Farming with Less Water? It's Possible.

Water is one of the resources that is very essential to farmers and gardeners. CUESA or Cultivating a Healthy Food Systems has identified 10 ways of farming with less water. Click here to visit their website and learn more from them.

Here are the 10 ways mentioned by CUESA.

1. Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to a plant's root, reducing the evaporation that happens with spray watering systems. Timers can be used to schedule watering for the cooler parts of the day, further reducing water loss. Properly installed drip irrigation, and can even contribute to increased crop yields.

2. Capturing and Storing Water

Many farmers rely on municipal water or wells (groundwater), while some have built their onw ponds to capture and store rainfall for use throughout the year. Properly managed ponds can also create habitat for local wildlife.

3. Irrigation Scheduling

Smart water management is not just about how water is delivered but also when, how often, and how much. To avoid under- or overwaterhing their crops, farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast, as well as soil and plant moisture, and adapt their irrigation schedule to the current conditions.

4. Drought-Tolerant Crops

Growing crops that are appropriate to the region's climate is another way that farmers are getting more crop per drop. Crop species that are native to arid regions are naturally drought-tolerant, while other crop varieties have been selected over time for their low water needs.

5. Dry Farming

Dry farmers don't irrigate, relying on soil moisture to produce their crops during the dry season. Special tilling practices and careful attention to microclimates are essential. Dry farming tends to enhance flavors but produces lower yields than irrigated crops.

6. Rotational Grazing

Rotational grazing is a process in which livestock are moved between fields to help promote pasture regrowth. Good grazing management increases the field's water absorption and decreases water runoff, making pastures more drought-resistant. Increased soil organic matter and better forage cover are also water-saving benefits of rotation grazing.

7. Compost and Mulch

Compost or decomposed organic matter used as fertilizer has been found to improve soil structure, increasing its water-holding capacity. Mulch is a material spread on top of the soil to conserve moisture. Mulch made from organic materials such as straw or wood chips will break down into compost, further increasing the soil's ability to retain water. Farmers may also use black plastic mulch as a soil cover to suppress weeds and reduce evaporation.

8. Cover Crops

Planted to protect soil that would otherwise go bare, cover crops reduce weeds, increase soil fertility and organic matter, and help prevent erosion and compaction. This allows water to easily penetrate the soil and improves its water-holding capacity.

9. Conservation Tillage

Conservation tillage uses specialized plows or other implements that partially till the soil but leave at least 30% of vegetative crop residue on the surface. Like the sue of cover crops, such practices help increase water absorption and reduce evaporation, erosion, and compaction.

10. Going Organic

Organic methods help retain soil moisture. Healthy soil that is rich in organic matter and microbial life serves as a sponge that delivers moisture to plants. Organic fields can recharge groundwater supplies up to 20%.