On March 6 -7 UNDP in Armenia, jointly with the Lori and Shirak regional Water User`s Associations organized 2 trainings on utilization of GIS and AI technologies for updating existing irrigation norms. During the event, several presentations were made on project results, particularly regarding to pilot estimation of crop water requirements for updating relevant irrigation norms in selected areas of Lori and Shirak regions under changing climate conditions. 

The trainings were organized for the representatives of the Water Committee, Water User`s Associations (WUA) and interested local farmers within the frame of the “Transition to low carbon irrigation technologies for increased productivity, food security and enhanced livelihoods in Lori and Shirak regions of Armenia'' project, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP.

Main principles and methodology for irrigation norms were presented and a dedicated session was organized for utilization of GIS and remote sensing tools. UNDP GIS consultant explained the benefits of GIS in monitoring water irrigation dynamics with consideration of crops vegetation cycles. The analytical tools for measuring irrigation impact for last 20 years in target locations were also presented, based on which an analysis can be done for improvement of irrigation norms and processes for selected crops.

The participants highlighted the need for reviewing the applied irrigation norms and noted that it is necessary to develop a dynamic system that would enable water irrigation and process and management on regular basis, allow real impact monitoring of agricultural lands and establish relevant baseline for further improvement of irrigation norms. It was also mentioned that a system testing is required, only after which it will be possible to localize and officially update the discussed irrigation norms. 

The recommendations received from the training participants were formulated and provided to UNDP expert team for further integration into the assessment report.