Types of Irrigation

Water is an essential element for survival. About seventy per cent of the human body consists of water while plants contain almost 90 per cent of water. Still, we have to depend on some outside sources to fulfil the water requirements of our body.

Likewise, crops require water for their growth and development. The process of supplying water to the crops is known as irrigation.

Table of Contents

Irrigation

Types

     

·         Surface Irrigation

·         Localized Irrigation

·         Sprinkler Irrigation

·         Drip Irrigation

·         Centre Pivot Irrigation

·         Sub Irrigation

·         Manual Irrigation

What is Irrigation?

Irrigation is the process of applying water to the crops artificially to fulfil their water requirements. Nutrients may also be provided to the crops through irrigation. The various sources of water for irrigation are wells, ponds, lakes, canals, tube-wells and even dams. Irrigation offers moisture required for growth and development, germination and other related functions.

The frequency, rate, amount and time of irrigation are different for different crops and also vary according to the types of soil and seasons. For example, summer crops require a higher amount of water as compared to winter crops

Types of Irrigation

There are different types of irrigation practiced or improving crop yield. These types of irrigation systems are practiced  based on the different types of soils, climates, crops and resources. The main types of irrigation followed by farmers include:

Surface Irrigation

In this system, no irrigation pump is involved. Here, water is distributed across the land by gravity.

Localized Irrigation

In this system, water is applied to each plant through a network of pipes under low pressure.

Sprinkler Irrigation

Water is distributed from a central location by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or from sprinklers from the moving platform.

Drip Irrigation

In this type, drops of water are delivered near the roots of the plants. This type of irrigation is rarely used as it requires more maintenance.

Centre Pivot Irrigation

In this, the water is distributed by a sprinkler system moving in a circular pattern.

Sub Irrigation

Water is distributed through a system of pumping stations gates, ditches and canals by raising the water table.

Manual Irrigation

This a labour intensive and time-consuming system of irrigation. Here, the water is distributed through watering cans by manual labour.

Advantages of drip irrigation:

·         It saves around 30-70 % of water.

·         It also saves cost labor.

·         Use of hilly terrain

·         It also decreases the weed problem.

·         It also increases plant growth, vigor, and yield.

·         Facilitate easy intercultural operations.

·         Ease the fertilizer application

·         Fewer incidences of various diseases.

·         It is most suitable for light soils.

·         Utilization of low-quality water.

Importance of Irrigation

1. Compensating For When There is no Rainfall

Irrigation kicks in when there is insufficient rainfall or when there is uncertainty as to when the rain will fall. Without the rain or irrigation as the alternative, the crops are adversely affected, which can lead to a food shortage or crop/plant failure.

2. Increasing the Amount of Cultivatable or Agriculturally Productive Land

Some areas of the world are dry, naturally. Irrigation has been responsible for turning such lands into cultivatable lands. Today, about 18% of the world’s cropland is now irrigated. Irrigation is also responsible for bringing the most out of fallow lands, which are traditionally left idle after harvest, before the next cultivation season.

3. Helps Meet Food Demands

The expansion of irrigated land has made desert ecosystems, such as Jordan and Israel, adopt farming to boost food demands without necessarily depending on rain. Such areas use groundwater from wells and aquifers and in doing so, it enables them to meet the world’s demand for food by producing food crops such as cereals, potatoes, and vegetables.

Furthermore, countries and regions that practice top-level and large-scale irrigation, are best known for exporting food, which brings an economic advantage to such a region or country.

4. Increased Productivity

Irrigation, by default and in many instances, is employed when rainfall is insufficient. However, it can be applied at any time, even if there is sufficient rainfall to boost crop productivity.

According to a publication by Olayide, Tetteh, and Popoola (2016) on climate-smart agriculture, crop productivity on irrigated land is higher than in the un-irrigated areas, which primarily rely on rainfall.

5. Enables Multiple Cropping

In most tropical countries, the rainy seasons are specific, making it impossible to grow multiple crops at the same time. Moreover, their water requirements are different, and over-irrigation spoils the crop production. Optimum irrigation makes it possible to grow more than one crop at a time in most areas of a country.

6. It is Effective

When crops or plants are watered irregularly and with just a mere hosepipe, it is not consistent and they simply get just one pass. This means hard-to-reach areas and those that do not experience steady rainfall may not get sufficient water. A well-designed irrigation system delivers even to hard-to-reach areas of the land by the use of efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation.

7. Defeating and Efficient Nature!                      

We cannot control when it will rain. If it rains during the day, and it gets a bit warm, evaporation rates will be high, meaning the crops and the soil will not consume enough water.

Irrigation systems can be set in such a way that they sprinkle water early in the morning or at night when evaporation levels are low. This, not only saves on the water used, but also maximizes the moisture required by the crops, flowers, or even the soil itself.

8. Contribution to Economic Growth

Irrigation ensures food production continues, regardless of the season or climatic condition. This means there are continuous income and employment, thereby reducing poverty. The substantial increase in income achieved through irrigation means the economy can continue to thrive. This is also achieved by the export of food to other regions or countries.