Irrigation technology has undergone significant advancements over the past 50 years, driven by the need for increased water efficiency, improved crop yields, and adaptation to changing environmental conditions. The advancement in irrigation technology has helped farmers produce more food for a growing world population. And as this remains an essential aspect to global food production, we are likely to see further advancements in irrigation technology over the years to come.
But improved crop yields is not only good for the global population, it is also important for the profitability of farmers. Unfortunately, Africa has not taken full advantage of irrigation technologies for various reasons, including a lack of infrastructure. AGRA says: “Although irrigation in Africa has the potential to boost agricultural productivities by at least 50%, food production on the continent is almost entirely dryland. The area equipped for irrigation, currently slightly more than 13 million hectares, makes up just 6% of the total cultivated area.”
There are various irrigation technologies that these farmers can take advantage of, given adequate infrastructure and knowledge transfer. These include:
Drip irrigation, which is a water-efficient irrigation method that delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of pipes, emitters and tubing. This method is ideal for crops that are sensitive to waterlogging, such as fruit, vegetables, and trees. Drip irrigation can help to reduce water use by up to 50% compared with traditional irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation and sprinkler irrigation.
This story is from the November 24, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
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This story is from the November 24, 2023 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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