'Sprinkler system minimises effect of waterlogging'
A farmer in the district is trying to escape the curse of waterlogging by using a technique, which was originally invented to save water. Sukhmander Singh, a farmer of Channu village, who installed sprinkler system last year, has cultivated paddy and basmati on 22 acres during current cropping season.
A farmer in the district is trying to escape the curse of waterlogging by using a technique, which was originally invented to save water.
Sukhmander Singh, a farmer of Channu village, who installed sprinkler system last year, has cultivated paddy and basmati on 22 acres during current cropping season.
Explaining the process, Sukhmander said after direct sowing of paddy he gave only first irrigation through flood irrigation method and after that he is irrigating crop by sprinklers. During the last season, he got a high yield of wheat with micro-irrigation (sprinklers).
He said his village is affected by waterlodging and ground water is salty and not fit for irrigation. To produce rice with limited canal water and with minimum use of ground water, he adopted micro-irrigation technique.
"In case of waterlogged land, sprinkler system fetches far less harmful salty ground water as compared to the flood system. It directly increases the per acre yield from the waterlogged land," said Sukhmander Singh.
He also suggested other farmers to adopt this new technique.
Another farmer, Gagandeep Singh, of Bhuttiwala village also installed micro-irrigation system for his cotton crop.
The state government provide up to 75% subsidy to install drip and sprinkler system to farmers.
Deputy director, soil conservation, Kulbir Singh said with micro-irrigation, a farmer can save water up to 70% and can enhance productivity as equal distribution of water and nutrients is ensured to all plants.