The agricultural business produces the food, fiber and fuel that enhance people’s lives all over the world.  Water is an essential ingredient to crop production, and where rainfall does not occur naturally, or in the right amount at the right time, farmers must irrigate.  Drip irrigation technology was developed decades ago and has evolved into a popular way for farmers to maximize profits, optimize resource use, reduce risk and improve their lifestyle.

The various benefits of drip irrigation are so significant that the system often pays for itself quickly. High value fruit, nut, vegetable and fiber growers were the first to adopt drip irrigation technology because the investment was readily warranted.  Yield and quality enhancements were of primary interest while cost savings and other benefits were secondary. But as crop inputs such as water, fertilizer, chemicals, fuel and labor become more expensive, or less available, even lower value crops such as grains, forage, fiber and fuel benefit as well.  Drip irrigation is especially popular where sustainable, organic agriculture is enabled (see Organic Agriculture).  Although more difficult to quantify, prevention of irrigation runoff or deep water percolation provides significant benefits as well.

Converting to drip irrigation is much like buying and learning to use any new technology.  It is best to start by doing a little research.  Then, find someone you trust to help with the design, installation, operation and maintenance.  Drip irrigation is different from gravity or sprinkler irrigation, and can be highly customized to an individual operation.  For best results, find someone who understands both drip irrigation and your farm!

To get started, click on the links provided to access how-to guides, case studies, technical articles and online tools to help evaluate whether the investment in drip is right for you.  DripIrrigation.org is dedicated to providing accurate, useful information about using drip irrigation in agricultural applications.  We hope you take advantage of the experience and knowledge of DripIrrigation.org, and that you join the thousands of farmers who have reaped the benefits of converting to drip irrigation.

Click the following link to learn more about Drip Irrigation.