What are the promising new agricultural practices being developed that might help cut water use ?

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What are the promising new agricultural practices being developed that might help cut water use ?

3 Answers

  1. Boris and Michael, true that many inventions are coming up. A combnation of all will result in a best. Michael,it would be interesting to know the working model of shared pivot scheme. I am also working with marginal farmers these days and will like to know about this work in detail.

  2. With the latest in modern technology, we are already able to use variable rate seed planting and variable rate fertilizer application. Valmont has now introduced variable rate water application through center pivot technology. All this does entail detailed soil mapping of the coverage area. When all factors are considered, center pivot with the use of groundwater, is the single most efficient method of applying water; little evaporation, low maintenance. The only disadvantage is the point of diminishing returns. Current data suggets that approximately 60 hectares is the most efficient area covered which would mean some sort of shared use for smallhold farmers. A colleague of mine has worked out a smallhold farmer shared pivot scheme that will be introduced soon in Africa.

  3. A combination of drip irrigation, agroecology, natural farming and several other concepts being developed at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft0ylk4sU5M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kJ6eVvs89A