IRRIGATION ▶▶▶


How tech can help solve the world’s water woes


Population shifts and climate change will place huge strain on water availability. Future Farming looks at current and future technologies that will help farmers use it more efficiently


ADAM CLARKE O


ne of the world’s biggest worries is running out of water to support its vast number of ecosystems and food production for an ever-


growing human population. The positive news is there have been big


steps forward in crop irrigation technology in recent years, helping farmers do their bit towards more efficient use of this precious, finite resource. According to the Food and


But across the other 44m hectares (109m


acres) using sprinkler and drip irrigation systems worldwide, new technology is starting to play a big role in reducing inefficiency. “The problem [in these areas] is farmers


HOW EFFICIENT IS YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM?


Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, agriculture accounts for almost 70% of water extraction globally and this can rise to 95% in some developing countries. In addition, some 40% of the world’s food supply is produced on irrigated land, underlining the importance of water for future food security. In 2012, it was estimated that of the 324m


hectares (800m acres) of irrigated land around the world, 280m hectares (690m acres) still used surface or flood irrigation, which is said to have a water use efficiency of just 40-50%. Shifting flood-irrigated farms to more


controlled, mechanised forms of irrigation offers huge potential to improve water use efficiency worldwide, according to Franz-Peter Roll of Austrian-based irrigation equipment manufacturer Bauer. However, that has some practical challenges, particularly in developing countries where rural infrastructure to power such systems and money to invest in it is generally lacking.


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 Flood: 40-50%  Hose/reel: 70-80%  Pivot/linear: 85-90%  Drip: 90-95%


often over-irrigate their land, as they don’t know the right amount of water to apply. This is because they don’t have the relevant information on soil type, soil moisture and crop needs. “We must have a better idea


of how much water we need and that is where we can improve and help the farmers,” explains Mr Roll. In terms of basic mechanical


hardware, Mr Roll says there is a place for all systems, including


pivot or linear which suit larger farms, mobile hose and reel systems where flexibility is needed, and drip irrigation for horticulture and smaller-scale producers. However, he expects the real future


advancements in irrigation to come in the form of electronic and digital solutions, where all the machinery on farm – including water applicators – will all be integrated into one central control system. He adds the industry is seeing the


beginning of this revolution and there are already a few large farms using sensors, weather stations, satellite imagery and other data to apply water in the right quantities, just where it is needed. “Everything will be linked, from fertilisation,


spraying and harvesting to irrigation and controlled from one place by the farmer. “You won’t need to go out to the field to start


or stop anything anymore and in 10 years’ time, I think this will be the standard,” says Mr Roll.


▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017


What technology is improving water use?


1 GPS TECHNOLOGY Understanding field conditions and variability is critical for any precision farming application. Global positioning systems (GPS) have been the technological game changer for the farming industry and its benefits are now trickling through into irrigation practices. Whether it is mapping soil texture, using


variable rate irrigation technology, positioning soil moisture sensors in the right soil zones or taking advantage of remote sensing through satellites or drones, GPS provides the foundation for everything. It is also helping farmers using linear


irrigators or pivot extensions to scrap buried wires or furrows for guidance, as GPS can now do the steering. This helps increase a farm’s production area and boost profitability.


2 PRECISION LAND LEVELLING Uneven field surfaces in flood and sprinkler irrigation systems can cause ponding or drier areas through poor water distribution, leading to water and poor yields. Run-off can also be a problem, causing soil erosion and nutrient loss – both environmental hazards. Farmers have long attempted to level off


fields, but the latest technology raises accuracy to another level. Software from guidance giants Trimble and Topcon allow users to 3D design a field’s surface for optimum water distribution and drainage, reducing ponding and erosion risk and increasing crop yields. Maps are then combined with real-time


kinetic-guidance of grader blades to shape the surface to the 3D design. Land forming in this way is said to reduce topsoil movement by up to 80% compared with other methods, such as laser-level guidance.


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