Abstract
The demand upon irrigated agriculture to modernize to improve productivity is increasing. This paper defines some of the key challenges the irrigation experts face in responding to this societal demand on irrigation, with a focus on water delivery. Histories of management and design in irrigation engineering still influence current perceptions of irrigation, although new ideas from research have influenced the ways irrigation management has developed in the last 30 years. Currently, modernization of irrigation is understood as transforming irrigation management to enable it to serve the demands of farmers. The position of irrigation experts changed from being the main person responsible for an entire production system to being a service‐oriented manager. Taking into account farmer demand and responses to water deliveries is still a challenge for many agencies. The paper argues that, even though farmer interventions are not always appropriate, farmer interventions are to be taken as standard in irrigation. Engineers should ensure that systems deliver what is asked for, through selecting physical components within a clearly defined operational strategy. Such a service‐oriented approach demands irrigation experts with high technical qualifications in hydraulics and hydrology. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.