Celebrating Precision Irrigation Day
Precision Irrigation Day (November 16) gives us at Netafim USA another opportunity to celebrate the great impact of one of agriculture’s most important innovations. As natural resources dwindle, agricultural land decreases, and farmers face the challenge of feeding a growing population, precision irrigation is more critical than ever. Here’s why precision irrigation, the core of Netafim’s global solutions, is helping the world grow more with less™.
Water-Efficient Farming is a Global Priority
Water is the foundation of life, on and off the farm. Over the last few years, water conservation has received heightened attention in the face of prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures. With precision irrigation, farmers need to produce more food with fewer resources.
As of yesterday (November 15, 2022), we have surpassed 8 billion people in the world. By 2050, it is projected that there will be nearly 10 billion people on Earth. Sustainably providing for more people with the same amount of natural resources is a challenge not possible with traditional irrigated farming practices. Farmers must sustainably face this challenge. Precision irrigation is the key to helping make better use of water while achieving higher and better yields.
What is Precision Irrigation?
The concept behind precision irrigation is simple but powerful. Aligned alongside the roots of plants, emitters placed under the soil deliver water and nutrients directly to a plant's root zone, the key to driving efficiency. This placement allows the application of water and nutrients directly to the plant at the right time and place and in small, measured doses, providing it with optimal growing conditions. This system enables farmers to produce higher yields while saving on water and fertilizer.
Precision irrigation achieves a 90-97% water use efficiency, compared to sprinkler systems seeing an 80-85% efficiency or flood and furrow methods at a 60-70% rate. Greatly reducing water waste, run-off, and evaporation. On a macro level, the effects of this are transformative. Using less water as well as seeing higher yields, farmers produce more and are better positioned to help overcome critical world challenges like food security and the need for arable land.
How Netafim Innovated the Future of Farming
Netafim began in 1965 in the heart of Israel's Negev Desert, with the goal of growing crops in an arid environment. That challenge helped precision irrigation come to life, and more than 50 years later, Netafim and its subsidiaries are still driving its adoption globally.
Netafim’s entry into the U.S. marketplace over 40 years ago has transformed the face of U.S. agriculture and increased farmers’ ability to improve their sustainable practices. In California alone, a variety of crops including 65% of processing tomatoes, 45% of almond trees, 70% of grapes, and 40% of citrus trees utilize Netafim subsurface drip irrigation. All while expanding into new crops including alfalfa, corn, carrots, and potatoes.
We're proud of our commitment to helping growers reach high yields while also achieving economic profitability because this means more affordable and delicious fruits and vegetables on everyone’s tables.
The Future is Water-Efficient
Precision irrigation is just one piece of a larger puzzle of agricultural practices that will help meet our needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. We believe every person - from growers, retailers to consumers – play a role in reaching a more sustainable, food system. Not because it would be ideal, but because we need to. From Netafim USA to you, Happy Precision Irrigation Day!
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