Impact of Financial Impetus on Distribution Channels

India is an agrarian country. Agriculture and other allied activities such as dairy farming, livestock farming, horticulture etc., contribute significantly to the Indian economy. It is the most significant source of livelihood for a major chunk of the Indian population, especially in the rural areas where almost 70% of the households depend upon agriculture as the primary source of income.

Importance of irrigation:

Agricultural production is heavily dependent on the availability of water. With the weather patterns changing rapidly owing to global warming, dependence on monsoon rains for crops is highly risky. Besides, monsoon rains only last for about 3-4 months, and the better part of the year is predominantly dry. Additionally, drought, famines, and water scarcity in rural India can lead to poor agricultural output, pushing farmers into debt.

In such a scenario, irrigation can prove to be a boon for farmers across the country as the agricultural productivity on irrigated farms is remarkably higher than that on un-irrigated farms.

Another way in which irrigation can boost agricultural production is by making multiple cropping a possibility. Farmers can leverage India’s tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions to their advantage by growing multiple crop cycles all year round with the help of irrigation.

Drip Irrigation: What, why and how!

Drip irrigation has the potential to transform agricultural practices in India completely. Across the world, drip irrigation has enabled millions of farmers to produce higher yields while also saving water, electricity, fertilisers, and other resources. It is one of the most efficient systems to deliver water and other nutrients to growing crops across the farmland.

• What is Drip Irrigation?

In drip irrigation, a vast network of ‘dripper lines’ is created across the farm. Dripper lines are pipes fitted with drippers that deliver water and fertilisers uniformly and directly to the crop’s root zones.

• Why should farmers opt for Drip Irrigation?

Apart from the fact that it is efficient water and nutrient delivery system across the farm, drip irrigation has several other benefits that make it the most preferred irrigation method for farmers. Drip irrigation offers a higher ROI than other irrigation methods, allowing the farmers to operate their agricultural lands better. Other benefits of drip irrigation include:

1. It is a cost-effective method of irrigation.
2. A higher crop yield is consistent both in terms of quantity and quality.
3. It saves water by preventing water loss by way of evaporation, wastage and runoff.
4. It ensures the even distribution of water and nutrients across all the crops.
5. It utilises 100% of the land and is suitable for all soil types across the varied topography of India.
6. Since drip irrigation works perfectly well on lower water pressure, it leads to remarkable energy savings.
7. In other irrigation methods, there is a high chance that the land’s natural slope can cause the water and other fertilisers to accumulate in one spot, resulting in uneven distribution of water and fertiliser. Drip irrigation solves this issue efficiently and effectively.
8. It makes the farmers less dependent on monsoon rains, lending a sense of stability and minimising the risks in agriculture.

• How is drip irrigation better for the crops?

Like humans need frequent and balanced meals throughout the day, plants also require regular and uniformly distributed water and nutrients to ensure proper growth. Here’s how drip irrigation provides optimal growth in plants:

1. It optimises the availability of water and fertilisers.
2. The amount of water and fertiliser delivered to the crops can be customised based on their individual needs.
3. Drip irrigation prevents saturation of water and is excellent for soil aeration.
4. It also keeps the soil from becoming saline from excessive usage of fertilisers.
5. By arresting water accumulation, it prevents fungal infections caused due to wet and decaying foliage.

Drip Irrigation: Crops that can be grown

The drip irrigation method is suitable for all kinds of crops. Farmers can ensure optimum production and high yield of almost every crop by implementing drip irrigation methods across their farms.

Right from field crops like wheat, corn, sugarcane etc., to vegetables and fruits growing in soil or by way of hydroponics. Drip irrigation is also suitable for all kinds of terrains, from flat fields to sloping lands. While setting up a drip irrigation system that farmers must heed, the only consideration is the crop, its needs, and the field conditions.

Conclusion:

Drip irrigation offers almost 95-100% efficiency in water usage – making it perfect for farmers living in drought-prone areas with a paucity of water resources. Moreover, drip irrigation is also cost-effective with a respectable Return on Investment. By delivering significantly high crop yield while simultaneously saving on resource inputs such as water energy, fertiliser, and labour. It also enables farmers to enjoy higher profits.