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Irrigation: Traditional vs Smart

by Alison Lurie

There is a lot of water on the planet. Oceans, glaciers, polar ice caps and permafrost make up 99 per cent of this water, which are useless for human consumption. The remaining 1% that humans can use is getting rarer and rarer. To ensure the survival of life on Earth, water conservation and education are vital.

There are several industries in which water is essential, and agriculture is one of them. Irrigation, which lessened the industry’s reliance on rain for water, was a game-changer.

Irrigation: Traditional vs Smart

Archaeological evidence suggests that the method was initially utilised about 6000 BC in Khuzistan (southwest of modern-day Iran) to cultivate rainfed crops in locations where there was no natural rainfall.

According to the National Geographic Society, irrigation is a method of watering crops using water sources such as canals, pipelines, sprinklers, rather than being dependant only on rainfall.

As these methods have progressed, they have become more efficient while still accomplishing their intended goal. Many of these methods have their roots in Australia. This idea was first brought to the globe in the late 19th century, but many nations worldwide have since achieved significant development and significantly impacted their economy. In nations with extensive grasslands, agriculture is a significant source of employment.

Ponds, wells, dams, reservoirs, and lakes are the principal sources of it.

Benefits:

  • Benefits to the Economy

It’s not only aesthetically pleasing, but it’s also excellent for your wallet. Sprinkler systems are calibrated to use just the exact quantity of water necessary to waste less water. As a consequence, you’ll spend significantly less money on water each month than you would if you watered your grass by hand. So if you’ve always dreamed of having a lush, green lawn, now is the time to get it.

Sprinkler system watering schedules may even be adjusted depending on the season and the year. Overwatering in the autumn and spring is wasteful and may cost you a lot of money.

You may save money on your water bill and raise the value of your home by installing these systems. In addition, if you’re getting ready to put your house on the market, this is a great way to improve the outside curb appeal.

  • Prevents watering irregularities

Before installing this system, installers plan the location of underground pipes and above-ground sprinklers to guarantee the most excellent possible coverage. The careful positioning of each nozzle ensures that the water is evenly distributed throughout your grass. They take everything into account, from the size of your yard to the climate and geography of your property. They’ll consider that a hilly yard may enable water to flow down and saturate particular areas while preventing other yard portions from absorbing the water effectively.

It is possible to water the plants by hand, but it is a lot of labour. Also, while using a hose, it’s tough to tell just how much water your grass needs. Installing a timer-controlled system will make watering a lot more convenient for you.

The old-fashioned methods:

  • Using a Check Basin

The field was split into tiny basins linked to a small drain using the soil’s water capacity. This is a low-cost, low-labour-intensity strategy, but it’s ineffective due to the risk of waterlogging.

  • Irrigation by Furrow

Using this approach, food crops were grown in rows and watered from the sides (Dols), where a furrow was produced. Despite its effectiveness in providing water to vast areas, this method is labour-intensive.

  •  On a Strip

A large land area was split into strips of varying lengths based on the soil’s water needs. As a result, all of the field’s water comes from a single source near the field’s top. If the balance is maintained, a vast area may be watered at a low cost.

  • Irrigation of a basin

This technology is well-known in the horticulture industry for providing water to trees and plants brought to a level and linked through drains. However, it is not suitable for crops.

As a result, current systems like sprinkler, drip and pot techniques were developed as a response to the negative consequences of these approaches.

  • Smart Irrigation

This is a brand-new approach that combines the best of both worlds: cutting-edge programming and current approaches. Farmers may utilise their knowledge, expertise, and experience in agriculture to their advantage.

Small plots of farmland or grass may be watered on-demand using programmed irrigation systems. They are meant to prohibit the operation of water sources (e.g., sprinklers) if rain occurs. Additionally, the moisture content of the soil and the weather in the area are used to gauge when and how much water should be delivered.

Simply replacing the present controller with a smart one speeds up the installation process for these systems. One of the most significant benefits of using this technology is the significant decrease in water use and associated costs.

Irrigation has unquestionably had a global impact on agriculture. However, using contemporary methods, plants may be shielded from harsh weather conditions such as frost or heat currents, and water can be preserved in a more widespread manner.

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