Sprinkler Irrigation System

    Image: Sprinkler Irrigation System.

Water is a key factor in increasing agricultural production. About 78% of India's water resources are used for agriculture out of this only 50% is actually used by plants and the remaining water resources are wasted either as deep percolation or as evaporation. Excess irrigation not only reduces crop production and damages soil fertility but also causes ecological hazards like water logging and salinity. With competitive use of water and its increasing scarcity, it has become imperative to economize water use for optimum productivity. This is possible only through improved water management and adopting techniques of irrigation. One such method of modern irrigation is sprinkler irrigation system and is popular among the farmers across the country.

Sprinkler irrigation system saves upto 50% of water compared to surface irrigation method and increases productivity by about 15-25 %. Until 1970, sprinkler irrigation system in India was used mostly in hilly area for plantation crops like tea and coffee. But thereafter it spread to other states like Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, U.P., Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc. where there was shortage of ground water for irrigation. 

Today farmers in almost all the States in the country have progressively adopted this system and it is estimated that about 10 million ha can be brought under sprinkler irrigation system in India. Realising the need for water use optimisation in the context of water scarcity and increasing agricultural productivity, the Government of India encourages large scale adoption of this method.

Sprinkler Irrigation is a method of applying irrigation water which is similar to rainfall. Water is distributed through a system of pipes usually by pumping. It is then sprayed into the air and irrigated entire soil surface through spray heads so that it breaks up into small water drops which fall to the ground.

Sprinklers provide efficient coverage for small to large areas and are suitable for use on all types of properties. It is also adaptable to nearly all irrigable soils since sprinklers are available in a wide range of discharge capacity. 

Sprinkler irrigation method distributes water to crops by spraying it over the crop area like a natural rainfall. The water under pressure flows through perforations or nozzles and sprays over the area. The pressure is provided by a pump of suitable capacity and horsepower. With careful selection of nozzle sizes, operating pressure and spacing, the actual water required for maintaining the soil moisture at field capacity is applied uniformly at a rate to suit the infiltration rate of soil thereby obtaining efficient water application. 

It is estimated that the sprinkler irrigation system substantially reduces the use of water and the crop productivity also increases.

Advantages: 

1. Fertilizers and pesticides can be effectively applied in split doses through sprinklers at little extra cost. This facilitates uniform fertilizer application and effective pest control.
2. The overall cost of labour is generally reduced.
3. Erosion of soil cover which is common in surface irrigation can be eliminated.