Published Sep 26, 2023
Modern irrigation practices include drip, sprinkler, centre pivot, furrow, and terraced systems, offering various choices for efficient agricultural water management.
Drip irrigation, used in orchards and high-value crops, employs tubes with emitters for efficient water delivery, offering advantages like water conservation and deep root penetration.
With its fine spray delivery via pipes, Sprinkler irrigation is cost-effective and ideal for tree crops. It offers efficient water distribution and the flexibility to minimise evaporation by choosing watering times.
Supported by steel or aluminium towers, centre pivot irrigation covers large areas efficiently with even water distribution, reduced runoff, and energy-saving lower-pressure operation.
Furrow irrigation, involving small parallel water-filled channels, benefits various crops, especially row crops like corn and soybeans and flood-sensitive ones like tomatoes. It's cost-effective and time-saving.
Terrace irrigation, prevalent in hilly areas, employs stepped land to channel rainwater, preventing runoff and soil erosion while enhancing soil fertility and productivity.