Knowledge and Adoption of Drip Irrigation in Citrus Crops among Farmers ofWestern Haryana

Water is becoming increasing scare which limits agricultural development not only in Indiabut also in many parts of the world. Drip irrigation is an incredibly efficient wateringmethod that slowly delivers water directly to plant root system. The present study wasundertaken to assess the knowledge and adoption level of drip irrigation in citrus cropsamong farmers of Haryana state. Majority of respondents belonged to middle age group(51.67%), general castes (96.67%), joint families (68.33%) and having land between 4-10hectares (45.00%). It was found that majority of sampled farmers (61.67%) had high levelof knowledge while 31.67 per cent had moderate level of knowledge of drip irrigation.More number of farmers had high level of adoption (40.00%) whereas 35.00 per cent hadmedium and 25.00 per cent had low level of adoption of drip irrigation. Socio-economicfactors like income, landholding, mass media exposure, education and socio-economic statusof farmers were found significantly associated with the level of knowledge and adoptionof drip irrigation. It is concluded that more efforts are required to increase the knowledgeof farmers about drip irrigation for wider adoption of micro-irrigation technologies.

Gravity Fed Micro Irrigation System for Small Landholders and Its Impact on Livelihood - A Review

Worldwide pressurized micro irrigation technologies have remarkably shown its effectiveness in water saving and increasing the crop yield with several other benefits. Although among the small land holder farmers, adoption of pressurized micro irrigation system is minimal mainly due to the small land holding and more system cost. Gravity micro irrigation is one of the best alternatives for the small land holder farmers with almost all benefits derived by the pressurized micro irrigation. Gravity fed drip irrigation has enormous capability for water and nutrient conservation. This review paper explains design, layout, features of gravity fed micro irrigation system, its suitability and benefits to the small farmers for achieving more yield per drop of water. The comprehensive attempt in the current review analysis is to enhance a most favourable methodology and technology to magnify and intensify the operation of gravity fed drip irrigation system in extensive cultivation and production. Further to accomplish the efficient utilization of available water resources for growing horticultural crops in hilly region of India, gravity-fed micro irrigation should be integrated with water harvesting system.

Factors Influencing the Adoption of Climate-Smart Irrigation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Productivity by Smallholder Farmers in Arid Areas of South Africa

The adoption of climate-smart irrigation technologies amongst smallholder farmers generally remains low beside their role in combating food and nutrition security in a society and in climate change adaptation strategies. This study identified the factors influencing smallholder farmers’ decision to adopt Climate Smart Irrigation Technologies (CSIT) in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Data were collected through the completion of a face-to-face structured questionnaire by 100 smallholder farmers selected through convenience and purposive sampling. A probit regression and OLS model were used to identify factors that influence the smallholder farmer’s decision to adopt CSIT and the level of adoption. The results indicated that only 46% of the smallholder farmers adopted climate-smart irrigation technologies and suggested that adoption is influenced positively by factors such as gender, age, district, farm size, staple food production and knowledge on CSIT. There is an urgent need for related stakeholders to transform the smallholder farmer subsector through improved extension services, training, adopting resilient crop varieties, promoting underutilized and nutrient-dense crops adapted to harsh local conditions, and other interventions. This should be done by promoting awareness to smallholder farmers regarding these interventions and new technologies that have the potential to improve rural livelihoods and enhance resilience and adaptation.

Economic and environmental impact assessment of sustainable future irrigation practices in the Indus Basin of Pakistan

Pakistan’s agriculture is characterized by insecure water supply and poor irrigation practices. We investigate the economic and environmental feasibility of alternative improved irrigation technologies (IIT) by estimating the site-specific irrigation costs, groundwater anomalies, and CO2 emissions. IIT consider different energy sources including solar power in combination with changes in the irrigation method. The status quo irrigation costs are estimated to 1301 million US$ year−1, its groundwater depletion to 6.3 mm year−1 and CO2 emissions to 4.12 million t year−1, of which 96% originate from energy consumption and 4% via bicarbonate extraction from groundwater. Irrigation costs of IIT increase with all energy sources compared to the status quo, which is mainly based on diesel engine. This is because of additional variable and fixed costs for system’s operation. Of these, subsidized electricity induces lowest costs for farmers with 63% extra costs followed by solar energy with 77%. However, groundwater depletion can even be reversed with 35% rise in groundwater levels via IIT. Solar powered irrigation can break down CO2 emissions by 81% whilst other energy sources boost emissions by up to 410%. Results suggest that there is an extremely opposing development between economic and ecological preferences, requiring stakeholders to negotiate viable trade-offs.

An Overview of Precision Irrigation Systems Used in Agriculture

The introduction of precision agriculture increased the efficiency of plant production, while simultaneously reducing the production cost. Precision irrigation can be considered as the combination of sensors, computer software and irrigation systems. Precision irrigation has reduced water consumption and increased yields, and thus increased economic profits. The development of new crop monitoring technologies in precision irrigation has been made possible by the imaging and analysis of real-time crop condition data. The aim of this study was to describe the present state and possibilities of precision irrigation in practice in the EU and Croatia. An overview of the current precision irrigation technologies, as well as its adaptive management to the decision-making in agricultural water management, represents a fundamental basis for future practical studies in precision irrigation.

Algorithm for computer modeling of combined irrigation systems hydraulic parameters

A feature of combined irrigation systems is the integration of various technologies and methods of irrigation with the implementation of such a possibility on the basis of a single technical system. The hydraulic calculation of such systems is more complicated, since it is assumed that it is possible to implement various modes of operation, which differ by the combination of hydraulic parameters. The operating modes are determined by the combination of the involved irrigation technologies carried out simultaneously. The research has proposed an algorithm for the computer simulation of combined irrigation systems hydraulic parameters. The algorithm implements the principle of step-by-step calculation and formation of statistical screenshots of the hydraulic parameters of the system based on the basic calculated dependencies of classical hydraulics. Static screens can be performed at any time interval, which allows to assess the dynamics of the process under changing external conditions, as well as study the system under different operating modes. The algorithm has built an ingenious system of objects identification, making it possible not only to verify the uniquely defined knots of stems section, but also to organize serial search nodal points in accordance with the architecture of the construction of hydro-reclamation systems.

Sources of Inefficiency in Small-Scale Irrigation in Ethiopia: A Stochastic Frontier Analysis

Increased production, food security, poverty reduction, and rural economic development can be supported by increasing efficiency in the use of scarce resources and technologies. Promoting small-scale irrigation practices may provide opportunities to improve the efficient utilization of land and labor. This paper assesses the extent of technical efficiencies of two household irrigation technologies: rope & washer and pulley practiced by farmers in two pilot areas of rural communities in Ethiopia. Stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) was used to estimate efficiency levels and identify the factors affecting inefficiencies. Labor and land are found to have contributed a greater share in the quantity of production of the crops under study. Plough repetition and experience in irrigation also contributed significantly to increased output. The results obtained from the stochastic frontier analysis indicate that farmers are operating at a significantly lower mean efficiency level of 70%, indicating the existence of room for increased production without additional investment. Distance to the nearest market, female household head, higher dependency ratio and using rope & washer (compared to pulley) increases the likelihood of being inefficient, whereas higher educational attainment of the head of the household and irrigation experience reduces the probability of inefficiency.