Programs reduce usage by over 45 percent
Abu Dhabi - 25th May, 2014: In an effort to save irrigation water, Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre is adopting new techniques, organizing demonstrations and training workers in the Western Region. One demonstration that was started by ADFSC earlier this year is proving efficient irrigation techniques for the production of animal feed grass. Results of the demonstration has seen significant increases in yield with large savings in water usage. ADFSC has also distributed efficient irrigation systems to over 90 percent of farms across the Western Region and trained over 6000 workers in water saving techniques.
The feed grass demonstrations began in March in Madinat Zayed. A demonstration plot was irrigated with an inline pressure compensating drip system whilst a control plot featured an adjustable online drip system. The 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.
The feed grass demonstration plot was irrigated according to a strict schedule that outlines a crops water requirements. Similarly, workers in the Western Region have been supplied reference cards that indicate watering times for date palms based on seasonal requirements.
ADFSC has trained over 6000 farm workers in the Western Region in water saving techniques for date palms. ADFSC has distributed efficient irrigation systems to over 90 percent of farms across the Western Region. The irrigation systems which are 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."
Irrigation systems in the Western Region previously used either non-pressure compensating bubblers with an output of up to 900 lph or open pipes that could be outputting as much as 2,280 lph. The bubblers that are supplied by ADFSC are pressure compensating, meaning that the output is constant at 228 lph and the date palm trees receive the correct amount of irrigation water each time. 
Press Release 2014
