Jain Irrigation launches solar-powered micro irrigation system

Jain Irrigation today launched integrated solar powered micro irrigation systems for small farmers, which will ensure reliability of water supply and power supply.
"The integrated solar powered micro irrigation involving different components like development of on-farm water source (farm ponds, solar pumping systems, piping and micro irrigation systems) would ensure reliability of water and power supply to small farms, especially in developing countries like India, Africa and other countries in Asia," Jain Irrigation President Dilip Kulkarni said.
This concept works on solar energy, which is reliable and complementary to crop water requirements.
In summer during afternoon, when the solar insolation is higher, the crop water requirements are also higher.

Due to better solar insolation, the solar pumping system operates at high efficiency and delivers the required amount of water to fulfil the water requirement of crops.
In winter or in rainy season, the crop water requirements are low and the pump also operates at relatively lower efficiency thus avoids over irrigation.

Such systems have proved to be economically viable even for the small farmers because of negligible recurring expenses.
Many governments, including India, give substantial subsidies to the small farmers for buying this equipment, Kulkarni said.
"The integrated solar powered micro irrigation can also be adopted in canal command area, thus solving the water and power problems of small farmers," Kulkarni added.