Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #48

Glad to be part of this week's contest and special thanks to #hive-118902 for organising this contest title "Basic Knowledge in Agriculture #48". Below are my responses to the guiding questions.

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What do you understand by Irrigation systems

An irrigation system is the artificial application of water on farmland to help and sustain the growth of crops, which is usually carried out during the dry season (summer or winter). The dry season is characterised by low or no rainfall, dry air, warm temperatures, and a reduction in pest activities. Therefore, the artificial spreading of water on the farmland provides moisture for the plants and helps them to grow. The water applied can be obtained from a well, a river, a borehole, etc.

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Discuss the Types of Irrigation Systems

There are basically four types of irrigation systems which are:

• Surface irrigation system:
  This is an irrigation system of farming where water flows over the land surface using channels or basins to guide it to the crops. A watering can is also used in this system of farming to apply water to the crop for the small-scale farmers.

• Subsurface Irrigation System:
  This is the opposite of a surface irrigation system. Here, water is applied under the surface of the soil directly to the root of the crops by raising the water table or by using underground pipes.

• Sprinkler Irrigation System
  This is an irrigation system where water is being spread over the land surface through rotating sprinkler heads, which makes it look like natural rainfall. This system is expensive for the common man and is good for large-scale farming.

• Drip irrigation system
  This system of irrigation has to do with the application of water at the base of each plant. This type of irrigation system conserves water, reduces weeds and reduces erosion among other benefits.

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What is the Importance of Irrigation systems in Agriculture

The importance of the irrigation system is numerous but I will point out only five (5):

1. It makes farmers cultivate crops both in the rainy season and the dry season thereby making agricultural produce available throughout the seasons
2. Irrigation system in farming boosts the confidence of farmers to invest more in farming without the fear of drought.
3. Irrigation farming makes the food supply stable even if there is scarcity or no rainfall.
4. It reduces or controls the growth of weeds in the cultivated farm land.
5. Irrigation can constantly keep the soil moist, preventing it from drying, which helps reduce harmful salt accumulation in the topsoil.

Thank you for reading my article to this point. I hereby invite @joymm, @afrinn, @ability20 and #cymolan to join the contest

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