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
1
CONTACT:
Dr. Naveen Kumar I naveen@csrindia.org
DELHI
2, Nelson Mandela Road,
Vasant Kunj, New Delhi,
India – 110070
RAJASTHAN
20, Shiv Complex, Jail Circle
Behind – Cross Point Mall,
Alwar, Rajasthan - 301001
E-mail: info1@csrindia.org
Phone: +91 011 4613 1929
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India was founded in 1983, CSR is dedicated to creang a violence-free, gender-
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