Sprinkler irrigation revolutionises fruit farming in Tangail

Humayun Kabir from Tangail's Ghatail upazila runs a 51-acre agricultural farm with pineapple and G-9 bananas cultivated on several acres. 

Inspired by a local farmer's use of modern sprinkler technology, he installed it on his farm recently for Tk1.20 lakh.

"Sprinkler irrigation has clear benefits compared to traditional methods. The installation cost will be offset by the system's lower electricity consumption and improved yields," he told TBS.

By adopting sprinkler irrigation, Tangail's fruit farmers like Humayun are revolutionising the cultivation of dragon fruit, pineapples, and bananas.

Farmers and agriculture officials said some are now considering this method for growing other fruits due to its ability to drastically reduce costs, as well as save water and irrigation time.

A sprinkler irrigation device sprays water over crops, mimicking rainfall. It distributes water evenly across fields, helping plants grow while conserving water.

Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) officials, citing research, said sprinkler or drip irrigation cuts electricity bills by 75%, reduces water wastage by 80%, and lowers labour costs. Irrigation that took four days previously can be done in just 24 hours.

According to farmers, manual irrigation of a one-bigha dragon fruit orchard typically consumes electricity costing Tk7,000-Tk12,000 annually. 

In comparison, sprinkler irrigation reduces the cost to Tk4,000-Tk7,000, while drip irrigation lowers it further to Tk2,000-Tk3,000.

A drip irrigation device delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubes and emitters.

Manual irrigation requires around 60 lakh litres of water per bigha. In contrast, according to farmers' accounts, sprinkler irrigation uses 36 lakh litres, and drip irrigation significantly reduces it to 18 lakh litres.

Society for Social Service (SSS), a private organisation, has introduced this technology to farmers in Tangail. 

The Agricultural Extension Department also recognised it as a timely integration.

Kabir Hossain, deputy director of Tangail Agricultural Extension Department, told TBS, "This is excellent for commercial gardeners. These methods have long been used in developed countries, and based on our climate, they need to be further integrated into agriculture."

Alek Sikdar from Tangail's Ghatail upazila cultivated dragon fruits on 13 acres of land, benefiting greatly from sprinkler technology.

He said, "This irrigation method keeps the plants and fruits refreshed. There is no doubt the sprinkler system introduced by SSS is a farmer-friendly technology."

Abdul Hamid Bhuiyan, executive director of the SSS, said, "Tangail is a major hub for fruit production. We aim to foster the growth of improved, safe crops using modern agricultural systems that conserve water and reduce costs."

According to the district Agricultural Extension Department, around 19,000 hectares of land in Tangail are used to cultivate fruits like mango, jackfruit, and pineapple. Groundwater is also required for these crops. 

With many farmers in Madhupur and Ghatail upazilas now adopting water-efficient modern irrigation systems, groundwater will be conserved to some extent.

Farmers said previously they used pipes to water the farmland, but this method didn't effectively reach the tree leaves.

"With the installation of the sprinklers, all the plants in the garden receive even watering. This has lowered costs and increased yield. In the future, I plan to use the sprinkler system for irrigating other crops as well," said Md Abdur Rashid from Ghatail.

Agricultural scientists said adverse weather conditions are reducing fruit nutrition and flavour. However, if plants receive water through a sprinkler or a drip irrigation system, along with necessary nutrients, the fruit will be both nutritious and tasty.

In response, a sub-project is being carried out under the Rural Microenterprise Transformation Project (RMTP) to extend and market high-value fruit varieties.

Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, PKSF, and Denmark's Danida, the project aims to improve incomes by providing quality services, materials, technology, and market access, thereby boosting productivity.

PKSF Managing Director Nomita Halder told TBS, "This project is enhancing the income of ordinary people by offering quality services, ensuring market linkages for products, and increasing productivity."

The initiative is active in 12 districts, including Tangail, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Khagrachari, Chattogram, and Mymensingh, with at least 58,000 farmers adopting modern technology.