MangalbhaiHamabhaiLadumor, a 60 Years old farmer living in Mota Ringaniyala village, in the coastal village of Rajula block of Amreli District. He is living in a joint family of 10 members. He is an illiterate. He has a Six acres of land having agriculture as his main source of income followed by Animal husbandry. He used to grow Groundnut, Cotton as a kharif crops and Onion as Rabi crop. The irrigation facility is very poor and average TDS of water is ranging from 1200 to 1500 in his field. Before his engagement with CSPC, he uses to irrigate the field with flood irrigation. The kharif crops usually take less irrigation if the sufficient rain is there. But, Onion Crop in the Rabi
season is very susceptible with water logging condition, which further resulting in the incidence of disease called “Bafiya” cause by Nematode and also invites the sucking pest to the field.
Engagement with CSPC under HDFC Project:
During our project orientation meeting, Mangalbhai got to know about the HDFC project being implemented by CSPC in the month of Sept’21. During the series of training and field day on laser irrigation conducted by CSPC, Mangalbhai has adopted the Laser irrigation in the onion crop in one acre of land under the HRDP project supported by HDFC. He has also received the adoption incentive of Rs. 3200/- as well.
About the Laser Irrigation:
It is a technology of micro-irrigation system with a new innovative approach for water conservation and boosting productivity through uniform distribution of water. It is easy to install and maintain. Laser has flexible hose like it founds in drip irrigation. These drip holes are made with nano punching technology to ensure uniform flow of water. It is a replacement for Sprinkler Irrigation System. Laser is suitable for closely spaced crops like onion, vegetable crops, groundnut etc. This reduces irrigation time, water usage and electricity charges. It provides the uniform germination of crops and reduce the infestation of pests and diseases.
Experience from Mangalbhai: The comparison for Conventional Vs Laser Irrigation in Onion Crops
| Conventional Irrigation method | Laser Irrigation method |
| Required bunds which occupy more land | No need of bunds hence more area can be used sowing. |
| Soil Erosion Occurs | No Soil Erosion |
| Water loss through percolation and wastage of water | Saves water up to 40 % |
| Germination of seeds and seedlings are found poor and not uniform. | Uniform and good germination of Seeds and Seedlings. |
| Provide suitable climate for pest and diseases | Provide unfavourable climate for pest /diseases |
| Weed growth is high due to water logging condition all over the field. | Weed growth is very less |
| Labour cost high | No requirement of labour |
| Thrips and other disease problem is high | Very less problem of thrips and other disease caused due to water logging condition. |
“I am very satisfy with this laser irrigation. It gives me very good germination with less effort. I have save lots of water which can be use in next cropping season or I can use to irrigate more area. The pest and disease are also less comparison to other flood irrigated onion. I am expecting good yield out of this intervention”. “I wish that all the other farmers should adopt the laser irrigation”Mangalbhai
Future Plan of Mangalbhai :Mangalbhai is planning to bring his one acre more area laser irrigation. He also shared that he will ask his fallow farmers, relatives and friends to adopt the laser irrigation.