Appropriate Irrigation (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-11-10. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

Name of technology example: Type
Appropriate Irrigation
Irrigation2.jpg
Energy Efficiency
☐ Renewable Energy
Alternative Methodology
Description Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. Additionally, irrigation also has a few other uses in crop production, which include protecting plants against frost, suppressing weed growth in grain fields and preventing soil consolidation.In contrast, agriculture that relies only on direct rainfall is referred to as rain-fed or dryland farming.

Irrigation has been a central feature of agriculture for over 5000 years, and was the basis of the economy and society of numerous societies, ranging from Asia to Arizona.

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigation)

Water scarcity in many regions demands appropriate irrigation systems.

1. Surface irrigation Running or impounding water over the surface and allowing it to saturate the soil to some depth;

2. Sprinkle irrigation Spraying water into the air and allowing it to fall on to plants and soil as simulated rainfall;

3. Drip irrigation Dripping water on to a fraction of the ground surface so as to infiltrate it into the root zone;

4. Subsurface exuders Introducing the water directly into the root zone by means of porous receptacles;

5. Subirrigation Raising the water-table from below (in places where the groundwater is shallow and controlable) so as to moisten the root zone by capillary action;

(Source: http://www.fao.org/docrep/W3094E/w3094e05.htm)

Technology for the Application of
☐ Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas ☐ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency
Other: Water efficiency
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing
☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation
Other: Cultivation
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities
☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing
☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying
Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding
☐ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare
☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation
☐ Other: /
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups
Cereals Fruits and vegetables Nuts and berries
Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products
Oil Seeds Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs
Pulses Fiber Crops Forestry
Sugars Stimulants Spices
☐ Other: /
Region & Country of
Development
None

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Current Deployment
None

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Potential Deployment
Worldwide

Africa
South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers
Economics
Technology Development Level Well established regional and widespread use;
Required Maintenance Technical Level Low: Technology to be maintained through its life cycle requires less common tools and/or training is required for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment Low: Technology can be developed with less common tools, low development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel;
Required Resources during manufacture Ceramics, plastics, energy;
Required Resources during operation Energy for pumping (in some cases only);
Deployment
Level
Worldwide use but not very common;
Deployment Capability and Potential The technology can be widely deployed limited only by education;
Requirements for Deployment Education and training, establishing manufacturing and distribution structures;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security High: can be operated with onsite renewables;
Environment Impacts (emissions) Low: no direct emissions but indirect emissions;
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules High;
Additional information / Comments No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrigation

http://www.fao.org/docrep/W3094E/w3094e05.htm

http://www.fao.org/docrep/W7314E/w7314e01.htm#TopOfPage and the following pages

http://www.appropriatetech.net/files/BUSINESS_SOLUTIONS_FOR_SMALL_SCALE_IRRIGATION_TECHNOLOGIES.pdf

http://www.irrigation.org/uploadedFiles/Standards/BMPDesign-Install-Manage.3-18-14%282%29.pdf

http://www.sswm.info/category/implementation-tools/water-use/hardware/optimisation-water-use-agriculture/drip-irrigation

http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/SHOCK%202006%20Drip%20Irrigation%20An%20Introduction.pdf

http://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/reference_attachments/SIJALI%202001%20Drip%20Irrigation%20Options%20for%20Smallholder%20Farmers%20in%20Eastern%20and%20Southern%20Africa.pdf

http://www.infonet-biovision.org/default/ct/293/soilConservation

http://www.ideorg.org/OurStory/Publications.aspx


https://practicalaction.org/micro-irrigation

"Energy Efficiency, Alternative Methodology" is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.