Micro Irrigation: How It Works, Benefits and Future Potential

Introduction: 

For farmers, water is more crucial than anything else, even money. Effective water management determines the quality of every crop, seed, and harvest. However, a water crisis has arisen due to rising temperatures, uncertain rainfall, and declining underground water levels.

That’s where micro irrigation systems come in. You may have already seen them, small pipes perforated at intervals, laid beneath the soil, slowly dripping or spraying water near plant roots. 

In this blog, we will explore micro irrigation as a method, its mechanism, and the reasons why it is considered the future of Indian agriculture. 

What is Micro Irrigation?

Micro irrigation is an innovative water conservation technique for crops, which basically involves the use of small and exact amounts of water delivered directly to the root zone of the plants. 

In contrast to traditional flooding or sprinkler systems, which often cause significant water wastage, micro irrigation delivers water slowly and steadily, allowing crops to absorb just the amount they need.

To put it simply, micro irrigation can be compared to feeding plants single drops of nutrients exactly where they are required. Saving water, energy, and labor enhances productivity. 

What are the Different Types of Micro Irrigation Systems?

Micro irrigation isn’t one system. It entails various methods that are effective for different crops, soils, and climates. The different micro irrigation systems are as follows: 

Drip Irrigation System:

This is the system that is made use of very often. Usually, the concept of the project is to have tubes and emitters working together to deliver water at an appropriate rate quite slowly. This is done in small amounts, and directly to the root of each plant. It can be considered as the most economical method of work for row crops such as sugarcane, and cotton, and for vegetables and fruit trees as well.

Sprinkler Irrigation System:

The water, which is easily absorbed by both the soil and the plants, is called sprinkler, and it is the closest model to natural gentle rains. These are the perfect water distribution systems for those crops, which are at a stage of growth where the even distribution over a large area is required, like wheat, maize, or pulses.

Micro Sprinkler or Mini Sprinkler System:

They operate as small-scale water jets that disperse water into the air within a defined radius. For that reason, they are the modules that are used the most in the works that are associated with the nurseries, vegetable gardens, and fruit orchards.

Bubbler Irrigation System:

With the help of this system, the water is given out in a very small stream or ‘bubble’ that is close to the plant. It is a method that is used for trees and plants that have to be watered with a large quantity of water at one time, for example, a banana or coconut. 

Components of Micro Irrigation System

A micro drip irrigation system with all of its various tiny components is basically a single unit that works in tandem:

• Water Source: A borewell, tank, canal, or any other water supply you can rely on, can be a source of water.
• Pump Unit: The pump unit at the proper pressure gives the system the required water.
• Filters: They remove sand, silt, and dirt from water in order to prevent the emitters from getting clogged.
• Mainline and Sub-Main Pipes: These pipe systems are connecting the pump to the different parts of the field.
• Laterals: These are small tubes running along each row of crops.
• Emitters or Drippers: Water is given to each plant in a slow and controlled manner.
• Control Valves: They control the flow of water as well as pressure.
• Fertilizer Tank: The tank is used for fertigation - the process of mixing fertilizer with irrigation water to provide the nutrient directly to plants.

Benefits of Micro Irrigation System:

The benefits of microirrigation are so significant that most farmers who’ve adopted it say they would never go back to traditional flood irrigation. Once you experience how effectively it saves water, time, and costs, it’s easy to understand why this method is rapidly gaining popularity across India.

Water Saving: 

The biggest benefit is water savings. Traditional irrigation methods are usually water-wasting to a large extent - the water is either running off the field or getting evaporating before it gets to the plants. In the case of micro irrigation, water is delivered directly to the roots in small quantities.

The percentage of water saved by using micro irrigation compared to traditional methods has been reported by farmers to be in the range of 30% to 70%. 

The difference between the two methods becomes significant at a dry location or during the summer season. Consequently, the crops are provided with the necessary moisture regardless of the rain conditions. It is truly every drop that counts.

Higher Yields:

If the crops receive the necessary hydration on a regular basis, their healthy growth will be their strong point. Microirrigation delivers water in small, frequent dosing rather than in a one-off flooding manner.

Therefore, the right soil water content can be maintained throughout the crop cycle. 

Categorical research and the actual life of farmers’ testimony confirm the increase of yields by 20-50% of the crops. This is dependent on which ones they are growing.

Energy Saving:

Since, in micro irrigation the consumption of water is low, hence the need for pumping is also lower. Consequently, less electricity or diesel are required.

Similarly, a farmer who is dependent on a battery-powered pump or a generator will make a significant amount of money over the year by using micro-irrigation. In a region with shortage of electricity, micro-irrigation can also provide a possibility of irrigating more land in a shorter time as the water pressure and quantity are managed easily.

Weed Control:

Are you pulling out wild plants for hours? Then this is for you. When a flood irrigation system is in place, the whole field is watered, and the weeds find a perfect place to take roots.

Through micro irrigation only the plant root zones get water; the spaces in between are not watered. Weeds don’t receive enough water to live. 

Not only does this limit the number of weeds but it also saves on time and the amount of labor required for manual weeding or spraying herbicides. It is clean farming, with fewer unwanted plants that are not consuming your crops' nutrients.

Challenges In Adopting Micro Irrigation

High Initial Cost

To get the system up and running - pipes, pumps, and filters - it is necessary to make an investment. For small farmers, this is something that they can consider as expensive, even if there are government subsidies available.

Lack of Awareness

A large number of farmers not only know the technology of micro-irrigation but also understand how it can save them a significant amount of money. Awareness through the programs and field demonstrations can be a great help to such farmers.

Maintenance Issues

Water impurities can cause the emitters to become blocked and the filters to become clogged if they are not properly maintained. Training needs to be given to the farmers on how to do simple fixes on their own.

How to Choose a Micro Irrigation System

Choosing the appropriate system, in essence, rests on the type of crop you want to cultivate, soil classification, and the volume of water that can be utilized.

• In the case of row crops, such as vegetables or sugarcane, the drip irrigation method is often the most suitable for implementation.
• The use of micro sprinklers or bubblers is highly recommended for orchards or fruit trees to get an excellent watering system.
• It is advised that the use of fine spray systems would greatly help nurseries and soft crops to have a more efficient irrigation system.
• The use of subsurface drip irrigation would be particularly beneficial in dry areas with high evaporation rates. 

Potential of Micro Irrigation

Micro irrigation has a promising future in India. It is noticed that more and more farmers are accepting this technology because of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Per Drop More Crop.

Visualize this - in case micro irrigation is utilized in half of the agricultural land in India, a huge amount of water, i.e., millions of liters, could be saved every day. It implies the practice of sustainable agriculture, which not only reduces the exploitation of groundwater but also increases the income of farmers.

Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu are amongst the Indian states that have already set great examples. The reports of farmers indicate that they are getting higher yields, the soil is getting healthier, and crops are more regular.

The integration of micro drip irrigation systems with solar-powered pumps and smart automation is leading to the rise of a new era of modern, eco-friendly farming. The use of micro irrigation will evolve to be the core of sustainable agriculture and will not just be a method in the future.

Conclusion

Except for water quality testing, the general layout and design advice from experts should also be included in the pre-installation activities. Great planning assures the greatest advantage and long-term functionality.

Micro irrigation is more than watering crops; it’s a mindset shift, turning water from a wasted resource into a valuable asset. With proper planning, training, and investment, it paves the way for sustainable and productive agriculture.