Definition
Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that involves placing tubing with drip emitters on the ground alongside the plants. The goal of drip irrigation is to drip-feed water at very low rates onto the soil, making it one of the most efficient water delivery systems. This irrigation system contributes to improving plant productivity and quality as the moisture levels are kept at optimal levels at the root zone.
Lead Actors
Off-taker; Farmer Organisation
Target Demographics
Block Farmers; Farmer Organisations; Smallholder Farmers
Objectives addressed
Farmer related
Boost access to finance:
Drip irrigation may contribute partially to boosting access to finance by improving farmer's credit worthiness. As drip irrigation typically leads to higher and more stable yields, increased farmer income (hence higher loan repayment capability), and reduced climate risks, it makes farmers less risky borrowers for financial institutions.
Strengthen income stability:
Drip irrigation can contribute moderately to strengthening income stability by contributing to higher and more stable crop yields (as opposed to rainfed production, vulnerable to rainfall variability and drought). This improved productivity can turn into larger marketable fractions that the farmer can sell to the markets.
Improve yields:
Drip irrigation can contribute partially to improving yields by ensuring timely and localised application of irrigation water in the root zone of the plant, which is an instrumental factor for achieving high yields.
Increase farmer income:
Drip irrigation may contribute to increasing farmer incomes by increasing yields (hence increasing marketable fractions of the total production), which can turn into higher incomes from the focus crop sold to the market.
Increase climate resilience:
Drip irrigation contributes strongly to increasing climate resilience by maintaining plant water requirements at optimal levels, especially in drought-prone areas. In addition, drip irrigation also reduces soil erosion (as compared to traditional irrigation), adding to the farmers' resilience against adverse climatic effects.
Business related
Address sourcing needs:
Drip irrigation can contribute partially to addressing sourcing needs by increasing yields, crop quality, and climate resilience at farm level. Therefore, companies sourcing from farmers relying on drip irrigation can experience a more secure supply of raw materials according to their own business requirements.
Lower credit losses:
Drip irrigation may contribute partially to lowering credit losses by minimising the probability of crop failure due to climatic effect, reducing the overall risk of the portfolio of farmers relying on this irrigation method.
Contexts Best Suited to
Drought-sensitive cash crops: drip irrigation systems increase the resilience of farming systems against water deficit and stress.
(Semi-)commercial farmers: these farmers are likely more capable and willing to invest.
Reliable energy supply: this is required to drive the pumps to pressurise the system.
Irrigation-dependent farms: farming systems facing unreliable rain patterns and/or contingent on irrigation benefit more from drip irrigation.
Drought-prone areas: drip irrigation enables consistent and resilient farming in areas with water deficit and stress.
(Semi-)commercial farmers: these farmers are likely more capable and willing to invest.
Reliable energy supply: this is required to drive the pumps to pressurise the system.
Irrigation-dependent farms: farming systems facing unreliable rain patterns and/or contingent on irrigation benefit more from drip irrigation.
Drought-prone areas: drip irrigation enables consistent and resilient farming in areas with water deficit and stress.
Key Risks
High investment: high initial investment costs can delay the break even point, discouraging some farmers to engage with it.
Improper maintenance: lack of maintenance and/or improper water filtering can lead to clogging on the system, especially in areas with hard waters.
Energy reliability: unreliable energy supply for the pumps can render the system less useful or unusable.
Improper maintenance: lack of maintenance and/or improper water filtering can lead to clogging on the system, especially in areas with hard waters.
Energy reliability: unreliable energy supply for the pumps can render the system less useful or unusable.
Environmental Impact
Positive:
Drip irrigation systems typically contribute to making more sensible and efficient use of irrigation water. This is more relevant in contexts whereby water over-abstraction is an acute issue. Moreover, as drip irrigation systems usually increase yields on the long run, this can contribute to reducing the pressure over land.
Ambition level
Medium
Time
Setting up drip irrigation systems is relatively straightforward and does not require very specific expertise, reducing the time needs of its installation.
Investment Need
Purchasing required materials and equipment to set a drip irrigation system can be capital-intensive, especially at scale, in larger farms, and/or while serving farmers on-credit.
