Florinsky, Igor 
al., 1999). The irrigation sector is often criticised for insufficient use of water resources. By 
comparing water diversions to consumptive use, estimates of water losses can be made. 
Irrigation water supply in Pakistan is based on equal access to all farmers. Without doubt, such novel 
aspiration is difficult to achieve, in any irrigation scheme in the world. Farmer communities often 
claim that they are not receiving the volume of water they are entitled to. The same discussion on 
water volumes occurs between fellow states sharing an international water course. Fig. 4 shows that 
the head end villages in the South-eastern Punjab receive systematically more water — the actual 
evapotranspiration is 3 to 4 mm d' at the end of the winter season - than the tail end farmers with an 
evapotranspiration of 2 mm d' (Alexandridris et al, 1999). Not only on one moment during a satellite 
flyover, but this trend was observed to hold for the entire irrigation season. The communities settling 
in the tail end can make a strong case now to their government if the images are given to them; they 
are right to complain. It is sour though, that academists working from advanced centers can see that 
they are shortened, and farmer communities don't know that this information is readily available. 
Actual Evapotranspiration 
Feb. 17, 1994 
    
Actual Evapatranspiration 
April 29, 1994 
  
   
  
Fig. 4: Consumptive use along distributaries in South eastern Punjab showing inequity access to 
diverted water volumes 
Case 4: Agricultural productivity in the Ganges Basin, India 
River basins with fertile alluvial soils are suitable for crop production and nations have to eat from 
basins. For reasons of food security, State and Federal governments need to be timely informed on the 
crop growth status. This is essential for food distribution, storage arrangement and in case of shortage, 
for timely purchasing food on the world market before prices rise up. A significant international food 
trade is expected to emerge in the 21* century. A crop growth monitoring system can help policy 
makers estimating the yields and understand whether trade with basin counterparts is necessary. It 
also provides interesting insights in yield gaps arising in the same agro-ecological production zone. 
The yield gap tells the possibilities of increased food production, provided the water is available. 
The wheat yield in part of the Ganges river basin in Nortwestern India was discussed. The yields in 
the state of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were different, in favour of Haryana The explanatory factors : 
have to be explored, and factors such as different water duties, geology, soil types and farm 
management are likely to play a role. Systematically, the highest yields occur close to the source of 
water at the foothills of the Himalya. But yields are also systematically higher at the left and right 
bank of the Yamuna river North of New Delhi. 
  
  
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXIII, Part B7. Amsterdam 2000. 447