of irrigation was found
saving about 30 percent of irrigation water as compared to border method of
irrigation.
(c) Impact of improved water management technologies on surface and
sub-surface hydrology and salt balance of watercourse command areas.
Operational analysis of water losses in watercourse command comprising main,
branch and farm watercourse were studied and found that to get maximum
benefit of watercourse improvement, renovation of farmers' branches was
found indispensable. Hydrological and salt budget of watercourse command
areas was prepared and their analysis in respect of various parameters was
done. |
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Revision of
Standards and Specification for Water Management at Farm Level Funded by
PARC |
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A three-piece
pre-cast concrete lining technique was developed and tested in the field,
which was found very economical and faster to implement as compared with
traditional brick lining technique |
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Integrated Land
and Water Management for Stressed Lands. A PEP project funded by PARC |
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Field irrigation
with sprinkler rain gun was tested in conjunction with surface irrigation
and was found to perform better in water saving as compared to surface
irrigation alone. Water availability at watercourse command over the year
was studied and found that during March and December excess water was
available which could be stored in farm reservoirs to supplement irrigation
at critical periods |
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Fourth Drainage
Project Operation and Maintenance Issues Related to Performance funded by
IWASRI |
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Operational and
maintenance issues related to pump operation, farmers' participation and
maintenance of surface drainage was studied and was found that poor
maintenance of surface drain was impeding the functioning of pipe drainage
system |
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Improving
Efficiency of On-Farm Water Use and Application- ISM/R-II project funded by
PARC |
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Optimal length
and width of border in relation to discharge was established using
application, storage and distribution efficiency as the basic criteria.
Different models were tested and calibrated for field application |
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Improving Water
Application Efficiency Using Irrigation Scheduling Technique funded by UAF |
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Water
application efficiency was studied using different irrigation scheduling
techniques at the University Farm |
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Development of
Sliding Slab Nakka for Watercourses. A department study |
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Sliding slab
nakka were installed and studied in terms of their easiness in operation,
cost, installation, etc. and recommendations were furnished |
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Management
Options for Reuse of Drainage Water in Faisalabad Fourth Drainage Project
funded by IWASRI |
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Irrigation and
soil management practices were evaluated for continuous use of Faisalabad
Fourth Drainage effluent of sump number 9 |
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Pilot Area of
Real Life Project "PARC Project" Funded by PARC |
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The project was
to introduce tested/updated technology to the farmer in Khurrerianwala area.
The project included Farm Machinery and Water Management. New developed
Bed-Shaper, Multi-operational Machine, etc., were introduce in the area. In
addition, approved On-farm Water Management practices control structures
irrigation method, etc., were demonstrated |
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Remodeling and
Improvement of On-farm Surface Irrigation System at Watercourse Command for
Improving Irrigation Efficiency |
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The study
comprised improvement of main watercourse with pre-cast reinforced concrete
pipes and its impact on water and sediment transport. It was found that
there was no sediment deposition in the pipes. There was significant saving
of reaching time of irrigation water |
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Development of
Low Cost Orchards Spraying in Collaboration with Horticulture Department
funded by PARC |
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The machine was
developed and tested for its performance using different shapes of nozzles
for crop sizes and are covered. One M.Sc. student completed his thesis
research on use and evaluation of machine. Presently, machine is with the
Agricultural Engineering Workshop staff for further testing and extension to
the farmer level. |
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Leaching
Behaviour of ICI Waste during Crop Use under different Depths and
Frequencies of Irrigation, Collaborative study with Agronomy Department,
funded by ICI Pvt. Ltd. Karachi (On-going Project) |
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This is on-going
project to investigate minerals releasing property of the sludge in soil
matrix for drainage water quality, groundwater contamination and crop
production |
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Studies of
Optimal Operation of Tile Drainage Projects. University funded Project
(On-going project) |
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The project is
to conduct high saline water management studies in small lysimeters. The
study will help to determine guide lines for operation of tile drainage in
semi-arid areas. |
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Development of
Riverain areas in collaboration with Agronomy department. University funded
project (On-going Project) |
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The project is
to collect primary and secondary data for riverain area development for
preparing PC-I. A research proposal of Rs. 1,40,00,000 has already been
submitted to Pakistan Science Foundation for the project extension |
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Degree Programs
and Short Courses |
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B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. Agri. Engg.
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Short Courses: |
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House Construction |
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Staff of The Department |
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Engr.
Qurban Ali Awan |
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Associate
Professor & Chairman |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) WPAU, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok, Cert.OFWM IIC
CSU-USA, Cert.Flow Reg.,CIIM CSU-USA |
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E-mail: |
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Dr.
Muhammad Rafiq Chaudhry |
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Professor
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok, Ph.D. (I & D)
CSU-USA |
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Dr. Niaz
Ahmad |
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Associate
Professor |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Sc.(Agri.Engg) ISU-USA,
Ph.D.(Agri.Engg.) ISU-USA |
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Engr.
Abdul Khaliq |
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Assistant
Professor |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok, M.Sc.(Computer
Science) UAF |
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Dr. Allah
Bakhsh |
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Assistant
Professor |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok, Ph.D.(Agri.Engg.)
ISU-USA, Diploma (Remote Sensing) ITC-Netherlands |
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Engr.Muhammad Arshad |
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Assistant
Professor |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok |
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Dr. M
Asif Sarwer |
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Assistant
Professor |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Engg.(Water Res.) AIT-Bangkok, Ph.D. Germany |
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Engr.
Sajid Mahmood |
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Lecturer |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, M.Sc.(Agri. Engg.) UAF |
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Engr.
Usman Khalid Awan |
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Lecturer |
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B.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF, Student of M.Sc.(Agri.Engg.) UAF |
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