Applying water-saving irrigation technology helps increase crop productivity

In August 2022, Dr. Vu Thi Quyen, the Head of the Biotechnology Department at Van Lang University, was invited by the Department of Science and Technology of Ba Ria – Vung Tau province to present a thematic report on ''Overview of Irrigation Systems and Economical Irrigation Application in Vietnam''. The event aimed to educate farmers in the province about the benefits of utilizing new technologies in their crop care process. 

In this round, Dr. Vu Thi Quyen - Head of the Biotechnology Department at Van Lang University connected with Engineer Vu Kien Trung - Netafim Vietnam, a unit specializing in providing drip irrigation systems in Vietnam, to share the report "Overview of Watering Systems and Economical Irrigation Application " for nearly 100 farmers in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province. 

According to statistics from the Department of Crop Production (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the situation of drilling wells and digging underground water sources to get water for irrigation at a high rate in recent times in the Southeast provinces has led to a rapid decline in underground water resources. Meanwhile, with the impact of global climate change, drought and water shortage in localities will become more serious, as a result, the need to conserve water for crop irrigation becomes even more urgent. 

At the workshop, farmers were equipped with knowledge about economical watering systems, their application during the dry season, and were consulted and introduced to some economical irrigation technologies being applied in Vietnam; they learned how to maintain and preserve irrigation system, as well as effectively use soluble fertilizers designed for drip irrigation systems to achieve maximum efficiency. 

According to Dr. Vu Thi Quyen, the drip irrigation system will bring many benefits. This system saves water and operates regularly, making it suitable for areas with limited water resources. It also has good air circulation in the root area of plants during the process. During the irrigation process, fertilizer is provided during the irrigation process, reducing chemical and environmental leaching, reducing operating costs and accurately controlling the amount of water and fertilizer needed for crops. 

Drip irrigation systems are designed and manufactured based on a common principle, but each system has its unique appearance depending on the type of crop, soil, terrain, and scale of the irrigation system. Even though the systems are produced by the same manufacturer, they differ in terms of water supply, water pressure head, diameter and length of main pipes, branch pipes, and distance between drip heads. All of this depends on the scale, irrigation needs, and growth of the crop. Therefore, the manufacturer of the drip irrigation system must have experience in mechanical manufacturing, electricity, electronics, automation, and computer programming. Additionally, they must understand the characteristics of plants and animals. Various types of fertilizers can be used to ensure the optimal growth and health of the crop.

The report was also an opportunity for farmers to learn about many various forms of water-saving irrigation systems, such as: sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation. Some farmer households have also applied the provision of fertilizers and pesticides through these systems to protect their plants. This is a technology that brings efficiency such as saving irrigation water, fertilizer, labor, good pest control and increased productivity. 

It is known that Ba Ria - Vung Tau province currently has about 263 hectares of crops where farmers have installed economical irrigation systems. The crops that farmers install the most economical watering systems for are pepper, custard apple and short-term crops such as vegetables, corn, and beans. 

Farmers have calculated that installing irrigation on crops saves an investment of about 20-30 million VND per hectare on average. This system can save 1/3 of irrigation water, 80% of irrigation labor, and 30-40% of fuel. Additionally, using this system can lead to a 2x increase in crop productivity compared to traditional overflow irrigation. As a result, farmers can earn enough profit to invest in the system after only 1 to 2 crops. 

Gia Hân (compiled from different sources)