Drip irrigation adapts to climate change

By boldly investing funds, applying drip irrigation and automatic misting irrigation technology to agricultural production, it not only helps farmers reduce labor, increase economic efficiency in cultivation, but also saves irrigation water, suitable for current climate change.

Vegetables in greenhouses using drip irrigation system at Phu Loc Agricultural Service Cooperative (Hau Loc).

Realizing the potential and economic development efficiency of the yellow melon variety in the greenhouse, in 2022, Mr. Hoang Van Toan in Nga Trung commune (Nga Son) invested in building a 1,500m2 plastic-covered greenhouse and drip irrigation technology to grow Kim Hoang Hau melon. Building a greenhouse with a plastic film covering the surrounding area helps block rain, sunlight, and prevent insects from entering, so there is no need to use pesticides. Therefore, the product is guaranteed to be clean and safe for the health of growers as well as consumers.

Mr. Toan said that the investment cost to grow 1,500m2 of melons in a greenhouse is more than 500 million VND, including a greenhouse system, an irrigation system using Israeli drip irrigation technology... This irrigation technology helps melons grow evenly thanks to the water source, fertilizer is transferred through the drip irrigation system to each melon root, meeting each growth stage of the plant and not wasting water. According to Mr. Toan, applying this irrigation technology, his family saves on expenses when having to hire labor to water. At the same time, the irrigation water source is not wasted but still ensures enough moisture for the plants to grow and develop well. Currently, the family's melon area has been harvested for 2 years, with 4 harvests per year. After deducting expenses, each year the family earns hundreds of millions of VND.

On an area of 2,500 square meters of yellow melon in a greenhouse, Mr. Bui Van Hai in the same locality also applies the drip irrigation method using Israeli technology. Mr. Hai said: Installing an automatic watering system using Israeli drip irrigation technology, each tree has a watering pipe to help plants absorb maximum nutrients, while limiting water loss. The investment cost for this irrigation technology is up to tens of millions of VND. However, this irrigation system can be used for 8 to 10 years before needing to be replaced and once invested, it can be produced all year round. Moreover, because the irrigation system is installed and controlled automatically via smartphone, it helps water plants anywhere, adjust the appropriate amount of water, saving labor and production costs.

On an area of 1 hectare of outdoor asparagus, Mr. Nguyen Trong Thang in Hoang Chau commune (Hoang Hoa) also invested in Israeli drip irrigation technology. According to him, he realized that the irrigation system using Israeli technology has many outstanding advantages compared to traditional irrigation, especially when the source of irrigation water to the family's production area is very difficult. If drip irrigation and mist irrigation are applied, water will be saved, suitable for the family's farming conditions. Therefore, in 2018, he decided to invest 100 million VND to install an irrigation system using Israeli technology. From the actual use of 2 mist irrigation systems (used when there is frost) and drip irrigation, it has helped the entire asparagus area of the family avoid damage due to frost (in September and October), save and avoid wasting water while still ensuring adequate moisture and nutrients for the asparagus to grow. Currently, 1 hectare of asparagus can be harvested 3 times a year, each time yielding an income of 120 million VND, after deducting expenses, the profit is over 200 million VND/year.

Many other farmers in localities in the province have also applied this irrigation technology. Thanks to that, the area of growing land using drip irrigation and mist irrigation technology in the province has now grown to hundreds of hectares, concentrated in the districts of Tho Xuan, Nga Son, Hoang Hoa...

Evaluating the advantages of using drip irrigation systems in the current climate change conditions, Head of the Thanh Hoa Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection Vu Quang Trung said: In addition to providing enough water and saving water, using drip irrigation systems combined with liquid fertilizers also helps improve the efficiency of fertilizer use. In addition, applying drip irrigation technology also prevents plant diseases by minimizing water contact with leaves, stems and fruits of plants; allowing the rows between plants to remain dry, improving access and reducing weed growth; saving time, money, and reducing labor.

Article and photos: Minh Ly

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