With years of advancements in the technology domain, the world is progressing towards sustainable development one such method is drip irrigation. Farming took its roots 12,000 years ago and since then a lot has changed. It is high time now that the idea of sustainable development should reach out to the masses and shouldn’t be limited to class 5th social science books.
But why are we concerned with it? Consider a few more questions. What is the use? and how are our daily lives going to be affected? This article discusses answers to all such questions. Let’s find out.
Drip irrigation is one of those methods in which the plants are watered drop by drop onto the roots at a very low water rate.
It is one of the most efficient water and nutrient delivery systems for growing crops. In this way, each plant gets what it needs and there’s no wastage of water.
Sprinklers on the other hand are one of the easiest and cheap options but they account for a lot of water loss. Thus drip irrigation came into the picture. Thanks to drip irrigation farmers can now produce higher output while saving on water.
How does it work?
The dripper lines are also known as drippers featuring smaller units known as drippers that deliver water across the fields. Water and fertilizer are given to the plants drop by drop. The fertilizer comes mixed with water. This results in the uniform application of water and nutrients directly to each plant’s root.
This works for the entire field and in this way, a lot of fertilizer and water is prevented from being wasted.
Farmers prefer Drip Irrigation
The reason for opting for drip irrigation is quite simple. Drip irrigation offers a better ROI compared to other forms of irrigation methods. Farmers do find it easier, efficient, and simple to operate their farms this way.
A few points to be covered here are :
- Yields are comparatively higher with better quality and are consistent.
- A considerable amount of water can be saved, with no evaporation, no runoff, and no waste.
- Land utilization is ideal. Drip irrigation distributes uniformly in any topography and soil type.
- Drip irrigation works on low pressure and therefore a huge amount of energy is being saved.
- Generally leaching highly affects yields. With drip irrigation crop protection can be effectively implemented.
- Also, drip irrigation comes with advantages like less weather dependency, greater stability, and lower risks.
Plants love Drip Irrigation
Just like humans, plants like their nutrients to be served in a balanced way. Plants do like to be treated like humans and don’t want to eat everything at once. There’s a capacity for everything and everyone. In drip irrigation, water and nutrients are delivered appropriately.
Here is why plants are more effective producers with drip irrigation
- When an unnecessary amount of water is delivered to the plants, fungal diseases can spread easily. Drip irrigation eliminates this advantage.
- Water runoff isn’t a problem anymore. Therefore the availability of water and nutrients is high.
- Soil aeration is better and saturation is minimum or negligible.
- Water is delivered according to the plant’s development needs.
A few Cons
No doubt drip irrigation is one of the best methods. But we have to acknowledge the fact that there are a few disadvantages to it.
- To implement a drip irrigation layout you need to prepare for the high initial cost
- The tubes used to deliver water to the plants, which require maintenance, are shortened by the Sun.
- Clogging is a problem you’ll be most worried about. If the filtration is not done properly the pipes can choke due to the growth of mosses and lichens.
- Salinity problems.
- High skills are required to use drip irrigation. Farmers must be fully educated about drip irrigation and its advantages.
- Moisture distribution is fairly uneven.
Sustainable Development: The world is asking for it
Sustainable development is a global goal. The United Nation adopted sustainable development goals in the year 2015 as a universal call to action. This is done to protect the planet and ensure that by 2030 all the people enjoy peace and prosperity. Since everyone should enjoy peace and prosperity.
According to a report by 2050, the world would be filled with 10 billion people. As we know that the groundwater levels are decreasing at an alarming rate this would lead to water scarcity sooner than predicted. It’s very much visible why we need a way to increase agricultural productivity and resource efficiency.
Drip irrigation allows for a higher amount of production and resource efficiency.
- Saving water can have a huge impact to reduce drought and climatic change.
- Leaching caused by fertilizers contaminates groundwater and rivers, so drip irrigation is worth it.
- Indirectly this helps in reducing poverty and in this way rural communities can be supported.
