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    Do You Have A Problem With:: An Irrigation System Can

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    Yode akintunde
    This document discusses low-cost irrigation systems that can help crops grow when water is limited due to drought or other factors. Simple systems using gravity to move water through troughs or gutters can cost as little as $50, while larger systems with pumps and pipes typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 per acre. Irrigation provides water for crops when needed, allows for maximum growth, and helps crops resist disease and pests. Technical assistance is available from local conservation offices to help farmers install low-cost irrigation.

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    Do You Have A Problem With:: An Irrigation System Can

    Uploaded by

    Yode akintunde
    75 views4 pages
    This document discusses low-cost irrigation systems that can help crops grow when water is limited due to drought or other factors. Simple systems using gravity to move water through troughs or gutters can cost as little as $50, while larger systems with pumps and pipes typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 per acre. Irrigation provides water for crops when needed, allows for maximum growth, and helps crops resist disease and pests. Technical assistance is available from local conservation offices to help farmers install low-cost irrigation.

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    This document discusses low-cost irrigation systems that can help crops grow when water is limited due to drought or other factors. Simple systems using gravity to move water through troughs or gutters can cost as little as $50, while larger systems with pumps and pipes typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 per acre. Irrigation provides water for crops when needed, allows for maximum growth, and helps crops resist disease and pests. Technical assistance is available from local conservation offices to help farmers install low-cost irrigation.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    75 views4 pages

    Do You Have A Problem With:: An Irrigation System Can

    Uploaded by

    Yode akintunde
    This document discusses low-cost irrigation systems that can help crops grow when water is limited due to drought or other factors. Simple systems using gravity to move water through troughs or gutters can cost as little as $50, while larger systems with pumps and pipes typically range from $1,800 to $2,500 per acre. Irrigation provides water for crops when needed, allows for maximum growth, and helps crops resist disease and pests. Technical assistance is available from local conservation offices to help farmers install low-cost irrigation.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    Do you have a problem with:

    • Crops wilting and dying from lack of


    water
    • Droughty soils
    • Poor quality crops
    • Lost income from dry weather

    A low cost irrigation system can be as simple as a


    series of troughs or gutters moving water by
    gravity, or it can involve a pump and pipelines to
    move water to sprinklers or a drip system.

    An Irrigation System Can:

    • Give you the ability to provide water when your


    Solid set irrigation system
    crops need it.
    • Allow your crops to grow to their maximum
    potential.
    • Help your crops resist diseases and harmful
    insects.
    • Grow crops when dry weather doesn’t
    cooperate

    Micro-irrigation is efficient Drip irrigation system

    Costs:
    • Cost can vary based on the availability of water and the size of the system.
    • Getting water can cost a lot if you have to drill a well or build a pond.
    • Small systems which are operated by manual labor and gravity flow can cost as little as $50
    and irrigate a small garden.
    • Larger systems requiring pumps and permanent piping can cost from $1800 to $2500 an
    acre.
    • All irrigation systems will cost you time to operate and manage.
    Low Cost Irrigation Systems

    Drip Irrigation

    • Drip irrigation systems deliver water to


    your crops at a slow rate, without wetting
    the plant.
    Dividing solid set irrigation systems into smaller zones
    • Pond or stream water will require expen-
    can be accomplished by use of an irrigation manifold sive filters to prevent clogging of the sys-
    tem.
    • Drip systems using well or city water
    Sprinkler Irrigation
    usually require less filtration
    • Water is pumped in pipes or is carried to
    • Sprinkler Irrigation systems spray water into the field in tanks. An irrigation system
    the air. may use valves to separate fields into
    • Properly spaced, the sprinklers apply the zones. This allows a limited water source
    water evenly over the irrigated area. to provide water to a large area by water-
    • Sprinkler systems are less efficient than drip ing one part at a time.
    systems.
    • Wind will affect the uniformity of the irrigation.
    • Sprinkler systems generally require high
    volumes of water at high pressure.
    • Household wells of around 6 gpm can only
    supply enough water to run about 2
    sprinklers at a time. By using portable
    sprinklers and moving them, you should be
    able to irrigate 1/2 acre.
    • Larger fields will require a larger supply
    of water (large well, or pond), a pump
    and portable or permanent piping Drip irrigation systems can operate by gravity.
    network. You can zone the field to make This system is inexpensive but it can irrigate
    better use of the pump and water supply. only a small plot of land 35’ x 35’.
    Larger fields will require a pump. A drip irriga-
    tion system that supplies water to a small field
    only needs a small pump.

    Page 2
    Low Cost Irrigation Systems

    How to Install Sprinkler Irrigation

    • The pipe must be rated for the pressure


    the pump will create.
    • Use glue or fittings specified by the
    manufacturer of the pipe for connections.
    • A trencher may be needed for installing
    buried mains and risers.
    • Thrust blocks will be needed where the line
    changes direction, and at line ends. You can
    excavate the required size hole and pour
    concrete around the pipe to create the thrust
    block.
    • Use a back flow valve to protect the water
    ‘Figure 8 End Closure’
    supply from contamination.
    Portable pipe with sprinklers attached
    can be used in the field, and moved to
    where they are needed. How to Maintain Irrigation Systems

    • Check that sprinklers or the drip emitters


    are functioning properly, and unclog any
    How to Install Drip Irrigation that are not.
    • Filters must be cleaned when the pressure
    • First bring the source of water to the field. drop across it exceeds 3 to 5 PSI.
    • Connect the back flow check valve, a • On drip lines, the ends need to be opened
    pressure reducer, and the filter, making sure frequently to flush them.
    the arrows on these devices are pointing in • Chemical treatment may be needed if
    the right direction. algae or chemical reactions cause
    • Use plumbers tape on all threaded clogging.
    connections. Use clamps or glue on “T”s,
    “L”s & valves.
    • Test the system for water flow, before con-
    necting the main line to the filter and the
    laterals.
    • Use stakes to keep lines in position.
    • Test the system for water flow again before
    connecting the drip lines.
    • At the end of each run, always double back
    the line using a “figure 8, end closure” or use
    removable end caps to allow for frequent line
    flushing to avoid clogging.

    Drip irrigation

    Page 3
    Help is Available

    SMALL SCALE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR FARM

    Technical Help Is Available

    Your local Natural Resources Conservation Service


    (NRCS) office has experienced conservationists that can
    assist you with your low cost irrigation system. They can
    also help you develop a Conservation Plan to solve other
    problems you have identified on your farm.

    There is no charge for our assistance. Simply call your


    local office at the number listed below to set up an
    appointment and we will come to your farm.

    You may also be eligible to receive financial assistance, Helping People Help the Land
    through a state or federal program. Your NRCS office will
    explain any programs that are available so you can make
    the best decision for your operation. All NRCS programs
    and services are voluntary.

    For More Information Contact the:

    Natural Resources Conservation Service

    State Office:
    100 W. Capitol St., Ste. 1321
    Jackson, MS 39269

    www.ms.nrcs.usda.gov
    Twitter: NRCS_MS

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basic of race, color, national ori-
    gin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs).
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact
    the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
    Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice) or (202) 720-1127
    (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    January 2009

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