SEVAI Experinces- Drip irrigation is a highly efficient irrigation method well suited to many vegetables.

SEVAI experiences drip irrigation in vegetable cultivation

SEVAI, NGO as supported by Society General experiences that Drip irrigation is a highly efficient irrigation method well suited to many vegetables. Drip tubing or tape discharges water to the soil through emitters positioned close to the plant. Among many horticultural technologies, drip irrigation has demonstrated that it can replace time-consuming tasks of hand irrigation and fertilization, while increasing yield, reducing pest problems, and saving water. Drip irrigation has also been found to increase farmers' productivity and income and to enhance their happiness by reducing drudgery, decreasing workload, improving health, and saving time for other practical. Drip irrigation, also known as "trickle" irrigation, is the latest method of water management. Under this system, water is carried to the plant under low pressure, through small diameter plastic pipes and delivered at the root zone, drop by drop through drippers. It is most suited for horticulture crops, vegetables etc. and finds applicability in hard rock areas where groundwater is scarce and helps in optimization of the limited water resources. Its advantages are in terms of savings of water of that required for flow irrigation, effective use of fertilizers, less labour and energy cost. SEVAI’s experience so far has shown no decrease in yields for vegetable crops using conservation agriculture and drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is the most efficient method of irrigating. What that means is

Vegetable harvesting

much less wasted water. It is also easy to install, easy to design, can be very inexpensive, and can reduce disease problems associated with high levels of moisture on some plants. Other advantages are: Fertilizer and nutrient loss is minimized due to localized application and reduced leaching, Field leveling is not necessary, Soil erosion is lessened, Weed growth is lessened, Water distribution is highly uniform, Variation in supply can be regulated by regulating the valves and drippers. The designs of the drip system especially the layout, size and length of mains, sub-mains, laterals etc. based on land. A drip irrigation system requires certain basic data information to plan its layout and ensure trouble free operation. A command area map giving systems layout is necessary to plan and design a drip irrigation system. It may not be necessary to have a detailed contour plan but it is helpful if a plan showing the highest and lowest points along with well location is given in the scheme. This enables proper design of main line and laterals to suit the spacing and number of plants.-Kris