Drip irrigation is a crop irrigation method that mainly involves a regulated water delivery to plants through a system of pipes, valves, tubing, and emitters. Drip or drip is also referred to as micro or localized irrigation is a pressurized method for irrigating crops and orchards, consisting of networks of pipes usually small in diameters that deliver water directly to the surrounding soil. We are the leading drip irrigation suppliers and installers in Uganda.
Types of Drip Irrigation
There are various types of drip irrigation:
Surface drip system
The emitter and lateral pipe are mounted on the soil surface within the surface drip network. This type of drip system is growing and popular. It is ideal for both broad-spaced plants and row crops. Using a surface drip is easy to observe and inspect, adjust and clean the emitters, analyze patterns of surface moisture and calculate individual discharge rates for the emitters. Surface drip system is very popular in Uganda
Sub-surface drip system
The lateral irrigation is positioned under the field and near the area of the plant root zone in the sub-surface drip irrigation. In this irrigation system, water is pumped through the emitters gradually beneath the surface. Such devices have gained wider acceptance as a result of effectively removing earlier clogging issues. There is less interference in agriculture or any cultural practices, and probably more operational life, due to the process of sub-surface drip irrigation.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
Let’s look at some of the advantages of utilizing a drip irrigation system:
• Increase in production & productivity.
• Improves quality and ensure early maturity of the crops.
• Water Saving up to 40% – 70%.
• Controls weed growth, saving of fertilizer (30%) and labour cost (10%).
• Control diseases.
• Use of saline water is possible if it does not harm the crop.
• Soil erosion is eliminated.
• Suitable for uneven / undulating land.
• High Water Use Efficiency.
• Reduces greenhouse emissions
Installation of Drip irrigation in Uganda
Some important rules to follow when a drip irrigation system is installed;
No Filtration
Filtered water is best for the overall crop health and many drip irrigation systems come with a filter to ensure you have trouble-free usage for many years. If you want to give adequate protection to the tiny orifices of the micro-sprinklers and drippers, use a filter with a mesh screen of at least 155 is best.
Not Enough Emitters
When planning the drip system, the most common mistake people make is not integrating enough drip emitters into the program. Having the right amount of emitters would ensure the root systems of plants get the water they need. The more emitters you have, the happier and healthier plants will be, and you eliminate the risk of a blocked emitter killing off that plant by getting more than one emitter per plant. If you have a smaller plant requiring one emitter, make sure you use a clogging disk to avoid this risk.
Videos of Drip Irrigation
Below is a YouTube Video of drip irrigation systems in Uganda
Limitations of Drip Irrigation Systems :
• The exact depth, of where the water is located, cannot be established
• Limits to use of a drip irrigation system
• The drip system has limiting factors for efficient crop production implementation.
• Small outlet clogging of emitters caused by soil particles, chemicals, fertilizers, and organic materials.
• Damage caused by rodents on plastic pipes.
• Water uniformity due to differences in elevation in the unleveled area.
• Potential salt accumulation during two irrigation cycles in the plant root zone.
Factors that affect the drip irrigation system
Yard size – The larger the yard, the more supplies the contractor wants to complete the job and the more time it takes.
Soil Type – The amount of soil that you have would play a major role in the cost of the system. Machinery is appropriate for rocky, and also sandy soil. Otherwise, installing a drip irrigation system will take time.
Quality of parts – High-end parts would increase the overall system price. These are likely to last longer before needing replacement, however.
Uneven Ground – Slopes, and hills will make it more difficult to install some form of drip irrigation system. The pressure-flow will trigger some issues, which means more pressure regulators will need to be mounted. Regrade the lawn if a drip irrigation project is causing a problem with the uneven ground.
Large Trees – If there are large trees on the property, there’s a good chance their roots could get in the way of installing the device.
FAQ on Drip Irrigation
Which crops are suitable for Drip Irrigation?
Many crops are suitable for drip irrigation system such as Orchard Crops, Vegetables, Cash Crops, Flowers, Plantation, Spices, Oil Seed, Forest Crops. Orchard Crops include Grapes, Pomegranate, Lemon, Custard Apple, Sapota, Coconut. Forest Crops include Teakwood, Bamboo etc. Oil Seed include sunflower, oil palm, Groundnut. Plantations include Tea, Rubber, Coffee, Coconut etc.
How does drip irrigation work?
Drip irrigation works by slowly dripping water onto the roots of plants. The water is delivered through a system of tubes or emitters.
This method of irrigation is ideal for use in areas with sandy or well-drained soils, as it minimizes water loss due to evaporation and run-off.
Cost of drip Irrigation
The cost of drip irrigation depends on; size of land, terrain, type of crop,type of soil
This method of irrigation is ideal for use in areas with sandy or well-drained soils, as it minimizes water loss due to evaporation and run-off.
Is drip irrigation expensive?
Charges are reasonable.
How long does installation take?
Depends
If you are planning to install drip irrigation systems in Uganda please get in touch with our team, we will help you with a Quote.
