Community micro irrigation
Community micro irrigation is an innovative concept that involves the facilitation of micro irrigation technology through surface water and to the community of farmers at large. As a project-solution, it involves the integration of ‘Water-Conveyance’ with ‘On-Farm Productivity’. This integration results in considerable gains for farmers in the form of higher yield and output for the community of farmers, along with a better water-use efficiency.
The conventional model of drip irrigation has its own challenges. These include its almost negligible penetration in the surface water. Besides, the countless benefits that one reaps out of drip irrigation remain largely confined to the ground water. Moreover, factors such as water evaporation, uneven water distribution and the absence of a community-based approach towards agriculture result in low water-use efficiency levels.
Community micro irrigation works as a solution here! It helps leverage the benefits of drip irrigation to the surface water, and on the other hand, help overcome the limitations of canal/surface irrigation. It involves facilitation of water to the crop root zone in the command area, thus ensuring equal distribution of water, and helping farmers gain a higher yield. This, in turn, proves to be a truly integrated solution! In simpler words, community micro irrigation is a bridge that fills the gap between the potential created and the irrigation potential utilized.