ABU DHABI, 26th May, 2014 (WAM) -- In an effort to save irrigation water, Abu Dhabi Farmers? Services Centre (ADFSC) is adopting new techniques in irrigation systems using pressure compensating bubblers, which could save 46 percent in water and increase the yield.
ADFSC organised demonstrations and training for farmers in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi earlier this year proving the efficiency of the new techniques for production of animal feed grass, and the results have seen significant increases in yield with large savings in water usage. The feed grass demonstrations began in March in Madinat Zayed, during which a demonstration plot was irrigated with an inline pressure compensating drip system whilst a control plot featured an adjustable online drip system. Both plots were 500 square meters and all other variables were the same. Results of the first cutting have seen an increase in yield over the control plot with a 46 percent saving in water. The demonstration will continue through the summer. ADFSC has trained over 6,000 farm workers in the Western Region in water saving techniques for date palms, and has also distributed efficient irrigation systems to over 90 percent of farms across the Western Region. The pressure compensating bubblers have been supplied to date palm farm owners as part of the Efficient Irrigation Fund that was started in 2010. The Fund began as a pilot scheme and expanded a year later, with 1,500 farms receiving water-saving equipment. Since then, over 6,550 farms in the Western Region have received new water saving irrigation systems. "ADFSC has set a goal to reach a 40 percent reduction in agricultural water usage. We are currently offering advice and technical assistance to reach this goal, however, witnessing the performance first hand is the most important way to effect long-term change and ensure that water saving techniques are adopted" said Chris Hirst, Chief Executive Officer, ADFSC. "The training sessions ensure that the materials supplied by ADFSC are installed and operated correctly and workers are not overwatering the crops. By educating farm workers on the disadvantages of overwatering, stopping leaks and modernising equipment, we aim to reduce agricultural water usage by up to 45 percent."Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2014.
