

Improving water efficiency is the imminent challenge faced in agriculture today. There is a need to innovate and change existing water policies, management practices and new water-saving techniques. A holistic approach involving all the stakeholders like farmers, corporates, government and civil society organisations is required to increase water productivity. Recognizing this need, ICID constituted WatSave Annual Award(s) in 1997 to identify and promote exceptional water conservation/saving practices in agriculture. They are presented every year to individuals or a team of individuals after evaluating actual realized savings; and not promising research results, plans or good ideas/intentions to save water.
The award consists of an honorarium of US$ 2000 and a citation plague. The WatSave Awards are presented during the Annual ICID Executive Council Meeting (IEC). An autonomous international panel of judges adjudges the winners every year.
Categories
WatSave Award has been categorised in four categories.
- Technology Award: It is presented to recognise the best technological applications or projects developed; which has been successful in saving water and/or recovering wastewaters/low-quality waters.
- Young Professionals Award: It is presented to recognize young professionals (below 40 years) contributing in original research and innovative water-saving techniques leading towards sustainability.
- Innovative Water Management Award: It is presented to recognize non-technological interventions, innovative land and water management practices and policy interventions helping in increasing water availability for different uses. It aims to identify new policies/approaches for water-saving leading to the cost-effective and beneficial use of water.
- Farmer Award: It is presented to farmer or farmer(s) who has successfully developed or implemented water-efficient farming techniques in the farms as well as the community.
Nominations
The nominations are received through the automated online form submission system (https://icidevents.org/awards), which is announced at the beginning of every calendar year. ICID’s National Committees need to endorse their countries respective applications. The entries are open to all professionals/teams from ICID member countries as well as non-member countries. In case of entries from ‘nonmember’ countries, the nominations have to be routed through and validated by an active National Committee of ICID. Such National Committee should be aware of the nominee's to support the nomination.
Nominations are open for 2020 and the deadline for submission is 31st July 2020.
WatSave - Scheme (PDF) and Nomination Form
Winners of WatSave Awards 2020
1. Technology Award: Dr. Nasser Sedaghati (Iran)
For his work on "Use a Low-Pressure Sub-surface Irrigation System with Perforated PVC Pipes to reduce Water Consumption in Pistachio Orchards". In this system water is conveyed from the source to the subsurface gravity pipes that are perforated around the root zone of the trees. There are also vertical tubes installed for ventilation. It resulted in a 25% reduction in water consumption (about 1,800 m3/ha) and a 62% increase in water use efficiency compared to flood irrigation.
2. Mr. Mahdi Afsari (Iran)
For their work on "Sub-surface Irrigation and Tree Shades". Introduction of drip irrigation and sub-surface irrigation technology to adapt to water scarcity in Faizabad-MahVelat area in Khorasan Razavi province. Awnings for pomegranate trees along with steam generators were developed against higher temperatures. It resulted in significant reduction in water consumption with better pomegranate production.
3. Young Professionals Award: Mr. Mohammad Sadegh Keshavarz, and Dr. Hamed Ebrahimian (Iran)
For their work on "Reduction of Water and Phosphorous Losses and Soil Erosion by Micro-Dams in Furrow Irrigation". Micro-dams were built as water barriers inside the irrigated furrows to reduce surface water velocity and consequently reduce runoff and soil erosion losses in open-end furrows. The ‘effectiveness of micro-dams in controlling erosion’ technique can be adequately used for sloping areas where the soil is prone to erosion.
4. Farmers Award: Mr. Mekala Siva Shankar Reddy (India)
For his work on "Micro Irrigation with Fertigation". Despite adverse weather conditions in a drought-prone area in Southern India, Mr. Reddy successfully harvested healthy crops using water-conserving irrigation practices like drip and micro-sprinklers with the use of organic inputs and mulching. He has economically harvested a varieties of crops such as grape (red & green), fig, hybrid papaya, pomegranate, hybrid muskmelon, pink guava, chia, and quinoa.
