Irrigation and Technological Transformation

The primary goal of this essay is to explore the various technological changes that have occurred in the agricultural industry. Countries have used irrigation for many years as a strategy to boost food output. Technology improvements have increased food production to meet the needs of the expanding populace. Since the introduction of technology, the agricultural industry has undergone significant change. But for irrigation to be successful, a lot of water is required. People who use irrigation should be knowledgeable about how to use water and how to use it during an irrigation plan. Another milestone in theagricultural sector is the introduction of tractors. Tractors canplow large tracts of land in a very short time, unlike human and animals. The introduction of such kinds of large machinery for irrigation made it easier for irrigators to conduct their activities efficiently. This has made it possible for irrigators to practice large scale farming. Large-scale farming has resulted in a continuous flow of food to the rising population. Technological advancements have resulted in the establishment of proper storage facilities. Some of the farm products are perishable and thus require modern storage facilities. Each year, there is an advancement in storage facilities. This has enabled irrigators to grow more crops thus resulting in an increase in food production.

New technologies applied by irrigators aim at making the process of irrigation cheaper, more accurate and more automated to enable an increase in food production. These technological advancements have made it possible for irrigators to use less water and energy inputs. Use of automated sprayers has made it possible for farmers to spray crops with thechemical. For instance, use of sprayers in farms has led to decrease in costs. This is evident as little labor is required. Most of the works are performed by automated machines that are left in the farms.

Transformation of delivery infrastructure has appeared to be inflexible and non-effective. Thisis characterized by old water delivery systems that were designed decades ago. Technological advancements have enabled an automatic irrigation systems. These automatic irrigation systemscan water a large landscape. Nowadays, farmers can manage waterfronts. This has been abled by the use of moisture sensors. The introduction of moisture sensors hasabled irrigators to manage water more precisely and effectively. For instance, the in-field moisture sensors have enabled the growth of stress-free crops. Irrigators are nowadays taught on moisture-sensing technology by agricultural experts. This is because the technology is useful in monitoring waterfronts.

The introduction of water pumps enabled irrigators to manage large tracts of land. After the introduction of water pumps, food productivity is said to have increased. This is as a result of large tracts of land being under irrigation. During the past years, animal power was efficient. The use of animal power increased the sustainability and the availability of irrigated areas. An example of an area that animal power was used during irrigation is Babylon. Later on, wind technology was used to pump and distribute water to crops in the irrigation farms.

With the current rate of growth population, food consumption patterns require a doubling of food production. Food production can only be increased by an efficient irrigation and agricultural water management. Farmers are encouraged to efficiently use inputs that would enable a positive impact on food production. An example of a farming input that ought to be effectively applied is theuse of fertilizers. An efficient irrigation would result in a reduced amount of fertilizer application thus reducing the waste and lower labor input.

Countries like India have incorporated the use of tank irrigation technology. Use of this technology has enabled a store of water. Tank irrigation technology is among one of the mist effective water harvesting technique. These tanks are managed by local communities as they are regarded to be a common property resource. This kind of technique has also been applied to areas that do not experience rainfalls for a long period. Therefore, tank technology is effective for the process of irrigation as it makes it possible for the activity to be performed on drought affected areas. Modification of this kind of technology is still underway. The tank irrigation technology has impacted the Indian irrigators positively as it has led to an increase in food production. It has also minimized the costs of farming.

Despite positive impacts of technology in irrigation,negative impacts are also faced. For instance, use of fertilizers that contain toxic heavy metals may affect plants. Plants that are exposed to such fertilizers pose a danger to persons who consume such foods. Once the foods containing toxic heavy metals are consumed, signs of sicknesses start to show up on the bodies of the affected.The decrease in rainfall has enabled scientists to introduce crops that are drought resistance. Such crops are known as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). These kinds of crops can withstand famine. The transformation of technology has impacted irrigation in a positive manner. Such advancements have led to use of lands correctly. This has led to an increase in food production.

It is evident that technology transformation has impacted the process of irrigation. The core aim of conducting irrigation is to enable an increase in food production. The advancements in technology have made it possible for irrigators to produce more food for the rising population. Different parties work together to enable an effective execution. Farmers are exposed to workshops and seminars to make them understand the need for applying different techniques that would be beneficial.

Roth, Dik, and Linden Vincent. Controlling the water: matching technology and institutions in irrigation management in India and Nepal. Oxford University Press, 2013.

