TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE WATER
CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURE –
Knowledge Booklet
Farmers’ Awareness Programme –
Alwar, Rajasthan
1. Drip Irrigaon
2. Sprinklers
3. Solar Irrigaon
I. Drip Irrigaon –
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR
1.1 Technique:
• Tubes are lined with outlets on the ground alongside the crop.
• The outlet slowly drips water into the soil at the root.
1.2 Benets:
• It keeps the soil wet with least wastage of water.
• Increases the producvity with minimal water use. A farmer claimed that they have
observed increased producvity of 1.5 mes.
• Compared to tradional irrigaon methods such as ood irrigaon, a drip irrigaon
system can increase water eciency by up to 70% and reduce energy costs by 50%.
• A properly installed drip system can save as much as 40% of the water normally used
in other types of irrigaon systems. Water is applied more evenly throughout the eld.
• Another advantage to drip irrigaon is that there is less evaporaon from the soil,
especially when drip irrigaon is used with plasc mulch.
1.3 Benecial for what Crops:
• It is best to use for small crops and crops that require frequent irrigaon like onion,
tomato, wheat, and vegetables.
1.4 About Drippers
• There are three types of drippers – inline, online and at.
o Inline dripper is t inside the pipe. There is more oen deposion in holes due to
less surface area for water to travel. It is put at close spacing crops like vegetables.
o Online dripper is outside the pipe and has wide spacing. They are round and have
more durability, and eciency. They have a life of about 10 years
o Flat dripper – fashionable to use these days. It is cheap, has lower life of 2-3 years,
blocks the most as it has least surface area.
• Dripper is of 3 types of capacity – 2, 4, 8 liters per hour.
• Dripper comprises of a pressure, compression, jet machine mechanism.
1.5 About Drip Pipe
• Pipes are of two sizes as well, hard pipe and so pipe. Hard pipes are preferred by
farmers, as so pipes are oen chewed upon and may be destroyed by squirrels, rats,
etc.
• Drip irrigaon pipes either have double holes or single holes, placed at a distance of 1
foot, 1.5 feet or 2 feet as per choice of farmer.
• Due to impuries in water, the holes oen get blocked. In such cases, double hole
pipes are beer as if one gets blocked, the crop can keep receiving water from the
other hole. To unblock the holes deposited from impuries in water, pipes are
submerged in a soluon of acid and water.
• Pescides, ferlizers, manure etc. are usually mixed in the water tanker for easy and
even distribuon across the eld.
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR (Drip Pipe with Single Hole and with Double Holes)
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR (Drip Irrigaon System)
1.6 Cosng of Drip Irrigaon:
• Cost depends on a number of factors: (1) Type of soil; (2) Terrain; (3) Type of crop; (4)
Sowing paern
1.7 Related Government Schemes:
• Drip irrigaon is availed on government subsidy through a vendor.
• The farmer aer showing proof of land records, can avail the equipment as per rules
of the scheme (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Per Drop More
Crop), and is required to pay only 30% amount (non-SC/ ST farmer), 25% (SC/ ST/
Women/ Marginal farmer).
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR (Drip Irrigaon)
Drip Irrigation System
Drip Irrigaon with Mulching
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR
II. Sprinklers –
Picture Source: Google Images
2.1 Technique:
• Sprinkler irrigaon uses a pressurized system to apply water in a method that mimics
rainfall to the soil surface.
• Sprinkler irrigaon is adaptable to any farmable slope.
• In this system, water is sprayed into the air and the enre soil surface is irrigated.
• It may be used for dierent types of crops.
• There are two kinds of sprinklers - big and small/mini.
• One big sprinkler covers wider area (10 meters) as compared to smaller one (8 meters).
• However, for a bigger sprinkler to be eecve, water is required at high pressure,
which varies from village to village.
• According to farmers, sprinklers enhance producvity with less water usage as it only
moistens the soil as per need, and does not over water.
• Mini sprinklers are a frequent sight in the eld. They operate on less water pressure,
and are easy to manage.
• Sprinkler is preferred for crops that require irrigaon only once or twice.
2.2 Cosng:
• Actual prices to be nalized by aer talking to vendor
2.3 Benets:
• It can be easily adapted to specic requirements of the plants.
• While sprinkling, water soluble manure and ferlizers can be added in water before
the crops are sprinkled.
• By using the Sprinkler Irrigaon System, around 40-50 percent of water can be saved.
S. No.
Crops
Water Saving (%)
Yield Increase (%)
1
Chili
33
24
2
Coon
36
50
3
Fenugreek
29
35
4
Gram
69
57
5
Jowar
55
34
6
Maize
41
36
7
Onion
33
23
8
Sunower
33
20
9
Wheat
35
24
Picture Source: GWCC Team of CSR
2.4 Related Government Schemes:
• Sprinklers can be availed on government subsidy through an empaneled vendor.
• The farmer aer showing proof of land records, can avail the equipment as per rules
of the scheme (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) – Per Drop More
Crop), and is required to pay only 30% amount (non-SC/ ST farmer), 25% (SC/ ST/
Women/ Marginal farmer).
III. Solar Irrigaon –
Picture Source: Google Images
3.1 Technique:
• In solar irrigaon, a solar panel is aached to a pump.
• The electricity produced by solar panel is used to power the pump for irrigaon.
3.2 Benet:
• It makes irrigaon possible in areas with unreliable electricity.
• Is environment friendly.
• No grid connecon is required.
• No electricity bills to be paid.
• No fuel is required.
• Is durable, requiring minimal maintenance
3.3 Cosng:
• Actual prices to be nalized by aer talking to vendor
3.4 Related Government Scheme:
• Subsidy for the installaon of the solar panels is available under PM-KUSUM scheme
under Ministry of New and Renewable Energy with at least 60% subsidy.
Photo Source: Google Images; Cover Page Picture Source: www.dreamsme.com
CENTRE FOR SOCIAL RESEARCH
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CONTACT:
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DELHI
2, Nelson Mandela Road,
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi,
India – 110070
RAJASTHAN
20, Shiv Complex, Jail Circle
Behind – Cross Point Mall,
Alwar, Rajasthan - 301001
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Phone: +91 011 4613 1929
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