Drip irrigation is a method of slow delivery of water to crops, through highly-controlled flow management, applied along the soil or at the sub-surface level directly to crop root systems. Drip irrigation is an effective system for conserving water while ensuring that it is used optimally without losing it to evaporation through high efficiency water delivery. Drip irrigation involves establishing a network of tubes, values and pipes connected to water source by a pump, along crop rows. A water source is required which is a drawback as many dryland areas lack these water sources. Drip irrigation is a climate smart option as it increases farmer resilience to the effects of climate change.
To effectively implement drip irrigation:
- Step 1: A reliable water source must be available - natural (natural or through rain-water harvesting).
- Step 2: Acquire a pump system (approximately $US 100) that maintains enough pressure to deliver water through the system or an elevated tank.
- Step 3: Connect lines or hoses and laterals that run from the pump system across the planted fields.
- Step 4: Run lines or hoses with emitters (drippers) or small punctures at the surface level along planted crops or just below the surface providing water to the roots system of the plants.
- Step 5: Once the system is operable, the pump can be turned on and water dispersed as required by the nature of the crop and can also be implemented with supplemental irrigation strategies (Technical Brief 23).
- Step 6: Monitor the irrigation system regularly to ensure there are no malfunctions and the system is maintained. Crops that receive regular water can develop shallow root systems and any prolonged disruptions in service could have significant impacts.
- Step 7: If applying drip irrigation in sloped conditions, follow the contours of the slope as outlined in Technical Brief 16.
Once a drip irrigation system is up and running, farmers can explore fertigation, the addition of soluble fertilisers into the irrigation system water for distribution directly to plants.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2007. Pressurized Irrigation Techniques - Drip Irrigation.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation, 1998. Irrigation Water Management. Irrigation Methods.
- JLIFAD, 2014. Water for Agriculture. Ethiopia.
- JLIFAD, 2014. Fact Sheet - A market approach to drip irrigation. Investing in Rural People.
Benefits
- Maximises efficiency in crop irrigation in dryland or variable climate conditions.
- Minimizes the loss of water to evaporation.
Drawbacks
- Requires consistent water source.
- Costs of establishing the system, pump and lines/hoses can be significant depending on configuration, etc.
- Requires continual monitoring and may need regular maintenance.
