Watering a large farm evenly, without over-watering some areas and under-watering others, is challenging. But what if I told you there's a system that can do this precisely? Enter–center pivot irrigation system, which is an advanced technology that can uniformly water crops while conserving water. This blog provides in-depth information about these cutting-edge irrigation systems. Let's delve into the details.
What are Center Pivot Irrigation Systems?
The center pivot irrigation system involves a mechanized sprinkler machine that rotates and circularly irrigates crops. It is also known as circle or water-wheel irrigation. This system encompasses a long, rotating pipeline attached to a central pivot point. The center-pivot irrigation approach is generally employed to reduce water usage. They are also useful in spreading pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides. In the United States, the systems are increasingly gaining popularity due to their efficient irrigation technique for open-field crops.
According to a recent report by Extrapolate, the global center pivot irrigation systems market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 13.2% to garner revenue of $3.9 billion by 2028.
How Does a Center Pivot Irrigation System Work?
As mentioned earlier, center pivot irrigation is a system that waters crops in a circular pattern. The system operates by rotating the long pipeline around a central pivot, ensuring that the crops within the circular area are watered with sprinklers. In this case, pipelines serve as arms from which water is distributed. This method allows for efficient watering of an entire field and meets the crops' irrigation needs while using less water than traditional methods.
Center pivot irrigation systems are mainly powered by solar energy, align with smart agriculture practices, and promote efficiency and environmentally friendly methods. Center pivot irrigation technology is a sustainable farming technique that minimizes water waste and soil erosion through precise water delivery to crops. Ultimately, it enhances crop yields and contributes to long-term agricultural sustainability.
Components of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems
This irrigation system encompasses various components that play a vital role in its precise functionality. The key components of this system include the following:
- Pivot Point
The pivotal axis acts as the central point that the pivot moves around and also where the water enters the pivot pipes, and the control panel is situated in this vicinity.
- Pipeline
A long irrigation line comprises a series of lateral pipes supported by drive towers.
- Control Panel
The control panel is a crucial component that works in conjunction with tower boxes and the LRDU to move the machine.
- Spans
The spans are the lateral, stainless steel pipelines mounted across adjacent, mobile truss structures that support the pipe.
- Drive Units
These units are responsible for moving the machine and are essential for the overall functionality of the pivot.
Digging into the Major Benefits of Center Pivot Irrigation Systems
The center pivot system of water irrigation offers various benefits. Some of them include:
- The center-pivot irrigation approach offers efficient water usage.
- It enables uniform water distribution.
- The precise water and fertilizer contribute to improved crop health and yield.
- These systems are fully automated, requiring minimal labor input for operation, which contributes to labor savings for farmers.
- It enables automation and remote monitoring.
- It can apply fertilizers and pesticides to crops.
- These systems are durable and require minimal maintenance over their lifespan.
- These types of irrigation systems have low operating and maintenance costs.
These benefits collectively make center-pivot irrigation systems a valuable and efficient tool for modern agricultural practices, contributing to sustainable and productive farming operations.
Technology Integrations in Center Pivot Irrigation Systems
The integration of various technologies is revolutionizing the center pivot-based irrigation system. Below are some of the technologies employed within this system.
-
Role of Drones
Drones are proven to be game changers in precision farming. They enable farmers to assess and monitor their yields and livestock remotely from any location. This helps in improving their harvest, maintaining efficiency, and making decisions. Drones can help with various tasks, such as detecting plant diseases and pests and managing irrigation resources efficiently. For example, Lindsay Corporation has introduced the Zimmatic® pivot systems and, more recently, the FieldNet®. This system enables remote management of irrigation systems, offering guidance and control to optimize yields in diverse climates and terrains, accessible from anywhere and at any time.
-
Integration of IoT Technology
IoT-based center pivot irrigation systems leverage innovative technology to enhance agricultural practices. These systems integrate IoT applications to automate agricultural labor, improve water management, and optimize costs. By utilizing IoT technology alongside center-pivot irrigation systems, farmers can achieve better control and monitoring of their irrigation processes, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in agricultural operations. Various companies, like Nelson, are implementing IoT technology in their irrigation solutions.
-
Rise of AI
Today, center pivot irrigation systems integrate artificial intelligence to automate irrigation processes, analyze data from in-field sensors, and make real-time adjustments to water distribution. By utilizing AI technology, irrigation systems can efficiently manage water resources, reduce human intervention, and improve overall crop health and yield.
Furthermore, AI-based irrigation systems collect data from various sensors and use AI algorithms to schedule irrigation, adjust water flow, and prevent overwatering, thereby optimizing water usage and reaching plants efficiently.
To Wrapping Up
Center pivot irrigation systems represent a pivotal advancement in modern agricultural practices, offering efficient water management and enhanced crop production capabilities. These systems uniformly distribute water and play a role in pesticide spraying while minimizing water waste and soil erosion by delivering water precisely to crops. The integration of innovative technologies such as IoT and AI has further elevated the effectiveness of these systems, enabling automation, real-time monitoring, and data-driven decision-making. As technology advances, we will witness the development of center-pivot irrigation approaches, contributing to increased productivity and environmental stewardship.
