A Guide On Irrigation Systems And Supplies
Irrigation systems are a sure way to improve the productivity of your farm. They enable you to farm during dry months and sell your produce at a profit. Read the excerpt below to learn about the various irrigation systems and the supplies you need to install these systems.
Surface Irrigation
This is a preferable method for farmers with small parcels of land or those on a budget. It does not involve the installation of complex irrigation equipment such as pumps. All you need is a water source and pipes to water the plants. The water source (tank or water body) should be located higher than your land to ensure adequate pressure.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation systems are designed to ensure maximum efficiency. The system uses perforated pipes that distribute small amounts of water at the root of each plant. Drip irrigation systems have distribution pipes to take water to each plant. They also have a backflow preventer to restrict dirt from being sucked into the distribution pipes and back to the water source. Control valves enable the farmer to regulate water flowing into the various circuits. Pressure regulators keep the water at a constant pressure.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation sprays water from above giving a rain-like effect. Its advantage is that the system can cover large areas. Besides, it is easier to install compared to the drip system. An effective sprinkler system must have high-pressure water. As such, you should install a pump to improve the pressure of water coming from your water source. Other than the water pipes, you will also need couplings to connect pipes and a pressure regulator to adjust the water pressure. Sprinkler heads come with various designs and capabilities. For instance, a small scale farmer would need a sprinkler that sprays a radius of five metres. On the other hand, a large scale farmer would need one that sprays over thirty metres.
Centre Pivot Irrigation
It is a high-tech sprinkler irrigation system where the sprinklers are mounted on a wheeled tower. The system is ideal for large scale irrigation on large flat tracts of land. Centre pivot irrigation systems can irrigate acres of land every minute. The system consists of the centre pivot that holds the sprinkler heads. It also has an electric unit that controls water pressure and the movement of the towers.
When buying the irrigation system, conduct some research to identify companies that sell durable equipment at a reasonable cost. Transport, installation and maintenance services are an added advantage.
For more information, contact an irrigation supplies provider.