Water is present in abundance on the earth. 99% of this water is either in oceans, or trapped in glaciers, polar ice-caps, and permafrost, or is inaccessible for use. The remaining 1% available for human use is becoming scarce. Water management is essential to sustain life on the earth, and this can be done by preventing unnecessary usage and creating awareness.
Agriculture is one field in which water plays a significant role. Dependence of rainfall was reduced with the introduction of irrigation which helped this industry flourish greatly.
According to an archaeological investigation, the process was first used in 6000BCE in Khuzistan (southwest of modern-day Iran) to grow rainfed crops in areas lacking natural rainfall.
The National Geographic Society defines irrigation to water crops via artificial media such as canals, pipes, sprinklers, etc., besides relying on rainfall alone.
Irrigation techniques have evolved over the years, becoming more efficient while serving the purpose. Western countries were home to the origin of many of these techniques. Like Australia, many countries worldwide were introduced to this concept in the late 19th century but have made progress and largely influenced their economies. After all, agriculture is one of the main occupations in such countries that nurture huge grasslands.
The primary sources for irrigation are ponds, wells, dams, reservoirs, and lakes.
Traditional techniques:
- Check Basin Method:
The field is divided into small basins based on the soils’ water capacity, and these basins are connected to a small drain through which water was supplied. This is a cost-effect and not a very labour-intensive method, yet an inefficient system as waterlogging was a possibility.
- Furrow Irrigation:
This method was used to grow food crops planted in rows and received water from the sides (Dols), where a furrow was formed. It is an efficient system and is used to supply water to large land masses but is labour-intensive.
- Strip Irrigation:
A vast landmass was divided into strips whose length was decided based on the water requirements of the soil. The water source is situated at the highest place of the field from where the whole lot receives its part. A large area can be irrigated through this inexpensive method if the balance is kept in check.
- Basin Irrigation:
Widely known for horticulture development, this method is used to supply water to trees and bushes raised to a level and connected through drains. However, this method is unsuitable for crops.
The adverse effects of these techniques led to the genesis of modern irrigation techniques, which involved sprinkler, drip, and pot irrigation methods, that is useful for hdpe fabrication.
Smart Irrigation:
This is a recently developed method that is a collaboration between modern techniques and programming. With some insight, exposure, and experience, farmers can use them to carry out agriculture effectively.
This process uses programmable systems to water small pieces of farmlands, lawns, etc., with a set timer. They are designed so that the functioning of water sources(e.g., sprinklers) are prevented if there is an occurrence of rain. The water supplied is also monitored based on local weather conditions and the soil’s moisture level.
Installation of these systems can quickly be done by simply swapping the current controller with a smart one. One of the main advantages is how the water consumption and bills reduce considerably after adopting this technique.
The concept of irrigation has undoubtedly influenced the agricultural sector worldwide. This efficiency can be maintained with modernized techniques, plants can be protected from extreme conditions like frost or hot currents, and water can be broadly conserved.
