The total area where water-saving grids are being used to irrigate farmland in Dong Nai Province doubled in only a year, said the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The total area where water-saving grids are being used to irrigate farmland in
Currently, the grids irrigate more than 4,000 ha of both industrial and fruit trees in the province, including pepper, mango and durian crops.
Most pepper and mango farmers in
The grids save 50 per cent of water, 80 per cent of labour and 40 per cent of energy compared to traditional watering hoses, according to the provincial Centre of Agricultural Promotion.
In addition, fields irrigated by such economical watering systems have experienced increases from 50 to 300 per cent in productivity.
The system pumps water from wells to elevated containers which stand about 2 metres high.
Water is distributed through grids of rubber pipelines on the ground that reach every tree.
Distribution of water is regulated by different sizes of pipelines and valves, depending on the water needs of different trees.
The irrigation system costs, on average, between VND15 and 20 million (US$700 to 900) for every ha, and can last for five years.
(Source: VNS)
