The effectiveness of drip irrigation technology in agricultural production.

QTO - Drip irrigation, also known as water-saving irrigation systems, is one of the high-tech applications in agricultural production with many advantages such as: saving water, reducing labor, and lowering production costs. Recognizing the superior effectiveness of this technology, along with government support policies, Mr. Tran Kim Hoa, in Phu Hung village, Hai Lang commune, has applied it to his organic orange farming model on hilly land, yielding high economic value.

Replacing traditional methods

Sharing about his family's journey of growing oranges on the once barren and desolate K4 hilly land, Mr. Hoa said that in 2003, following the policy of developing hilly areas, his parents, Mr. Tran Kim Phung and Mrs. Tran Thi Duyen, were granted permission by the local government to reclaim and cultivate 3 hectares of land in the hilly area of ​​Long Hung village. Mr. Phung was also one of the first people to dare to reclaim this land, boldly switching from growing cassava to growing oranges.

Through visiting, learning from, and experimenting with various varieties, the family realized that the Van Du orange variety, brought from Nghe An, was particularly well-suited to the local soil. This variety produces sweet, juicy fruit with a pleasant aroma. Although people previously used chemical fertilizers, in recent years, with technical support from the agricultural sector, Mr. Hoa's family has completely switched to organic orange farming. A prominent advantage of organic farming is that weeds are cleared using a tiller, only organic fertilizers are used, and absolutely no pesticides or herbicides are employed. To ensure healthy plant growth, he uses net traps to catch bees and fruit flies that damage the trees.

Mr. Tran Kim Hoa applies drip irrigation technology to his orange trees, helping to save water and production costs - Photo: TT

With the trust and support of his parents in applying science and technology to farming, Mr. Hoa dedicated 1 hectare of his orange orchard to implementing a modern drip irrigation system. This is also a pilot project with technical support from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, along with funding from the policy supporting the development of certain crops and livestock, creating key products with competitive advantages in Quang Tri province during the 2022-2026 period. This advanced model has been recognized and selected as a model by the province, and his family received 50 million VND in funding to invest in the entire irrigation system.

Mr. Hoa shared about the significant difference after the switch: “Previously, my parents used traditional manual irrigation methods, which were very labor-intensive and required continuous daily watering. The old method also consumed a lot of water and electricity, while yields were often low and inconsistent. After learning about drip irrigation technology for crops, I decided to invest in installing a system of pipes that carry water directly from the irrigation pond to each tree in my 1-hectare orange orchard. The results show that the amount of water used for this system has been reduced by 43% compared to using conventional flood irrigation techniques.”

High productivity and stable output thanks to systematic investment.

Compared to conventional orange farming, each hectare of organically grown oranges costs approximately 40 million VND more. Furthermore, farmers invest significantly more effort in caring for the trees due to the numerous steps involved, such as composting and mixing biological preparations to control pests and diseases as an alternative to pesticides (using ingredients like chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and alcohol). However, organic oranges are less susceptible to pests and diseases, fetch higher prices, and have a stable market with demand exceeding supply.

Mr. Tran Kim Hoa's orange orchard began harvesting more than a month ago. The period leading up to the Lunar New Year is peak season, with the orchard laden with ripe, golden oranges not only providing income but also becoming an ideal spot for young people to take photos. With 3 hectares of oranges, yielding 35-40 tons per hectare, the produce is purchased directly from the orchard by traders at prices ranging from 15,000 to 20,000 VND per kilogram. After deducting expenses, Mr. Hoa's family earns a profit of 500-600 million VND.

In particular, to enhance its value, all products are not only labeled with traceability tags but also packaged in attractive cardboard boxes. K4 oranges have also been certified as a 3-star OCOP product at the provincial level and are sold at Co.opmart Dong Ha supermarket, as well as widely consumed in neighboring provinces.

Thanks to the clear effectiveness of applying advanced, water-saving irrigation technology to Mr. Hoa's family's orange farming model, more and more orange farmers in the K4 hilly area have proactively learned, invested in, and implemented similar irrigation systems.

Commenting on the effectiveness of the financial support provided to Mr. Hoa's family, Ms. Le Thi Quynh Hoa, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of Hai Lang Commune, said: “This is a model for the commune in applying modern science and technology to agricultural production to increase production value. Along with financial support from the State, people have received technical training on water-saving irrigation technology, how to install and operate the system to maximize efficiency. Thanks to this investment, the yield and quality of oranges have changed significantly, contributing importantly to helping people become wealthy right on the K4 hill land.”

The success of this model serves as a foundation for the development of irrigation technology for crops in general and orange trees in particular in the K4 area of ​​Hai Lang commune, as well as other localities in the province, contributing to increased income for producers.

Thanh Truc

 

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/kinh-te/202512/hieu-qua-cong-nghe-tuoi-nho-giot-trong-san-xuat-nong-nghiep-4a44773/