Vegetable cultivation need drip irrigation?

Farm Advice
#1

Hello Gurus,

As I mentioned in my other post, I own some 9 acres of land which is clayey in nature.

We have a bore well with submersible pump with good supply of water, which is being used to cultivate rice.

I am planning to cultivate bhendi, brinjal etc,.

Since the water supply is ample even for rice, people are advising against installing drip irrigation which will cost about 4 Lakhs INR after subsidy.

Can the gurus please help me in deciding whether to go for drip irrigation or not.

If drip irrigation is not needed, then how to grow vegetables like bhendi, brinjal etc.

Thanks in advance.

Regards
Shanmugasundaram.M

#2

There is a maintenance issue in drip you can try micro sprinkler or flood irrigation. if you for non ISI pipes and items it may cost you less than 1,5 lacs for you(no subsidy for non ISI)

#3

Thanks Sri for your suggestions.

Please let me know of any vendor who can do non-isi based drip system.

I am not particular about subsidy due to so many leakages in the system, if you know what I mean :slight_smile:

Regards
Shanmugasundaram.M

#4

You should go for drip irrigation for the following reasons.

  1. Minimizes the water requirement overall.
  2. Reduces the weeds which in turn will reduce your labour cost of weeding.
  3. Optimal use of resources (Manures or Pesticides) etc.
  4. Reduces the need for labour for flood irrigation.

Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation

  1. High initial cost (you should check whether you will get subsidy for the entire land parcel.  Also, check whether there is 100% subsidy to a certain extent of land and  less % of subsidy thereafter)
  2. Rats will damage the drip.  Need to take precautions.
  3. Clogging of Drip.  Need to maintain properly.

In case, if you are not opting for Drip, you can still grow vegetables through Flood Irrigation or micro Sprinkler Irrigation as Sri has mentioned.

Regards
Padmanabhan Ganesan
agricultureforeverybody.blogspot.com

#5

Thanks all of you to shed some light on the issue. Will come back once I decide in the course of action.

Regards
Shan