Winners of WatSave Awards 2021
Farmer Awards
Innovative Water Management Awards
Technology Awards
Young Professional Awards
Farmer Awards-
Year | Country | Winner | Title |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | India |
Mr. Mekala Siva Shankar Reddy |
Micro Irrigation with Fertigation
Despite adverse weather conditions in a drought-prone area in Southern India, Mr. Reddy successfully harvested healthy crops using water-conserving irrigation practices like drip and micro-sprinklers with the use of organic inputs and mulching. He has economically harvested a varieties of crops such as grape (red & green), fig, hybrid papaya, pomegranate, hybrid muskmelon, pink guava, chia, and quinoa. |
2019 | India |
Water Conservation by use of Sprinkler & Drip Technologies in Paddy Crop
In July 2017, this project was initiated on a demonstration plot of the land of Karan Jeet Singh Chatha (Haryana-India). Idea was to motivate the farmers towards Micro Irrigation Technology for Paddy crop on experimental basis. |
|
2017 | India |
Dr. Vijay Sharad Deshmukh |
Effective Water Management through Farmer?s Cooperative Interventions
Lift irrigation method was used; Four water filtration units were installed which use sand to filter the water. During monsoon, the added water is also diverted to the wells so that ground water table can be recharged. |
2016 | India |
Mr. Chandra Shekhar H. Bhadsavle, Mr. Changdev K. Nirguda and Mr. Anil D. Nivalkar |
Sanguna Rice Technique ? Zero Till, Conservation Agriculture
Saguna Rice Technique (SRT)- is a unique new method of cultivation of rice and related rotation crops without ploughing, puddling and transplanting (rice) on permanent raised beds, that insists keeping of roots of previous crop in the raised beds |
2015 | India |
Bhagwan M. Kapse |
Group Farming and Micro Irrigation a Way to Prosperity
|
2011 | USA |
Mr. Jerry Erstrom |
The Willow Creek Piping Project
|
2009 | India |
Mr. Arvind Narayanrao Nalkande |
Rainwater conservation through natural cracks in deep black soils
|
Innovative Water Management Awards+
Year | Country | Winner | Title |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Iran |
Mr. Mahdi Afsari |
Sub-surface Irrigation and Tree Shades
Introduction of drip irrigation and sub-surface irrigation technology to adapt to water scarcity in Faizabad-MahVelat area in Khorasan Razavi province. Awnings for pomegranate trees along with steam generators were developed against higher temperatures. It resulted in significant reduction in water consumption with better pomegranate production. |
2019 | Australia |
Trangie-Nevertire Renewal : An Irrigation Infrastructure Modernisation Success Story
Transfer/sale of water to the Australian Government in return for funding to totally modernize the irrigation infrastructure of the Trangie-Nevertire Co-operative Ltd both off and on farm. |
|
2018 | Canada |
Mr. Richard Phillips |
Alberta Irrigation Management Model (AIMM), a Decision Support System to assist irrigation producers better manage their irrigation water application efficiency and optimize crop production
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AAF) developed the Irrigation Demand Model (IDM) in 2002 to allow irrigation districts more accurately assess long-term water supplies relative to expected irrigation demand. |
2017 | China |
Prof. Wang Aiguo |
Promoting water-saving interventions in large irrigation systems
Innovative management practices; policies promoting water-saving irrigation; water-saving irrigation development plans; promoting investment in irrigation projects |
2016 | Thailand |
Mr. Va-Son Boonkird and Dr. Watchara Suiadee |
Innovation, Implementation and Extension of the Water Saving Integrated Smart Farming ? AWDI Technique in Thailand
Weekend Farmer technique of Alternate Wet and Dry Irrigation (AWDI) which reduce four alternate wet and dry periods of previous AWDI techniques to only two resulting into minimized labor intensity, with maximum water saving |
2015 | Egypt |
Prof. Samiha Ouda and Prof. Abd-El-Hafeez-Zohry |
Crop Rotation: An Approach to Save Irrigation Water under Water Scarcity in Egypt
|
2014 | Egypt |
Dr.Yosri Ibrahim Mohamed Atta |
Improving growth, Yield and Water Productivity of some Maize Cultivars by new planting Method
|
2013 | China |
Mr. Zhang Xuehui |
Jiamakou Irrigation Scheme (JIS), China
|
2012 | Australia |
Mr. Peter McCamish |
Integrated water recovery provides regional growth?for Northern Victoria, Australia
|
2011 | India |
Prof. Dr. Subhash Madhawrao Taley |
IParticipatory Rainwater Conservation of Rainfed Agriculture of Vidarbha Region (Maharashtra), India
