The purpose of this study is to estimate the crops water demand by using appropriate methodologies and to compare them with the values measured during an observation period. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to provide information, on one hand, on the soundness of the parameters usually used in calculations and, on the other hand, on farmers' behaviour in the use of water. A piece of software called Win-Genera was used to estimate the crop water demand, and an electronic device was used to measure the hydrants delivered volumes of water at farm level. The analysis was carried out in one of the irrigation districts of Sinistra Ofanto irrigation system. Our case study covers the year 2005. The results of the analysis gave adequate information about the system operation and farmers behaviours. Some solutions for improvement were suggested.
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Key words: Irrigation System, On-demand Operation, Estimated Crop Water Demand, Water Delivered, AquaCard, Water User Association.
