OverviewAt a time in the world in which there is great uncertainty in rainfall, it is necessary that farmers can be guaranteed their crops receive the proper amounts of water to maximize yield. Water is needed in order to maintain an adequate food supply for the human population and for other animals, plants, and microbes worldwide (Pimentel et al, 2004). As human populations and economies continue to grow, global freshwater demand has been increasing rapidly (Hinrichsen et al, 1998). Irrigation is the method in which a controlled amount of water is supplied to plants at regular intervals for agriculture.
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Travelling Wheel line Irrigation
Using travelling line irrigation, a farmer can be assured their rops will be receiving water while reducing labour, lowering cost compared to other forms of irrigation while still having a simple, reliable, and easy to maintain system. Travelling wheel line irrigation is an aluminum sprinkler line mounted on large wheels that sweep across a field. The irrigation line is propelled forward by a small gasoline engine located in the centre of the line (Vanden Bussche, 2016). The line is then connected to a mainline waterline via a flexible hose (Vanden Bussche, 2016). One round of irrigation generally takes approximately 8 to 12 hours (Smith, Personal Communication, 2016). Once the line has completed the cycle the operator reverses the cycle and the line travels back to the original starting point, where the system is ready for the next irrigation cycle.
Benefits
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Benefits to Canada
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Benefits to Nepal
Benefits to Nepal
This is a benefit for Nepal as the only investment is the irrigation system. Only 28% of all agricultural land in Nepal is irrigated (Chapagain, 2016).
Consistency
Introducing this product to Nepalese farmers would bring consistency to their rainfall and cropping systems as a whole.
Versatility
“The science of controlled rain” as quoted by Marc Vanden Bussche (Vanden Bussche, 2016), assures farmers that they can sufficiently use the land to grow crops successfully. Travelling wheel line systems are a proven concept with more than 200,000 systems worldwide (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016). With the average farm size in Nepal only being 0.94 Ha (Chapagain, 2016), this system is fully capable of ensuring proper watering as it is able to irrigate 8-20 Ha, depending on soil and crop type (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016). This irrigation system is able to irrigate a multitude of crops including pasture, cotton, potatoes, strawberries, carrots, and many more (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016).
Easy Installation
Travelling wheel line irrigation systems are designed to be simple to operate and maintain. It is also simple to install. No special tools or equipment such as a boom truck are required, meaning that Poweroll can be located in rural areas where minimal infrastructure is needed (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016).
Increased Production of High Value crops:
High value crops such as tobacco, potatoes, and other vegetables can be grown as annual crops as irrigation allows them to be sure that the initial investment will have a high probability of having a reasonable harvest as rainfall will not be a limiting factor (Pimentel et al, 2004). Crop diversity would also be a greater as crops like corn, beans, peas and so on can be .
This is a benefit for Nepal as the only investment is the irrigation system. Only 28% of all agricultural land in Nepal is irrigated (Chapagain, 2016).
Consistency
Introducing this product to Nepalese farmers would bring consistency to their rainfall and cropping systems as a whole.
Versatility
“The science of controlled rain” as quoted by Marc Vanden Bussche (Vanden Bussche, 2016), assures farmers that they can sufficiently use the land to grow crops successfully. Travelling wheel line systems are a proven concept with more than 200,000 systems worldwide (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016). With the average farm size in Nepal only being 0.94 Ha (Chapagain, 2016), this system is fully capable of ensuring proper watering as it is able to irrigate 8-20 Ha, depending on soil and crop type (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016). This irrigation system is able to irrigate a multitude of crops including pasture, cotton, potatoes, strawberries, carrots, and many more (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016).
Easy Installation
Travelling wheel line irrigation systems are designed to be simple to operate and maintain. It is also simple to install. No special tools or equipment such as a boom truck are required, meaning that Poweroll can be located in rural areas where minimal infrastructure is needed (Wade Rain Poweroll, 2016).
Increased Production of High Value crops:
High value crops such as tobacco, potatoes, and other vegetables can be grown as annual crops as irrigation allows them to be sure that the initial investment will have a high probability of having a reasonable harvest as rainfall will not be a limiting factor (Pimentel et al, 2004). Crop diversity would also be a greater as crops like corn, beans, peas and so on can be .
References
Agriculture and Food Security | Nepal | U.S. Agency for International Development. Retrieved November 29, 2016, from https://www.usaid.gov/nepal/agriculture-and-food-security
Barta,R., Broner, I., & Schneekloth, J. (2004). Colorado High Plains Irrigation Practices Guide. Colorado Water Resources Research Institute Special Report No. 14.
Batlang, U., Tsurupe, G., Segwagwe, A., & Obopile, M. (2014). Development and application of modern agricultural biotechnology in Botswana: The potentials, opportunities and challenges. GM Crops & Food, 5(3), 183–194. http://doi.org/10.4161/21645698.2014.945887
Benschop, R. (n.d.). Dairy Cattle Genetic Export. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://saknepal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Benschop-Rachel-.pdf
Chapagain, Tejendra (2016) In lecture September 15, 2016. T. Chapagain is a research associate and SAK Nepal Project Coordinator[MK4]
CHAPTER 5. SPRINKLER IRRIGATION. www.fao.org. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN NEPAL - K. C. Sharma . (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6906e/x6906e09.htm
Freight Shipping & Cargo Shipping to Nepal. (DATE). Title of webpage. Retrieved from http://www.a1freightforwarding.com/country/freight-cargo/nepal/
FAO, n.d. Nepal; country profiles;FAO. Retrieved November 16, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/Counprof/Nepal/nepal.htm
FAO/IAEA. (n. d.) Technical and learning resources. Retrieved from http://wwwnaweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/resources/technology-ai.html
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 1961–2002. World Grain Production. Rome: FAO, Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics.