|
2010 | South Africa |
Mr. Kobus Harbron |
Water distribution management at the Vaalharts irrigation scheme
|
2009 | India |
Messrs Shahaji Manikrao Somawanshi, Bharat Kawale and Sanjay Madhukar Belsare |
Transformation of irrigation through management transfer
|
2008 | Egypt |
Dr. Yousri Ibrahim Atta |
Innovative Method for Rice Irrigation with High Potential of Water Saving
|
2007 | South Africa |
Dr. Abraham Singels |
Provision of Irrigation Scheduling Advice to Small Scale Sugarcane Farmers Using a Web Based Crop Model and Cellular Technology: A South African Case Study
|
2006 | South Africa |
Dr. Nico Benad? |
Water Administration System (WAS)
|
2005 | China |
Prof. Li Daixin |
Innovative Water Saving Technologies in China
|
2004 | India |
Er. Suresh. V. Sodal |
An initiative towards saving of water and sustainable Irrigation Management in Maharashtra State, India
|
2003 | Pakistan |
Dr. Muhammad Akram Kahlown |
Comprehensive approach in water resources management such as Irrigation, Drainage, On-Farm Water Management, Water Quality, Groundwater Modeling, Contaminant Transport
|
2002 | Egypt |
Dr. Mahmoud Moustafa |
Spatio-Drainage Approach: A Tool for Proper Management, Accurate Design and Cost Effective?Subsurface Drainage Projects and Water Saving
|
2001 | China |
Prof. Gu Yuping |
Water-Saving Irrigation Practice in China - Demands, Technical System, Current Situation,?Development Objective, And Countermeasures
|
2000 | Spain |
Dr. Francisco del Amor Garcia |
Modernization Plan of Mula Traditional Irrigations
|
1999 | Egypt |
Eng. Hussein El-Atfy |
Modified Drainage System for Rice Growing Areas : A Tool for Water Saving
|
1998 | China |
Development of Water Saving Irrigation Technique On Large Paddy Rice Area in Guangxi Region of China
|
Technology Awards+
Year | Country | Winner | Title |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Iran |
Dr. Nasser Sedaghati |
Use a Low-Pressure Sub-surface Irrigation System with Perforated PVC Pipes to reduce Water Consumption in Pistachio Orchards
In this system water is conveyed from the source to the subsurface gravity pipes that are perforated around the root zone of the trees. There are also vertical tubes installed for ventilation. It resulted in a 25% reduction in water consumption (about 1,800 m3/ha) and a 62% increase in water use efficiency compared to flood irrigation. |
2019 | China |
Water and Salt Regulation Scheme Under Mulched Drip Irrigation for Cotton in Arid Regions
Mulched Drip Irrigation (MDI), a surface drip irrigation method combined with film of both saving water and labour and increasing crop yields |
|
2018 | Australia |
Mr. John Hornbuckle, Mr. Jamie Vleeshouwer and Ms. Janelle Montgomery |
IrriSAT, a weather-based irrigation management and benchmarking technology app providing site-specific crop water management information across large spatial scales at fine resolution using remote sensing
IrriSAT (https://irrisat-cloud.appspot.com) is a weather-based irrigation management and benchmarking technology app that uses remote sensing to provide site specific crop water management information across large spatial scales at fine resolution. |
2017 | Australia |
Mr. Chris Norman and Mr. Carl Walters |
Developing ?Water Savings Calculator? for estimating water savings
The water savings calculator builds on over 20 years of irrigated agricultural research and is an innovative way of using data to determine the water savings of each project proposed. |
2016 | China |
Prof. Li Jiusheng |
Innovation and Extension of Sprinkler and Micro Irrigation Technologies in China
A software package to determine net loss under varying environments and operation conditions of sprinkler irrigation systems was developed and registered. Introduction of variable rate irrigaation (VRI) system in China. |
2015 | China |
Mr. Li Xinjian |
Water Saving, Pollution Prevention and Emission Reduction of Paddy Rice
|
2014 | USA |
Er. Jeff Shaw and Todd Kotey |
Benefits of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District's Pilot Pressure Irrigation Project
|
2013 | China |
Prof. Yi Yongqing |
Thin and exposed irrigation
|
2012 | China |
Prof. Peng Shizhang |
Theory and technology of controlled irrigation of rice in China
|
2011 | South Africa |
Messrs Pieter S van Heerden and Charles T Crosby |
SAPWAT 3: Irrigation Water Planning Tool
|
2010 | UK |
Dr. Keith Weatherhead, Mr. Melvyn Kay and Dr. Jerry Knox |
Irrigation water security: promoting on-farm reservoirs in the UK
|
2009 | Pakistan |
Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad |
Wheat Bed Planter
|
2008 | India |
