Climate change, water supply and continued population growth have intensified the search for measures to conserve water in irrigated culture. As prolonged droughts continue ravaging the country, farmers are turning to irrigation farming for increased production. More units of water used in production mean increased cost of production.
Water competition for human and animal consumption calls for measures of conserving the little available water for irrigation. This measure can help farmers conserve up to 40% of irrigated water.
Use of Drip irrigation
Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that has the potential to save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface.
This type of irrigation prevents disease by minimizing water contact with the leaves, stems and fruits of plants. Allows the rows between plants to remain dry, improving access and reducing weed growth. It also saves time, money and water because the system is efficient.
However, the cost of installation is high and most farmers cannot afford it. This calls for Subsidies to farmers who convert from surface to drip irrigation. Research shows that farmers will invest in technologies that reduce water application when faced with lower financial costs for converting to drip irrigation. Request quote for drip irrigation and plastic mulch.
Subsidies for drip irrigation increase farm income, raise the value of food production and reduce the amount of water applied to crops. Read also: Ways of cutting costs in farming
Rainwater harvesting and conservation
Due to climate change, heavy rainfalls with flush floods are experienced after long droughts. This water ends up in oceans and seas unused. Farmers in arable and arid areas therefore should construct water reservoirs and water harvesting measures.
The harvested water is later used for irrigation in the dry season. This lowers the cost of purchasing water for irrigation and the general cost of production.
Mulching
Mulching involves covering the base of the plant with dry foliar such as grass to prevent moisture loss from the soil. This reduces the amount of water used for irrigation and also the cost of production in the long run.
Organic mulch improves soil fertility and soil structure as the organic mulch used decomposes and it adds nutrients to the soil. This enhances crop growth.
It inhibits weeds’ growth in farms, therefore lowering competition for nutrients. For large-scale farmers, synthetic or plastic mulch can be used. Plastic mulch is fitted before planting and after the installation of drip lines and later planting.
Plastic mulch inhibits total weed growth and therefore no weeding. Research has shown that plastic mulch helps to conserve up to 30% of the water used in irrigation.
Use of manure
Cow farm yard manure and compost manure have the ability to improve water retention in the soil.
The application of cow manure in sandy or clay soil also helps to improve its structure and nutrient content. Crops planted with manure have shown faster growth rates even in dry seasons as it conserves/retains soil water for use by the crops.
The amount of water used for irrigation in manure-applied fields in dry seasons is often lower by over 10% compared to fields where there was no application of manure.
Conservation agriculture and zero tillage
This is the form of agriculture that involves zero or no disturbance of the soil. Conservation agriculture works by reducing the level of soil evaporation. This leaves enough moisture in the soil for use by crops.
This is very effective in only cereals and should not be practised for long seasons as it can lead to the development of hard pans on the soil. Hard pads prevent nutrients and water movement in the soil leading to crop growth.
Zero tillage is not recommended for horticultural crops and especially tuber crops.
Night irrigation
Soil evaporation is lowest at night. Irrigating at night gives the plant enough time to absorb enough water and nutrients that sustain itself during the hot day. The rate of crop growth is also high for these crops too.
If all these measures are combined, the farmer can manage to conserve up to 50% water used. This doubles the time frame or land size the farmer can do his production with the limited amount of water.
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