Description

Drip irrigation is a method of watering plants that saves water and fertilizer by channeling water directly to the roots of plants. The water is channeled through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters to the base of the plant.⁴

Issue Category:

Value:

SWOT Analysis

• Can be used in difficult terrains (hilly, low rainfall)¹
• Variety of crops can be irrigated (vegetables, fruits, commercial cash crops, flowers)¹

• Difficult to use for cereal crops such as rice, wheat etc that require large quantity of water²

• However research is ongoing showing promising results in rice cultivation using drip irrigation³

• High, but lower than other irrigation systems

• Reduced cultivation cost¹

• Can double or triple¹
• Water savings of >50%¹
• Saves energy if gravity operated (IDE systems) or low horsepower pumps¹

• Lower - for irrigation, weeding and fertilizer application

• Concentration of salts in roots is reduced due to slow application

• Clogging occurs if water is not properly filtered or equipment is not well-maintained
• Waste of water if not installed properly
• Germination problems may arise in lighter soils if drip system is sufficiently wet the soil surface

• Better trainings or resources must be available for troubleshooting and maintenance

Case Studies

Additional Resources

Manuals and guides

• Technical Manual for IDEal Micro Irrigation Systems (IMS) <IDE> features comprehensive parts lists and instructions for assembling low-cost drip irrigation systems.
• Simple Drip Irrigation - Nepal <IDE presentation> features photos of drip system components and installations in Nepal.
• Drip Irrigation Systems - Jain Irrigation Systems <website> describes different types of systems available through Jain

Organizations:

• International Development Enterprises (IDE) <website>
• Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. <website>

Further reading (from Wikipedia⁴): 

• Irrigation, 5th Edition, Muhammad Irfan Khan Yousafzai, Claude H. Pair, editor, published by the Irrigation Association, 1983
• Trickle Irrigation for Crop Production, F. S. Nakayama and D. A. Bucks, editors, published by Elsevier, 1986, ISBN 0-444-42615-9
• S. Blass, Water in Strife and Action (Hebrew), published by Massada limited, Israel, 1973
• Maintenance Manual, published by Jain Irrigation Systems, 1989
• Drip and Micro Irrigation Design and Management for Trees, Vines, and Field Crops, 3rd Edition, by Charles M. Burt and Stuart W. Styles, published by the Irrigation Training and Research Center, 2007