Development of Low Pressure and Low Energy Sprinkling Nozzles

Abstract

Existing options of efficient irrigation technologies in India are not widely adopted. Some of the major reasons are majority of the cropping area under field crops, small and fragmented land holdings and limitations of users to make high initial investments. This has restricted the adoption of efficient irrigation technologies for high valued crop. Whereas majority of the small and marginal farmers still practice surface methods of irrigation incurring not only huge wastage of water but also diesel and electric energy used for pumping when groundwater is used for irrigation. Considering conditions at small farms an attempt has been made to develop low cost water and energy efficient pressurized irrigation device, which can operate at an operating pressure less than 1.0 kg/cm2 at its nozzle head. LEPA nozzle developed by A&M Texas is one of such attempt which operates between 0.07-0.35 kg/cm2 • Some of the concepts of LEPA development have been taken into consideration, besides considering priorities of small holders in developing a Low Energy Water Application (LEWA) device. This paper discusses the target group for whom development have been initiated, experiences and lessons at different developmental stages and basic criteria adopted for the development of LEWA device.