"Center pivot irrigation systems, which are the No. 1 irrigation system in the world by far, have taken off like gangbusters," said Bill Green, Ag Pumping Efficiency Program education manager at the Center for Irrigation Technology. "It has never been very popular in California, but all of a sudden people are really looking at this since there are some advances in the technology. The new pivots combine both energy and water efficiency and those two things are tied together anyway because it always takes energy to move water.”
-From California Farm Bureau Federation
Irrigation technology: Smart water solutions for state's farmers
|
Water Scarcity
Growing more food with less water is becoming a critical challenge for agriculture throughout the world. Rising populations and increasing water scarcity are creating dual burdens on agriculture. A larger population needs more food and fiber and agriculture has a diminishing supply of irrigation water to meet these rising demands. The diminishing supply of irrigation water is a particular concern in California after several years of severe drought has caused statewide restrictions on water use.
Valley irrigation equipment helps conserve the water that is available by applying water precisely, ensuring that the crops get the right amount of water at exactly the right time and in the right place. Water application packages such as MESA, LESA, and LEPA are used to minimize drift and eliminate evaporation and runoff.
|