Outline of the Software

This software works on the climatological approach of estimating the water requirement of the crops at different stages of the crop growth. Subsequently, it suggests the needed time of operation of the micro irrigation system depending upon the design of the system, soil type and mulch conditions.

The major features of the software are

It works on the climatological approach
Based on the district level meteorological data, estimates the water requirement of different crops, in different locations,
Presently it can suggest the water requirement of 65 to 70 agricultural and horticultural field crops and orchard crops.
Estimates the water requirement as per the crop geometry
Estimates the water requirement for different stages of crop growth
Estimates the micro irrigation system operating time, depending on the lateral spacing, dripper/nozzle spacing and dripper/nozzle discharge rates.
It can suggest the operating time in different soil types viz. heavy, medium and light.
There is provision for considering the mulching aspects including the type of mulches while working out the operating time.

The anticipated advantages of using the software

Additional 30 to 40 per cent water savings over the existing usage with drip/sprinkler/minisprinkler
More energy saving
The government can divert the additional saved energy to other sectors like industries and generate more revenue.
Farmer will be able to irrigate more area with the same system in unit time.
More area can be brought under irrigation than with the present achievement through drip
Possibilities of less pests and diseases including weeds
Improvement in the water use efficiency resulting in more net returns per unit quantity of water used
Based on the principle of Water Saved is Water Created it is estimated that investment on Major/Medium irrigation projects for creating 1MCM of water potential is Rs 77 lacs*(TASK force Report, GOI,2004) Thus with the more saving of water using the software there will be more savings to the exchequer of the government as they have to divert lesser money for development of water resources.(* this figure may be still higher now)