WEAP-MABIA-BASED ASSESSMENT AND OPTIMIZATION OF IRRIGATION SCHEDULING FOR COTTON IN THE UNCHADI SECTION OF THE SHETRUNJI RIGHT BANK CANAL COMMAND AREA

Efficient irrigation scheduling is essential for sustainable water management in canal command areas. This study uses the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model to evaluate cotton irrigation scheduling in the Unchadi Section of the Shetrunji Right Bank Canal Command Area. The objective is to identify suitable irrigation strategies that improve Water Use Efficiency (WUE) and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency (IWUE) while maintaining crop yield. The model integrates climatic data, canal discharge, land-use information, and cotton crop parameters to simulate evapotranspiration, effective rainfall, irrigation requirements, and root-zone soil water balance. Parameters such as Total Available Water (TAW), Readily Available Water (RAW), and Soil Moisture Depletion (SMD) are used to evaluate alternative irrigation schedules. The results indicate that appropriate irrigation scheduling can reduce unnecessary water application, improve water-use efficiency, and maintain cotton productivity. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential of WEAP as a decision-support tool for optimizing irrigation management and promoting sustainable agricultural water use in semi-arid regions.