Transdisciplinary approach for planning the expansion of irrigation infrastructure at a regional scale

The focus on irrigation infrastructure development in countries like India, including a significant allocation of the government's budget, highlights the importance of achieving a high benefit-cost ratio for these projects. However, past reviews have revealed instances where irrigation projects yielded low benefits. To address this issue and ensure a more effective evaluation of future projects, it is crucial to develop multi-criteria and transdisciplinary approaches. In the context of Telangana, India, a study was conducted to determine cultivable land using a multi-criteria and transdisciplinary approach. This approach aimed to provide assistance to managers involved in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of irrigation schemes. The study was undertaken as part of the Indian Young Water Professionals (IYWP) training program in 2022. The project followed a journey outlined within this paper as part of the training program. It utilized the Situation Understanding and Improvement Project (SUIP) as an inquiry-based learning design program. This initiative facilitated the understanding and implementation of transdisciplinary learning approaches learned during the training program. The SUIP project demonstrated the benefits of incorporating a multi-criteria framework, known as the [I]NSPECT model, into the decision-making process. The [I]NSPECT model considers various perspectives, including individual, natural, social, political, economic, cultural, and technical factors. By incorporating these perspectives, the decision-making process becomes more comprehensive and holistic. Overall, this study highlights the importance of adopting multi-criteria and transdisciplinary approaches for evaluating irrigation projects. By incorporating diverse perspectives and considering various factors, it becomes possible to enhance the effectiveness of decision-making processes in the realm of irrigation infrastructure development. The study concluded that the absence of transdisciplinary approaches, the inefficient techno-managerial performance of governmental workplaces, and the non-use of technological advancements to the fullest are primary reasons for gaps in the irrigation potential created and utilized in the State.