The Nilgiris : The farmers of Muthorai and Nanjankadu villages near Ooty in the Nilgiris are all praise for 'drip irrigation', as the method has helped them double their yield.
The Nilgiris : The farmers of Muthorai and Nanjankadu villages near Ooty in the Nilgiris are all praise for 'drip irrigation', as the method has helped them double their yield.
Beetroot and carrot are cultivated in acres of farmland in both Muthorai and Nanjankadu villages. 90% of the produce is sold in tenders at Mettupalayam wholesale market, while the remaining 10% is sold at local markets in Ooty.
According to reports, compared to conventional irrigational methods, efficient adaption of drip irrigation can reduce water consumption by as much as 60 percent and increase crop yield by 90 percent. But these systems are expensive, particularly in off-grid environments.
The prevailing unusual frost conditions in the district of Nilgiris has left the farmers in lurch. Especially, those farmers who cultivate exotic vegetables are reported to have faced severe losses, due to various frost related infestations to the crops.
To circumvent the losses and protect the crops from dying, the farmers adopted several scientific ideas to protect the crops during nights.
"The drip irrigation helped us to keep the plant moist through the night. Especially, tea growers largely benefited from the drip irrigation method. Though we were familiar of the method, due to financial constraints the farmers abstained from setting up of drip systems in their farmlands. However, following cost effective methods of drip irrigation, we have now set the method in our farms and taken a bountiful yield, this season", said a carrot farmer from Muthorai.
The promising yield from drip irrigation has urged a majority of the farmers from the region to implement the method and conserve 60% of water consumption.
Beetroot and carrot are cultivated in acres of farmland in both Muthorai and Nanjankadu villages. 90% of the produce is sold in tenders at Mettupalayam wholesale market, while the remaining 10% is sold at local markets in Ooty.
According to reports, compared to conventional irrigational methods, efficient adaption of drip irrigation can reduce water consumption by as much as 60 percent and increase crop yield by 90 percent. But these systems are expensive, particularly in off-grid environments.
The prevailing unusual frost conditions in the district of Nilgiris has left the farmers in lurch. Especially, those farmers who cultivate exotic vegetables are reported to have faced severe losses, due to various frost related infestations to the crops.
To circumvent the losses and protect the crops from dying, the farmers adopted several scientific ideas to protect the crops during nights.
"The drip irrigation helped us to keep the plant moist through the night. Especially, tea growers largely benefited from the drip irrigation method. Though we were familiar of the method, due to financial constraints the farmers abstained from setting up of drip systems in their farmlands. However, following cost effective methods of drip irrigation, we have now set the method in our farms and taken a bountiful yield, this season", said a carrot farmer from Muthorai.
The promising yield from drip irrigation has urged a majority of the farmers from the region to implement the method and conserve 60% of water consumption.