Technologies

Application of water by drip irrigation [Greece]

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technologies_1456 - Greece

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1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
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SLM specialist:

Bardoulaki-Spanoudaki G

Organization for the Development of Western Crete OADYK Agia, Chania

Greece

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.5 Reference to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Approaches (documented using WOCAT)

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation is a method which minimizes the use of water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Irrigation is very important for increasing crop yields in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid climates. The area of irrigated land has increased more than twice in the last decades in the study areas. In recent years, the considerable reduction of winter and autumn rainfall has caused a serious lack of water resources. The production of the various crops is substantially reduced if water is not provided during the summer period.
The high demands for water consumption or other economic activities have increased the price of water, forcing up the cost of agricultural production. In addition, in many cases, low quality (with high electrical conductivity) water is used for irrigation. The need for intensification of agriculture to meet the high cost of production, the use of poor quality of water, the lack of drainage systems are in many cases responsible for soil degradation resulting from water logging, salinization, alkalinization, and soil erosion.

Purpose of the Technology: Drip or trickle irrigation achieves the highest irrigation efficiency since about 90% of the applied water is available to the plants. This SWC technology is especially suitable for watering trees or other large plants keeping strips among trees dry. Application of water by drip irrigation can be considered more as more efficient method using low quality of irrigation water. Irrigation water of high salt content can be applied in higher quantities in spots leaching salts to deeper soil layers. Drip irrigation can be applied in any type of soil from coarse- and fine-textured and without any limitation to slope gradient requiring little labour during installation.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In the study area of Chania trickle irrigation system includes mainly three branches from the outlet of main water network transportation system to the application in the trees. The last branch consists of plastic tube 12 to 32 mm in diameter that lies either on or just below the soil surface and applies the water either through small holes in the line or through emitter nozzle.

Natural / human environment: In recent years the increasing awareness of farmers on issues relating to the sustainability of the environment and conservation of water by promoting SWC technologies has led to widespread of use of drip irrigation in the area of Crete and in many other parts of the Country. The categorization of the specific SWC technology according to the WOCAT questionnaire is defined as: CtWtA3.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

Media Gallery

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Greece

Region/ State/ Province:

Kidonia

Further specification of location:

Chania Crete

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 480 km2.

Map preview

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • during experiments/ research

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Tree and shrub cropping
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • olive
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120Longest growing period from month to month: March to JuneSecond longest growing period in days: 150Second longest growing period from month to month: March to June

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): availability of irrigation water, loss of water in the network, conflicts between districts and economic sectors of tourism and agriculure

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): availability of irrigation water, conflicts between districts and economic sectors of tourism and agriculure

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • mixed rainfed-irrigated

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A3: Soil surface treatment
structural measures

structural measures

  • S11: Others
Comments:

Main measures: agronomic measures

Secondary measures: structural measures

Type of vegetative measures: in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

water degradation

water degradation

  • Ha: aridification
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Ha: aridification

Main causes of degradation: disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (lack of water), education, access to knowledge and support services (lack of knowledge)

Secondary causes of degradation: over abstraction / excessive withdrawal of water (for irrigation, industry, etc.) (salinization)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

In the study area of Chania trickle irrigation system includes mainly three branches from the outlet of main water network transportation system to the application in the trees. The last branch consists of plastic tube 12 to 32 mm in diameter that lies either on or just below the soil surface and applies the water either through small holes in the line or through emitter nozzles.

Location: Kasteli. Chania

Date: March 2007

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate (system installation requirements)

Main technical functions: improvement of ground cover

Secondary technical functions: increase in organic matter, increase of biomass (quantity)

In blocks
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops
Number of plants per (ha): 250
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 5
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 4

Perennial crops species: olives

Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 15.00%

Gradient along the rows / strips: 15.00%

Structural measure: irrigation system
Spacing between structures (m): 8

Construction material (other): plastic, plastic tubes 12-32 mm in diameter

Other type of management: Water distribution among farmers, water is provided under the control of local authorities

Author:

C. Kosmas

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. planting the olive trees 2 days/ha
2. transporting plastic tubes once during installation
3. Whole system of tubes, filters and system of fertilizers application once during installation
4. Main network of irrigation system once per year

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour >Installation ha 1.0 350.0 350.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 1650.0 1650.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 2000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 2000.0
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 0.1 month(s)
Life span of the irrigation network: 20 years

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. cleaning filters and replacing destroyied tubes 3 hours every year/ha
2. Checking outlets and conectors once per year
3. Control of network for loss of irrigation water once per year

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour ha 1.0 10.0 10.0
Equipment Tools ha 1.0 50.0 50.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 60.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 60.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hand tools, System of applying fertilizers through the irrigation water, filters for keeping various solid materials

per hectare of land affected

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

the reguired materials (tubes, filters, etc)

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

With six months of dry period

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: temperate

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • high (>3%)
  • medium (1-3%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is very high-medium
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is high-very high

5.4 Water availability and quality

Availability of surface water:

good

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: 5-50 m, > 50 m

Water quality (untreated): good drinking water, for agricultural use only (irrigation)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • high

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
  • rich
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

Difference in the involvement of women and men: Women in rural areas are involved in other type of work

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2

Annual population growth: 1% - 2%

5% of the land users are rich (cost for buying materials).
55% of the land users are average wealthy.

Off-farm income specification: working in tourist business

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • leased
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

1500 kg/ha

Quantity after SLM:

2000 kg/ha

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

Cultivation of the land is hindered by the irrigation network

Water availability and quality

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased

irrigation water quality

decreased
increased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased

farm income

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

4500 euro/ha

Quantity after SLM:

5800 euro/ha

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

cultural opportunities

reduced
improved

situation of socially and economically disadvantaged groups

worsened
improved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Significant environmental benefit from the rational use of irrigation water

Ecological impacts

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

salinity

increased
decreased
Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Other ecological impacts

Waste

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

environmental pollution due to presence of plastics not easily recycled

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not well
Comments:

Control of flooding by adjusting river bed

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

positive

Long-term returns:

positive

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

3850

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 11-50%
Comments:

65% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

2200 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support

35% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

1650 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support

There is a moderate trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Increase crop production in some cases up to 50%

How can they be sustained / enhanced? providing more water
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Technologies on conserving soil and water resources and combating desertification in Crete are mainly related to land management. Olive groves are widely expanded in the island due to the importance of olive oil as one of the essential material for daily human food needs. Furthermore, olive groves can survive under adverse climatic and soil conditions supporting a significant farmer’s income under relatively low labour. Land management practices have been adopted in the area based on tradition and transfer knowledge by the local institutes and specialists.
In addition, irrigation of the land by the drip system is considered as a very promising technique for conserving water resources in the area. Land terracing is a human intervention in sloping semi-natural landscapes, which have suffered losses, to some degree, in their sustainability and resilience.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? by providing additional water resources in the area (build a water reservoir)

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
High cost for buying materials, better education subsidizing materials, technology transfer
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
increased cost for the first installation subsidizing the system

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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