Agricultural sector consumes about 70% of Jordan's water resources. Efficient irrigation water use is a major national concern. This requires further development of irrigation water management.

Jordan Valley is one of the main irrigated agricultural areas in the country. In 1991, the irrigated area was about 32,300 ha with annual growth rate of 3.2%. Due to limited water resources; Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) had established a pressurized system for the conveyance of irrigation water. This system allows farmers to convert from conventional irrigation methods to modern drip and sprinkler systems. The pressurized system will also enables the JVA to keep the irrigation water in the network for 24 hours (continuous flow). Recently, most of the water that is delivered to farm gate is conveyed through pressurized pipelines. A total of 29,000 ha are equipped to receive water from the irrigation distribution network. Irrigation water scheduling is totally controlled by JVA through the existing irrigation water distribution system. Allocation by JVA do not take into consideration all of the factors which determines irrigation scheduling and crop water requirements on farm level such as: Soil type, Soil depth, Crop type, Stage of growth, Climatic zone, Water quality and Irrigation method. In fact, water is distributed according to allocation by JVA where special treatment is given to fruit trees growers according to a license given by JVA. This license enables farmers to get extra amounts of water than vegetable farms. Irrigation management efficiencies for CJV is reported to vary from 34% to 90%. Conventional surface irrigation systems were found to have an average irrigation management efficiency of 70%.

According to previous studies, the main factor contributing to low irrigation management efficiencies was attributed to lack of knowledge by farmers concerning crop water requirements and scheduling of irrigation water. Distribution uniformity of trickle system caused by emitters clogging problem as a result of unsuitable filtration system, and poor hydraulic design of the irrigation network.

Irrigation management efficiency could be significantly increased by improving technical background of farmers especially in the area of crop water requirements, and irrigation scheduling. This contribute to water saving, help expansion of irrigated areas, and enhance quality of environment.

For the above mentioned, NCARTT had established Irrigation Management Information project (IMIS) to over come these problems, and improve irrigation water management for saving water and improving agriculture production and quality, and minimize environmental hazardous.

The Irrigation Management Information System project can provide irrigation personnel (farmers) with real time estimates of irrigation requirements and scheduling. This will help to initiate and sustain a technology transfer program concerning the issues of when to irrigate and how much irrigation water on-farm level to maximize water use efficiency. The Beneficiaries of this project are Planners, Water Sector, Agriculture Sector, Farmers, National Economy, and Environment.