BayG.A.P. SERVICE PROGRAM MODULE 3
Advantages:
• Widely utilized, workers generally know how
to operate and maintain the system
• Minimal capital investment is required to set
up the system
• Systems are easily managed and maintained
• Gravity is utilized as the source for system
energy
• Climatic and water quality factors only have
little to no impact on the systems
• … Automatic irrigation systems allow a lot of advan-
tages. After installation, water distribution on the
fields requires less attention and permanent control
by workers. Automated irrigation systems offer
many flexible ways to design irrigation solutions.
Even simply designed systems allow larger areas
to be controlled with few human resources. Already
simply designed mechanical solutions work, e.g.
clay pot or porous capsule irrigation networks and
bottle irrigation.
Disadvantages:
• The soil may not have varying properties
• Lower efficiency of applying water compared
to sprinkler or trickle systems
• High initial effort to grade field, if possible at all
• High demand of labour for set up
• … For instance, the intermittent gravity-flow irrigation
system shown below is a widely used solution for
small-scale agriculture. Through a siphon, con-
ventional valves can be replaced offering a more
cost-effective system that is easy to operate and
to maintain. For a simple system, nothing more
than a storage tank combined with one or more
siphons is required. Water flows from the tank to
the field because water is automatically sucked
down the tube due to a difference in height
(siphon effect). Water irrigation flow stops auto-
matically when the tank has run empty. Irrigation
is upheld simply by regular re-filling of the tank
and the siphon effect continues.
Automatic Irrigation
Automated irrigation are systems requiring no or
minimal intervention from operators. Efficiency of
irrigation is raised and workers are more avail-
able for other important tasks on the farm. On
the downside, these systems are usually more
expensive and have a higher degree of complex-
ity in design, which asks for specialists in terms
of planning and implementation.
Gravity sucks out water
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