Experimental Investigations on Localized Porous Clay Pipe Irrigation Technique for Sustainable Agriculture: A New Paradigm for Soil and Water Management in Rainfed Areas

Abstract

In India, water use for irrigation is about 86 per cent of the current level of entire water utilization, and this indicates that
increasing agricultural productivity per drop of water shall forever remain our chief concern. This study proposes to introduce ‘Porous
Clay Pipe Irrigation’ technique and subsequently on-farm experimentation was effectuated to test out its applicability for growing row
crops for water deficient areas of Surendranagar district. The experimental results revealed that ‘Porous Clay Pipe’ irrigation is quite
capable of facilitating adequate moisture to the soil and crop. Judged against Rain-fed agriculture double yield was obtained With
‘Porous Clay Pipe Irrigation’ and also the growth of crops during the crop period and the quality of yield under ‘Porous Clay Pipe
Irrigation’ was much high-class to the Rain-fed agriculture. Substantial water saving in agriculture can be attained by employing this
method of irrigation. Rather than depending only on rain, the farmers can take-up this technique which would help them in improving
their economic conditions and thereby the local and national economy. This method can prove to be a useful tool in conserving soil
and water in the rainfed areas.