Irrigation operations are extensive and complex. Prior to 2005, the Irrigation Association (the predecessor of this office) primarily recorded information such as administrative divisions, irrigation facilities, and land parcel locations on paper maps within irrigation districts. However, paper maps had limitations in the amount of information they could capture, and overlapping datasets with differing precision made them difficult to use effectively. Additionally, maps were often lost due to staff turnover.
2005–2010
Traditional methods of irrigation management could no longer meet the needs of modernized operations. In 2005, the Ministry of Agriculture began promoting the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) within the Irrigation Association. Annual GIS training courses were held to build grassroots workers' spatial data management capabilities, enabling them to use GIS tools and techniques independently. Each workstation started compiling spatial data, such as cadastral information, irrigation and drainage channels, and hydraulic structures. In 2008, the Internet-based Irrigation Geographic Information System (iGIS) was developed. Standardized environmental data from various projects were integrated into the system's database, and iGIS went live in January 2010.
2015
With technological advancements, particularly in mobile devices, the irrigation sector shifted to a new management model. However, the original iGIS system components and modules gradually became insufficient to meet operational needs. To better leverage the capabilities of iGIS, the Irrigation Association, with funding from the Ministry of Agriculture, implemented ArcGIS for Server as the development platform for the new iGIS 2.0 starting in 2015. This updated platform allowed centralized management of all services, including maps and images, and offered cross-platform functionality. It also supported data security measures, such as map clipping, data encryption, and time-sensitive data management. These improvements enabled staff to perform spatial data queries, edits, updates, and value-added analyses using modern technology, enhancing management efficiency and achieving the goal of digitizing irrigation management.
In recent years, the Yilan Management Office has actively pursued the digitalization of various operational aspects. We have developed and implemented numerous Irrigation Management Information Systems (MIS), yielding significant positive outcomes. The introduction of iGIS 2.0 provided an opportunity to enhance integration between our MIS and GIS platforms. With support from the Agricultural Engineering Research Center, we developed API modules for bidirectional data transfer and cross-platform interfacing, substantially strengthening the synergy between MIS and GIS systems.
As a result of these improvements, staff are no longer confined to specific devices or systems when using GIS capabilities. They can now access appropriate tools from any location at any time, greatly enhancing operational convenience. Additionally, we introduced a mobile integrated system featuring a versatile query application, allowing colleagues to instantly access spatial map data and relevant MIS information during on-site inspections, surveys, and data entry processes.
We also leveraged map tiling techniques to provide a variety of map services and spatial analysis capabilities, comprehensively improving system performance and efficiency.
2020
In 2020, through a project funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, we implemented a Web GIS model using Portal for ArcGIS and ArcGIS for Server. This model allows all staff at the management office to access the same set of spatial data, including information on irrigation and drainage channels and hydraulic structures, in a collaborative environment. GIS specialists can provide technical expertise while colleagues with limited GIS knowledge can still use the system and offer feedback via the Web GIS platform. Furthermore, desktop GIS, tablets, and smartphone applications can interact with the Portal to search, use, and connect to maps and other spatial data.
Looking ahead, digitalization has become an essential tool for enhancing management effectiveness across industries, and GIS will be a key component in advancing information-based management. As GIS technology continues to evolve, its range of applications will expand. In the future, irrigation management will build upon these foundations to enter an era of cloud-based integrated applications. Leveraging the centralized, shared, and highly efficient characteristics of cloud computing will enable more comprehensive management of agricultural water resources.