Professional solutions to increase irrigation efficiency in agriculture

Professional irrigation efficiency solutions for agriculture

Improving Water Efficiency

Today, unfortunately, the entire world is discussing the scarcity of fresh water and the depletion of water reserves. Agriculture is one of the most water-consuming industries, which cannot be compared to other consumption models. Humans must produce food in order to survive, and this process consumes a significant amount of water. In this article, we will present professional solutions for increasing irrigation efficiency in agriculture. Continue to follow us.

 

 

One of the most recurring topics in articles and innovations from the last century is reducing water consumption and increasing irrigation efficiency. Today’s science and technology are constantly attempting to reduce and minimize water consumption. As previously stated, agriculture consumes a significant amount of water, and we must find a way to reduce consumption in this sector.

The goal of increasing agricultural irrigation efficiency

The goal of improving irrigation efficiency is to reduce water consumption in the agricultural sector while maintaining crop productivity at its peak. Water (and energy) efficient irrigation has numerous environmental and socioeconomic advantages. Because of the current scarcity of available water resources and the growing population, high irrigation efficiency is becoming increasingly important as agricultural activities expand.

 

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More efficient irrigation systems where the release of water can be controlled so that crops receive only the amount needed (such as pressurized irrigation systems such as drip irrigation) are examples of technological advances to improve irrigation in agriculture. Other self-propelled irrigation systems incorporate wireless sensors and GPS technology to improve spatial and volumetric accuracy of water applications to match soil and crop needs.

Changes in agricultural practices, such as crop rotation (planting crops according to seasons and soil conditions) and conservation tillage (leaving previous year’s crop residues in the field to reduce soil erosion and runoff), can also help improve irrigation efficiency.

How can the agricultural sector reduce water waste?

The transfer to the fields is the first place where water is wasted in agriculture. The waste of water in its transfer is undeniable, but it can be reduced with methods that increase irrigation efficiency. Methods such as transferring water in deep canals or covering and dredging these canals have been used for a long time and continue to be used.

Everything we do should be geared toward reducing water waste. Water transfer was done by surface and sub-surface piping as science advanced, but these methods are expensive, so many farmers still use traditional methods to transfer water.

Professional irrigation efficiency improvements

Irrigation efficiency measures are frequently implemented as part of a larger plan to improve water efficiency, so a diverse range of stakeholders are involved in planning. The following are professional solutions for increasing irrigation efficiency:

• The first step in improving and increasing the efficiency of irrigation in agricultural operations is to assess the current levels and costs of water and energy consumption related to irrigation and to pinpoint exactly where water and energy can be saved. The type of soil, crop desired, and water availability should then be evaluated in order to calculate the minimum water requirement and determine where it can be obtained, which should be done by an agricultural expert.
• Regular irrigation equipment monitoring and repair of damages/leaks in irrigation systems are also important in improving crop water consumption efficiency. Improving farmers’ access to this information through training programs can help motivate and influence farmers’ behavior toward more efficient water management in irrigation systems. Furthermore, operational and legal changes, such as the implementation of new water rights laws or the creation of incentives for optimal use, may be effective in improving irrigation efficiency.
• Educating farmers about the benefits and goals of the irrigation efficiency program is an important step in its development. These include lowering consumption, lowering costs, lowering energy requirements, maintaining productivity, and so on.

 

 

• Using remote technology to make irrigation systems smarter improves crop health. Imagine being able to identify challenges and problems earlier, or knowing the health of your crops without having to physically visit the farm. You gain more control and visibility over the performance of your crops by using irrigation technology.
• To maximize crop health, you can detect leaf surface health issues and identify growth projections. Increased irrigation efficiency is another advantage of remote irrigation system management. You can learn more about a smarter irrigation system from anywhere using your mobile phone, iPad, or desktop computer. You are always connected to your operation thanks to remote monitoring and irrigation management technology. From surveying your land to determining what is required.
• If the water source used in agricultural operations has a low flow rate, a pool must be built to store water and ensure that the optimal flow rate is used during irrigation. Because allocating its flow to a single irrigation unit causes irrigation issues. This makes irrigation much easier and more efficient.

Professional solutions to improve irrigation efficiency in agriculture

The use of subsurface irrigation improves irrigation efficiency in agriculture by eliminating evaporation and permeation to the lower layers of the plant, allowing all water to reach the plant’s roots. The soil’s absorption rate of nitrate, potassium, and phosphate is thus multiplied. It should be noted that the implementation of this irrigation method necessitates management, and its costs per hectare are slightly higher than those of other methods.

 

 

• Reduce wear and tear and downtime by more closely inspecting the health of agricultural irrigation systems. So you can identify potential equipment issues and keep your system running at peak efficiency.
• Implementation of irrigation method changes, such as the installation of new irrigation systems and equipment, equipment repair, land leveling, water conservation techniques, on-site water recycling facilities, and so on. Finally, to ensure high performance, a plan for monitoring, maintaining, and evaluating changes should be implemented.
• In some cases, irrigation is done more than the plant needs, and practically the water that is given to the ground penetrates deep into the ground and is out of reach of the plant. In contrast, it has been observed in other cases that irrigation is done less than the plant requires, reducing crop yield. As a result, the amount of irrigation must be adjusted to meet the needs of the plant.
• Some farms use earthen streams to transport water on the farm level, which results in a large amount of water seeping into the streams and being wasted. Plastic pipe water transfer is proposed as a solution to improve irrigation efficiency. This increases the input flow to each irrigation unit, making irrigation easier.
• The unevenness of the land on the plot, strip, or furrow surface also impedes the progress of water and irrigation operations. This is especially true if the main streams and water path are uneven. The proper slope of the land or the correction of the land slope has made irrigation easier and more efficient.

Environmental benefits of increasing irrigation efficiency in agriculture

1. It reduces the amount of water extracted for irrigation as well as the amount of water lost through surface runoff in fields, as well as evaporation and transpiration.
2. The energy required to pump and transport water to fields and gardens will be reduced as a result, and the carbon footprint will be reduced.
3. Reduced agricultural runoff reduces nutrient leaching and pollution in local watersheds.

Social and economic benefits of increasing irrigation efficiency in agriculture

1. It lowers the costs of extraction and transportation for irrigation.
2. It contributes to food security and income generation for farmers and gardeners due to the product’s high productivity.
3. It increases the availability of water for other uses.

 

Operational benefits of improving irrigation efficiency in agriculture

​High irrigation efficiency is becoming increasingly important as available water resources are depleted and the population grows, causing agricultural activities to expand. Efficient irrigation saves water and energy while also providing environmental and socioeconomic benefits. The following are the top reasons why increasing irrigation efficiency can benefit both irrigation operations and the environment:

1- Increasing product performance maximizes profitability

​ Smart irrigation systems can ensure that enough water is applied to the crop at the right time and in the right place. You can achieve maximum production and product quality by using a smart irrigation system to gain a better understanding of the plant’s water needs and irrigation operations.

2- Saving water and energy consumption

More efficiency does not always imply less use. You can focus on making every drop count by implementing more efficient water management practices. This not only increases yields, but it can also save time, resources, and money.

3- Reducing pollution from runoff

Increased irrigation efficiency can also reduce waste from over-irrigation while minimizing potential chemical runoff. This is important for sustainability because runoff can wash away crop nutrients and contaminate nearby water sources and natural habitats.