%0 Journal Article
%@ 0790-0627
%A Moyo, M
%A Van Rooyen, A
%A Bjornlund, H
%A Parry, K
%A Stirzaker, R
%A Dube, T
%A Maya, M
%D 2020
%F icrisat:11550
%I Routledge
%J International Journal of Water Resources Development (TSI)
%K Irrigated agriculture, Soil and moisture monitoring tools,  Adaptive management, Zimbabwe
%P 1-25
%T The dynamics between irrigation frequency and soil nutrient management: transitioning smallholder irrigation towards more profitable and sustainable systems in Zimbabwe
%U http://oar.icrisat.org/11550/
%X Successful irrigated agriculture is underpinned by answering two  critical questions: when and how much to irrigate. This article quantifies  the role of the Chameleon and the Wetting Front Detector,  monitoring tools facilitating decision-making and learning about soilwater-  nutrient dynamics. Farmers retained nutrients in the root zone  by reducing irrigation frequency, number of siphons, and event  duration. Water productivity increased by more than 100% for farmers  both with and without monitoring tools. Transitioning smallholder  irrigation systems into profitable and sustainable schemes  requires investment in technology, farmers and institutions.  Importantly, technologies need embedding in a learning environment  that fosters critical feedback mechanisms, such as market  constraints.
%Z This research was part of project Increasing Irrigation Water Productivity in Mozambique, Tanzania  and Zimbabwe through On-Farm Monitoring, Adaptive Management and Agricultural Innovation  Platforms and funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research [grant no.  FSC/2013/006]. The project was also supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and  Ecosystems and CGIAR Fund Donors.