Performance Evaluation of Drip Irrigation: A Case Study of Agri-parks in Gauteng Province, South Africa | Chapter 5 | Emerging Issues in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 9

 The objective of the study search out assess the condition and efficiency efficiency of trickle irrigation systems as contained a project that aimed to expand a WUE model for smallholder irrigation methods. This study was performed at four picked Agri-Parks in Gauteng province of South Africa, namely: Rooiwal, Soshanguve, Tarlton, and Westonaria. South African farming accounts for 62% of the public water demand. Almost 45% of the water is wasted through contamination and other misfortunes. Consequently, irrigation systems are under time pressure to improve their water-use effectiveness (WUE). There is a paucity of news on WUE at smallholder irrigation blueprints in the country, including at the Agri-Parks in Gauteng province on account of many reasons that include a lack of natural tools that are intimate to mostly almost-literate irrigators. The Agri-Parks secondhand in the study were irrigated using drip and microjet watering systems but the study directed on portions under drip arrangements. The condition and performance effectiveness of the irrigation infrastructure were examined. Field data accumulation took place from February to March 2021. Each watering system was detached into five components for convenience. Condition estimate was performed utilizing a Condition Assessment Model (CAM) developed by ARC-NRE/AE, place enumerators visually noticed the system component and assigned condition scores as led by a template. The condition scores were uploaded into the CAM to create condition indices (CI). Water transport efficiency (CE) and classification uniformity (DU) were evaluated on delivery and infield systems, individually. CE was computed at the component level based on the flow-outflow approach, while DU was computed established measured emitter discharges. Overall, CI principles ranged from 2.12-6.29, implying important deterioration had happen. The corresponding CE categorized 61-78% indicating water deficits in the range 22-39%. On the other hand, DU was in the range of 60-95%, which was poor depiction relative to beliefs for drip watering systems. Overall, act efficiency shown positive correlations accompanying condition indices, indicate possible event for using condition state to think the performance efficiency of drop irrigation order infrastructure, not completely at the Agri-Parks in Gauteng province, South Africa. Nevertheless, further reviews covering a longer ending, more locations and the duty of maintenance are urged. The role of immaterial parameters, e.g., administration practices and choices, again needs further exploration.

Author(s) Details:

Macdex Mutema,
Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering/Agricultural Engineering, PB X 519, Silverton, Pretoria 0127, South Africa.

Khumbulani Dhavu,
Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering/Agricultural Engineering, PB X 519, Silverton, Pretoria 0127, South Africa.

Manoshi Mothapo,
Agricultural Research Council-Natural Resources and Engineering/Agricultural Engineering, PB X 519, Silverton, Pretoria 0127, South Africa.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/EIAS-V9/article/view/12321