Drip irrigation in Kenya is one of the greatest irrigation technologies for water saving. Farmers who use drip irrigation to irrigate their crops can save up to 50% more water and fertilizer than those who use other methods such as overhead irrigation. Drip irrigation in Kenya involves progressively releasing water into the root zone of plants, either over the soil surface or straight into the root zone, using a network of valves, pipes, and emission tubes (drip tape). With drip irrigation, farmers have more flexibility in managing their water supply. The farmer can use cello tape to temporarily seal off any holes where there are no plants so that the water can flow to other areas instead of being wasted.
What Is the Purpose of a Drip Irrigation in Kenya?
Have you observed the changes in the world’s climate? You have, of course. Everyone is aware of the drought conditions, water restrictions, and shortages. In Kenya, certain areas are still experiencing drought while others are developing. Farmers are now unable to sow and anticipate good harvests based on the previous rain patterns as a result of this impact. Due to the way that times have changed, you might end up losing all of your crops in the field. In order to ensure that plants receive enough water to grow and produce a healthy harvest, people have turned to irrigation as a result of this adversity. The most effective option is drip irrigation. It is a more controlled method of irrigation.
The most effective method of delivering nutrients and water to crops is drip irrigation. Each plant receives the precise amount of water and nutrients it requires at the precise time for optimum growth by being delivered straight to the root zone of the plant. It enables farmers to increase yields while using less water, fertilizer, and energy.
What is the wetting pattern in drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation merely moistens a portion of the soil root zone, unlike surface and spray irrigation. This could only wet 30% as much soil as the other methods did. Depending on discharge and soil type, wetting patterns that result from water dripping onto the ground might form. Figure 64 illustrates how sand and clay soils respond to variations in discharge.
Even if only a portion of the root zone is wet, it is critical to fulfilling the crop’s total water requirements. Drip irrigation is sometimes assumed to save water by lowering the quantity needed by the crop. This is not correct. The manner of applying water has no effect on crop water usage. Crops only need the correct quantity to thrive.
The decreases in deep percolation, surface runoff, and evaporation from the soil are the water savings that drip irrigation may provide. These savings, it should be noted, are dependent on the user as much as the device itself.
Drip irrigation is not a suitable replacement for other tested irrigation techniques. Just another technique to apply water, really. It works best in regions with low water quality, sloped or undulating, poor-quality soil, high costs for labor or water, or regular watering requirements for high-value crops.
What are the benefits of drip irrigation?
- yield increase of up to 230%
- Uses 70% less water than flood irrigation. With the water that is saved, more area may be watered.
- The crop matures quickly, expands steadily, and is healthier.
- Returns on investment are larger and faster when maturity is early.
- The effectiveness of fertilizer use rises by 30%.
- Reduced labor costs, interculturing costs, and fertilizer costs.
- Through the Micro Irrigation System itself, fertilizer and chemical treatment can be administered.
- It is also possible to cultivate productively on hilly, saline, waterlogged, sandy, and undulating terrains.
