What is the best irrigation solution for 3000ha flat sugarcane plantation ?

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My company is undertaking a feasibility study and preparing technical document on selecting a pressurised irrigation system for 3000ha in Botswan. The geographical area is flat  to a little sloppy having silty clay soil type. We will be growing sugarcane.

Which system is more recommended for such a flat area having sufficient pumped water from a river and a place where there is scarcity of labor on a day to day basis? We are evaluating center pivot linear move and side roll system. Which size is more economical for center pivot?  Please share your experience with us. Also share some documents, pricing and catalogs for selecting the appropriate irrigation system for the mentioned area and geography.

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23 Answers

  2. The solution will be depending on additional irrigation needs and water availability. flooding, drip or pivots might all be good, given rainfall, air humidity and obviously availability of water

  5. Eshetu, you can go for a inline drip system on surface or sub-surface with the filtration unit as relevant for the local water source. I will be happy to offer more support after receiving more details on the local situation/ geography. I can be reached at tarangs17@gmail.com.

  6. After 18 years working in irrigation, according the datas that you provide, ans based in a good project, the center pivots probably is the best solution, today is the most efficency under energy terms. And talking about efficiency of irrigation you can consider over 90%. If you need more explanation I am at your disposal.

  7. What is the best irrigation solution for 3000ha flat sugarcane plantation ?

    Eshetul-

    It seems like you’re on the right track, but my experience is that it’s not very useful for me or anyone else to provide advice from a distance.  What you really need is an experienced person who can advise you on the ground incorporating all of the specific local information needed to design the most effective system.  For example, Andy Keller from Keller-Bliesner Engineering would be an excellent consultant for you.  There are likely to be competent irrigation experts in Botswana as well, I assume you have some funds to pay someone to help you design the system, those would be funds very well spent.

  8. As low labour is the criteria then you should opt for central pivot system. 75 hectare pivot is the most economical solution for central pivot. However I will strongly recommend that three 25 hectare pivots is definitely better when it comes to performance which generally results in crop quality and quantity.

  9. According to me Center pivote is the answer

    For adapting best suitable Irrigation method, one must know the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods.one must know which method suits the local conditions best. Unfortunately, in many cases there is no single best solution: all methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Testing of the various methods - under the prevailing local conditions - provides the best basis for a sound choice of irrigation method.

    The suitability of the various irrigation methods, i.e. surface, sprinkler or drip irrigation, depends mainly on the following various factors like natural conditions, type of crop, previous experience with irrigation, required labour inputs and costs and benefits. Like in your case Clay soils with low infiltration rates are ideally suited to surface irrigation. When a variety of different soil types is found within one irrigation scheme, sprinkler or drip irrigation are recommended as they will ensure a more even water distribution. Sprinkler or drip irrigation are preferred above surface irrigation on steeper or unevenly sloping lands as they require little or no land leveling.

    Surface irrigation often requires a much higher labour input - for construction, operation and maintenance - than sprinkler or drip irrigation. But as you have mentioned you have less man power availability. So as per my suggestion the center pivot is the system for you because of its low labor and maintenance requirements, convenience, flexibility, performance and easy operation. Calculations for the pivot can be made according to the requirement. Generally every manufactures provides that after understanding your field condition.

     

  12. Center Pivot irrigation system is the most suitable system for this area

    Center Pivot irrigation system is the most suitable system for this area, because the one unit of this kind covers about 60 ha, so you will need about 50 unit, moreover you do not need labor, you can full control the quantity of irrigation water as well as you can add fertilizers with irrigation water (fertigation). and if you want the design of this area please contact me via mail (hany_mehana222@yahoo.com).

  15. Center Pivot irrigation system is the most suitable system for this area, because the one unit of this kind covers about 60 ha, so you will need about 50 unit, moreover you do not need labor, you can full control the quantity of irrigation water as well as you can add fertilizers with irrigation water (fertigation). and if you want the design of this area please contact me via mail (hany_mehana222@yahoo.com).

  16. If you have 3,000ha it is most economic to use rain guns

    If you have 3,000ha it is most economic to use rain guns. Design a permanent ring main system with quick access couplings for the rain guns (reel driven) in rectangular plots.

    Some useful background here http://servalsgroup.blogspot.it/2008/10/advantages-of-using-raingun.html

    http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/Improved%20water%20use%20efficiency%20through%20adoption%20of%20drip%20or%20sprinkler%20system%20-Water%20India%20-%20CII%20-%202011_1.pdf

    http://www.jains.com/irrigation/popups%20and%20sprinklers/jain%20komet%20bv%20rg%20mt%20140%20plus.htm

  17. We have a new technology: the buried diffuser for underground irrigation. Now we have Models for trees and vegetable which could be also used for Sugarcane. About the efficiency there is no discussion: minimum 50% less water needed than drip irrigation, the same for fertilizes and energy( minimum 50% less than drip irrigation). In addition to that the development of weeds is very limited. In addition to that the irrigation frequency will be reduced( 1 irrigation per week instead of 3 irrigations using drip irrigation. The technology could work with gravity: if there is a big reservoir on the soil(2 meters deep) you just fill the rservoir and you start your irrigation without any pump. In your project you can plan a small scale test(half hectare) of this technology. We assist you technically to establish this test and to prepare the design and cost of this test . ITo discover our technology you can visit our website: www.chahtech.com For any information contact us on : bchahbani@chahtech.com

  18. irrigation system for sugarcane

    Dear Eshetu Eltamo,

    Sprinkler system is less efficient than Drip Irrigation System.

    I always recommend Inline Subsurface Drip Irrigation System for Growing Sugarcane. It is more efficient, less costly, and there is no maintenance and operating cost once installed.

    Moreover Sugarcane yield will be more and sugar percentage will be more in the cane if grown using Drip Irrigation than sprinkler.

    I can Help you for the detailed design, BOQ, pricing if you need it.

    Thanks & Regards,

    Santosh

  20. I agree that a farrow system is ideal to this situation, however I do not know about automation of such a system. i suggest considering drip irrigation since you have a pressurised source of water and you may apply fertilisers through the drip. however, constant inspection of the drippers need to be made to ensure they are delivering the amount of water required.

  21. Centre pivot its a very good system, and for places which labor is scarse it is a good option. Nowadays you can control almost everything from your office. But maintenance should not be avoided, even in new pivot machines. However you can always think at least on 3000€/ha, which can make your project quite expensive for the all area. Maybe Wagas idea its better for starting...

  23. Dear Eltamo, If designed precisely then a furrow irrigation system has comparable efficiency as of a pressurize irrigation system. I have done a similar design for cotton crop using the USDA WinSRFR Operations aanalysis model and i get 90+ percent application efficiency. you should explore this model, it will save a lot of capital which may otherwise be required for pressurize system