NL Corresspondent
Jammu Tawi: Commenting on the rationale of drip fertigation, Umesh, Sr. Manager of Agronomy, Netafim India said, “Improving irrigation and fertilization management for greater productivity is critical to address water scarcity. Drip fertigation can synchronize the water and fertilizer supply with crop demand, thus, offering the potential to increase productivity sustainably. The technology meets the nutrient demand of crops near the root zone and helps farmers save 15-25% on fertilizers as well as crop production costs. As compared to surface irrigation, drip fertigation greatly contributes to agricultural emissions, improves crop root growth, nutrient uptake, and controls Soil Salinization”.
He added, “Tarikere Drip Irrigation Project Phase II farmers, using drip fertigation has witnessed enhanced water productivity and fertilizer use efficiencies. The technology led to significantly enhanced water productivity of 90 per cent, fertilizer use efficiency by 30 to 40 per cent while considerably decreased crop evapotranspiration by 9 -10 per cent, compared to farmers' practicing traditional irrigation by furrow or flood and fertilization by broadcasting. The technology also helps optimum moisture distribution for the crop to absorb nutrients.” He also informed, “A farmer witnessed a 30-35 per cent higher yield (5.5 tons per acre) of Gherkin, whereas, without drip fertigation, he could grow only 4 tons/acre. Another farmer Mr Parappa from village Kallapura, has grown 14 tons / 0.5 acre of tomato with drip fertigation. Earlier, he used to yield only 10 tons /0.5 acre. Ramesh from Garagadahalli village has grown 25 tons/ha watermelon with drip fertigation, 30 per cent more than the earlier crop yield.”
The ongoing project, once completed, will cover 13594 Ha of land, 42 villages and nearly 26,000 farmers. Predominantly the farmers associated with the project are growing vegetables, fruits, flowers and arecanuts. The project is likely to get completed by July 2023, said Umesh.
