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The efficiency of drip irrigation unpacked

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  • van der Kooij, Saskia
  • Zwarteveen, Margreet
  • Boesveld, Harm
  • Kuper, Marcel

Abstract

Drip irrigation figures prominently in water policy debates as a possible solution to water scarcity problems, based on the assertion that it will improve water use efficiencies. We use this article to carefully trace the scientific basis of this assertion. Through a systematic review of the literature, we show that the term efficiency means different things to different people, and can refer to different elements in the water balance. Most articles claim that drip irrigation is irrigation water use efficient and crop water use efficient, but different studies use different definitions of these terms. In addition, measured efficiency gains not only refer to different capacities of the technology, but are also based on very specific boundary (scale) assumptions. We conclude that efficiency gains from drip irrigation will only be achieved under narrowly defined operational conditions, and just apply to very specific spatial and temporal scales. Hence, and unlike what generalized statements in policy documents and the overall enthusiasm for drip as a water saving tool suggest, expectations of increased water efficiencies associated with drip will only be realized, and are just realizable, in very specific circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • van der Kooij, Saskia & Zwarteveen, Margreet & Boesveld, Harm & Kuper, Marcel, 2013. "The efficiency of drip irrigation unpacked," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 103-110.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:123:y:2013:i:c:p:103-110
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2013.03.014
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    12. Mateos, Luciano & dos Santos Almeida, Alexsandro Claudio & Frizzone, José Antônio & Lima, Sílvio Carlos Ribeiro Vieira, 2018. "Performance assessment of smallholder irrigation based on an energy-water-yield nexus approach," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 176-186.
    13. Ortega-Reig, M. & Sanchis-Ibor, C. & Palau-Salvador, G. & García-Mollá, M. & Avellá-Reus, L., 2017. "Institutional and management implications of drip irrigation introduction in collective irrigation systems in Spain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 164-172.
    14. Morey Burnham & Zhao Ma & Delan Zhu, 2015. "The human dimensions of water saving irrigation: lessons learned from Chinese smallholder farmers," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 32(2), pages 347-360, June.
    15. Benavides, Juan & Hernández-Plaza, Eva & Mateos, Luciano & Fereres, Elías, 2021. "A global analysis of irrigation scheme water supplies in relation to requirements," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    16. Hadi A. AL-agele & Lloyd Nackley & Chad Higgins, 2021. "Testing Novel New Drip Emitter with Variable Diameters for a Variable Rate Drip Irrigation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-8, January.
    17. Hardie, Marcus & Green, Steve & Oliver, Garth & Swarts, Nigel & Clothier, Brent & Gentile, Roberta & Close, Dugald, 2022. "Measuring and modelling nitrate fluxes in a mature commercial apple orchard," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    18. García-Mollá, Marta & Ortega-Reig, Mar & Boelens, Rutgerd & Sanchis-Ibor, Carles, 2020. "Hybridizing the commons. Privatizing and outsourcing collective irrigation management after technological change in Spain," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    19. Siderius, C. & Boonstra, H. & Munaswamy, V. & Ramana, C. & Kabat, P. & van Ierland, E. & Hellegers, P., 2015. "Climate-smart tank irrigation: A multi-year analysis of improved conjunctive water use under high rainfall variability," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 52-62.
    20. Kilic, Murat, 2020. "A new analytical method for estimating the 3D volumetric wetting pattern under drip irrigation system," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).
    21. Simons, G.W.H. & Bastiaanssen, W.G.M. & Cheema, M.J.M. & Ahmad, B. & Immerzeel, W.W., 2020. "A novel method to quantify consumed fractions and non-consumptive use of irrigation water: Application to the Indus Basin Irrigation System of Pakistan," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    22. Clement, Floriane & Pokhrel, Paras & Sherpa, Tashi Yang Chung, 2015. "Sustainability and replicability of multiple-use water systems (MUS)," IWMI Reports 208418, International Water Management Institute.

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