Dr. Yella Reddy, Mr. Satyanarayana and Mrs.G Andal |
Micro Irrigation: A Technology for Prosperity
|
2007 | Brazil |
Messrs Werner and Herbert Arns |
Growing Rice with Pivots ? A Step Towards Water Conservation
|
2006 | China |
Prof. Kang Shaozhong |
Contributions and Achievements to Water-savings in Agriculture
|
2004 | Turkmenistan |
Mr. Omar Redjepow |
Efficient Water and Resource-saving Technique of Soils Pre-sowing Treatment Under Winter Wheat Cultivation Conditions
|
2003 | Australia |
Dr. Richard John Stirzaker |
Wetting Front Detector: A New Tool to Help Farmers Save Water [ Winner of the People's Choice Award for the best presentation at Irrigation Australia Conference ]
|
2002 | UK |
Mr. Robert E. Merry |
Dripping with success- The Challenges of an Irrigation Redevelopment Project
|
2001 | South Korea |
Prof. Tai Cheol Kim |
Rotational irrigation scheduling in a rice paddy with the operation rule curve of an irrigation reservoir
|
2000 | China |
Prof. Mao Zhi |
Water Efficient Irrigation and Environmentally Sustainable Irrigated Rice Production in China
|
Young Professional Awards+
Year | Country | Winner | Title |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Iran |
Mr. Mohammad Sadegh Keshavarz, and Dr. Hamed Ebrahimian |
Reduction of Water and Phosphorous Losses and Soil Erosion by Micro-Dams in Furrow Irrigation
Micro-dams were built as water barriers inside the irrigated furrows to reduce surface water velocity and consequently reduce runoff and soil erosion losses in open-end furrows. The ‘effectiveness of micro-dams in controlling erosion’ technique can be adequately used for sloping areas where the soil is prone to erosion. |
2019 | Iran |
Applications of constant flow rate control valve in water saving
Mechanical Choked Orifice Plate (MCOP) is a discharge control valve. MCOP includes a float-spring blockage system inserted into an ordinary orifice that maintains a quasi-constant flow by being insensitive to both upstream and downstream pressure fluctuations. |
|
2018 | Iran |
Amirali Fatahi; Fatemah Sadat Mortazavizadeh |
Significant savings in irrigation water by adding fuel from livestock wastes to agricultural land
The fuel was used from furnaces, baking ovens, heaters, etc. to provide heat energy. The ashes which are produced from burning of this fuel mainly consist of silica compound, which is called "Koul? (in local language), and has structural differences with charcoal ash. |
2017 | Iran |
Mr. Mahdi Sarai Tabrizi |
Saving Water up to 10% Using the Proposed Micro-Lysimeter
The drainage-weighted micro-lysimeter is designed considering simplicity and accurate measurement of crop water requirements based on water and soil balance equation with relatively cheap equipment compared with the two common measuring methods. |
2016 | Egypt |
Dr Mohamed Elsayed Abdell Rahman Albaumy Elhagarey |
Save Irrigation Water Using the Innovative Machine of Soil and Water Management for Rice Crop Cultivation (SWMR)
Modified method of rice cultivation in the bottom and strips which saves a lot of water and at the same time reduces the used land area according to the description of a new method. This method will also save water, nutrients, time, efforts, and operating costs. |
2009 | Australia |
Dr. Malcolm Gillies |
Development and application of innovative and advanced simulation tools for the evaluation and optimization of surface irrigation systems
|
2008 | Australia |
Dr. Amgad Elmahdi |
Water Banking ? Conjunctive Water Use Management Approach for Water Saving and Improve Productivity and Environmental Performance
|
2006 | India |
Ms. Neelam Patel |
Water Banking ? Micro Irrigation A technology to save water
|
2005 | Egypt |
Dr. Mohamed Maher Mohamed Ibrahim |
Water Banking ? Computer-Aided Mapping Irrigation Scheduling for the Arab Republic of Egypt
|
2004 | Spain |
Dr. Juan Antonio Rodriguez Diaz |
IGRA: An Approach for the Application of the Benchmarking Initiative to Irrigation Areas
|
2003 | USA |
Mr. Tony L. Wahl |
IGRA: Contribution in the field of flow measurement, canal system modernization and operations improvements, debris and fish screening at irrigation diversions, hydrology, and improved hydraulic laboratory techniques
|
2002 | India |
Dr. Ashutosh Upadhyaya |
A Scientific Approach for Water Management in Rice Fields
|
2001 | India |
Er. Sanjay M. Belsare |
Participatory Irrigation Management in Katepurna Irrigation Project: A Success Story
|
1999 | China |
Dr. Gao Zhanyi |
Decision-Making Support System for Irrigation Water management of Jingtai Chuan Pumping Irrigation?The scheme at the Upper Reaches of Yellow River
|