Drip irrigation: a sustainable way for irrigation
by: Harinder Singh, Agriculture consultant Mob 9599662285;
Himanshi Kholiya, Student, GBPUA&T Mob. 9258199383
Land water are the basic needs for agriculture. More than 80% of the country’s potable water is consumed by agriculture sector. Drip irrigation stands out as a revolutionary method in modern agriculture, transforming the way crops receive water. This precise and efficient technique has become increasingly popular due to its numerous benefits, addressing water scarcity concerns and promoting sustainable farming practices. At its core, drip irrigation involves the controlled delivery of water directly to the base of plants through a network of tubing and emitters. Unlike traditional irrigation methods that can lead to water wastage through evaporation or runoff, drip irrigation minimizes water usage by providing a slow and steady supply directly to the roots.
Facts and figures
In India, the agricultural land covered under micro irrigation is 12,908.44 thousand ha in drip irrigation is 6,112.05 thousand ha and sprinkler irrigation is 6,796.39 thousand ha(https://www. thehindubusinessline.com). This means that out of total irrigated land in the country, only 19 per cent is under micro-irrigation. The coverage of area under drip irrigation was higher in Andhra Pradesh (25.3%) followed by Maharashtra (23.6%), Gujarat (13.6%), and Punjab (1.17%) (https://www.niti.gov). The state that mostly uses drip irrigation in India is Maharashtra. Drip irrigation has been widely adopted in Maharashtra due to its water-saving benefits and suitability for crops like sugarcane, grapes, and vegetables. The Drip Irrigation Market is projected to reach US$ 23,313.57 million by 2028 from US$ 9,287.67 million in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.9% from 2022 t02028. https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/dripirrigation-market.
Benefits
Drip technology saves upto 80% water in comparison to surface method of irrigation and lead to yield increment of upto 50% which varies from crop to crop. It was found that there is yield increment of 29% in sugarcane just by changing method of irrigation to drip. The average yield of sugarcane in Udham Singh Nagar area for sugarcane is 400 quintals per acre, so a farmer can increase its yield to 516qn just by switching to Drip irrigation system, which converts to benefit of Rs 40,600. So the farmer can get 2-3 times return on the investment he does from his pocket i.e. 20% of project cost, rest 80% is borne by the Government.
The major benefits of Drip irrigation are:
1)Water Efficiency: Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plant roots, minimizing water wastage.
2)Reduced Weed Growth: Targeted water delivery helps minimize moisture in non-crop areas.
3)Conservation of Resources: The drip irrigation system runs at low pressure so there is no requirement for high power pumps and there is no wastage of fuel/electricity.
4)improved Plant Health:
Precise water application prevents water logging and soil erosion, contributing to better plant health and reduced susceptibility to diseases.
5)Nutrient Management: Precise control over nutrients can be done through the ventury system, promoting optimal plant nutrition and growth.
6)Time Efficiency: Automated drip systems save time for farmers by eliminating the need for manual watering, allowing them to focus on other aspects of crop management.
7)Adaptability: Drip irrigation can be adapted to various terrains and crop types.
8)High Yield: By maintaining a consistent soil moisture level, drip irrigation gives high yields and quality.
9)Cost Savings: Savings on water, labor, and energy make drip irrigation a cost-effective choice for farmers.
Government Subsidy_
In order to increase cultivable land under guaranteed irrigation, improve on-farm water usage efficiency, and implement sustainable water conservation measures, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was introduced in 2015—16. Government of India is giving a subsidy of 80% to farmers who want to set drip irrigation in their farms. Some State Governments also provide subsidies up to 90%, as in the case with Uttar Pradesh.
Conclusion
Despite of the several benefits and the monetary assistance by Government, the system is not widely adopted. The major reason behind the same is the lack of training to farmer to properly operate the Drip system.
There a startup company named FarmGuru based in Nanakmatta, Uttarakhand which is doing marvelous work in this regard, by delivering quality drip irrigation projects, providing proper training to farmers and also giving post implementation assistance. It is also helping farmers to market their produce too. Their work is showing a new ray of hope for the farmers and for agriculture industry as a whole. The company also offers an advanced Drip Automation System with 80% subsidy from NABARD. Empowering farmers with cost-effective solutions, the company strive to make precision agriculture accessible and impactful.