Drip Irrigation Technique: Save both water and money with drip irrigation, know the benefits of drip irrigation technology

Drip Irrigation Technique: In today’s time, there has been a lot of progress in the agriculture area as well. There are a large number of farmers who are using technology a lot and this is increasing their income. Here we are going to talk about drip irrigation system or drip irrigation technique. With its help, the farmer can save his expenses, time and water. This technology benefits the most those farmers where there is a shortage of water. Drip irrigation i.e. drip irrigation technique can be done very easily in fields, gardens.

Need of Drip Irrigation 

Let us tell you that there is a report of NITI Aayog in which it has been emphasized that India is going to face a huge shortage of water in the future. In this report, it has been clearly stated that by the year 2050, the availability of water for agriculture in the country will be only 68 percent. More than 6,000 areas of the country have been declared black zones. That is why many scientists of India have emphasized the need to bring down the water consumption on agricultural land to below 50 percent on the basis of this report. For this, focus is being placed on Drip Irrigation Technique.

Drip Irrigation System for Farming 

Drip irrigation technique is a system of irrigation that irrigates the entire field with very little amount of water. In this system, water is used only as per the need of irrigation. This system saves wastage of water. In drip irrigation technique, water droplets fall on the plants in the fields with light speed. Water reaches the roots directly. Through this system, water reaches the plants and crops in the fields through drains or pipes.

Components of Drip Irrigation System 

The main components of the drip irrigation system include pipeline, sub-main pipeline, drippers, valves, and filters. Water from the main pipeline goes to the sub-main pipeline from where it is delivered to the roots of the plants through drippers. Valves and filters play an important role in controlling the quantity and quality of water in this system.

Pipeline: It carries water from the source to the plants. These pipelines are available in various sizes and materials, which are selected according to the crop and area.

Drippers or Emitters System: This is the second major component. These are small nozzles attached to the pipeline and deliver water to the roots of the plants in controlled quantities. The specialty of drippers is that they reduce water wastage and provide the required moisture to the plants.

Valves: These control the water flow. They are used to ensure the distribution of water in each part of the pipeline. Various types of valves such as manual, electric and solenoid valves are used according to various agricultural needs.

Filters: These work to remove impurities present in the water, so that the connection between the drippers and the pipeline remains intact. Various types of filters such as screen filters, sand filters and disc filters are used according to the quality and source of water.

Apart from these, the drip irrigation system also has devices like pressure regulators, connectors and timers, which help in running it smoothly.

History of Drip Irrigation 

Facing the water shortage in Israel, Israeli engineer Simka Blog invented the drip irrigation technique in 1964. He observed that the growth of plants from the water coming out of the pipe is more than the plants in other areas. Seeing this, he developed the drip irrigation system.

How many types of drip irrigation are there? (Types Of Drip Irrigation)

Subsurface Drip Irrigation (Drip Irrigation Technique)

Subsurface Drip Irrigation (Subsurface Drip Irrigation) is an irrigation technique in which water is delivered directly to the roots of the plants. In this, water is distributed below the surface of the land through a network of small drippers (drop emitters). The purpose of this technique is to save water and deliver appropriate amount of water to the plants as per their need.

Drip Irrigation Technique 

Top Feed Drip Irrigation (Top Feed Drip Irrigation) is also an irrigation technique, in which drippers are used to deliver water to the roots of the plants. In this, water is given to the plants through drippers installed on the surface of the land. This technique can be easily used for small farms as well as flowers, garden plants and leafy vegetables. 

Benefits of Drip Irrigation System 

Where there is scarcity of water, drip irrigation is the best and useful technique. Water does not get wasted with this, it goes directly to the roots of the plants.

With drip irrigation technique, you do not need to stay in the field during watering. You just have to set the time and open the tank or tap for water to go. Water automatically reaches the roots of the crop.

Labour is required to irrigate large fields. By adopting this system, you will not have to keep labour, which means the cost of labour will be saved.

With the help of drip irrigation technique, farmers can also put fertilizer in their fields. But liquid nutrients are used for this. Farmers can mix it in water and supply it to the fields through pipes.

Automatic Drip Irrigation & Fertigation System 

In the fertigation technique of irrigation, fertilizers are mixed in the irrigation water itself. Then with the help of interceptors, fertilizers are delivered directly to the plants through drippers.

The fertilizers used for plants with the help of drip irrigation technique should be completely soluble in water.

Nitrogen fertilizers include ammonium sulphate, ammonium chloride, calcium, nitrate, diammonium phosphate, potassium nitrate, urea, which dissolve easily in water. Plants get nutrition from nitrogen. All these dissolve easily in water, which are used in drip irrigation technique.

At the same time, many phosphorus-rich fertilizers also dissolve in water. It reaches the roots of the plants with the help of drip irrigation.

Muriate of potash and potassium sulphate fertilizers are water soluble, so they are easily used in drip irrigation technology.

Emphasis on the use of drip irrigation 

The Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi has also urged farmers to adopt drip irrigation system in farming to reduce costs and increase production. In places of India where there is water shortage, drought, drip irrigation is being promoted under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. This saves water, as well as reduces the cost of irrigation.

Subsidy and grants for drip irrigation (Subsidy on Drip Irrigation Method)

The Government of India and many state governments give subsidies and grants to farmers for drip irrigation so that they can adopt this technology to conserve water and promote agricultural production. These subsidies and grants are given under many schemes and programs.

Major Scheme on Irrigation of Central Government 

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): The objective of this scheme is to provide ‘water to every farm’ and reduce water wastage. Under this scheme, subsidy is given to farmers for drip irrigation system. The amount of subsidy depends on the category of land and the category of the farmer (small, marginal, or general).

Frequently asked questions about drip irrigation system 

Question: What is drip irrigation system?

Answer: Drip irrigation system is a technique in which water is delivered directly to the roots of the plants. In this, water is released slowly and in controlled amounts through drippers, which reduces water wastage and plants get water as per their requirement.

Question: What are the benefits of drip irrigation system?

Answer: The main benefits of drip irrigation system are:

Water savings

Efficient use of fertilizers

Healthy growth of plants

Increase in production

Weed control

Water resource management

Question: How much does a drip irrigation system cost?

Answer: The cost of a drip irrigation system depends on the size of the land, type of crop and the components of the system. Generally, it can cost from Rs 30,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per hectare.

Question: Is drip irrigation system suitable for all types of crops?

Answer: Yes, drip irrigation system is suitable for a variety of crops, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, and horticultural crops. The spacing of drippers and the amount of water can be adjusted for each crop.

Question: By what other names is drip irrigation known?

Answer: Drip irrigation is also known as drip irrigation and drop-drop irrigation.

Question: What is required to install a drip irrigation system?

Answer: Things required to install a drip irrigation system:

Land inspection and planning

Equipment and materials required (drippers, pipelines, filters, etc.)

Water source (well, borewell, pond, etc.)

Help of a trained technician or expert

Question: How much subsidy is available for drip irrigation system?

Answer: The amount of subsidy depends on the schemes of the central and state government. Usually, farmers can get a subsidy of 50% to 90%. Small and marginal farmers are given higher subsidy.