Apples
Blueberries
Mushrooms
Onions
Processing potatoes
Vineyard
Strawberries
Fresh Potatoes
NETAFIM Global
DRIP IRRIGATION CHANGES THE FACE OF AGRICULTURE
Drip irrigation is transforming the lives of millions of farmers across the world, enabling higher yields to be produced from any land whilst saving water, fertilizer, and energy. In the UK, this form of irrigation can bring the same benefits as those seen by farmers in other parts of the world. As we strive to produce better crops with increasing regulation of the key resource, water, the need for an application method that provides the most precise way to apply water to the plant has become critical. Drip irrigation does this and allows integrated allocation of fertilizers creating a controlled way in which to give the best opportunity to produce high yield crops of the quality required.
What is a drip irrigation system?
It’s the most efficient water and nutrient delivery system for growing crops. It delivers water and nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone, in the right amounts, at the right time, so each plant gets exactly what it needs to grow optimally enabling farmers to produce higher yields whilst saving water, fertilizer, and energy.
How does it work?
The water and nutrients are delivered across the field or through the protected crop structure via small diameter pipes which have highly engineered drippers at regular intervals along their length. Each dripper emits water or nutrient-enriched water uniformly across the entire field allowing not only higher quality crops, but also consistently higher quality crops.
What do farmers and growers prefer our solution?
The reason is simple: it not only delivers greater returns on investment compared to other irrigation methods, drip also gives farmers and growers an efficient and simple ways their farms.
- Higher consistent quality yields
- Very significant water savings: no evaporation, no run-off, no waste
- 100% land utilization – drip irrigates uniformly on any topography and soil type
- Energy-saving: low-pressure systems reducing pump requirements
- Efficient use of fertilizer and crop protection with no leaching
- Less dependency on weather providing greater stability and lower risks
What do plants prefer it?
Plants like their water to be provided in a balanced way. Our system applies the water and nutrients frequently and in smaller doses ensuring optimal growing conditions that help produce the highest possible yields.
Here’s why plants are more productive with this type of irrigation:
- High availability of water and nutrients
- Water and nutrient application is tailored to the plant’s development needs
- No saturation and good soil aeration
- Avoids any possible salinity caused by areas of high fertilization application
- No wetting of foliage reducing the possibility of fungal diseases
Why the world needs it?
By 2050, there’ll be 10 billion people living on our planet, and 20% less arable land per person to grow enough calories. With water scarcity also increasing, it’s clear why we need a way to increase agricultural productivity and resource efficiency. That’s where our irrigation solution fits in, changing the economics of global agriculture by allowing farmers to produce more calories per hectare and a cubic meter of water.
By using this irrigation system you:
- Reduce the impact of drought and climate change on food production
- Avoid contamination of groundwater and rivers caused by fertilizer leaching
- Support rural communities, reduce poverty, and reduce migration to cities
FAQs
-
Which crops are suitable for drip irrigation?
Any crop can be grown using drip irrigation. From field crops such as corn soybean or sugarcane, to vegetables and tree crops. Either growing in soil or in a soilless media. On a flat field or on sloping terrain – drip irrigation fits all topographies. The only decision is choosing the right drip configuration based on your crop and field conditions.
-
How efficient is drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation is known to be the most efficient irrigation methods with 95-100% water use efficiency. This is compared to sprinkler systems that have 80-85% water use efficiency or flood and furrow that are 60-70% efficient. Efficiency is related to the effectiveness of the system on crop performance and eventually on yield and profitability of the farmer.
-
Farmers looking to invest in a drip irrigation system should calculate ROI versus alternative irrigation methods. Because drip irrigation delivers significant increases in crop yields while saving on inputs (water, fertilizer, energy and labor), it can pay for itself in a relatively short period of time and give farmers more profit in their pocket.
Need help finding the best solution for your farm?
Get in touch, and we can talk about what your crop needs.