Gleick PH, Wolff EL, Chalecki RP. 2002. The New Economy of Water: The Risks and Benefits of Globalization and Privatization of Freshwater. Oakland (CA): Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security.
Hinrichsen D, Robey B, Upadhyay UD. 1998. Solutions for a Water-short World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Population Information Program. Population Reports, series M, no. 14.
IFAD. (n. d.) Rural poverty in nepal. Retrieved from http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/country/home/tags/nep
Irrigation Benefits in Agriculture - Crop Yield, Avoiding Drought and More. (2010). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/75536.aspx
Ministry of Irrigation, Government of Nepal. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.moir.gov.np/
Pimentel, D., Berger, B., Filiberto, D., Newton, M., Wolfe, B., Karabinakis, E., … Nandagopal, S. (2004). Water Resources: Agricultural and Environmental Issues. BioScience , 54(10), 909–918. JOUR. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0909:WRAAEI]2.0.CO;2
Smith, Scott (2016) via email on October 13, 2016. S. Smith is lead of sales staff at Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Limited.
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. 2001a. Securing the Food Supply. Paris: UNESCO.
Vanden Bussche Irrigation. 2016. VandenBussche Irrigation. Retrieved from http://www.vandenbussche.com/agricultural-irrigation-product-catalog/item/50395-wade_rain_powerol
Wade Rain Poweroll. (n.d.). Title of webpage. Retrieved from http://www.waderain.com/index.php?page=poweroll
WFP (World Food Programme). (2014). Nepal overview. Retrieved from https://www.wfp.org/countries/nepal/overview.
Williams, J. F.; S. R. Roberts; J. E. Hill; S. C. Scardaci; G. Tibbits. "Managing Water for 'Weed' Control in Rice". UC Davis, Department of Plant Sciences. Retrieved 2007-03-14.
Barta,R., Broner, I., & Schneekloth, J. (2004). Colorado High Plains Irrigation Practices Guide. Colorado Water Resources Research Institute Special Report No. 14.
Batlang, U., Tsurupe, G., Segwagwe, A., & Obopile, M. (2014). Development and application of modern agricultural biotechnology in Botswana: The potentials, opportunities and challenges. GM Crops & Food, 5(3), 183–194. http://doi.org/10.4161/21645698.2014.945887
Benschop, R. (n.d.). Dairy Cattle Genetic Export. Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://saknepal.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Benschop-Rachel-.pdf
Chapagain, Tejendra (2016) In lecture September 15, 2016. T. Chapagain is a research associate and SAK Nepal Project Coordinator[MK4]
CHAPTER 5. SPRINKLER IRRIGATION. www.fao.org. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN NEPAL - K. C. Sharma . (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6906e/x6906e09.htm
Freight Shipping & Cargo Shipping to Nepal. (DATE). Title of webpage. Retrieved from http://www.a1freightforwarding.com/country/freight-cargo/nepal/
FAO, n.d. Nepal; country profiles;FAO. Retrieved November 16, 2016, from http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/Counprof/Nepal/nepal.htm
FAO/IAEA. (n. d.) Technical and learning resources. Retrieved from http://wwwnaweb.iaea.org/nafa/aph/resources/technology-ai.html
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 1961–2002. World Grain Production. Rome: FAO, Quarterly Bulletin of Statistics.
Gleick PH, Wolff EL, Chalecki RP. 2002. The New Economy of Water: The Risks and Benefits of Globalization and Privatization of Freshwater. Oakland (CA): Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security.
Hinrichsen D, Robey B, Upadhyay UD. 1998. Solutions for a Water-short World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Population Information Program. Population Reports, series M, no. 14.
IFAD. (n. d.) Rural poverty in nepal. Retrieved from http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/country/home/tags/nep
Irrigation Benefits in Agriculture - Crop Yield, Avoiding Drought and More. (2010). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/75536.aspx
Ministry of Irrigation, Government of Nepal. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2016, from http://www.moir.gov.np/
Pimentel, D., Berger, B., Filiberto, D., Newton, M., Wolfe, B., Karabinakis, E., … Nandagopal, S. (2004). Water Resources: Agricultural and Environmental Issues. BioScience , 54(10), 909–918. JOUR. https://doi.org/10.1641/0006-3568(2004)054[0909:WRAAEI]2.0.CO;2
Smith, Scott (2016) via email on October 13, 2016. S. Smith is lead of sales staff at Vanden Bussche Irrigation & Equipment Limited.
United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. 2001a. Securing the Food Supply. Paris: UNESCO.
Vanden Bussche Irrigation. 2016. VandenBussche Irrigation. Retrieved from http://www.vandenbussche.com/agricultural-irrigation-product-catalog/item/50395-wade_rain_powerol
Wade Rain Poweroll. (n.d.). Title of webpage. Retrieved from http://www.waderain.com/index.php?page=poweroll
WFP (World Food Programme). (2014). Nepal overview. Retrieved from https://www.wfp.org/countries/nepal/overview.
Williams, J. F.; S. R. Roberts; J. E. Hill; S. C. Scardaci; G. Tibbits. "Managing Water for 'Weed' Control in Rice". UC Davis, Department of Plant Sciences. Retrieved 2007-03-14.