Micro-Irrigation and Telangana Agriculture

MICRO-IRRIGATION SYSTEM (MIS) is the future for Telangana Agriculture. Important Micro-Irrigation Systems are Drip Irrigation Systems and Sprinkler Systems. Other than aforementioned systems, there numerous other Micro-Irrigations Systems used in Precision & Controlled-Atmosphere Agriculture.

In a semi-arid environment like Telangana, where summer temparatures touch 50 degree centigrade, we have to go for Controlled-Atmosphere Agriculture soon to continuously supply fresh & presihable farm produce, like Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers to ever-growing Hyderabad City. Moreover summer is the Celebration & Ceremonies time with majority percentage of Function and Weddings happening. These Weddings and Functions require huge quantities of fresh & presihable like Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers.

Micro Irrigation Systems (MIS)- are REMEDY for a big PROBLEM, lack of sufficient water to irrigate moderately good to best soils year round inspite of having moderate ground-water resources. As every REMEDY, MIS also has some SIDE-EFFECTS, high CAPEX, continuous electricity supply, knowledge of the technology & products,maintenance, etc. We shouldn't focus on SIDE-EFFECTS only and ignore the big PROBLEM & popular REMEDY. SIDE-EFFECTS should be MANAGED!

Except paddy(rice), you can grow ALL CROPS under MIS. Even you can grow paddy(rice) under new cultivationmethod - SRI cultivation (System of RiceIntensification)- under MIS.

MIS are not off-the-shelf products that fits-all. They are engineering solutions and cost vary from solution to solution, depending on the material,technique, management, crop(s), soil type, topographyof the farm, affordability of the farmers, etc. Hence, Govt. should not involve in directly in micro(farm-level) planning & implementation because it isnot a major/minor irrigation project. Choice of solution should be left to the FARMER.

MIS are not very complicated technology - can be simplified. Low-cost SOLUTIONS can be found (material,techniques, engineering, etc.). Regarding HIGH COST of MIS, IN APMIP, few big companies have their own problems with technology(b'cos of collaboration of Israeli & American technologies - picking off-the-shelf technologies) and govt.(bribing officials & politicians to get sell the systems in WHOLESALE). Hence, the high cost! We should encourage local manufacturers & suppliers, who can adapt the technology & develop low-cost products

This is a small attempt from my side to give you some insights into this very important topic - MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS! Hope this helps the readers to think & work on this important subject, which can save the livelihoods of millions of rural folk and rejuvenate the Telangana Agriculture!