DRIP irrigation is a method of irrigating row crops and it helps efficient utilisation of water that is a key input for agriculture.

Given poor efficiency of our canal system because of sizable water losses during conveyance, distribution and application in the form of runoff, deep percolation, seepage and evaporation, adopting drip irrigation selectively would help to save water. In a well-designed drip system, there is practically no water to run off, deep percolation, or evaporation.

Drip irrigation is more workable for row crops like cotton, onion, corn and for orchard plantation. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has taken a lead in installing the system. Through this system a successful crop of cotton was grown over an area of seven acres. The same drip unit is now being used to grow onion, corn and summer fodder and it is being extended to an orchard plantation.

There is a growing shortage of irrigation water. Non-availability of irrigation water is a constraint to bring about 10 million hectare cultivable area. It necessitates saving water to bring more area under cultivation. Well aware of the gravity of impending water crisis the government is taking a number of steps to improve irrigation efficiency of our canal system. Previously, the government undertook the national programme for improving watercourses. This programme for 86,000 watercourses at a cost of Rs66 billion was initiated in 2004 which aimed at conserving the existing water resources, improving delivery system, thus enhancing the productivity and bringing more area under cultivation.

Similarly, the Punjab government has devised programme to provide 2,500 laser sets in irrigated areas for the development of agriculture sector through public-private joint venture. It is estimated that the provision of laser units to farmers would help curtail application losses up to 50 per cent. Besides, about 7.5 million acres within a period of 10 years will lead to cumulative water saving of about 5.62 MAF. Three other provinces are likely to follow the same system.

Another measure to conserve water resources on the part of the government is Rs75 billion subsidised drip irrigation programme for the next five years. The drip irrigation system of Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) has provided research and development opportunity for new agronomic packages for manufacturing industry and for engineering design purposes. It provides a demonstration site for the education of extension workers, farmers and policy makers. This is a futuristic water management strategy. The working of drip irrigation at NIAB is quite impressive. .

Drip irrigation has many advantages over other systems. It saves more water compared to other methods. For instance, efficiency of drip irrigation is 90 per cent or more compared to 75-80 per cent of sprinkler systems. Moreover, drip irrigation is easy to install, easy to design, inexpensive, and can reduce disease problems associated with high levels of moisture on some plants. High efficiency of drip irrigation is because that the water soaks into the soil before it can evaporate or run off and that the water is only applied where it is needed.

Agricultural chemicals add to cost of growing crops. With drip irrigation, these chemicals can be applied more efficiently since only the crop root zone is irrigated, reduces leaching of nitrogen, and ensures efficient utilisation of applied fertiliser nitrogen.

Drip systems are suitable for uneven fields where other irrigation systems are inefficient because certain parts of the field have excessive infiltration, water puddling, or runoff.

Where water is scarce or expensive because evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation, drip irrigation is beneficial. It improves irrigation uniformity, ensures precise application of nutrients, facilitates operations of agriculture equipments because rows are dried enough, and allows timely application of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides.

Diseases retard growth and development of crop plants and thus cause reduction in yield significantly. Since drip irrigation reduces water contact with crop leaves, stems, and fruit, incidence of onset of diseases is minimized. Drip irrigation facilitates management of irrigation scheduling precisely to meet crop demands and increases yield and quality.

Nevertheless drip irrigation systems also have demerits including high cost of installation per acre, cost of cleansing drip emitters that are easily plugged by silt or other particles not filtered out of the irrigation water, extra clean up costs of drip tape after every harvest etc. Though drip irrigation enhances cost of production but economic advantages are higher in terms potential benefits.Valve (automatic or manual), backflow preventer, pressure regulator, filter, emitters, mainline and end cap are some basic parts of a drip irrigation system. Growers and irrigation professionals recommend subsurface drip irrigation because a drip tape or tube buried below the soil surface is less vulnerable to damage during cultivation or weeding. Moreover, water use efficiency is maximised because of evaporation or runoff.