by Introduction
Agriculture forms an important part of the economy and livelihood of many countries. At the same time, the demand for food is also steadily increasing with the rise in population. One way to boost agricultural production is through efficient irrigation which ensures steady supply of water to farms. Modern irrigation machinery plays a vital role in improving irrigation processes and maximizing crop yields. This article explores some common irrigation machinery used across the globe and their benefits.
Pumps
Pumps are one of the most basic yet essential components of any irrigation system. They are used to draw water from its source such as wells, rivers, lakes, ponds etc and transfer it through pipelines to irrigate fields. Different types of pumps are used for irrigation including diesel pumps, electric pumps, centrifugal pumps and submersible pumps.
Diesel pumps are popular in rural agricultural areas where electricity supply is not available or sufficient. They have high discharge capacities and can lift water from greater depths compared to other pump types. However, they require diesel as fuel which increases production costs.
Electric pumps run on electrical power. They have lower installation and running costs compared to diesel pumps. However, their use depends on reliable electricity supply. Centrifugal pumps have good discharge rates and suitable for both shallow and deep wells. Submersible pumps come as a combined unit of motor and pump which can be lowered and operated directly inside tube wells. They do not require long drive shafts and are suitable for deep tube wells.
Sprinklers and Drip Irrigation Systems
Moving beyond traditional flood irrigation methods, sprinklers and drip irrigation systems have revolutionized irrigation practices globally. They ensure water is applied directly to crop root zones in controlled amounts through a network of pipes, tubes and emitters. This reduces water wastage significantly.
Sprinkler Irrigation Machinery systems work by spraying water through a set of sprinklers installed on risers above the crop field. They are suitable for various field crops and orchards. The common types include portable sprinklers useful for small fields and pivot and lateral move systems ideal for large tracts of land.
Drip irrigation systems take water application precision a step further by dripping water slowly at plant roots through a network of valves, filters, pipes and emitters. They find widespread use in orchards, vegetable gardens, greenhouses etc. Comparing to other methods, drip irrigation ensures over 90% water application efficiency and higher yields due to controlled fertilizer dosage.
Soil Moisture Monitoring
Judicious use of irrigation water is the need of the hour. Modern techniques help optimize water and fertilizer usage through soil moisture monitoring. Devices like tensiometers, gypsum blocks and soil moisture sensors give real-time soil moisture readings that guide irrigation scheduling decisions. Wireless sensor networks are also gaining popularity that can transmit soil moisture data from multiple sensor nodes to a central control unit.
Precision Irrigation
Precision irrigation leverages technologies like GPS, sensors and VRT (variable rate technology) to disburse water and agrochemicals precisely as per spatial soil variability and crop needs within a field. Variable rate center pivots and lateral move systems adjust flow rates automatically at different zones of a field based on GPS-guided soil moisture maps. This ensures no area remains under-irrigated or over-irrigated. Precision irrigation saves around 30% water compared to conventional irrigation.
Micro Irrigation for High Value Crops
Micro irrigation techniques like drip and micro-sprinklers are best suited for high value crops like fruits, vegetables, Floriculture where precise water and fertilizer application makes high returns. Drippers, emitters and micro sprays deliver tiny water volumes close to plant roots actively facilitating their uptake. This helps negate effects of water scarcity and maintain optimum soil moisture levels even in arid regions. Micro irrigation significantly boosts yields by 30-100% and also widens crop choices. Advanced micro irrigation systems now feature inline and self-cleaning filters, flushing valves and dripline repairs making them maintenance-friendly.
Conclusion
Modern irrigation machinery has transformed the field of agriculture and enabled producers to grow more crops with less water. Advanced technologies like sensors, VRT and micro-irrigation have automated irrigation management. Going forward, trends like use of renewable energy for operating irrigation pumps, integrated soil-crop weather advisory systems will further refine irrigation practices. By integrating advanced machinery into their farming operations, agriculturalists can achieve higher yields in a sustainable manner. This will ensure global food security even as water resources face increasing stresses.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