The authors have showcased the changing dynamics in and between irrigation technology and institutions. Different models and future designs incorporated by technology are defined. The ‘irrigation modernization’ is characterized by increased food production.The technological transformation has made it possible for the irrigators to cultivate large tracts of land by use of machinery.

Shah, Esha. Social Design: Tank Irrigation Technology and Agrarian Transformation in Karnataka, South India. Wageningen Universiteit, 2003.

The historical perspective showcased by the author is of how agrarian and social context have impacted the society. Shah has evidently shown how technological designs are important in irrigation activities. In the case of India, thesocial arrangement is also reproduced. The tank irrigation technology was introduced in the 20th century by Indian farmers to store water for future use. Other areas that surround India adopted this technology to conduct irrigation process. The agrarian transformation was evident since the 18th century.

Yannopoulos, Stavros I., Gerasimos Lyberatos, Nicolaos Theodossiou, Wang Li, Mohammad Valipour, Aldo Tamburrino, and Andreas N. Angelakis. "Evolution of water lifting devices (pumps) over the centuries worldwide." Water 7, no. 9 (2015): 5031-5060.

The authors have explained on the transformation of water delivery systems used in irrigations. At first, the common energy that was used to distribute water in the irrigation farms was by animals. Later on, water pumps were introducedto distribute water. Technological advancements enabled irrigators to transform wind power into effective energy that could be used to pump water to crops. The historical perspective of the book has showcased on the transformations of water pumps.

Singh, A., and S. M. Prasad. "Remediation of heavy metal contaminated ecosystem: an overview on technology advancement." International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 12, no. 1 (2015): 353-366.

Despite the technological advancements used in irrigation, use of toxic metals is termed to have a negative impact on people. These toxic metals are harmful to the human body. Dangers that result due to the consumption of foods containing metals are health hazards. For instance, sicknesses such as cancer are evident of persons who have consumed foods containing toxic heavy metals. Health practitioners have liaised with agricultural experts to enable effective techniques that would not pose dangers to the health of individuals.

Chaturvedi, Vaibhav, Mohamad Hejazi, James Edmonds, Leon Clarke, Page Kyle, Evan Davies, and Marshall Wise. "Climate mitigation policy implications for global irrigation water demand." Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 20, no. 3 (2015): 389-407.

The authors have showcased on different measures undertaken to sustain the irrigation process. Technological advancements have enabled the introduction of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as a way of curbing drought. Such advancements have enabled irrigators to grow crops on drought area. Most irrigation schemes are nowadays found on reclaimed land and in areas regarded to be dry. The use of technology has enabled irrigators to maximize the use of this kind of lands.

Suh, Dong Hee, Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Michael Dukes. "Relating Knowledge and Perceptions of Sustainable Water Management to Preferences for Smart Irrigation Technology." Sustainability 9, no. 4 (2017): 607.

Different irrigation technologies have been elaborated by the authors to enable a ‘smart’ irrigation. Measures and regulations based on ambient and soil moisture measures are explainedin detail. These measures are applied by the use of sensors.

Bibliography

Chaturvedi, Vaibhav, Mohamad Hejazi, James Edmonds, Leon Clarke, Page Kyle, Evan Davies, and Marshall Wise. "Climate mitigation policy implications for global irrigation water demand." Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 20, no. 3 (2015): 389-407.

Roth, Dik, and Linden Vincent. Controlling the water: matching technology and institutions in irrigation management in India and Nepal. Oxford University Press, 2013.

Shah, Esha. Social Design: Tank Irrigation Technology and Agrarian Transformation in Karnataka, South India. Wageningen Universiteit, 2003.

Singh, A., and S. M. Prasad. "Remediation of heavy metal contaminated ecosystem: an overview on technology advancement." International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 12, no. 1 (2015): 353-366.

Suh, Dong Hee, Hayk Khachatryan, Alicia Rihn, and Michael Dukes. "Relating Knowledge and Perceptions of Sustainable Water Management to Preferences for Smart Irrigation Technology." Sustainability 9, no. 4 (2017): 607.

Yannopoulos, Stavros I., Gerasimos Lyberatos, Nicolaos Theodossiou, Wang Li, Mohammad Valipour, Aldo Tamburrino, and Andreas N. Angelakis. "Evolution of water lifting devices (pumps) over the centuries worldwide." Water 7, no. 9 (2015): 5031-5060.