DRIP IRRIGATION

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
LAYOUT

ECONOMICS

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

DRIP IRRIGATION IN MAHARASHTRA

CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION
Drip irrigation / trickle irrigation involves dripping
water onto the soil at very low rates (2-20 liters/hour)
from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted
with outlets calledemittersor drippers.
Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the
soil in which the roots grow is wetted.
Suitable crops
Most suitable for row crops (vegetables, soft fruit), tree
and vine crops where one or more emitters can be
provided for each plant.
Suitable slopes

Adaptable to any farmable slope.

Normally the crop is planted along contour lines and the
water supply pipes (laterals) are laid along the contour
also.
Minimize changes in emitter discharge as a result of land
elevation changes.
 Suitable soils
Drip irrigation is suitable for most soils. Slow supply
for clayey soils and more supply for sandy soils.
Suitable irrigation water

It is essential for irrigation water to be free of

sediments, algae, fertilizer deposits and dissolved
chemicals. If this is not so then filtration of the
irrigation water will be needed.
Drip irrigation is particularly suitable for water of poor
quality (saline water). Dripping water to individual
plants also means that the method can be very efficient
in water use. For this reason it is most suitable when
water is scarce.
LAYOUT
Pump unit
Control head

Main and sub main lines

Laterals Emitters or drippers.

DRIP KIT FOR 100 to 1000m AREA
CLAY SAND
ADVANTAGES
Maximum use of available water.
No water being available to weeds.

Maximum crop yield.

High efficiency in the use of fertilizers.

Less weed growth and restricts population of potential hosts.

Low labour and relatively low operation cost.

No soil erosion.

Improved infiltration in soil of low intake.

Ready adjustment to sophisticated automatic control

No runoff of fertilizers into ground water.

Less evaporation losses of water as compared to surface

irrigation.
Improves seed germination.
DISADVANTAGES
Sensitivity to clogging.
High cost of filters

High cost compared to furrow.

High skill is required for design, install and

operation.
ECONOMICS

Jalajakshi and Jagadish : Economics of

Krishik Bandhu Drip Irrigation
STATUS IN INDIA

The application of micro irrigation at commercial

level was encouraged by the formation of a
National Committee on the Use of Plastics in
Agriculture. The committee established several
Precision Farming Development Centres.
The potential for coverage under drip and
sprinkler irrigation is estimated to be about 27
and 42.5 million ha respectively (National Task
Force on Micro irrigation, Government of India)
State wise adoption of drip irrigation in India
DRIP IRRIGATION FOR SUGARCANE
Sugarcane (Saccarum officinarum) is a perennial
grass that originated in Asia, probably in New
Guinea. Nearly 1,800 million tons of sugarcane
are produced annually across almost 26 million
hectares worldwide.
India is the 2nd largest producer of sugarcane

after Brazil.
STATUS OF DRIP IRRIGATION IN
MAHARASHTRA
In India 33 per cent (83 million ha) area in
under irrigation out of total cropped area (237
million ha). In Maharashtra out of 21.1 million
hectares cultivated area only 15.4 per cent area
(3.3 million ha) is under irrigation.
The state alone accounts for 50% of total drip
irrigated area in the country.
In Maharashtra, sugarcane is cultivated on 9.37
lakh ha
SURFACE IRRIGATION
DEVELOPMENT IN
SUGARCANE(1998-2009)
FACTORS FAVORING ADOPTION OF
DRIP IRRIGATION IN SUGARCANE
Proactive state government
The state govt. has launched a scheme for cash
crops like sugar cane ,cotton etc. where 50% of
the approved cost of drip irrigation is given per
farmer.
Existence of several sugarcane factories in the
area which provide a congenial atmosphere for
adoption of drip irrigation.
OTHER CROPS GROWN IN
MAHARASHTRA UNDER DRIP
IRRIGATION
CONCLUSION
Drip irrigation is being used widely in India and
is adopted less for saving water and more for
using the available water judiciously.
The role of private public partnership model is
encouraging and propagating the drip industry
has boosted the deep percolation and
entrenchment of drip irrigation in sugarcane in
Maharashtra.
Micro irrigation plays both productive and
protective role in crop production.
REFERENCES
http://
web.princeton.edu/sites/writing/Writing_Center
/WCWritingResources.htm
Planningcommission.nic.in