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MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
What is Micro Irrigation
Micro-Irrigation is a co-ordinated water management system where water is made to flow under pressure through a net work of pipes of varying diameters, the Mainline, the Submain lines and the Lateral lines with appropriately placed Emitters along the length of the latter through which water is discharged to the root zone.
Need For Micro-Irrigation
- To achieve required food production with increasing population, India has to enhance the current irrigation potential of 91 million ha to 160 million ha.
- But the total water resources estimated at 230 MHM will have to cater to the non-agricultural uses also.
- The country will be water stressed in the coming years.
- Therefore hand in hand with technologies for water harvesting and storage, technologies for precision water application methods need to be adopted.
- Micro-irrigation technology is the most efficient irrigation method available as of present
Kothari’s Contribution
- Recognized the importance of MIS for a country like India with its shrinking water resources and expanding Agriculture.
- Establishing R&D centre for adapting and developing MIS components to suit Indian and other arid and semiarid farming conditions.
- Established higher class production facilities for all the components of MIS.
- Established strict quality control systems to ensure MIS components of highest quality.
- Recognized the special nature of requirements of small land holders of the country.
- Developed an integrated approach in extending MIS for Developing Countries; the study of the land, soil and weather, preparation of tailor made design, supply of irrigation system and provision for support services are factored into this approach.
Benefits
- Saves water upto 70%. More land can be irrigated with the available water
- Crop grows consistently, healthier and mature fast
- Early maturity results in higher and faster returns on investment
- Increase in yield upto 50%
- Fertilizer use efficiency increases by 30%
- Undulating & hilly lands can be brought under cultivation
Crops Covered under MIS
| Fruit Crops |
Almond, Apple, Arecanut, Indian Gooseberry, Ber (Zizyphus), Banana, Cashew, Custard Apple, Cherry, Durian, Fig, Guava, Grape, Litchi, Lemon, Sweet Lime, Mango, Orange, Olive, Papaya, Pomegranate, Pear, Peach, Pistachio, Pineapple, Sapota, Strawberry, Star Fruit, Jack Fruit, Tamarind, Water Melon, Musk Melon |
| Vegetable Crops |
Brinjal, Cucumber, Lettuce, Pepper, Potato, Pea, Tomato |
| Field & Other Crops |
Corn, Cotton, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Betel vine, Mulberry |
| Oil Seeds |
Groundnut, Sunflower, Jojoba, Castor |
| Forage Crops |
Lucerne, Pastures, Turfs, Fodder |
| Plantation Crops |
Cardamom, Coffee, Tea, Rubber, Spices, Oil Palm, Coconut |
| Ornamentals |
Floricultural Plants; Rose, Gerbera, Carnation, Gladioli, Poinsettias, Chrysanthemum |
| Forest Trees |
Eucalyptus, Casuarinas, Teak, Acacia, Bamboo, Neem, Dalbergia |
Components of an DRIP Irrigation System
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