ICID to Host Webinar on Water Management and Automated Irrigation in Tottori’s Coastal Sand Dune Agriculture

ICID to Host Webinar on Water Management and Automated Irrigation in Tottori’s Coastal Sand Dune Agriculture

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) will host a webinar titled “Water Management in Tottori’s Coastal Sand Dune Agriculture: From Manual Water Carrying to Automated Irrigation and Emerging Energy Challenges” on Monday, 31 August 2026, at 15:30 IST.

The webinar will explore the development of water management practices in Tottori’s Coastal Sand Dune Agriculture, Japan, an agricultural area characterized by highly permeable sandy soils, low water-holding capacity, strong winds, and wind-blown sand. These conditions present significant challenges for maintaining adequate water availability for agricultural production.

From Manual Water Carrying to Automated Irrigation

The webinar will highlight the historical development of water management in Tottori’s coastal sand dune agricultural areas. The discussion will trace the transition from traditional practices, including manually carrying water to agricultural fields, to the use of sprinklers and, more recently, remotely operated automated irrigation systems using motorized valves.

An important aspect of the discussion will be the concept of “cultivation-management water.” This approach emphasizes that water management is not solely intended to meet crop water requirements, but also plays an important role in maintaining stable soil conditions in sandy agricultural areas.

Effective water management can help maintain soil moisture, control wind-blown sand, stabilize sand ridges, and support sustainable agricultural production.

Challenges of Irrigation Automation

The adoption of automated irrigation systems can significantly reduce labor requirements while enabling irrigation to be carried out more accurately and at the appropriate time. However, automation also introduces new challenges, particularly regarding energy consumption for pumping and pressurizing irrigation systems.

The irrigation requirements of farmers can also vary considerably depending on local conditions. Some farmers may require irrigation during nighttime hours, while others may operate their irrigation systems throughout the day. These differences can be influenced by crop types, irrigation schedules and frequencies, the distance between farmers’ homes and agricultural fields, and the ability to adjust irrigation according to rainfall conditions.

Therefore, the development of automated irrigation systems requires more than technological solutions. It also needs to consider farmers’ needs, water efficiency, energy consumption, and the specific characteristics of each agricultural area.

Sharing Experience from Tottori

Through this webinar, ICID will share experiences and lessons learned from Tottori in managing water resources in coastal and sandy agricultural areas.

The experience is expected to provide valuable insights for other regions facing similar challenges and seeking to improve agricultural productivity while reducing labor requirements and optimizing water and energy use.

The webinar will feature a Welcome Address by Dr. R.K. Gupta, Secretary General of ICID. Dr. Gupta has more than 38 years of experience in water resources management, hydraulic engineering, and river basin development.

The event will also feature Prof. Ruey-Chy Kao, Chairman of WG-SCER, who will deliver the opening remarks.

Towards Sustainable Irrigation Management

The webinar provides an opportunity for professionals, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in the irrigation and water resources sector to exchange knowledge and experiences on the development of sustainable irrigation infrastructure.

The discussion is particularly relevant as agricultural irrigation systems continue to face challenges related to water efficiency, labor availability, energy consumption, automation, and the sustainable management of agricultural land in coastal areas.

Webinar Information

Title: Water Management in Tottori’s Coastal Sand Dune Agriculture: From Manual Water Carrying to Automated Irrigation and Emerging Energy Challenges
Date: Monday, 31 August 2026
Time: 15:30 IST
Organizer: International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)
Platform: Zoom

Zoom Meeting

Participants interested in attending the webinar can register through the registration link provided in the official invitation.