Drip irrigation role in food security is a key solution toward a sustainable future in a water-stressed world. Food security is a matter of global concern that is being affected by climate change and rapid population growth. With intensifying droughts, and increasing global temperatures, conventional Agriculture will not be able to meet the growing demand for food, shifting diets, and increasing demands for biofuels by the year 2050. This is because of the projected human population increase of 2 billion people, according to the World Food Program (WFP).
Rain-fed convention Agriculture.
Scientists have forecasted an increase in global temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns as the climate continues to change. Since conventional Agriculture depends is rain fed, such fluctuation in temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns limit food production. Increasing temperatures increase the frequency of drought, particularly in areas where rain-fed farming is the main farming practice.
Shortage of water for food production.
Water scarcity is the most critical impact of climate change on farming, resulting from desertification, and the reduction of groundwater reserves. As rainfall minimizes, drought intensifies, and more population depends on groundwater for farming and consumption. Agriculture accounts for almost 70% of water withdrawal, according to the World Food Organization (FAO). Water scarcity is expected to intensify as the global temperature increases. Furthermore, an increase in temperature results in an increase in crop demand for water; therefore, more water is being withdrawn from the ground reserves.
Alternative solutions.
Irrigation stands out as a feasible option for sustainable, and efficient water management for farming. Even though being sustainable, irrigation faces a big challenge of limited expansion due to the increasing depletion of water reservoirs due to elevating global temperatures, and periodic droughts. This has caused a reduction in irrigation output, which stands for 40% of total food production according to the World Bank.
The role of drip irrigation in food security.
With shifting climatic conditions, and the continued rise of global temperatures, food production is in crisis rain-fed farming cannot meet the demand for food due to increasing human populations. Therefore, there is a need for immediate action toward more sustainable methods of growing food that can maintain the food demand for the growing population. Drip irrigation offers a sustainable solution that maximizes irrigation water efficiency, and boosts crop productivity per water unit. Drip irrigation is a highly effective technique in nature, and allows controlled delivery of water precisely to the plant root directly.
Comparison between conventional irrigation systems, and drip irrigation systems.
Traditional methods of irrigation, such as flooding or overhead sprinklers, flood the whole field with water, resulting in significant water wastage through runoff, and evaporation. However, drip irrigation is a system equipped with an emitter and drippers that deliver water precisely directly to the plant root zone.
Types of drip irrigation systems.
1. Surface Drip Irrigation:
This is the most common type. It contains drip lines on the soil surface, next to the plants, delivering water to the roots directly via small emitters or drippers. Farmers use them for row crops, such as vegetables or fruit trees.
2. Subsurface Drip Irrigation:
In this system, we bury drip lines in the soil. Farmers use it in maintaining the soil surface dryness, such as in greenhouses, nurseries, or high-value crops. SDI delivers water directly to the root zone while reducing evaporation. It also helps reduce the risk of foliar diseases and minimizes contact between the water and plant foliage.
3. Micro Spray Irrigation:
This is a system that uses small sprinkler heads or micro sprayers to deliver water to crops. we use this method landscape irrigation, gardens, or orchards where a wider distribution is necessary. They are highly versatile, and adjustable in terms of spray patterns and flow rates to suit different plant varieties and watering needs.
4. Inline Drip Irrigation:
It is similar to the surface drip system, but it is equipped with emitters or drippers pre-inserted into the tubing itself. This makes installation faster and easier, eliminating the need for manually inserting individual emitters. Farmers use them in agricultural fields, vineyards, and large-scale plantations.
5. Point Source Drip Irrigation:
A specific crop that require a large volume of water uses this system. It uses small emitters to deliver water directly at the base of individual plants, ensuring precise watering and minimal water wastage. People commonly use it in orchards, vineyards, and landscaped areas where targeted irrigation is important.
Advantages of drip irrigation system.
First, it improves water use efficiency. It is the most precise method of watering the crops as it ensures plants get the right amount of water in the right place.
Secondly, it conserves water.
Delivering water directly to the root system of the crop conserves water. Moreover, emitters used in drip systems ensure precise water delivery. This more economical method compared to a conventional irrigation system that floods the whole field.
This technique saves time.
Drip irrigation saves time used in hand-watering crops. Additionally, it prevents crop damage that occurs during hand watering the crops. Furthermore, drip irrigation equipped with automated timers reduces regular manual control of the system.
This method saves money.
First, it saves water bills as it uses 30 to 50% less water when compared to conventional irrigation systems. Secondly, drip irrigation lowers water bills by reducing water loss through evaporation. Finally, this systems last for years reducing regular reinstallation.
Drip irrigation system also improves crop health.
It reduces foliar crop diseases such as mildew on the leaves.
In addition, drip irrigation is a more versatile system.
Farmers use them in various places such as gardens, vineyards, greenhouses, and open fields. Secondly, farmers use them in landscaping , and finally, on hillsides and terrains.
Drip irrigation is flexible.
It is applicable in both large, and small scale farming.
In conclusion, drip irrigation is a sustainable, and efficient water management technique that has addressed the challenges caused by water scarcity, climate change, increased global temperatures, and the need for increased food production. By conserving water, enhancing crop health, reducing energy consumption, and promoting soil sustainability, drip irrigation offers feasible solutions to water scarcity, and intensifying drought. Governments and agricultural organizations should actively raise awareness, and encourage the adoption of drip irrigation among farmers as this practice ensures the long-term viability of agriculture and secure food systems in a water-stressed world.
References.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-and-world-bank-sign-water-tech-deal/.
https://paulpolak.com/wp-content/uploads/DripIrrigationforSmallFarmersAug2000.pdf
