Design of Small Gravity Drip Irrigation for Smallholder Farming in Water Scarce Region of Indonesia
Reskiana Saefuddin1*, Zulham Sirajuddin2, Daniel Useng3

1 The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl.Raya Jakarta-Bogor km. 46 Cibinong, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia.
2 Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.6, Dulalowo Tim., Kec. Kota Tengah, Kota Gorontalo, Gorontalo, 96128, Indonesia
3 Natural Resources Research and Development Center of Hasanuddin University (PSDA), Jl.Perintis Kemerdekaan 10 Tamalanrea, Makassar, 90245, Indonesia.

Abstract

Many of regions in Indonesia are suffering water crisis due to the annual precipitation is limited especially in arid and semi-arid regions which affects the agricultural production. Climate change are more severe threatening the global food and water security. thus, development of affordable irrigation for smallholder farms is crucial in order to increase agricultural production. The study aims to provide a better design and management of small gravity drip irrigation system for melon cultivation. The field experiments were conducted in farmer^s field located in Sinjai Regency to analyze the performance of small gravity drip irrigation system on melon cultivation. The technical design was determined by analysis of the water application uniformity and irrigation water productivity. The parameters of crops growth under small gravity drip irrigation were monitored during crop development stages and the irrigation water productivity was calculated after crop was harvested. As result, small gravity drip system performed well on crop performance and irrigation water productivity was 1.55 kg/m3. It can be concluded that small gravity drip irrigation system is a suitable strategy for irrigating melon crops in smallholder farm, reducing consumptive water use and increasing crop water productivity.

Keywords: small gravity drip irrigation, smallholder farm, water use efficiency, melon cultivation.

Topic: Agriculture engineering