Given the importance of optimal natural resource utilization, I went with the approach of drip irrigation for my Banana Plantation. During my initial days I relied on my drip supplier to give me a suitable design. This was based on the assumption that he has more experiance in this feild.
My requirement was for the drip system provider to install a drip system which will:
- use my water tank (6 Lakh liters) as a source
- use pressure compesated drippers to account for terrien
- Account for 3 hrs available of electricity per day
- Calculate 24 lts per plant
- Provide an automated valve to control the delivery of water to different sections of the feild
It was my mistake to rely on the supplier. The flaws in my drip design:
- The designer did not account for drop in pressure due to continoues repair in the system
- The drip system works well for direct connection to borewell (this has reduced dirt)
- When connected to the water tank, alge develops eventualy and clogs the sand filter very frequently
- PC dripper as a concept is very good to supply even water and fertilizer accross the drip system, however - when the terrian in not even, the system fails.
- Due to frequent repairs in the pump, the efficiancy of the pump drops as well. This results in drop in operating pressure of the drip system as well
- The Solonoid valve requires constant pressure in the system,else it will result in 'hammer' effect
- When the pump is turned off, the difference in external pressure and drip system pressure causes the drippers to such the soil into the drippers resulting in clogging
- Laterals used from smaller companies were folding due to intense sunlight
Ultimatly due to the above factors, there was:
- Uneven supply of water and fertilizer in the feild
- No supply of water and fertilizer to several areas of the feild
Lessons:
- Optiml design of drip system is mandatoy.
- Try out the drip system for an acre of land before continuing
- Do not use cheap products as this will result in folding
- Level the land prior to installation of drip system, PC drippers do no work as promised
- Always connect the drip system directly to borewell
- Plan your planting based on water availability (in effect availabilty of electricity)
My requirement was for the drip system provider to install a drip system which will:
- use my water tank (6 Lakh liters) as a source
- use pressure compesated drippers to account for terrien
- Account for 3 hrs available of electricity per day
- Calculate 24 lts per plant
- Provide an automated valve to control the delivery of water to different sections of the feild
It was my mistake to rely on the supplier. The flaws in my drip design:
- The designer did not account for drop in pressure due to continoues repair in the system
- The drip system works well for direct connection to borewell (this has reduced dirt)
- When connected to the water tank, alge develops eventualy and clogs the sand filter very frequently
- PC dripper as a concept is very good to supply even water and fertilizer accross the drip system, however - when the terrian in not even, the system fails.
- Due to frequent repairs in the pump, the efficiancy of the pump drops as well. This results in drop in operating pressure of the drip system as well
- The Solonoid valve requires constant pressure in the system,else it will result in 'hammer' effect
- When the pump is turned off, the difference in external pressure and drip system pressure causes the drippers to such the soil into the drippers resulting in clogging
- Laterals used from smaller companies were folding due to intense sunlight
Ultimatly due to the above factors, there was:
- Uneven supply of water and fertilizer in the feild
- No supply of water and fertilizer to several areas of the feild
Lessons:
- Optiml design of drip system is mandatoy.
- Try out the drip system for an acre of land before continuing
- Do not use cheap products as this will result in folding
- Level the land prior to installation of drip system, PC drippers do no work as promised
- Always connect the drip system directly to borewell
- Plan your planting based on water availability (in effect availabilty of electricity)
