LOW COST DRIP IRRIGATION

PRESENTED BYBISHAL BHARI(02)ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

LOW COST DRIP IRRIGATIONLocation Jhiku khola watershedKubinde village, Kabhrepalanchok districtDone by:-PARDYPTechnology area: 0.1km2 Land use: Annual croppingClimate: Humid subtropical

Project InformationWater efficient irrigation systemWater dipped to individual plant root zones at low rate(2.25 l/hr)Introduced to overcome the problem of irrigation during the end of monsoon(July to September) and in pre-monsoon(may)LCDI is an approach to use limited available water in cost effective way

IntroductionFirstly field are set by ploughing ,leveling and ridging Then drip irrigation set are installedLateral pipes 12 meter long are laid along the ridges which lie 1.5 m apartWodden platform with water storage tank is installedThen its connected to the lateral pipesPlanting holes are then dug along the ridge spaced to coincide the drip holeHoles are usually set every 0.6 to 1.2 meter depending on the crop

Installation of drip irrigation setFarmyard manure and chemical fertilizer are placed in each pit and mixed wellVegetable seedling are planted in each holeAnd daily drip watering beginWater is applied generally in the morning or in the eveningIf necessary stakes are placed next to each plant to climbSource:-http//www.wikepedia.com/dripirrigation/drip_irrigation.html

Bitter gourd most generally grown followed by cauliflower

Favorable cropIt starts in mid may and continues until SeptemberHarvesting Farmer maintains the system by repairing leaks in the pipe joints and by unblocking drip holes.Maintainance Main Slow and precise delivery of water to plant root zones, enhanced photosynthesis Increase or maintenances of soil moisture.

Secondary Reduction of evaporation losses Reduction of water distribution lossesTechnical function/impactInputs Cost(US$)%met by land usersLabour(1 person day)2.8100%Equipment 25.80%Total 28.6100%Establishment input and cost per unit system(2004)In the first year PARDYP provided 100% subsidyIn the second only 50%And the subsidy was withdrawn the next yearThe mentioned cost is for medium sized drip system with 8 lateral lines having 160 drip holes1US dollar=73 NRS

Inputs Cost(US$)%met by land userLabour and spare parts7100%Total 7100%Maintenance/recurrent input and cost per unit per year(2004) Local farmer started to adopt technology after 1999 to mid 2001Technology was promoted by GO, NGOAmoung 50 PARDYP organised farmer adopted the technology. 58% adopted with cost of kit subsidised and 42% without any subsidy55 other house hold adopted promoted by other NGOAcceptance/adoptionTesting and demonstrating in participatory wayMaking the drip set and spare part locally availableProviding technical support for establishing and maintaining the setMicro-credits for poor farmer to buy setsDrivers for adoptionFarmers do not have easy access to drip set and associated partsLack of micro-credit to poor familiesConstrains to adoptionImpact of technologyAdvantagesIncreased farm incomes Up to 700 US$ per hectare due to early harvest(22 days earlier in case of bitter gourdReduced cost and time for irrigation and applying fertilizerDisadvantages noneProduction and socio-cultural benefitSocio-cultural aspectsBenefitsThey become familiar with new technology and share experience during gatheringStrengthened community institution due to increase number of drip users Disadvantages Cropping area increased due to this technologyThis increased women's workloadEcological aspectBenefits Increased soil moisture due to applying water direct in the root zoneReduction evaporation rateReduced soil lose due to slow and precise delivery of waterDisadvantagesMono-cropping practicedMajority of farmers grow bitter-gourd, cauliflower Offsite aspectBenefitsWater savingDisadvantage Spread of the system could lead to increased upstream water consumption that leaves less water for down-stream usersConcluding statementsStrengthsSaved 60% water compared to bucket irrigation and cropping area increased with limited access to irrigation waterIt needs 50% less labour campared to bucket irrigationAdditional household income of about 700 per hectare in case of bitter gourd

How to improveConstruction of water harvesting ponds and use of collected water in drip system makes for sustainable crop productionExperience sharing with users and non-users

Option for other high potential high value cash crops should be exploresWeakness Not suitable for sloping land and covers a small area(using medium sized kit)Spacing of drip holes might not meet farmers needSpare parts are not available locally and farmers have to travel far till KTM to get spare parts How to overcomeModifying levelling slopes and increasing the number of drip kit can overcome limitationPipes with at least 50cm gap of drip holes should be made availableParts should be made available locallyWOCATDatabase Refrence