Why need of drip irrigation
” Water is a Universal Commodity & a Human Right”
Water is a finite natural resource. It is as Precious as Petroleum. While, Agriculture consumes 70% to 80% of available water on Earth, the remaining 20 % to 30% is utilized for Industrial & Civil purposes. As populations on Planet Earth are increasing, 2/3 of Human population & many areas are facing water shortages and periodic droughts. The Agricultural sector which accounts for large share in GDP of countries like India are hit seviourely by water shortages. These crises makes Drip irrigation system an attractive & promising tool for water management in agricultural sector. The traditional tools like - a hose and sprinkler, In-ground sprinkler systems, are proven to be costly and water wasting.
With a drip system, plants thrive with less water. A simple drip-irrigation system, can be adopted extensively in areas of acute water scacity & especially for Vegetation, Coconut trees, Flowers, Fruit trees e.g. Grapes, Bananas, Strawberries, Cotton & Sunflower, etc.
What is Drip Irrigation?
In short Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or microirrigation, is an irrigation method which saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.
(Typical setup of Drip Irrigation System)
Drip Irrigation method, also called drop by drop irrigation, and underground irrigation, functions as its name imply. Drop by drop, water is distributed to the active root zone of plants. This method, if managed properly, might be the most water-supply-efficient way of irrigation, because runoff and evaporation reduced significantly. Drip irrigation in today's agriculture, is frequently integrated with plastic sheet, further diminishing evaporation, and is also a method of fertilizers delivery to the plants
Advantages of drip irrigation
In addtion to the few of the Advantages mentioned above the most Important advantages of Drip Irrigation can listed as below -
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Up to 100% Productivity increase.
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Lower labour cost.
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High water application efficiency.
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Minimized fertilizer/nutrient loss due to localized application and reduced leaching.
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Leveling of the field not necessary. Inclined grounds & shallow lands can be irrigated.
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Ability to irrigate irregular shaped fields.
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Allows safe use of recycled water.
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Moisture within the root zone can be maintained at field capacity.
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Soil type plays less important role in frequency of irrigation.
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Minimized soil erosion.
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Possibility of use of water containing Salt & Soda.
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Highly uniform distribution of water i.e., controlled by output of each nozzle.
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Variation in supply can be regulated by regulating the valves and drippers.
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Fertigation can easily be included with minimal waste of fertilizers.
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Usually operated at lower pressure than other types of pressurised irrigation, reducing energy costs.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation System in terms of nos.
(Source : Progress report 2001, National Comittee on Plasticulture Applications in Horticulture, MOA, India)