Factors that influence the choice of irrigation system

Irrigation is being increasingly used by farmers, but it depends on important factors to define the choice of the ideal system for each crop. Every effort is necessary to make up for the lack or irregularities of rain.

Primarily we need to present the main factors that the farmer must take into account: type of planting, soil characteristics, climate of the region and also the availability of water on his property.

In this article, we will be explaining these factors that influence the choice of irrigation types in order to help you, the farmer, ensure a good productivity of your crop and, in the end, the long-awaited profit. Good reading!

Also check out our article on irrigation systems in agricultural production.

Irrigation of crops

Since ancient times, man has been looking for ways to provide water for his crops, because the objective has always been to increase production and reduce dependence on climatic conditions.

Today, one of the most used techniques is the irrigation that can make up for the lack of rain. To give you an idea, about 40% of all crops on the planet depend on irrigation.

But in Brazil this index does not exceed 10%, that is, most agricultural crops still depend on rain. In many cases, because an irrigation system is not always economically viable.

Farming with irrigation system
Even small crops often need an irrigation system. Depending on the type of planting, factors such as lack of rain can compromise productivity.

Depending on the necessary investments, it will directly impact the final cost of crop production. In this way, it is necessary to take into account the factors mentioned above to favor the performance of cultures.

In fact, a study carried out by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and the National Water Agency (ANA) shows that rainfed agriculture, carried out in crops that do not receive irrigation, has undergone a average water deficit of 37% between 2013 and 2017.

Brazilian agricultural production could significantly increase with the reduction of the water deficit in rainfed areas, which depends not only on abundant and well-distributed rainfall, but also on adequate soil and water management on rural properties.”, highlighted this study.

Therefore, irrigation is increasingly a kind of “watershed” between the success and uncertainty of a crop in Brazil.

benefits of irrigation

As shown above, irrigation is one of the important factors for the success of crops, as long as it is well planned and executed, bringing a series of benefits to crops and good results in production for the farmer. Check out some:

  • Increases the Agricultural production (it can be up to three times higher than the production of rainfed agriculture, which depends on rain);
  • Increases the offer and regularity provision of food and other agricultural products;
  • improves the quality and standardization agricultural products;
  • Enables the farm in regions with arid or semi-arid climate;
  • Allows opening new markets;
  • Decreases production costs and enables greater profitability;
  • Increase job offer;
  • Modernizes production systems stimulating the introduction of new technologies;
  • provides to crop diversification.

Factors that define the irrigation system

To define the irrigation system, the farmer must take into account important factors that influence this choice. Check what they are:

1- Type of planting

It is the primary factor that must be taken into account: which agricultural crop the irrigation system will be used for.

Crops such as beans, corn and potatoes, for example, are normally irrigated by a sprinkler irrigation system. In the case of rice and watermelon, the most used irrigation is by surface.

An example of the importance of irrigation comes from farmers located in the Federal District region.

With the implementation of this system, they were able to overcome negative factors, such as the lack of rain, to guarantee the production of sweet potatoes. Check it out on video:

Source: Fabélia Oliveira.

2- Characteristics of the soil

Soil type is another important detail to define the irrigation system. It is from the soil that plants get most of the nutrients needed for their development.

It will depend, for example, on the speed of water infiltration, that is, the process by which water enters the soil through its surface.

In regions where there is a high rate of infiltration, the irrigation system indicated is by sprinkling. In those where there is average speed, the most systems available meets the needs of the crop. And in those low-speed areas, farmers prefer to use irrigation localized.

Drip system for crop irrigation
Among the factors, the farmer needs to take into account the topography. If the area is steeply sloping, the best irrigation system is drip irrigation.

The topography of the area to be irrigated must also be taken into account by the farmer. Planting areas are not always flat. Thus, depending on the relief and slope, the cost of implementation can make the investment unfeasible.

Drip is the best method for areas with high slopes. Thus, it can be implemented in areas of up to 60% decline, against 30% for sprinkler systems and 15% for surface method.

3 Weather

The focus of irrigation will necessarily depend on the climate in the region where the planting will take place. In this sense, it is the climatic factors that dictate whether the system will be of complementation (regions with high rainfall) or necessary (areas where there is almost no rain).

Sprinkler irrigation pivot
Climatic factors, such as strong wind, directly affect the choice of irrigation system.

To give you an idea, in regions with constant and strong winds, using the sprinkler irrigation system can be compromised. In this specific case, the technicians advise the use of localized irrigation.

4- Availability of water

Water greatly influences the choice of the ideal type of irrigation, that is, taking into account factors such as flow and availability.

It is essential to know the amount of water resources needed for the crop during the complete cycle. Subsequently, take into account the efficiency of the chosen system.

Moreover, the water available for irrigation also has to be of good quality. To find out if this water is suitable, analyzes are carried out to determine levels of salts, suspended materials and the presence of pathogenic agents.

Therefore, these factors can affect the choice of irrigation system and crop to be implanted.

National Irrigation Policy

It is also important to highlight that Brazil has specific legislation for irrigation, that is, the National Irrigation Policy (PNI).

Its main purpose is to promote local and regional development, with the formation of important agribusiness hubs in Brazil.

Check out the objectives of this legislation that seeks to encourage and regulate irrigation in our country, taking into account environmental sustainability:

  • Encourage the expansion of the irrigated area and the increase of productivity in environmentally sustainable bases;
  • Reduce climate risks inherent to agricultural activity, especially in regions subject to low or irregular rainfall distribution;
  • Promote local and regional development, with priority given to regions with low social and economic indicators;
  • Increase the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness and generate employment and income;
  • Contribute to the supply of food, fiber and renewable energy to the domestic market, as well as the generation of agricultural surpluses for export;
  • Train human resources and encourage the generation and transfer of technologies related to irrigation;
  • Encourage private irrigation projects, as defined in regulations.

Conclusion

Therefore, as we show in this post, you need to take into account factors such as the choice of crop, soil characteristics, climate, and water availability, to define the best irrigation system for your property.

In addition, it is a subject that has federal regulation and even seeks to reconcile irrigation and the environment.

Not to mention, many times, the need to resort to financing for the purchase and installation of equipment, based on the chosen system.

Want to know more about the products available for irrigation? Access the MF Rural and check out the main announcements.

Anna Evans

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