Farmers the world over globally depend on scores of water resources. Groundwater is one of them to reduce the impact that water waste has on agriculture. There are umpteen side effects of water waste, including soil erosion, overwatering crops, and more. It is time to do your best to use nature's most precious resource (water) for effective conservation. You can grow crops effectively with less water and aid in preservation.
Relying on one source of water can lead to unregulated usage leading to more imbalance in water resources leading to water resources. Farmers are trying out new and valuable methods to help properly conserve water. Here are a few of the methods farmers have employed in recent times to grow crops more sustainably.
Reducing Water Loss With Drip Irrigation
It has usually been the norm for farmers to utilize spray watering systems to aid in irrigation. However, newer and more novel methods, such as the drip irrigation system, ensure lesser water loss. This type of irrigation system ensures that water is delivered right onto the roots of plants this, reducing water wastage considerably.
Research says that Drip Irrigation, when installed correctly, can save at least 80 percent of water than the other tried and tested methods, leading to better management of irrigation sources and higher crop yields. Evaporation is further reduced when the plants are watered in the latter half of the day. More and more farms are integrating this form of irrigation system.
Storing Rain Water
Storing rainwater has been in vogue for years, and it can drastically cut down on using groundwater through water wells. Farmers now build ponds to store rainfall water throughout the year using ingenious methods. Building ponds for irrigation facilities can help irrigate crops and make natureconservation as it attracts local wildlife. These farms build more than one pond to cater to all the water requirements and reduce the dependability on groundwater. The trick is to divide the water usage and get the water from different sources.
Scheduling Irrigation As Per The Weather Forecast
Farmers today ensure proper water management tricks as they incorporate modern water management systems. Focusing on each aspect of water management systems, including how often, when, and how much the water is utilized, can lead to better water management outcomes.
Keeping a tab on the weather can reduce the over and underutilization of water. Farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast to time their irrigations correctly. They monitor the soil and the weather forecast to avoid under-or overwatering their crops. They also carefully monitor the soil moisture and employ proper irrigation facilities. For example, some farms only water the plants at night to reduce evaporation. This way, the water seeps down to lower levels and restores the water tables.
Drought-Resistant Crops
Farmers are now growing crops as per the particular region's climate, and this way, they get more crops per drop. Drought-resistant, crops are not only suitable for dry areas but other regions too, as it saves water. Crops that grow without too much water are tepary beans, olives, orach, and Armenian cucumbers are the names of the crops you can find at various farmer markets. These crop types need very little care and even ensure an excellent yield.
Dry Farming
Dry farming ensures better crop flavors; however, the yield is much lower when compared to irrigated crops. When irrigation is a problem, especially in drought-prone areas, dry farmers do not depend on soil moisture to grow crops during the dry spell. Farmers in these areas use unique tilling methods and bring focus on microclimates. Many farmers are now farming wine grapes and Early Girl tomatoes. Potatoes, olives, and apple trees do not need as much water as regular crops are excellent news for farmers dealing with droughts.
Efficient management of water resources is the key to building a greener, sustainable future and promising greater yields now and in the future. Try out these intelligent farming methods to save water, and if you have already spent your money on a new irrigation system, ensure the water reaches the roots of the crops and is not wasted. Check your equipment to rule out any leaks in irrigation pipes.